Lindsay was rewarded for being among the nation's top rushers by being named a Doak Walker Award semifinalist Friday.
Photo by: Joel Broida
Lindsay Named Semifinalist For Doak Walker Award
November 17, 2017 | Football
Third Buffalo To Attain Semifinalist Status For Prestigious Honor
BOULDER — Senior tailback Phillip Lindsay was named Friday as one of 11 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, which is presented to the nation's top running back.
Lindsay joins Rashaan Salaam, who won the award in 1994, and Chris Brown, who was the runner-up in 2002, as the third Buffalo to advance to semifinalist status for the Doak, which was first presented in 1990.
A 5-8, 190-pounder from Denver South High School, he has been among the nation's rushing leaders all season, currently fourth in total yards (1,402), ninth in per game average (127.5) and 12th in rushing touchdowns (13). He's also 12th in all-purpose yards per game (149.6) and 35th in scoring (84 points).
"It means a lot to me, it's a tremendous honor to represent my state, my team and the University of Colorado," Lindsay said. "But as I've always said, it's really not about me, it's about my teammates. The offensive linemen up front, the receivers getting down the field throwing blocks. It's certainly a privilege to be semifinalist considering all the great running backs in college football." It is especially significant since Lindsay tore his ACL in the first game of his senior year and went virtually unrecruited at that point on, but CU had offered him a scholarship and did not pull the offer.
Salaam led the nation in rushing with 2,055 yards, just the fourth player at the time to eclipse 2,000 yards and doing so in the-then 11 game season; Brown led the nation most of the 2002 season before suffering a sprained ankle but still finished third nationally with 1,744 yards despite missing the better part of three games at the end of the year.
"It's a humbling experience to join those two (Salaam and Brown) as semifinalists who advanced from CU," Lindsay added. "Those were two great running backs, and there are many others who could have or should have contended for it, like Eric Bieniemy and J.J. Flannigan."
Lindsay's 1,402 yards are the fourth-most in a single season at Colorado, and he recently moved into second place on the Buffs' all-time rushing list with 3,635 yards. Earlier in the season, he assumed CU's top spot in all-purpose yards (5,675) and yards from scrimmage (4,598); he's also fifth in scoring with 228 points. He has caught more passes (109) than any other Colorado running back in history, and for the second-most yard (962); he needs eight to become the all-time leader and 38 to become CU's first-ever 1,000-yard rusher and receiver.
"'Phil is an excellent all-around back," CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "He does everything you ask a running back to do and more. He is a very good blocker, catches the ball phenomenally out of the backfield, and he's obviously an excellent runner. He has more carries than anyone in college football this season, and that shows how durable he has been. And in addition to what he does on the field, he's also a phenomenal leader."
Other semifinalists include three other seniors, Royce Freeman (Oregon) and Rashaad Penny (San Diego State); five juniors, Josh Adams (Notre Dame), Saquon Barkley (Penn State), Kerryon Johnson (Auburn), Ronald Jones (USC) and Bryce Love (Stanford); two sophomores, Justice Hill (Oklahoma State) and Devin Singletary (Florida Atlantic); and one freshman, Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin). The Pac-12 Conference has four of the 11 semifinalists, and has had five of the previous 26 winners.
Three finalists for the award will be named this Tuesday, Nov. 21, as members of the award's national selection committee will cast their votes after this weekend's games. The 2017 Doak Walker Award recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 7 on ESPN.
Lindsay has set 20 school records and tied two others (indicated by an asterisk) heading into his final regular season game:
Most Rushing Attempts, Quarter—14, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (80 yards)
Most Rushing Attempts, Game—41, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (281 yards)
Most Rushing Attempts, Game—41, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (281 yards)
Most Rushing Attempts, Game/Senior—41, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (281 yards)
Most Rushing Yards Gained Against One Opponent—605, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona (114 in 2014; 91 in 2015, 119 in 2016, 281 in 2017)
*Most 1,000-Yard Rushing Seasons—2, Phillip Lindsay, 2016 (1,189) & 2017 (1,402)
Most Consecutive 1,000-Yard Rushing Seasons—2, Phillip Lindsay, 2016 (1,189) & 2017 (1,402)
Most Receptions By A Running Back, Game—11 (for 76 yards), Phillip Lindsay vs. UCLA in Boulder, Nov. 3, 2016
Most Receptions By A Running Back, Season—47 (for 390 yards), Phillip Lindsay, 2016
Most Receptions By A Running Back, Career—109 (for 963 yards), Phillip Lindsay, 2014-17
Most All-Purpose Plays, Half—24 for 136 yards), Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (first half: 22 rushing, 2 receiving)
Most All-Purpose Plays, Game—44 (for 320 yards), Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (41 rushing, 3 receiving)
Most All-Purpose Yards, Career—5,675, Phillip Lindsay, 2014-17 (3,635 rushing, 963 receiving, 1,077 return)
Most All-Purpose Yards, Game/Senior—320, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (281 rushing, 39 receiving)
Most Yards Gained From Scrimmage, Game/RS Freshman—207, Phillip Lindsay at Oregon, Nov. 22, 2014 (142 return, 49 rush, 26 receiving)
Most Yards Gained From Scrimmage, Game/Senior—320, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (281 rushing, 39 receiving)
Most Yards Gained From Scrimmage, Season/Redshirt Freshman—1,358, Phillip Lindsay, 2014 (849 return, 391 rush, 118 receiving).
Most Yards Gained From Scrimmage, Career—4,598, Phillip Lindsay, 2014-17 (3,635 rushing, 963 receiving)
*Most First Downs Earned, Game, Non-Quarterback—17, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (16 rushing, 1 receiving)
Most First Downs Earned, Career, Non-Quarterback—230, Phillip Lindsay, 2014-17 (191 rushing, 39 receiving)
Most First Downs Earned Rushing, Game—16, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017
Most First Downs Earned Rushing, Career—191, Phillip Lindsay, 2017
ABOUT DOAK WALKER: The Award is named after three-time SMU All-America running back and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker, who eventually moved to Steamboat Springs after marrying Olympic skier Skeeter Werner, the younger sister of CU Olympian Buddy Werner. Walker, who also punted, returned kicks and kicked extra points, led the Mustangs to two Southwest Conference Championships. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions and led the league in scoring his rookie year. During his six years with the Lions, he led the team to two NFL championships and was chosen All-Pro four times. Walker is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. He died at the age of 71 in Steamboat after being paralyzed earlier in the year in a skiing accident.
Lindsay joins Rashaan Salaam, who won the award in 1994, and Chris Brown, who was the runner-up in 2002, as the third Buffalo to advance to semifinalist status for the Doak, which was first presented in 1990.
A 5-8, 190-pounder from Denver South High School, he has been among the nation's rushing leaders all season, currently fourth in total yards (1,402), ninth in per game average (127.5) and 12th in rushing touchdowns (13). He's also 12th in all-purpose yards per game (149.6) and 35th in scoring (84 points).
"It means a lot to me, it's a tremendous honor to represent my state, my team and the University of Colorado," Lindsay said. "But as I've always said, it's really not about me, it's about my teammates. The offensive linemen up front, the receivers getting down the field throwing blocks. It's certainly a privilege to be semifinalist considering all the great running backs in college football." It is especially significant since Lindsay tore his ACL in the first game of his senior year and went virtually unrecruited at that point on, but CU had offered him a scholarship and did not pull the offer.
Salaam led the nation in rushing with 2,055 yards, just the fourth player at the time to eclipse 2,000 yards and doing so in the-then 11 game season; Brown led the nation most of the 2002 season before suffering a sprained ankle but still finished third nationally with 1,744 yards despite missing the better part of three games at the end of the year.
"It's a humbling experience to join those two (Salaam and Brown) as semifinalists who advanced from CU," Lindsay added. "Those were two great running backs, and there are many others who could have or should have contended for it, like Eric Bieniemy and J.J. Flannigan."
Lindsay's 1,402 yards are the fourth-most in a single season at Colorado, and he recently moved into second place on the Buffs' all-time rushing list with 3,635 yards. Earlier in the season, he assumed CU's top spot in all-purpose yards (5,675) and yards from scrimmage (4,598); he's also fifth in scoring with 228 points. He has caught more passes (109) than any other Colorado running back in history, and for the second-most yard (962); he needs eight to become the all-time leader and 38 to become CU's first-ever 1,000-yard rusher and receiver.
"'Phil is an excellent all-around back," CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "He does everything you ask a running back to do and more. He is a very good blocker, catches the ball phenomenally out of the backfield, and he's obviously an excellent runner. He has more carries than anyone in college football this season, and that shows how durable he has been. And in addition to what he does on the field, he's also a phenomenal leader."
Other semifinalists include three other seniors, Royce Freeman (Oregon) and Rashaad Penny (San Diego State); five juniors, Josh Adams (Notre Dame), Saquon Barkley (Penn State), Kerryon Johnson (Auburn), Ronald Jones (USC) and Bryce Love (Stanford); two sophomores, Justice Hill (Oklahoma State) and Devin Singletary (Florida Atlantic); and one freshman, Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin). The Pac-12 Conference has four of the 11 semifinalists, and has had five of the previous 26 winners.
Three finalists for the award will be named this Tuesday, Nov. 21, as members of the award's national selection committee will cast their votes after this weekend's games. The 2017 Doak Walker Award recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 7 on ESPN.
Lindsay has set 20 school records and tied two others (indicated by an asterisk) heading into his final regular season game:
Most Rushing Attempts, Quarter—14, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (80 yards)
Most Rushing Attempts, Game—41, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (281 yards)
Most Rushing Attempts, Game—41, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (281 yards)
Most Rushing Attempts, Game/Senior—41, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (281 yards)
Most Rushing Yards Gained Against One Opponent—605, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona (114 in 2014; 91 in 2015, 119 in 2016, 281 in 2017)
*Most 1,000-Yard Rushing Seasons—2, Phillip Lindsay, 2016 (1,189) & 2017 (1,402)
Most Consecutive 1,000-Yard Rushing Seasons—2, Phillip Lindsay, 2016 (1,189) & 2017 (1,402)
Most Receptions By A Running Back, Game—11 (for 76 yards), Phillip Lindsay vs. UCLA in Boulder, Nov. 3, 2016
Most Receptions By A Running Back, Season—47 (for 390 yards), Phillip Lindsay, 2016
Most Receptions By A Running Back, Career—109 (for 963 yards), Phillip Lindsay, 2014-17
Most All-Purpose Plays, Half—24 for 136 yards), Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (first half: 22 rushing, 2 receiving)
Most All-Purpose Plays, Game—44 (for 320 yards), Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (41 rushing, 3 receiving)
Most All-Purpose Yards, Career—5,675, Phillip Lindsay, 2014-17 (3,635 rushing, 963 receiving, 1,077 return)
Most All-Purpose Yards, Game/Senior—320, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (281 rushing, 39 receiving)
Most Yards Gained From Scrimmage, Game/RS Freshman—207, Phillip Lindsay at Oregon, Nov. 22, 2014 (142 return, 49 rush, 26 receiving)
Most Yards Gained From Scrimmage, Game/Senior—320, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (281 rushing, 39 receiving)
Most Yards Gained From Scrimmage, Season/Redshirt Freshman—1,358, Phillip Lindsay, 2014 (849 return, 391 rush, 118 receiving).
Most Yards Gained From Scrimmage, Career—4,598, Phillip Lindsay, 2014-17 (3,635 rushing, 963 receiving)
*Most First Downs Earned, Game, Non-Quarterback—17, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017 (16 rushing, 1 receiving)
Most First Downs Earned, Career, Non-Quarterback—230, Phillip Lindsay, 2014-17 (191 rushing, 39 receiving)
Most First Downs Earned Rushing, Game—16, Phillip Lindsay vs. Arizona in Boulder, Oct. 7, 2017
Most First Downs Earned Rushing, Career—191, Phillip Lindsay, 2017
ABOUT DOAK WALKER: The Award is named after three-time SMU All-America running back and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker, who eventually moved to Steamboat Springs after marrying Olympic skier Skeeter Werner, the younger sister of CU Olympian Buddy Werner. Walker, who also punted, returned kicks and kicked extra points, led the Mustangs to two Southwest Conference Championships. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions and led the league in scoring his rookie year. During his six years with the Lions, he led the team to two NFL championships and was chosen All-Pro four times. Walker is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. He died at the age of 71 in Steamboat after being paralyzed earlier in the year in a skiing accident.
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