McGahee Semi-Finalist For Doak Walker

Miami sophomore tailback Willis McGahee is one of eight semifinalists for the 2002 Doak Walker Award, which is given annually to the nation's top college running back.

McGahee is on pace to break UM single-season records for rushing yardage, touchdowns, 100-yard rushing performances and all-purpose yards. Through nine games, McGahee has rushed for 1,188 yards and has scored 17 touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards per carry and 132 yards per game. He has caught 16 passes for 301 yards this season (18.8 avg.). He has accounted for 1,335 all-purpose yards this season. McGahee has rushed for 100 or more yards six times this season.

With three games remaining this season, McGahee needs 383 yards to surpass Edgerrin James's 1998 record for rushing yards in a season (1,416 yards). He also is within striking distance of James's total of eight 100-yard rushing performances, also set in 1998. McGahee needs 374 all-purpose yards to surpass Ottis Anderson's record of 1,708 set in 1978.

The other seven semifinalists announced Thursday are: West Virginia's Avon Cobourne, Colorado's Chris Brown, Quentin Griffin of Oklahoma, Larry Johnson of Penn State, Kentucky's Artose Pinner, Cecil Sapp of Colorado State and Michael Turner of Northern Illinois.

Fans can have a say in the outcome by logging on to ESPN.com and voting on the poll, which is open until noon next Tuesday.

Three finalists will be named December 2nd and the winner will be announced Dec. 12 on ESPN's Home Depot college football awards show. The award will be presented in Dallas on Jan. 28.