COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NATION : Abdul-Jabbar Named a Doak Walker Finalist
Eight finalists, including UCLA tailback Karim Abdul-Jabbar, were announced Wednesday in Dallas for the Doak Walker Award, presented each year to the nation’s best college football running back.
Joining Abdul-Jabbar were Tiki Barber of Virginia, Tim Biakabatuka of Michigan, Warrick Dunn of Florida State, Eddie George of Ohio State, George Jones of San Diego State, Wasean Tait of Toledo and Moe Williams of Kentucky. All are juniors except George, a senior.
The finalists were selected by the board of the GTE-SMU Athletic Forum from nominees submitted by former All-American and all-pro running backs, sports journalists and other sports representatives.
The winner will be announced Dec. 4.
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Despite going 1-10 and holding a share of the longest Division I-A losing streak at 10 , Southern Methodist Coach Tom Rossley was assured that he will return to lead the Mustangs into the Western Athletic Conference next fall.
“Overall, he has done a good job,” Athletic Director Jim Copeland said in a brief statement. “Tom and I both realize the importance of winning football games and he has my full support as SMU enters the Western Athletic Conference.”
Rossley, who has three years left on his contract, is 10-42-3 in five seasons at SMU. Half of his victories came in his first season.
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