Nov. 16, 2006

BERKELEY - California junior Marshawn Lynch has been named a semifinalist for the 2006 Doak Walker Award which goes to the nation's top running back. This marks the 10th national award for which a Golden Bear player of coach has been named a semifinalist.

California's 2006 Award Semifinalists
Daymeion Hughes - Jim Thorpe Award (Top Defensive Back) - three finalists named Monday, Nov. 20
Daymeion Hughes - Ronnie Lott Trophy (Top Defensive Player) - three finalists named Monday, Nov. 27
Daymeion Hughes - Chuck Bednarik Award (Top Defensive Player) - three finalists named Wednesday, Nov. 23
DeSean Jackson - Biletnikoff Award (Top Wide Receiver) - three finalists named next week
DeSean Jackson - Randy Moss Award (Top Return Man) - finalists announced Wednesday, Dec. 13
Nate Longshore - Davey O'Brien Award (Top Quarterback) - three finalists named Tuesday, Nov. 21
Marshawn Lynch - Doak Walker Award (Top Running Back) - three finalists named Tuesday, Nov. 21
Marshawn Lynch - Maxwell Award (Top Player) - three finalists named Wednesday, Nov. 23
Jeff Tedford - George Munger Award (Top Coach) - three finalists named Wednesday, Nov. 23
Jeff Tedford - Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year (Top Coach) - winner announced Saturday, Dec. 16

Lynch is leading the Pac-10 in rushing yards (109.0 per game), touchdowns (13, tied with teammate DeSean Jackson) and all-purpose yards (145.6 per game). The Oakland product has recorded a Cal record 16 100-yard rushing games in his career. Last week, with 102 yards against Arizona, he became just the second player in school history to record two 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He needs 36 yards to become the fourth Golden Bear to rush for 3,000 career yards.

The prestigious Doak Walker Award was created in 1989 to recognize the nation's premier running back for his accomplishments on the field, achievement in the classroom and citizenship in the community. It is the only major collegiate football award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification.

The 2006 Doak Walker Award recipient will be announced live on ESPN's Home Depot College Football Award show on Thursday, December 7. The 2006 Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held in Dallas, Texas, on February 15, 2007.

California is currently ranked No. 17 in the nation with an 8-2 record, including 6-1 in Pac-10 action. The Golden Bears travel to Los Angeles this Saturday to take on USC in one of the biggest games in program history. With a victory, the Bears would earn their first Rose Bowl bid since the 1958 season. The game will be televised throughout the nation on ABC beginning at 5 p.m. (Pacific).