CEDRIC BENSON NAMED

2004 DOAK WALKER AWARD RECIPIENT

DALLAS, TEXAS -

The SMU Athletic Forum announced Cedric Benson from the University of Texas as the recipient of the 2004 Doak Walker Award this evening at ESPN’s TheHome Depot College Football Awards in Orlando .

Benson, a senior from Midland , Texas , has rushed for 1,764 yards and scored 20 touchdowns this season. The two-time Longhorn offensive MVP is sixth all-time on the NCAA Division IA career rushing list (5,507 yards) and needs 92 yards in the Rose Bowl to move into fourth position behind Ron Dayne, Ricky Williams and Tony Dorsett. This season, Benson secured a place in the pantheon of great Texas running backs when he surpassed Earl Campbell on the single season rushing list to move into second behind two-time Doak Walker Award recipient and Longhorn all-time leading rusher Ricky Williams. Benson is only the fifth player in NCAA history and the first in UT history to rush for over 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons.

“Cedric has been consistently dominant this season,” said Tony Dorsett, recipient of the 2001 PricewaterhouseCoopers Doak Walker Legends Award and member of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee . “He’s racked up impressive numbers throughout his career and is a truly deserving recipient this season.”

Benson will receive the award at the Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet on Tuesday, February 15, in Dallas . Also honored that evening will be John David Crow, former Texas A&M star running back, who is the recipient of the 2004 PricewaterhouseCoopers Doak Walker Legends Award.

The award is named after three-time SMU All-American running back and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker. The versatile Walker, who also punted, returned kicks, and kicked extra points led the Mustangs to two Southwest Conference Championships and brought the school into the national spotlight. Walker was drafted by the Detroit Lions and as a rookie led the league in scoring. 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.

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Honoring the legends of sports for 16 years, the SMU Athletic Forum celebrates outstanding success in athletics. Based in Dallas ,
the series features major figures from a variety of sports. The SMU Athletic Forum includes four luncheons and the prestigious
Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet.