Aug. 31, 2006
University of Iowa junior running back Albert Young has been named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List. The award is presented annually to the top collegiate running back.
Young, who is also on the Maxwell Award Watch List, rushed for 1,334 yards in 2005 and a team-best eight touchdowns. He ranked 17th nationally and fourth in the Big Ten for all games. Young, who was a second team all-Big Ten selection by the media and honorable mention pick by the coaches, averaged 125.2 yards in conference games to lead the league by 0.3 yards per game over Minnesota’s Laurence Maroney (124.9).
Young rushed for over 100 yards in seven straight games (an Iowa record) and eight times in 2005 (Iowa State, Illinois, Purdue, Indiana, Michigan, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Minnesota). He averaged 139.6 yards rushing per game during the streak.
The Moorestown, NJ, native enters the 2006 season ranked 20th in Iowa career rushing with 1,426 yards. Another solid campaign will move him into the top ten. The junior needs only 501 yards to tie Levi Mitchell for 10th (1,927).
Iowa opens its season Saturday against Montana. Kickoff is slated for 11:03 a.m. in Kinnick Stadium.