Former Bulldog Artis-Payne Named Semifinalist for Prestigious Doak Walker Award

The breakout senior season of former Allan Hancock College running back Cameron Artis-Payne has caught the attention of people around the country.

The University of Auburn senior is among 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back. He is the only running back from the traditionally deep Southeastern Conference to make the list.

Artis-Payne leads the SEC with 1,276 rushing yards. The former Bulldog has scored 10 rushing touchdowns, as well as caught 10 passes for 115 yards.

Three finalists for the annual award will be selected on Nov. 25, and the winner will be announced on the College Football Awards show on ESPN on December 11.

   Artis-Payne owns nearly every rushing record in Hancock    history. He is the program's all-time leader for most rushing yards in a season (2,048 in 2012), touchdowns in a season (25 in 2012), career rushing yards (3,412) and career touchdowns (43).

The nine other semifinalists are Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska; Jay Ajayi, Boise State; Javorious Allen, USC; Matt Breida, Georgia Southern; Tevin Coleman, Indiana; James Conner, Pittsburgh; Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin; Devon Johnson, Marshall; Duke Johnson, Miami