Aug. 28, 2007

DALLAS - University of Maryland senior running back Lance Ball was named to the preseason watch list for the 2007 Doak Walker Award Tuesday in an announcement by the Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum.

The Doak Walker Award is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate running back. This year's field includes 2006 recipient Darren McFadden of Arkansas.

For Ball it's his second-straight appearance on the watch list after being tapped prior to last season.

The fifth-year back has led the team in rushing the last two seasons, compiling over 1,700 yards in that span.

Ball, a native of Teaneck, N.J., was an All-ACC honoree as a sophomore and ranks 13th on the school's career rushing yards list (1,719) and tied for 14th on the career TDs chart (14). He is the fifth-leading returning rusher in the ACC (62.7 yards per game in 2006).

Ball is one of 51 student-athletes on the watch list, including six from the Atlantic Coast Conference. Toney Baker and Andre Brown of NC State, James Davis and C.J. Spiller of Clemson, and Javarris James of Miami join Ball on the list.

The Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will select the semifinalists on November 12, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast votes to determine the finalists to be announced on November 19. The committee will cast a second vote beginning on November 26 to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives.

The recipient of the 2007 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN along with other NCFAA member awards on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 6.

The award, in its 18th year, is named for SMU's three-time All-America running back Doak Walker.

Ball and the Terps kick off the 2007 season Saturday when they play host to Villanova at 6 p.m. from Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium.