"It's a joke': Rashaad Penny not selected as Doak Walker award finalists
San Diego State's post-practice media session took a turn on Monday night.
Earlier in the day, the Doak Walker award committee announced its three finalists for the award, given to the nation's 'premier' running back.
SDSU senior running back Rashaad Penny was not included in the list, despite leading the nation in rushing yards (1,824 on 7.2 yards per carry) and all-purpose yards (2,462).
He put up these huge numbers behind an offensive line consisting of two redshirt freshmen, a sophmore, a junior and a senior - the only lineman with game experience entering the year - who has been replaced by a true freshman for half of the season due to an ankle injury.
Penn State's Saquon Barkley, Stanford's Bryce Love and Wisconsin's Johnathan Taylor were selected instead.
Love (1,732) and Taylor (1,657) are listed behind Penny in the rushing yards category at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, while Barkley sits at No. 29 with 1,057 yards.
Head coach Rocky Long reacted as expected: Disappointed but not surprised considering his program's status as a non-Power Five school, which isn't the case for the three finalists.
"He’s as good as anyone they invited, I promise you that. He’s probably even better than the guys they invited," said Long. "... But I’m old and realistic about the way the world works."
Long was referring to a combination of Power-5 and East Coast bias, making some national post-season awards & recognitions illegitimate in his mind.
"I think they are all hype anyway," he said.
Penny had a similar reaction, adding that he returned to school for his senior season to "have fun" with his teammates - not stress about post-season awards.
"It’s not in my hands. I’m not that mad," he said, although he was surprised to see Barkley included in the final group. "Honestly, I wasn’t even really looking forward to being a finalist because I know how all that East coast and all that stuff is. It’s politics, it's just how college football is.
"All I can do is play the game and have fun and that’s something I do. I enjoy the game."
Following the scheduled interviews, right as the media began to pack up and turn toward the exits, offensive coordinator Jeff Horton, who also serves as the Aztecs runnings backs coach, made his way over to the mic unannounced.
"Is the 'bleeper' working?" said Horton, gesturing toward the mic in hope that his words would be censored.
"I think it’s a joke. I think it’s a disgrace.
"... What more can the kid do? What’s Saquon Barkley at, 20th in the nation?
"...We don’t have the most money to send out all the fancy stuff [to voters]. We don’t pay people for the hype machine and all that. We just try to take care of business on the field. That kid has done more than anybody in the country this year at that position."
Horton went on to dispute the claim that the award considers the character of its nominees.
"It’s supposed to be part of the criteria," Horton said. "And you won’t find a better kid. He’s respectful, honest, a great captain. He never embarrasses the school in any way, form, fashion or shape.
"Obviously they’re not basing it on that...
"... If you're not going to give him the award you can’t tell me he’s not one of the top three guys. And I’ve been around Ron Dayne (1999), the all time leading rusher. Donnel Pumphrey (2013-16), who broke his record. And Rashaad Penny’s right there. It’s a joke."
Horton managed to catch himself mid-rant, but continued on knowing that a person like Penny wouldn't show his frustration.
Horton was happy to do it for his running back instead.
"[Penny] handles the situation probably a lot better than me. He came out to practice today smiling, the same guy. I’m the one who’s ticked off. I‘ll certainly speak up and let people know it’s not right. College football is still supposed to be pure. It’s not the NFL. This kind of deal takes away from it.
"...He handles it the right way which is remarkable for a 21-year old. He handles it better than a 60-year old that’s bitter because they did him wrong. It’s not right. It’s not the way it should be. They were wrong by not even having him as a finalist. "
Horton also brought up the bias against non-power five schools, arguing that Penny played well against Power 5 talent when given the opportunity.
The senior rushed for 216 yards on 22 carries in a 30-20 road win over Arizona State and 175 yards on 32 carries in a 20-17 win over Stanford.
Penny also broke Marshall Faulk's school-record in all-purpose yards in a game (429) last Saturday against Nevada, scoring on two rushing touchdowns, a 100-yard kick return TD and a 60-yard punt return score. It was his first-and-only appearance on the punt return team in his career. He was named the Mountain West offensive player of the week.
"If it was a Power Five guy the other night that had the kind of night [Penny] had, that not only won the Doak Walker award, it would havr won him the Heisman trophy.
"And to not even be in the conversation, it is what it is: a joke."
The Heisman award finalists have yet to be announced, but Horton's case for Penny will certainly be heard loud and clear.
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