DeKALB | NIU senior running back Chad Spann has been named as a candidate for the 2010 Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top college running back.

Spann is one of 49 backs nationwide named as a candidate by the PricewaterhouseCoopers SMU Atheltic Forum, joining fellow Mid-American backs Eugene Jarvis of Kent State, MiQuale Lewis of Ball State and Bernard Pierce of Temple.

“I think it’s great for Chad,” said NIU head coach Jerry Kill. “Chad has worked hard, and he’s quite a story, going from walk-on-player, to an all-conference player, to a guy that’s up for the Doak Walker Award. I hope he’ll continue to do all the things necessary this season to be successful as he has throughout his career.”

Spann had a career year in 2009, rushing for 1,038 yards on 179 carries and 19 touchdowns and playing in all 13 games for the Huskies with four starts.

He set a career high for rushing yards in a game on Nov. 5, rushing for 174 yards against Eastern Michigan.

The senior’s 19 rushing touchdowns tied the NIU single-season record, which is shared by Stacey Robinson (1989, 1990) and Michael Turner (2002).

The Indianapolis native scored a total of 20 touchdowns which ranked him second in the MAC and tied for 12th in the nation in scoring with 120 points.

He also was fourth in the MAC in rushing and led NIU with 1,160 all-purpose yards.

Spann joins an elite list of NIU running backs to be named a candidate for the Doak Walker Award.

LeShon Johnson was a top-three finalist in 1993 while also placing sixth in Heisman voting that year.

Turner was a Doak Walker candidate in 2002 and 2003, and Garrett Wolfe was a semifinalist in 2006.

Spann will begin his 2010 candidacy on Thursday, Sept. 2 at Iowa State.