Melvin Gordon wins Doak Walker Award as best running back

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon has won the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top running back.

Gordon was presented with the prize Thursday night during the 24th College Football Awards Show at Disney.

The junior becomes the third Badgers player to win the award, joining 1999 winner Ron Dayne and 2012 winner Montee Ball. Gordon is the seventh player from the Big Ten Conference to claim the honor.

Gordon ran for 2,336 yards and 26 touchdowns this year. Entering the Outback Bowl against Auburn on Jan. 1, he is 292 yards shy of Barry Sanders' NCAA single-season rushing record.

Gordon was selected over two other finalists from the Big Ten, Ameer Abdullah of Nebraska and Tevin Coleman of Indiana.

Boston College's Andre Williams won the award in 2013.

Gordon said Wednesday he will skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft.