Dec. 9, 2004

Texas senior RB Cedric Benson and senior LB Derrick Johnson were both honored Thursday night at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN. Cedric Benson was announced as winner of the Doak Walker Award, which honors the nation's top running back and is presented by the SMU Athletic Forum. He is the second player in UT history to receive the award, joining Ricky Williams, who won it twice (1997-98).

"I'm really excited that everyone at the Doak Walker Award felt I was worthy of winning their great honor," Cedric Benson said. "It's a rewarding tribute to all of the hard work that I've put in during my career and is definitely something all of my teammates deserve just as much credit for. They have cleared the way for any success I've had and come together to help us have a great season."

Benson also joined Derrick Johnson as being named to the 2004 Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America team, the 115th honored by the organization. Both were named to the first team and Johnson was selected for the second time in his career after being named to the squad in 2003.

Johnson was also honored as a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Trophy, given to the outstanding defensive player in college football. Erasmus James of Wisconsin and David Pollack of Georgia were the other finalists with the award going to Pollack.