Florida running back Trevor Etienne was named the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week on Tuesday afternoon following his career-high rushing performance against Tennessee in Week 3.
The Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week Award is an extension of the Doak Walker Running Back of the Year Award, which recognizes the nation's most outstanding collegiate running back since 1989.
Accounting for a career-high 174 rushing yards, 7.5 yards per carry and one score on 23 attempts Saturday night, Etienne served as Florida's bell cow back en route to a 37:28-22:32 time of possession differential.
He spearheaded the Gators' upset 13-point victory over the No. 11 ranked Volunteers at the time.
His contribution to keeping the ball away from Josh Heupel's offense forced Tennessee to play at a slower pace of play, a significant factor in his national recognition for the performance.
The outing featured a 62-yard rushing touchdown on Florida's second offensive possession, in which he broke several tackles and outran Vols defensive back Kamal Hadden to pull back within a point of UT after going down a touchdown midway through the first quarter. The dynamic run swung momentum back in UF's favor.
Florida never let it go.
Etienne's early outburst on the ground led to the Gators' onslaught of points in the first half, scoring 26 unanswered to post a 26-7 lead at halftime. It positioned Florida to be able to keep the visiting Volunteers at arm's length despite posting just a field goal in the final 30 minutes of the matchup.
In addition to his score, Etienne recorded five other explosive plays on the evening, accounting for six of Florida's eight explosive plays in the game.
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