Mitchell, Ragas Named to Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List

LAFAYETTE – Running backs Elijah Mitchell and Trey Ragas earned their first preseason honors ahead of the 2019 season after the duo was named to the Doak Walker Award Preseason watch list by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum on Wednesday. The award is presented annually to the nation's top college running back.

Making up two parts of the Ragin' Cajuns' three-headed rushing machine, Mitchell and Ragas combined for 2,166 rushing yards during the 2018 campaign and racked up 21 touchdowns in the process.

Mitchell, who made 13 appearances in 2018, rushed for 985 yards and scored 16 touchdowns, 13 of which came on the ground, en route to garnering Second Team All-Sun Belt recognition. The rising junior tallied four, 100-yard performances a season ago and averaged 6.74 yards per carry, good for 14th in the FBS.

Ragas led all Louisiana rushers with 1,181 yards, positioning him with the third-highest rush total in the Sun Belt Conference by season's end. He opened the year with a 142-yard showing against in-state foe Grambling, one of his seven, 100-yard rushing performances of the season. Ragas went on to claim Third Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors.

With the help of both backs, the Ragin' Cajuns ranked 22nd in FBS for rushing offense with 218.7 yards on the ground per contest and tallied 31 touchdowns.

The award, which will name its 30th recipient in 2019, is named for SMU's three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. It is the only major collegiate award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification.

Football season ticket packages are on sale now for the 2019 season of Louisiana Football. Ragin' Cajuns fans can purchase season tickets for as low as $110 (general admission seating), as well as in sections P and Q for $165.

Visit RaginCajuns.com/Tickets to begin the ordering process.

More information can be obtained by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at the Cajundome, (337) 265-2170, or by visiting the office in-person. For information on parking passes, contact RCAF by phone at (337) 851-2903.

Fans are reminded that Louisiana Football's season-opening game inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome against Mississippi State on Saturday, Aug. 31, is a stand-alone ticket option. Tickets are on sale now at the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office. Fans can visit RaginCajuns.com/NOLA19 or order by phone at (337) 265-2170.

Mitchell, Ragas Named to Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List

Players Mentioned

Elijah Mitchell

Trey Ragas

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