Best Running Back Ever-Question

For best NCAA running back:

Most Career Rushing Yards/game in NCAA Div 1-A history
#1 -- 164.4 -- OJ Simpson (USC 67-68) -- Won 1968 Heisman. Led USC to a national championship in 1967 (including eight weeks ranked at #1) and to the #4 finish in 1968 (including six weeks ranked at #1). #1 overall pick in 1969 Draft. 6x Pro Bowl.
#2 -- 159.4 -- Hershel Walker (Georgia 80-82) -- Also set the all-time NCAA record for most total career carries. Won 1982 Heisman. Led Georgia to a national championship in 1980 (including six weeks ranked at #1), to the #6 finish in 1981 and the #4 finish in 1982 (including five weeks ranked at #1).

Most Consecutive 100-yard Rushing Games
#1 -- 31 -- Archie Griffin (Ohio State 73-75) -- the only player in the history of college football to win the Heisman Trophy twice (74,75). 1st Round pick in 1976 Draft. Ohio State finished #2 in 1973 (was #1 for eight weeks), #4 in 1974 (was #1 for seven weeks), and #4 in 1975 (was #1 for nine weeks).

Most Seasons Gaining 1,500 yards or More
#1 -- 3 -- Tony Dorsett (Pitt 73,75-76). Won 1976 Heisman. Led Pitt to a national championship in 1976 (five weeks at #1). Pitt finished #15 in 1975. #2 overall pick in the 1977 Draft. 4x Pro Bowl.

First Running Back in Div 1-A history to have 4-consecutive 1,000-yard seasons
Tony Dorsett (Pitt 73-76) -- only six RBs have done it since then: Amos Lawrence, Denvis Manns, Ron Dayne, Cedric Benson, DonTrell Moore, and Tyrell Fenroy.

Most Rushing Yards/game in a season in NCAA Div 1-A history
#1 -- 238.9 -- Barry Sanders (Oklahoma State 88) -- Won the 1988 Heisman and was the #3 Overall Pick in the 1989 Draft. 10x Pro Bowl. Okla State finished #11 in 88.
#2 -- 212.9 -- Marcus Allen (USC 81) -- won the 1981 Heisman and was the #10 Overall Pick in 1982 Draft. 6x Pro Bowl. USC finished #14 in 1981 (three weeks at #1)

Most Career 200-yard Rushing Games
#1 -- 11 -- Marcus Allen (USC, in 21 games during 1980-81). Won the 1981 Heisman and was the #10 Overall Pick in 1982 Draft. 6x Pro Bowl. USC finished #11 in 1980 and #14 in 1981 (three weeks at #1)

Most 200-yard Rushing Games in a season
#1 -- 8 -- Marcus Allen (USC 81) -- Won the 1981 Heisman and was the #10 Overall Pick in 1982 Draft. 6x Pro Bowl. USC finished #14 in 1981 (three weeks at #1)

Most Consecutive 200-yard Rushing Games
#1t -- 5 -- Marcus Allen (USC 81) -- Won the 1981 Heisman and was the #10 Overall Pick in 1982 Draft. 6x Pro Bowl. USC was #14 in 1981 (three weeks at #1)
#1t -- 5 -- Barry Sanders (Okla State 88) -- Won the 1988 Heisman and was the #3 Overall Pick in the 1989 Draft. 10x Pro Bowl. Okla State finished #11 in 88.

Most Career 300-yard Rushing Games
#1 -- 4 -- Barry Sanders (Okla State, all during the 88 season) -- Won the 1988 Heisman and was the #3 Overall Pick in the 1989 Draft. 10x Pro Bowl. Okla State finished #11 in 88.

 

Jim Brown:


1960


1983


2007

 

OJ Simpson:


1967


1968


1969


1969


1973


1974


1990

 

Marcus Allen:


1981


1982


1985

 

Archie Griffin:


1974

 

Tony Dorsett:


1976


1977


1981


1983


1985


1988

 

The 1969 cover has OJ wearing #36 in a Bills uniform. Did he ever wear any number other than 32? Except for whatever his prison number is?

 

Eric Dickerson:


1983


1984


1985


1987


1991

 

Marshall Faulk wss another fun guy to watch. He had a ton of yards both as a runner and as a receiver. He wanted to come to LSU but Curley Hallman told him that he would have to play as a defensive back.