Dayne set the record from 1996 to 1999, rushing for over 2,000 yards as a freshman and senior. Dayne and Troy Davis of Iowa State (1995-96) are the only players in NCAA history to have rushed for over 2,000 yards in multiple seasons.
He earned All-America honors from at least one vote each season from 1943 through 1949, when the consensus was formed. During that time, he was also named an All-American by the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Newspaper Editors Association, and United Press. Boyd also led Texas to undefeated seasons in 1945 and 1946 and was voted the most valuable player in both games. He went on to play in nine NFL seasons with the Browns and Lions and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1978.
Boyd's 10,971 career yards rank third all-time behind Ron Dayne (12,159) and Kevin Smith (11,522).
Boyd's 11 touchdowns scored in a game are a school record. The last player to score more than eight points per game before Boyd was Lee Corso, who averaged 9.6 points per game for USC from 1969 to 1971. He still holds several scoring record at Texas including most points in a game (72), most touchdowns in a game (11), and highest average per game (14.5).
This list includes all NCAA Division I FBS players and their predecessors who have ran for at least 50 touchdowns in their college football careers. Statistics are current as of December 18, 2020, for games played. Players who will be active during the 2020 season are highlighted.
The following is a list of the top career running yardage leaders in major college football history. Donnel Pumphrey of San Diego State holds the all-time record, having rushed for more over 6,400 yards throughout his college career, which concluded in 2016. Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin is the current leader with 5,856 yards through Week 13 of this season.
The following is a list of the top career running yardage leaders in major college football history. Donnel Pumphrey of San Diego State holds the all-time record, having rushed for more over 6,400 yards throughout his college career, which concluded in 2016. Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin is the current leader with 5,856 yards through Week 13 of this season.
2. Ossai, Joseph (Texas) After seeing little action as a freshman, this 6'4", 255-pound Nigerian emerged as a major element of the Longhorn defense in 2019, tallying 90 tackles, 13.5 for loss, five sacks, and two interceptions.
Pumphrey, Donnel Donnel Pumphrey of San Diego State holds the all-time record, having rushed for more over 6,400 yards throughout his college career, which concluded in 2016. Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin is the current leader with 6,080 yards through Week 15 of this season.
Pumphrey's average of 7.1 yards per carry during his final season was good for third all time. Only Eric Dickerson and Doc Blanchard have averaged more than 7 yards per carry during their careers. Dickerson is currently ranked first with an average of 7.57 yards per carry from 1983-87. Blanchard is second at 7.14 yards per carry from 1949-51.
Pumphrey also ends up on top of the list because he had such a great run during his final season that included seven games with 200 or more yards from scrimmage. That year, he finished with 2,894 total yards from scrimmage (1,597 rushing, 1,297 receiving). He also ended up as the only player in NCAA history to rush for 10 touchdowns in one season. In addition, Pumphrey owns the school record for most combined yards from scrimmage with 3,888 set in 2016.
Taylor came into this season leading the way with 6,087 yards from scrimmage over 57 games played.
Lewis joined Dickerson, Terrell Davis, Barry Sanders, and O. J. Simpson as the only running backs to reach 2,000 yards. Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans would also break the 2,000-yard barrier in 2009, running with 2,006 yards. The last running back to surpass 1,500 yards was Emmitt Smith in 1995.
In addition to having more than two thousand all-purpose yards in a season, Lewis also has the most 100-yard games by a running back with 24. He also has the most 200-yard games by a running back with 10.
The only other running back to have more than two thousand all-purpose yards is Thomas Jones of the Pittsburgh Steelers. From 2004 to 2007, Jones averaged 134 carries per season and scored 16 touchdowns. He also added 547 receiving yards and another touchdown.
During that time period, Lewis led the NFL in carries three times and was second twice. His average of 72 carries per season ranks third all-time behind Williams and Elliott.
Another running back who comes to mind when thinking about multiple-thousand-yard rushers is Emmitt Smith. From 1990 to 1998, Smith averaged 111 carries per season and scored 19 touchdowns. He also added 467 receiving yards and another touchdown.
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