All-Time Kansas:RBs
by Jayhawk12_28 on Jul 13, 2010 10:46 PM CDT
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Just a quick timeline, I'm going to try to get the backfield done this week, Next week a little R&R, following week WR, and maybe O-line. Also if someone else could start a fullback suggestion post it would be greatly appreciated.
Also thank you to everyone who helped me with the RBs.
Gale"the Kansas Comet" Sayers- IF you don't know who this is you should NOT vote. 2,675 career yards on only 413 carries the second lowest attempts on top ten rushing list. 6.49 yards per carry
Ray Evans- KU's first football all american, and first two time All American
Curtis McClinton- All American; already voted to one Kansas All-time team in 69. Out played Hadl for starting RB spot in 59 rushing for 1,397 yards
John Riggins- Career 2,659 rushing yards, 518 attempts, 5.1 yards per carry
"Touchdown" Tony Sands- 3,788 career rushing yards on 778 attempts; 4.8 yards per carry
John Cornish- 2,245 career rushing yards on 387 attempts, 5.8 yards per carry
June Henley - 3,840 Career rushing yard on 823 attempt, 4.6 yards per carry
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June Henley
Henley holds RB records for:
Most Total yards
Most TD’s
All-Purpose yards
Total points (3rd all-time on team behind 2 kickers)
Touchdowns
Most games w/ a TD
Rushing Yards
Rushing TD’s
5 200-yard rushing games
Very tough list and there probably isn’t a wrong answer.
The Kansas Comet
I don’t think I really need to explain myself on this vote. Gale Sayers on any RB list could be argued as the best. He was a special player. Unfortunately injuries shortened his career.
Ray Evans, KU’s first All-American and first 2 time All-American and only football and basketball basketball All-American. I love that last fact. Shows how great of an all around athlete he was. Yes I know we’re talking about football here but I like throughing that out there.
Wasn't it "Tuxedo" Tony Sands instead of "Touchdown" Tony Sands?
I think he got the nickname for wearing a tuxedo on game days.
I graduated with Cornish!
But I had to pick Sayers. Am I going to get bashed for this pick as well? ;)
Don't want to be too much of a nit picker . . .
. . . but shouldn’t Hadl be on this list as well? He was an All-American at RB in 1960.
This is a tough, tough list to have to pick from. I went with Sayers but man, was I surprised that John Riggins doesn’t have any votes.
Why
Hadl played one season at running back, and McClinton outclassed him on the field at that position.
Rollin' around in my 6 4. duece duece
by Jayhawk12_28 on Jul 13, 2010 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Sayers
Because the nature of sports has evolved so much over the years (better nutrition, training, sports medicine, etc.), one of the ultimate compliments you can give any great old-time player is to say they could still play professionally today.
Really, I can only bestow that label on two Jayhawk Greats from the past with 100% confidence:
Wilt Chamberlain
Gale Sayers
“The Kansas Comet” is such a great nickname, too- he truly was a force of nature out there. Much like a comet, however, his glory burned out much too quickly.
That being said, however, Riggo is a close second. Not so much for what he accomplished on the field, but because he’s such a hilarious character off of it. I mean, the guy once drunkenly told Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor: “loosen up, Sandie baby” at a formal DC dinner, and then passed out under the table. Fantastic.
"Got a bill that's big enough to twist the Tiger's tail. Husked some corn and made those SORRY HUSKERS BAIL!"
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Jul 13, 2010 10:53 PM CDT reply actions
Sayers all the way
Without a doubt Sayers was the most talented KU running back ever. He proved it at KU and in the NFL.
Another RB that should have been listed in the Poll is Laverne Smith. Labeled the fastest KU RB ever, he finished his KU career as KU’s all-time leading rusher with over 3,000 yards. He averaged 6.5 yards every time he touched the ball which is slightly better than Sayers. He played in the same backfield with Cromwell.
If I was to ask everyone to name 3 KU running backs that rushed for over 1200 yards in a season in the NFL, everyone would get Sayers and Riggins. Would you be able to name the 3rd?
It’s Delvin Williams. He ran for nearly 6,000 yards in the NFL before injuries got the best of him. He made 2 pro bowls and ran for over 1200 yards in a season twice in the NFL.
A guy I thought was going to be one of KU’s all-time great RB’s was John Randle. The guy had great moves and speed. Alas, his off the field trouble ruined his college career.
As for a poll for best Fullback, I think the nominees should at least include (in no particular order): Brandon McAnderson, Moran Norris, Monte Cozzens, and Billy Campfield. Campfield was in the same wishbone backfield as Laverne Smith and Cromwell. He played a handful of seasons with the Eagles including their Super Bowl team under Dick Vermiel in 1980. I actually have a couple of his football cards.
I went with Sayers, too
But you really hit some good ones with Del Williams and Laverne Smith. I believe Smith was also Big 8 100-yd dash champion. My recollection is he suffered a bad leg injury in the preseason and never got it back, I think he was at Atlanta or Pittsburgh. The FBs in that wishbone with Cromwell, Campfield and Smith weren’t too bad either. Someone help me with this, Dennis Wright and Sam Smith? Another good FB was Robert Miller. He played at the same time as Del Williams and spent several years with Minnesota.
Randle
“Alas, his off the field trouble ruined his college career.”
That’s not exactly accurate.
The kid ran for over 1500 yards at SIU after he was kicked out of KU. Over 1000 yards in 2007. That’s not bad for two years of college playing time.
Getting away from some of his Wichita “friends” (I’ve heard Jerome Kemp’s name mentioned here) was a good thing for John.
build a damn football program, beat some ass, and get on tv more.
Jake Sharp
BAHAHA!
Sayers, or course.
"Get up or GET OUT THE WAY!"
~Stacy King
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 15, 2010 5:49 PM CDT reply actions
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