Who’s college football’s GOAT?
It’s a question that has debated among the masses for decades, and it prompted USA TODAY to create a March Madness-like poll to find the answer. In the end, it wasn’t close.
Barry Sanders quite literally ran away with the honors.
USA TODAY’s Kevin Allen wrote:
Former Oklahoma State running back Sanders received 85% of the vote to knock off Pittsburgh great Tony Dorsett in the head-to-head championship meeting. Sanders never had less than 72% of the vote in any of his weekly matchups. He took down Mike Singletary, Dave Rimington, Keith Jackson, Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker and Charles Woodson to reach the final.
Sanders’ NFL career is well documented — and known throughout Lions fandom — but his college career was just as impressive.
As a college player, Sanders, 51, is primarily known for holding the NCAA record of 2,628 yards, set in 1988. He scored 37 touchdowns. If Oklahoma State’s Holiday Bowl win over Wyoming is also considered, he finished with 2,850 yards rushing and 42 rushing touchdowns. He averaged 7.6 yards per carry in that 1988 Heisman Trophy-winning season.
But what people often forget is Sanders wasn’t only a running back at Oklahoma State, he was also their kick and punt returner. As Allen points out, “Sanders set college football season records with 3,248 total yards, 234 points, 39 touchdowns, 37 rushing touchdowns, five consecutive 200-yard games. He scored two or more touchdowns in 11 consecutive games. He scored at least three touchdowns nine times.”
On behalf of Lions Wire, we offer our congratulations to Sanders on this latest recognition.
