Barry Sanders' Record-Setting 1988 Season Still Reigns Supreme

STILLWATER – Barry Sanders’ record-setting 1988 season is still the standard in college football. 

Boise State running back, Ashton Jeanty, entered the Fiesta Bowl against Penn State needing 132 yards to surpass Sanders on the all-time single-season rushing yards list. And in all respects, most people assumed he’d get the record as he only had two games with less than 130 yards this season. However, the Nittany Lions held the Heisman runner-up to just 104 yards on 30 carries, leaving him with 2,601 yards, 27 yards shy of breaking Sanders’ record. 

But of all the people who wanted, or didn’t want the record to fall, Barry might’ve been Jeanty’s biggest supporter Tuesday night. 

All the respect to Jeanty who had one of the best rushing seasons we’ve seen in a long time. He carried the rock 374 times for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns over 14 games. He’s going to make a ton of money in the NFL over the years.

But what’s more impressive about Barry’s record-setting 1988 season is he recorded 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns in just 11 games. Now, the record SHOULD be 2,850 yards and 42 touchdowns as he rushed for 222 yards and five touchdowns against Wyoming in the Holiday Bowl.

At this rate, Barry’s record should stand forever.

The last thing I’ll say is the NCAA is wrong, again, in not counting Barry’s bowl stats.