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| 1998 Heisman Trophy Winner: Ricky Williams Blows Away The NCAA Record Book |
Before his college career was over, the Longhorns’ Ricky Williams
emerged as Division 1-A’s all-time leading rusher and scorer. Known in
some circles as the "Texas Tornado," Williams broke the rushing record in
his final regular season game against Texas A&M. In dramatic fashion,
Williams eclipsed the mark on a 60-yard touchdown run that was followed
by a congratulatory handshake from the previous record holder, Tony
Dorsett.
Besides totaling 6,279 yards rushing, Williams gained headlines because
of his tribute to former Heisman winner and SMU star Doak Walker.
Williams’ friendship with Walker developed after the Texas running back
won the Doak Walker Award following his junior year.
When Texas played Oklahoma the next year in the Cotton Bowl Stadium,
Williams saluted Walker who had recently died by wearing Doak’s No. 37.
Cotton Bowl Stadium has been long known as “the house that Doak built”
because of the large crowds that attended his SMU games in the 1930s.
The run for the Heisman and how the race was won.
emerged as Division 1-A’s all-time leading rusher and scorer. Known in
some circles as the "Texas Tornado," Williams broke the rushing record in
his final regular season game against Texas A&M. In dramatic fashion,
Williams eclipsed the mark on a 60-yard touchdown run that was followed
by a congratulatory handshake from the previous record holder, Tony
Dorsett.
Besides totaling 6,279 yards rushing, Williams gained headlines because
of his tribute to former Heisman winner and SMU star Doak Walker.
Williams’ friendship with Walker developed after the Texas running back
won the Doak Walker Award following his junior year.
When Texas played Oklahoma the next year in the Cotton Bowl Stadium,
Williams saluted Walker who had recently died by wearing Doak’s No. 37.
Cotton Bowl Stadium has been long known as “the house that Doak built”
because of the large crowds that attended his SMU games in the 1930s.
The run for the Heisman and how the race was won.
- Rushed for nine Td's and 385 yards in the season's first two games
- On 9/26 lit up Rice for 318 rushing yards and six Td's.
- On 10/5 blasted Iowa State with 350 yards on the ground and five
Td's. - Helped Texas roll over Oklahoma 34-3 with 166 total yards and two
scores. - In the regular season finale, broke the NCAA career rushing mark
with 295 total yards and a Td's in a 26-24 win over Texas A&M.
| With Williams blowing through opposing defenses, Sports Illustrated labled the bruising back as the Texas Tornado |
Ricky Williams 1998 Heisman Season Stats
1998 Heisman Trophy Voting
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| The It became clear early in Ricky's pro career that any normalcy surrounding the Heisman Winner was "Up in Smoke." This ESPN Magazine cover depicted Mike Ditka welcoming his new "bride" to the New Orleans Saints following the 1999 NFL draft. |
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Ricky Williams 1998 Heisman Trophy Winner