November 4, 2010
Evan Royster is now higher than anyone else. He became Penn State’s all-time leading rusher last Saturday night with a 150 yard performance against Michigan, passing Curt Warner for the top spot. He sits atop the record book… and the stairwell.
At the Student Bookstore on College Avenue, known as the Big Blue on the Corner, the top rushers and tacklers in Nittany Lion history are listed on the stairs that take you from one level of the store to another. Some of the stairs are even autographed.
For years, people will come to town at all times of the year and see Evan Royster’s name on the top step. But, how does he compare to some of the other backs that are now below him? Having been born in 1974, I have only seen certain backs on film. So, for these purposes, I’ll look back at the best I have seen. No offense intended to Lenny Moore, John Cappelletti or Lydell Mitchell.
Evan Royster – Royster had seen considerable playing time since the 2007 season and has started the last three years. He has one of the best yard per carry averages in PSU history despite not being feared as a break away back. His longest runs have come on plays where he comes through a hole at the line of scrimmage and finds no one. Royster is quick but not fast. He is tough but not powerful. He has great balance, which allows him to keep moving forward amidst traffic, but he was never the kind of back that could score from any where.
Most memorable carry – I’d say the first PSU TD in the 2008 win over Michigan. With the Lions trailing 10-0 late in the first quarter, Royster took a handoff at the Wolverine 44 and ran straight ahead into the line of scrimmage. He got lost amongst the DTs of Michigan and the interior of the PSU line. However, no one had a hold of him. He kept his legs moving, spun off the pile and found nothing but daylight. His 44-yard TD kick started a struggling offense and got the crowd back in the game.
Tony Hunt – Hunt was not the TB people wanted to see when he was named the starter in 2004. Parkland High School grad Austin Scott had an amazing resume and was supposed to be the next great PSU tailback. For that reason, I think Hunt was under appreciated during his time at PSU. Hunt was bigger and stronger. He could get a tough yard and pick up a blitzing linebacker. He was less of a big play back than Royster.
Most memorable carry – For me it was the 4th and 1 Hunt converted against Ohio State in 2005. In the second quarter with OSU leading 3-0, PSU called time out facing 4th and 1 at the OSU 36. Hunt got the carry and had Buckeyes shooting thru the line. Hunt fought through the first contact and got three yards. Three plays later, Derrick Williams gave the Lions a lead they would not relinquish.
Larry Johnson – LJ’s first three years seeing action, he split time with Eric McCoo and Omar Easy. Because of this, Johnson always felt he had to make a big play to try and stay on the field instead of just taking what the defense was giving him. If a play was there that could net five yards, LJ would try to spin or stutter step for a larger gain and wind up with two yards instead. Once the job was his in 2002, he was a beast. He had power. He had speed. It also helped that he closed the season against two teams (Indiana and Michigan State) that had just given up. His 2,000 yard season was still incredible.
Most memorable carry – It is still the only time I remember flashbulbs popping all around Beaver Stadium during a play. Needing just 23 yards to reach 2,000 for the season, Johnson took a short side toss, ran through an arm tackle and went 38 yards down the sideline for a score to reach the milestone in style.
Curtis Enis – Enis left for the NFL after his junior year. If he hadn’t, Royster would only be number two on the all time list. From 1995 to 1997, Enis was a horse. He came up big in a huge showdown with Ohio State in 1997 going for over 200 yards and scoring the go-ahead TD. He didn’t have blazing speed, but he was hard to catch. Once you did, good luck bringing him down. Enis had two of the thickest legs you’d ever seen churning up yards.
Most memorable carry – In that 1997 victory over Ohio State, PSU fought back from a 27-17 deficit for a 31-27 victory. The final tally was a give to Enis going to his right. #39 hit the hole hard, split four Buckeyes and left another grasping at air. The power and speed shown on that play epitomized Enis during his Penn State career.
Ki-jana Carter – Unstoppable. Carter could run you over. He could turn the corner faster than any player in blue and white I have ever seen. If you were looking at his back, he was going to get smaller and smaller real fast. Carter only started for two seasons at Penn State. His final year (1994) he was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. How much was he helped by playing with Kerry Collins, Bobby Engram, Kyle Brady and the best offensive line in school history is still open for debate.
Most memorable carry – No question… Rose Bowl 1995. On Penn State’s first offensive play from scrimmage, Carter took a toss from Collins, came through the hole, lowered a shoulder to run over the safety and was gone. 83 yards later he had one of the most memorable TDs in Penn State history.
Blair Thomas – What might have been? Thomas was the 2nd string TB and a kickoff returner his first two years at PSU playing behind D.J. Dozier. In 1987, Thomas tore his ACL in practice preparing for the 1988 Citrus Bowl game with Clemson. He would miss the entire 1988 season. Before the injury, Thomas used his speed to run away from defenses. In 1989 when he returned, he was bigger and stronger and ran with a different style. He was still phenomenal and ended up the number two pick of the NFL Draft.
Most memorable carry – In 1986, Thomas was put into the Syracuse game to give Dozier a rest. With the ball on the Penn State 7 yard line, Thomas took a toss and was gone… almost. He was caught by an Orange defender and slung down on the pylon. The referee marked Thomas out at the one. Making the 92-yard gain the longest non-scoring play from scrimmage in Penn State history. In a 42-3 thrashing, it was the play of the day.
D.J. Dozier – Dozier was in a tough spot. He had to follow Curt Warner after the Lions had won the school’s first national championship. By late October of 1983, chants of “D-J, D-J” were echoing through Beaver Stadium. Dozier ran hard and had a great spin move. He never had the speed of some of the fastest guys on this list, but he was explosive because he ran so hard. He finished his PSU career as the first RB ever to lead the team in rushing four straight seasons.
Most memorable run – For a guy that shot thru a hole like he was fired out of a cannon. His last TD in blue and white was a typical Dozier score. On 2nd and goal at the Miami six in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, Dozier took a toss going right, read his blocks, exploded through the hole, spun off a defender at the goal line to roar in for six.
Curt Warner – He could return kicks. He could line up in the slot and catch passes. He could juke you out of your shoes. He could stop on a dime and watch you flail past him, and he could just outrun you. I have never seen a more complete back than Curt Warner. He also recorded some of his best performances in the biggest of games. He out shined Heisman Trophy winners Marcus Allen and Herschel Walker in consecutive bowl games.
Most memorable run – From all there is to pick from, I’ll go with his second touchdown in the 1983 Sugar Bowl against Georgia. Warner took the handoff from Todd Blackledge and followed fullback Jonathan Williams through the line. Between the ten and the five yard line, three Bulldogs were closing in. Warner planted his right foot, cut backwards half a yard and to his left. All three guys in red went sailing past him as he kicked back into high gear to stay ahead of the defenders coming up behind him. Watching the play from the offensive backfield you see his amazing ability to stop at full speed and change directions.
So where does Royster rank? Warner and Carter are on another level entirely. I also think Enis was more feared. LJ was amazing, but only for one year. Royster was great from day one. If Thomas ran with Royster’s balance and agility, PSU beats Alabama in 1989 (If you don’t get that reference, go watch the play before Bama blocks the potential game-winning 18-yard FG). I will give Dozier extra credit for playing his whole career with absolutely no offensive help from a passing game. That puts Royster behind Warner, Carter, Enis and Dozier, but ahead of Thomas, Johnson and Hunt. That’s pretty good company.
Bowl Projections
BCS Championship Game – Alabama (SEC Champ) over Oregon (Pac 10 Champ)
Rose Bowl – Iowa (Big Ten Champ) vs. TCU (At-large)
Sugar Bowl – Auburn (At-large) vs. Boise State (At-large)
Orange Bowl – Florida State (ACC Champ) vs. Michigan State (At-large)
Fiesta Bowl – Nebraska (Big 12 Champ) vs. Pitt (Big East Champ)
Capital One Bowl – Ohio State vs. South Carolina
Outback Bowl – Wisconsin vs. LSU
Cotton Bowl – Texas vs. Arkansas
Gator Bowl – Illinois vs. Florida
Chick-Fil-A Bowl – Georgia vs. Virginia Tech
Champ Sports Bowl – West Virginia vs. NC State
Games of the Week:
Alabama @ LSU –If Bama wins this game, we can officially call the Iron Bowl a national semifinal. Both teams have had two weeks to prepare for this game. LSU will hang with the Tide as they always seem to do. I’m not overly impressed with Alabama’s defense this season, and their two biggest struggles have been conference road games. LSU still may only be the fourth best team in the SEC West. I expect Bama to pull this one out with a late TD.
TCU @ Utah –Sorry, Boise. The winner of this game is in the driver’s seat to represent the little guys in a BCS Championship game. TCU has already passed the Broncos. Which means, a road win here over a top five team, and TCU will keep Boise State at arms length in the BCS rankings. No one has really paid attention to Utah since they beat Pitt opening night. Then again, who has TCU beaten since they defeated Oregon State in their opener? I think TCU is the better overall team. They are more experienced. Last year, this one wasn’t close (55-28 TCU). This year’s game will be closer, but I’ll still take the Horned Frogs.
Baylor @ Oklahoma State – Yup. Believe it or not, the winner of this game will have eight victories this year and will control its own destiny to win the Big 12 South. The Baylor Bears are on cloud nine after beating Texas in Austin last week 30-22. It was their first win over the Horns since 1997. The Cowboys will get back outstanding WR Justin Blackmon after the sophomore sat out last week’s game following a DUI charge October 26th. Oklahoma State has won four straight in this series by a total score of 179-51. With this game in Stillwater, I think the Cowboys just have too much firepower. They’ll win a shootout.
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