Penn State Countdown: 73
“He’s like a man playing against boys out there right now”
Larry Johnson becomes the first Big Ten player to eclipses the 2,000 yard rushing mark in 2002.
In a conference historically dominated by tailbacks and battles in the trenches, Larry Johnson accomplished the unimaginable by becoming the first running back to eclipse the 2,000 rushing mark in the Big Ten.
Four 200 plus yard rushing games, 341-receiving yards, and 2,575 all-purpose yards all in one season was still not enough to earn him the Heisman despite doing so with fewer carries than any other running back in the 2,000 yard club. Carson Palmer took the coveted Heisman home instead angering many who blamed the politics behind the voting process.
“As far as the Heisman watch, there’s a lot of politics that play into that,” said MSU sophomore linebacker Ronald Stanley.
It is ridiculous to consider anyone other than Johnson for the 2002 Heisman as he solidified his place as one of the greatest running backs in collegiate history.
Johnson broke and set the Penn State single game rushing record THREE times during the 2002 season. He initially broke Curt Warner’s single game record with 257 yards against Northwestern, which he then eclipsed with 279 yard against Illinois and Michigan State. His career best was saved for Indiana when he gashed the Hoosiers for 327 yards.
Penn State moment #73 comes during Penn State’s final game against the Spartans. With thousands of flashbulbs illuminating the Beaver Stadium field, Larry Johnson carried the ball 38-yards into the endzone officially becoming the first Big Ten player to break the 2,000 yard rushing mark in the second quarter.
Johnson finished that game with 279 yards rushing on just 19 carries and he did not even play in the second half as Penn State rolled to a 61-7 win.
Releated Posts:
- The Penn State All-Decade Team: Running Backs
- The Penn State All-Decade Team: Wide Receivers
- 44 for 44: Larry Johnson
- Penn State blitzes by Eastern Illinois 52-3
- Penn State keeps BCS dream alive with big win at Michigan State
