Updating Sanders a must
Bright and early Monday morning, the Oklahoma State sports information office needs to begin updating its football record book.
Central Florida running back Kevin Smith ran for 284 yards Saturday against Tulsa in the Conference USA championship game. That gives Smith 2,448 yards in 13 games this season with the Liberty Bowl remaining on the UCF schedule.
In 1988, Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders rushed for an NCAA record 2,628 yards and 39 touchdowns in 11 games for OSU, but that total does not include his 222 yards and five touchdowns in that season’s Holiday Bowl victory over Wyoming.
In 2002, the NCAA allowed schools to begin including postseason results in their final statistics and records. Most schools retroactively added past bowl results to final career totals. OSU chose not to, however.
OSU sports information director Kevin Klintworth, who joined the Cowboys’ staff in 2006, said Saturday night he plans to talk with NCAA officials about updating his school’s record book.
Add the 1988 Holiday Bowl, and Sanders’ single-season record would be 2,850 yards and 44 touchdowns, meaning Smith would need 402 yards in the Liberty Bowl to match the total and Sanders’ mark almost certainly would be secure.
If the OSU record book remains as is, Smith is 180 yards away.
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If the NCAA allows post-season totals now, there’s no reason not to allow Sander’s his.
Either way, Kevin Smith, as good a year as he’s having is a long way from being better than Barry Sanders.
Sanders is still the best running back to play the game and should be allowed to add all of his yardage to his already incredible totals.