opposing defenses, Sports Illustrated
labeled the bruising back as the Texas
Tornado.
Ricky’s pro career that any
normalcy surrounding the
Heisman Winner was “Up in
Smoke.” This ESPN
Magazine cover depicted
Mike’s “bride” as Ricky
Williams following the 1999
NFL draft.
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.
•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.
