Oklahoma State University Athletics
From Stillwater To The Hall Of Fame: A Look Back At The Career Of Thurman Thomas
August 03, 2007 | Cowboy Football
Former Oklahoma State great Thurman Thomas will become the second Cowboy inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Leading up to that ceremony, okstate.com will highlight some of Thomas' collegiate heroics which preceded his development into one of the NFL's best running backs with the Buffalo Bills.
Thomas starred at OSU from 1984-1987 and was a second-round pick (40th overall) by Buffalo in the 1988 NFL Draft after a standout career in Stillwater in which he finished as OSU's all-time leading rusher with 4,595 yards to go along with 44 touchdowns.
One of just seven Cowboys to be named an All-American twice (1985 and 1987), Thomas was Oklahoma State's leading rusher in each of his four seasons and was the Big Eight Conference leader in both 1985 and 1987. He was voted the Big Eight Conference's Offensive Player of the Year after both seasons. His No. 34 jersey is one of just three that have been retired at Oklahoma State.
During his OSU career, the Missouri City , Texas native rushed for 100 or more yards in 21 games, the second most 100-plus yard efforts of any Cowboy ever.
The first of Thomas' big games at OSU came as a freshman in 1984. Through the Cowboys' first seven games, Thomas had been OSU's third-string running back, but in a road game against Kansas State, he was called on to replace starter Charlie Crawford. And Thomas delivered, rushing for 206 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries to lead OSU to a 34-6 win.
Beginning with the K-State contest, Thomas would lead the Cowboys in rushing in each of the final five games of the 1984 season. Included in that was a performance in the Gator Bowl in which he rushed for 155 yards and a score on 32 carries to earn MVP honors and lead OSU to a 21-14 win over South Carolina.
Thomas finished his freshman season with 843 yards and seven touchdowns on 205 carries. He also threw two touchdown passes and had 22 catches for 122 yards.
Thomas starred at OSU from 1984-1987 and was a second-round pick (40th overall) by Buffalo in the 1988 NFL Draft after a standout career in Stillwater in which he finished as OSU's all-time leading rusher with 4,595 yards to go along with 44 touchdowns.
One of just seven Cowboys to be named an All-American twice (1985 and 1987), Thomas was Oklahoma State's leading rusher in each of his four seasons and was the Big Eight Conference leader in both 1985 and 1987. He was voted the Big Eight Conference's Offensive Player of the Year after both seasons. His No. 34 jersey is one of just three that have been retired at Oklahoma State.
During his OSU career, the Missouri City , Texas native rushed for 100 or more yards in 21 games, the second most 100-plus yard efforts of any Cowboy ever.
The first of Thomas' big games at OSU came as a freshman in 1984. Through the Cowboys' first seven games, Thomas had been OSU's third-string running back, but in a road game against Kansas State, he was called on to replace starter Charlie Crawford. And Thomas delivered, rushing for 206 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries to lead OSU to a 34-6 win.
Beginning with the K-State contest, Thomas would lead the Cowboys in rushing in each of the final five games of the 1984 season. Included in that was a performance in the Gator Bowl in which he rushed for 155 yards and a score on 32 carries to earn MVP honors and lead OSU to a 21-14 win over South Carolina.
Thomas finished his freshman season with 843 yards and seven touchdowns on 205 carries. He also threw two touchdown passes and had 22 catches for 122 yards.
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