In 1988, Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders embarked on what would become the greatest season of any running back in college football history, putting together a year that might never be duplicated in a college backfield.
Sanders was virtually a unanimous selection for the best college football player in the country. He made a clean sweep of the Heisman Memorial Trophy, Walter Camp Award and Robert W. Maxwell Award as the nation's best player. Barry set a remarkable 34 NCAA records, including the single-season rushing record of 2,628 yards, in 1988. Sanders also led the nation in all-purpose yards (3,250) and scoring (234 points) that year.
20 years later, OKState.com has compiled the reflections of 12 members of the media and OSU athletics that witnessed the most prolific tailback to ever play the game.
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Sept 10, 1988 - Written by Tom Dirato | | Tom Dirato was beginning his eighth season as color analyst on the Cowboy Radio Network in 1988. He spent 24 years in that role and called 274 Oklahoma State football games during that time. He worked 10 years with both Bob Barry and Bill Teegins and four seasons with Dave Hunziker. He hosted 291 football coaches shows (radio and television) for four different coaches—Jimmy Johnson., Pat Jones, Bob Simmons and Les Miles. He retired from the Oklahoma State athletic department two years ago after serving as Director Of Radio and Television for 24 years. | |
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Sept 24, 1988 - Written by John Klein | | Texas A&M coach Jackie Sherrill fielded questions comparing Texas' Eric Metcalf to Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders all week leading up to the game with the Cowboys. “I really didn't know much about Barry Sanders,” said Sherrill during a recent interview. “But I knew more than I wanted to know by the end of that game." Oklahoma State's 52-15 victory over Texas A&M in the second game of the 1988 season was considered by many to be the “coming out party” for Sanders, who would go on to win the Heisman Trophy and set the all-time single-season rushing record. | |
