Records are always broken in the sporting landscape, and impressive statistics are associated with certain professionals. In the same way tennis stars like Iga Swiatek dominated Wimbledon recently, the college football sphere has also witnessed some formidable forces record some frankly astounding numbers.
These seemingly unbreakable records could be broken one day, but it’ll undoubtedly be tough given the evolution of college football and introductions like rule changes. Still, for fans who indulge in the action and occasionally bet on it after looking at NCAAF odds, some teams have an excellent reputation in the sport, especially when assessing some of the outstanding records. Likewise, we’ve also seen some high-quality professionals, many of whom are legendary figures in the college football space.
So, with college football’s impressive records over the years, we briefly highlight some of the very best.
When Antonio Perkins Returned Three
Fans tend to witness one kick for a touchdown in a game. It’s a regular occurrence. However, seeing three is virtually unheard of. Well, that’s what Antonio Perkins managed to accomplish in 2003. Becoming the first player to do it, Perkins scored three returns in a single game, with his astonishing achievement going down in the NCAA record books. Many fans today still discuss Antonio Perkins as an Oklahoma hero.
Oklahoma’s Impressive Winning Streak
It’s fair to say that we’ll probably never see such a dominant force like the Bud Wilkinson-led Oklahoma teams of the past. When looking at the college football category from the 1950s, Oklahoma consistently topped the rankings. Wilkinson’s troops even recorded a staggering 47-game winning streak over five seasons. During that period, they managed to bring back-to-back national championships in 1955 and 1956, and they became the most dangerous outfit in college football.
Barry Sanders’ Special Season
A highly coveted player at the time, Barry Sanders had the potential to become one of football’s most successful professionals when he eventually made the step up to the NFL. This was evident during one campaign for Sanders, where he managed to record a single-season NCAA record of 2,628 rushing yards in just 11 games. While the likes of Ashton Jeanty, who plays out of Boise State, have come close, Barry Sanders is set to hold his record for a while longer.
When Derrick Thomas Became A Sack Master
Not many players relished coming up against Derrick Thomas. His sheer size and strength made him a scary opponent, while he was widely regarded as one of the finest pass rushers the college game has seen. This reputation wasn’t dreamt up out of nowhere either, as Thomas once made 27 sacks (39 tackles for loss) during the 1988 season playing for Alabama. Destroying every quarterback in his path at the time, he backed it up in the NFL by recording seven sacks in a single game.
Nick Saban’s 14-Year Unbeaten Run
Nick Saban turned his Alabama team into a winning machine while in charge of proceedings, beating many nationally ranked teams. His 17 seasons in charge were full of triumphs, with his talented team of players also managing to go 14 years without losing to an unranked opponent. It eventually ended, though, when Saban struggled to uncover yet another winning formula against underdogs Texas A&M. Still, the ridiculous run wouldn’t last forever, would it?