However, it's not like Brown was just one part of a field day for the Illini's offense. Sure, it was against Charlotte's defense, which has been responsible for two of the four 250-yard rushing performances of this season.
Season Stats: 52 carries, 379 yards (7.3 YPC 94.75 YPG), 3 TD 7 receptions, 99 yardsĬonsidering Chase Brown didn't record a single touch in Weeks 2 or 5 and wasn't anything special in previous games against Nebraska, Virginia and Maryland, he wasn't even remotely on our radar for this piece heading into play this past Saturday.īut when you go off for 257 rushing yards in a single game, you officially have our attention. Honorable mentions: Breece Hall, Iowa State Tyler Allgeier, BYU Brian Robinson Jr., Alabama Jarquez Hunter, Auburn Sincere McCormick, UTSA Jashaun Corbin, Florida State Zach Evans, TCU Blake Corum, Michigan CJ Verdell, Oregon Logan Wright, Georgia Southern who clearly have their featured back to thank for their early success. 500 squads -Duke, East Carolina, Minnesota, Syracuse, etc. And there are a bunch of surprisingly better than. Not only is Walker leading the nation in rushing, but he's also pacing one of the most surprising undefeated teams in the country.
He is one of just six players with a rate of 115 rushing yards per game or better.īut while the bar for excellence isn't as high as we're used to seeing, having a go-to running back is still a colossal advantage. Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker III Doug Murray/Associated PressĪs we approach the mid-point of the 2021 college football season, the lack of dominant individual running backs is readily apparent.Īfter eight consecutive seasons with at least one running back who averaged better than 160 rushing yards per game, the current leader is Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III with a mark of 136.0.