Hoosier Thompson Wins Camp Award : College football: The record-shattering running back is called a ‘dedicated competitor.’
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Indiana running back Anthony Thompson, who set three NCAA scoring and rushing records this season, was named today as the 1989 Walter Camp Player of the Year in college football.
A 6-foot, 209-pound senior from Terre Haute, Thompson ran for 1,793 yards and 24 touchdowns on 358 carries this season. He ran for 377 yards against Wisconsin, shattering the all-time NCAA single-game rushing mark of 357 set in 1984 by Washington State’s Reuben Mayes.
Thompson’s 65 regular season career touchdowns broke the NCAA record of 59 held by Army’s Glenn Davis and Pittsburgh’s Tony Dorsett. His 394 career scoring points also set an NCAA record, breaking the mark of 393 set by Florida State’s Derek Schmidt in 1987.
The Walter Camp Player of the Year award is given annually based on votes by college coaches and sports information directors. Thompson was to receive the award at a ceremony in New Haven this afternoon.
“Anthony Thompson is certainly deserving of this honor, which is presented annually to a dedicated competitor who has made effective use of his athletic talent to enhance the great American game of football,” said Ernest C. Williams, president of the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
Thompson finished his college career with 4,965 career rushing yards.
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