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1 AM Awk
4B Saturday, October 6, 2007
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
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Saturday, October 6, 2007
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com J5
Best season: In 1940, Har-
mon carried the ball 191
times for 852 yards and 14
touchdowns, good enough
to win the Heisman Trophy
Defining moment: In his
final game at Michigan, Har-
mon led Michigan to a 40-0
victory at Ohio State, scoring
three rushing touchdowns,
Hometown: Gary, Ind. two passing touchdowns and
Career stats: 398 carries, 2134 four extra points. When he left
rushing yards, 30 rushing touch- the field, the fans in Columbus
downs; winner of 1940 Heisman gave him a standing ovation.
Trophy. After Michigan: Drafted with
the first pick by the NFL's Chi-
cago Bears, HarmonNoriginally
turned down professional foot-
ball to starras himself in the
movie Harmon at Michigan. But
after joining the Army Air Corps
as a pilot in World War II, he
played two years with the Los
Angeles Rams. He later went
on to a successful broadcasting
career.
His also had a son Mark, who
would later play quarterback for
UCLA before becoming a movie
and TV star.
The best ever
Mike Hart's about to surpass Anthony Thomas as Mich-
igan's all-time leading rusher. So who are the best run-
ners to ever don the Maize and Blue? Check out what these
guys did and which moments defined their careers.
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Hometown: Syracuse,
N.Y.
Career stats: 907 carries,
4440 yards, 34 touchdowns
Best season: Hart's
freshman season may
not have been his best
statistically, but its
was definitely his big-
gest. His 1,445-yard
line was really just
a product of 10 games,
and the then-freshman came out
of nowhere to help lead his team to
a Big Ten Championship.
Defining moment: We may
have not seen Hart's top
moment yet, but he's got a a
few. The most recent would
be his 44-carry perfor-
mance against Penn State's A
top-ranked rush defense.
He put the team on his
shoulders and did his part to
try and turn its fortune around
after a dismal start to the sea-
son.
After Michigan: We'll see.
Hometown: Winnfield, Louisiana
Career stats: 924 carries, 4,472 yards, 55 rushing touch-
downs (all records), 22 100-yard rushing games.
Best season: Thomas finished as a finalist for the Doak
Walker Award after he ended his senior season in 2000 with
1,733 yards and 18 touchdowns on 319 carries. He averaged
more than 144 yards per game that season.
Defining moment: Against Michigan State in 2000,
Thomas rushed for 175 yards on 25 carries, and his two
touchdowns set the Michigan career record for rush-
ing scores. Sadly, what most fans remember about
Thomas was his fumble against Northwestern later
that season. Michigan looked to be in the clear after
Wildcat running back Damien Anderson dropped a
touchdown pass late in the game. But Thomas fumbled on
the ensuing possession, and Northwestern scored the win-
ning touchdown with 20 seconds left on the clock.
After Michigan: Drafted in the second round (38th over-
all) by the Chicago Bears in 2001, Thomas burst onto the
NFL scene by gaining 1,183 yards and NFL Rookie of the
Year honors. But he was ineffective in ensuing years and
struggled with injuries after his rookie season. He has
since bounced around the league, playing for the Dallas
Cowboys and New Orleans Saints before landing with
the Buffalo Bills prior to the 2006 season. He is currently
second on the Bills' depth chart at running back, behind
rookie Marshawn Lynch.
Hometown: Detroit
Career stats: 487 carries, 2,440 yards,
27 rushing touchdowns, 10 100-yard
rushing games
Best season: In 1968, Johnson rewrote
the Michigan record books. It was just
the senior's second season taking the
majority of the carries for the Wolver-
ines, and Johnson made the most of
the opportunity. He registered his sec-
ond 1,000-yard rushing season and set
Michigan records for rushing yards in
a game (347), in a season (1,391) and in
a career (2,440). He finished the year
with 19 touchdowns on 225 carries and
placed sixth in the Heisman Trophy
voting.
Defining moment: During that 1968
season, Johnson set a Michigan record
when he rushed for 347 yards against
Wisconsin.
His game against the Badgers had also
been an NCAA record that has since
been eclipsed.
After Michigan: Johnson was drafted
in the first round by Cleveland Browns
in 1969, but enjoyed his best seasons in
the NFL from 1970-72 with New York
Giants. He rushed for more than 1,000
yards in 1970 and 1972, the first 1,000-
yard rushing seasons by a Giants' back.
Johnson stayed in the NFL for seven
seasons and went to two Pro Bowls.
This past year, he was named chair-
man of the National Football Founda-
tion and College Hall of Fame.