- MOST RUSHING YARDS in a GAME ALL TIME: NFL
It’s 28 degrees on this early Monday Morning. A perfectly still morning void of all sound except the fuzzy that is snoring on her bed–and the clacking of these keys. Maybe the errant cacophony of noises coming from the refrigerator and the low bellow of the furnace downstairs can also be heard but they are the perfect symphony to contribute to the thoughts.
Thoughts that on this morning are surrounding Jonathan Taylor’s special rushing performance yesterday. What a day! It’s good to see him back to his dominant ways. He’s always been one of my favorites.
Now, he is playing alongside Daniel Jones and the two are going head-to-head for the league MVP.
With the Colts atop the NFL at 8-2, there is a high likelihood that the MVP could come from this team. Both the QB and the RB have the numbers to at least be part of the conversation. Coming into yesterday’s game, I liked Daniel Jones as the favorite for the prestigious award, but Jon Taylor may have just seized the top spot from his teammate after running up and down the field on Atlanta. Much more of this please.
It had me wondering where the 244 yards rushing stacked up with other running backs all time. Turns out that it made the top 20 Single game Rushing performances.
Who are the other 19? Well, we’ll call it 16 others. Any guesses who will be on the list twice? I’ll give you one–Jon Taylor.
I’ve compiled the list below with the twenty players along with the college attended. Enjoy!
TOP SINGLE GAME RUSHING YARDS (NFL)
- 296 Adrian Peterson MIN 2007
- Oklahoma
- 295 Jamal Lewis BAL 2003
- Tennessee
- 286 Jerome Harrison CLE 2009
- Washington St
- 1900 rushing yards as a Senior
- Washington St
- 278 Corey Dillon CIN 2000
- Washington
- 23 TD’s in his final collegiate season
- Washington
- 275 Walter Payton CHI 1977
- Jackson St
- 273 OJ Simpson BUF 1976
- USC
- 266 Shaun Alexander SEA 2001
- Alabama
- 23 TD’s his Senior year
- Alabama
- 259 Jamaal Charles KC 2010
- Texas
- 255 Saquon Barkley PHI 2024
- Penn St
- 253 Jon Taylor IND 2021
- Wisconsin
- 253 Demarco Murray DAL 2011
- Oklahoma
- 251 Doug Martin TB 2012
- Boise St
- 251 Mike Anderson DEN 2000
- A Four-Year Marine (honorably discharged as a Lance Corporal) before spending two years at the U of Utah.
- Drafted by Denver at age 27
- A Four-Year Marine (honorably discharged as a Lance Corporal) before spending two years at the U of Utah.
- 250 Derrick Henry TEN 2021
- Alabama
- 250 OJ Simpson BUF 1973
- Heisman Winner 1968
- 250 Eugene “Spec” Sanders NYY 1947
- Texas
- Drafted 5th overall but opted to serve in the Navy
- After the War he played QB, TB, Safety, and was the Punter for the New York Football Yankees
- Spec was given to him as a name due to his many freckles
- 247 Willie Ellison LAR 1971
- Texas Southern
- 2009 Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame
- 2024 Texas Southern HOF
- Texas Southern
- 246 Corey Dillon CIN 1997
- 244 JON TAYLOR IND 11/9/25
- 286 Total Yards/ 3 TD’s yesterday
- 243 Ladainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers 2003
- 5th Overall Pick ourt of TCU
- 2158 Rushing Yards, 22 TD’s as a Senior.
- 18 TD’s as a Junior
—
A blend of nostalgia, memories, and curiosity well within me upon seeing these names. Nostalgia coming by way of Jamal Lewis and his incredible first season for the Volunteers. Memories from seeing guys like Corey Dillon, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Derrick Henry live multiple times. And curiosity into learning more about guys like Mike Anderson and Spec Sanders. Incredible stories.
However, it’s Jonathan Taylor that I appreciate the most in the present. He’s the reason I compiled this list in the first place. Well done to the Colts Running Back on the spectacular rushing day. A day good for 19th all-time on quite a prestigious list of names. One that included him already.
And speaking of–the three players that are on the list twice were: OJ, JT, and Dillon.
Well done Jon Taylor! You inspire me.
Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’
Whit W.