<P> Three programs have had different players lead the country in rushing yardage in consecutive seasons . The first was Hardin--Simmons, with Wilton Davis following Mobley as the rushing leader in 1947 . The second, New Mexico State, is the only one to have had the nation's rushing leader in more than two consecutive seasons . Pervis Atkins led the country in 1959, followed by Bob Gaiters in 1960 and then Pilot in the next two seasons . The most recent program to have back - to - back rushing leaders is San Diego State, with Donnel Pumphrey in 2016 and Rashaad Penny in 2017 . </P> <P> Since 1937, the single - season rushing record has been broken eight times, by Rudy Mobley in 1942 (1,281 yards), Fred Wendt in 1948 (1,570 yards), O.J. Simpson in 1968 (1,880 yards), Ed Marinaro in 1971 (1,881 yards), Ricky Bell in 1975 (1,957 yards), Tony Dorsett in 1976 (2,150 yards), Marcus Allen in 1981 (2,427 yards), and Barry Sanders in 1988 (2,628 yards). </P> <P> The record for highest rushing yards per carry in a season was set in 1939 by Jackie Robinson of UCLA with an average of 12.2 yards per carry, a record that stands to this day . </P> <P> The record of 37 rushing touchdowns in a season was set by Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State in 1988 . Mike Rozier of Nebraska held the record previously with 29 rushing touchdowns in 1983 . </P>

Most single season rushing yards in ncaa history