I know the game changes over the years, but Mike Adamle was pretty good. He was the last NU running back to be named MVP in the Big 10.
Wright is definitely #5 in the group, and I think I actually rank him behind Herron. Herron and Wright formed a spectacular one-two punch, but Herron has the edge in that he wore #33 and had 33 carries when NU beat Ohio State for the first time in 33 years. (I think I got those numbers right.) Sports is about moments, and I'm not sure there was a better moment between 54-51 and the Gator Bowl.
To my recollection, Anderson often was able to reach the second level untouched because defenses were entirely on their heels and had not figured out yet how to defend the spread. Anderson was not elusive, had bad hands as a receiver, and was not effective at breaking tackles. He did have another gear to kick into when he got to the second level, and he was able to rack up some big yards as a result. He was definitely a very effective runner for the offense at the time--and the best "big play" RB we have had. But his skillset was pretty limited.
What do we value here? Is one spectacular year worth more than four very good years? Is Kafka ahead of Baz?
Well if we are going into the way back machine, one best runners to wear purple was Ron Burton.
A propos of nothing, one of the funniest wrassling stories I heard involved Dale Torborg, son of former Sox manager Jeff. Dale played baseball at NU, and started a minor league career when an errant pitch shattered his orbital bone, ending his baseball career.
DA2 had 1,128 yards with only 3.7 ypc and 3 TDs in 1999. He then had 2,063 yards with 6.6 ypc and 23 TDs in the new spread offense in 2000. He got a lot of carries in 1999, but his numbers were not that impressive.
Yeah pretty sure Walk was referring to the point that he (DA2) had nothing to work with in 99, whilst y2k was a free for all.
For reference, in one of the dark ages years, we had a guy lead the team with like 165 rushing yards. Ironically named Jim Browne (sic)
In the back of my mind is the question of whether an RB should be able to create something, anything, in debacles like ISU or during the Mich/Iowa stompings of 2015. Perhaps it is hypocritical to say he is not responsible for lousy blocking but then laud the guy if he does well (presumably behind better blocking). I guess I've seen very few, if any, backs than can create if they are being hit in the backfield. Like the Louisville QB in their bowl.
Love Jackson but have to remember we rode Autry to the RB. Adamle was a different era when passing game was no where near as important as today in the BIG. A couple years with JJ we have had descent passing games. Much better than what Autry or Adamle (Adamle could also only play for 3 years per rules at the time and Autry only spent 3 years here) had. Anderson, while he had a spectacular year, it was behind one of our best OL and he had a gimicky O to work with. Just have to look at the whole package.
Since he is a Chicago area sportscaster, he might know who he is but still not appreciate how valuable he was to NU in 1970 And his 1000 yd season was in fewer games. Also for years Adamle held the record for rushing yds in a game with over 300 against MN I believe.
