Texas will tip its cap Saturday to 25th anniversary of Ricky Williams' Heisman Trophy win

Danny Davis, Austin American-Statesman

Former Texas running back Ricky Williams will be honored during Saturday's game between No. 7 Texas and No. 23 Kansas State for the 25th anniversary of his 1998 Heisman Trophy, one of two Heismans that have been won by Longhorns.

Williams, now 46 years old, finished his college career as the NCAA's all-time leading rusher. He has since been passed by San Diego State's Donnel Pumphrey and Wisconsin's Ron Dayne, but Williams has plenty of notable standards are still standing at Texas 25 years later:

Texas running back Ricky Williams drags a Rice defender with him during a run in the Longhorns' 59-21 win in September 1998, a chunk of his 318-yard rushing performance that day. On Saturday, UT will honor him during the Texas-Kansas State game to mark the 25th anniversary of his Heisman Trophy season.
Texas running back Ricky Williams drags a Rice defender with him during a run in the Longhorns' 59-21 win in September 1998, a chunk of his 318-yard rushing performance that day. On Saturday, UT will honor him during the Texas-Kansas State game to mark the 25th anniversary of his Heisman Trophy season.

∙ Single-season rushing yards: 2,124 (1998)

∙ Career rushing yards: 6,279 (1995-98)

∙ Rushing yards in a game: 350 (vs. Iowa State, 1998)

∙ Total career touchdowns: 75

In all, Williams still holds 31 school records, including some less notable and random marks. What's UT's record for rushing yards in a neutral site game? The 223 that Williams had against Oklahoma in 1997, a 27-24 win. How about the single-game standard for rushing attempts in a Texas bowl game? No Longhorn has topped the 30 that Williams had in the Cotton Bowl win over Mississippi State at the end of the 1998 season, his final game.

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The statue of 1998 Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams was unveiled in 2018 outside of Royal-Memorial Stadium, commemorating the 20-year anniversary of UT's second Heisman.
The statue of 1998 Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams was unveiled in 2018 outside of Royal-Memorial Stadium, commemorating the 20-year anniversary of UT's second Heisman.

Earlier this week, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian and running back Jonathon Brooks both were asked about the impact Williams made on the program.

Said Sarkisian, who in 1998 was quarterbacking the Saskatchewan Rough Riders in the Canadian Football League: "The fact that winning the Heisman Trophy and what he was able to do here and to continue to carry the legacy of the great runners here, and there's been more since and continue to go. It's unique how certain places have that niche at a position group, and it just continues to grow and what a legacy that he left here. I'm looking forward to seeing him. He was a phenomenal, phenomenal football player."

Said Brooks, whose 923 rushing yards through eight games this season are three more than eventual Doak Walker Award winner Bijan Robinson's 920 at the same point last year: "He set a legacy just for the running backs and just for the institution of Texas. He set a good example for us to want to be like. He was a really good ballplayer. I think he did a lot of really good things, and I think it's pretty cool that they're honoring him this weekend."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas to honor Ricky Williams' 25th anniversary of Heisman Trophy win

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