College Days: Tony Dorsett
Hall of Famers
Published on : 9/27/2013
Each week throughout the 2013 season, Profootballhof.com recaps the college days of a pro football legend.
Running back Tony Dorsett wasn’t just one of the most prolific runners in the history of the Pitt Panthers but ranks among the finest ever in college football history.
A native of Aliquippa, Pa. and star at Hopewell High School, Dorsett matriculated to nearby University of Pittsburgh. In his fabulous four-year career with the Panthers, Dorsett set or tied 18 collegiate rushing records — more than any other player in the history of college football at the time. He established the NCAA’s all-time career rushing record with 6,082 yards, a mark that stood for 22 years.
In 1976, Pitt went on to crush Georgia, 27-3, to become the first Eastern team since Syracuse in 1959 to win the national championship. That season Dorsett became Pitt’s first Heisman Trophy winner in 1976 when he led the nation in rushing with 1,948 yards.
Not surprisingly, the Dallas Cowboys orchestrated a draft day trade to move up to the number 2 spot in the 1977 NFL Draft to select Dorsett.
See Tony’s Hall of Fame bio>>>
TONY DORSETT
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1994
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| Dorsett is one of eight Pro Football Hall of Famers to win the Heisman Trophy. |
A native of Aliquippa, Pa. and star at Hopewell High School, Dorsett matriculated to nearby University of Pittsburgh. In his fabulous four-year career with the Panthers, Dorsett set or tied 18 collegiate rushing records — more than any other player in the history of college football at the time. He established the NCAA’s all-time career rushing record with 6,082 yards, a mark that stood for 22 years.
In 1976, Pitt went on to crush Georgia, 27-3, to become the first Eastern team since Syracuse in 1959 to win the national championship. That season Dorsett became Pitt’s first Heisman Trophy winner in 1976 when he led the nation in rushing with 1,948 yards.
Not surprisingly, the Dallas Cowboys orchestrated a draft day trade to move up to the number 2 spot in the 1977 NFL Draft to select Dorsett.
See Tony’s Hall of Fame bio>>>
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