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Every 1,000-Yard Rusher in Kentucky Football History
By Chris Wright
Last Updated:
Did you know Kentucky has produced more 1,000-yard rushers than Florida?
It’s true.
Entering the 2025 season, Wildcats players have rushed for 1,000 yards 15 times. Florida only has 10 1,000-yard rushers in its history.
No surprise, either, that 7 of Kentucky’s total — nearly half — have come under ground-and-pound head coach Mark Stoops.
Kentucky’s 1,000-Yard Rushers
Benny Snell Jr. is the only player in Kentucky history to rush for 1,000 times three times in a career. Here is the complete list of every Wildcat who has rushed for 1,000 yards in a season, including the ultimate “Wildcat” quarterback, Lynn Bowden, a receiver by trade who was forced to play quarterback due to injuries in 2019.
Kentucky’s Single-Season Rushing Record Progression
In 1973, Sonny Collins became the first Kentucky player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, thus setting a program-record. Here’s every single-season rushing yards record-holder since (bold indicates year the record was set):
| Years at No. 1 | Player | Rushing Yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1995-present | Moe Williams | 1,600 |
| 1987-1995 | Mark Higgs | 1,278 |
| 1973-1987 | Sonny Collins | 1,213 |
Managing Editor
A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.
