Florida’s football program earned the reputation of being a quarterback school after Steve Spurrier took the reins in 1990, which followed a decade that produced a plethora of NFL running backs — including Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith. While the 90s saw increased use of the air attack by many of the top teams, Spurrier’s Fun and Gun offense still sought a balance between the passing and running games as his squad continued to churn out grinders on the ground.
After the departure of the Head Ball Coach, the Gators underwent some philosophical changes on the sidelines that at best led to a pair of national championships and at worst led to losing seasons. Mixed up in there are some superior rushing campaigns by both running backs and quarterbacks along with some forgettable seasons as well.
Below is a look at the top rushers for Florida football over the past 25 seasons stretching all the way back into the Spurrier era and ending in the new Napier age. Included are their season stats, their career yardage and a short description of their achievement.
1998: Terry Jackson
Andy Lyons /Allsport
Season Yards: 587
Season Carries: 105
Yards per: 5.6
Career Yards: 1,794
This season was not even Jackson’s best as he finished his freshman campaign with 780 yards on 122 carries.
1999: Earnest Graham
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Season Yards: 654
Season Carries: 117
Yards per: 5.6
Career Yards: 3,085
This is the first of three seasons in which Graham led the Gators on the ground, with the next entry sandwiched in between them.
2000: Robert Gillespie
Andy Lyons /Allsport
Season Yards: 678
Season Carries: 125
Yards per: 5.4
Career Yards: 1,854
Gillespie beat out Graham for the most team yardage on the ground in 2000 by just two yards (Graham had four fewer carries).
2001: Earnest Graham
Matt Stroshane/Getty Images
Season Yards:…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Football | Gators Wire…