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Big Ten Football: Ranking the 30 best players of all time

By Quinn Douglas

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after their 27-21 win over the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after their 27-21 win over the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Halfback Anthony Thompson #32 of the Indiana Hoosiers in action during a game.
Halfback Anthony Thompson #32 of the Indiana Hoosiers in action during a game. /

Anthony Thompson Career Statistics, 1986-1989

  • Games Played: 47
  • Carries: 1,161
  • Rushing Yards: 5,299
  • Rushing Yards per Game: 112.7
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 67
  • Yards per Carry: 4.6
  • Receptions: 102
  • Receiving Yards: 755
  • Receiving Touchdowns: 1
  • Notables: 1988 & 1989 Chicago Tribune Silver Football winner, 1989 Heisman Trophy runner-up, 1989 Maxwell Award, 1989 Walter Camp Award, 1988 & 1989 Consensus First Team All-American, Held NCAA career touchdown record until 1998, #31 retired by Indiana.

For much of Indiana’s football history, there hasn’t been much to celebrate about, Anthony Thompson, however, they can. Thompson was one of the most prolific running backs in Big Ten history, rushing for 5,299 career rushing yards and 67 rushing touchdowns in his four years in Bloomington.

Thompson came to Indiana from Terra Haute and North Vigo High School. He had an instant impact as a freshman, rushing for 806 yards and five touchdowns. His numbers would only get better as he ran for 1,000 yards in each of his final three seasons. This culminated in his senior season, rushing for 1,793 yards and 24 touchdowns.

This performance was enough to get Thompson a runner-up finish in the 1989 Heisman Trophy race along with winning the Maxwell and Walter Camp Award. Thompson finished his career the NCAA’s leader in career touchdowns until his record was broken by Ricky Williams in 1998. Thompson was drafted by the Phoenix Cardinals in the 1990 NFL Draft.

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