Marcus Cox

[appstate38]

Even though he missed some games due to injury I think its worth noting that not only is he the record holder in rushing yards at App St. But he is only 40 yards shy of 5,000 yards rushing for his career... That would be a fine way to finish a great career with a Conf. title, a bowl win and 5K rushing!

[Rick83]

Even though he missed some games due to injury I think its worth noting that not only is he the record holder in rushing yards at App St. But he is only 40 yards shy of 5,000 yards rushing for his career... That would be a fine way to finish a great career with a Conf. title, a bowl win and 5K rushing!

You are spot on, and he broke the record with fewer carries than both Settle and Richardson. I'm in no way discounting Settle and Richardson...they were GREAT players but Cox's accomplishment is amazing and he did it during our transition to FBS.

[Yosef84]

He is also only 128 yards short of having 1000K rushing for the season. That's hardly a "gimme" for a single game, but I would love to see him do it. It would be awesome to have another game with both RBs over 100 yards.

[Saint3333]

He'd be top 25 of all-time. They must not count his freshman year as we were FCS transitional.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/lea ... areer.html


Jalin Moore is 12th in FBS this year:

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/ ... vidual/469

[bigdaddyg]

He'd be top 25 of all-time. They must not count his freshman year as we were FCS transitional.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/lea ... areer.html


Jalin Moore is 12th in FBS this year:

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/ ... vidual/469

I had mentioned on another thread that had JM been solely the main back this year he would have easily been top 10 nationally and probably over 1500 yards so far. How many other schools have two backs combined for close to 2200 yards? Stout!

[Rick83]

He is also only 128 yards short of having 1000K rushing for the season. That's hardly a "gimme" for a single game, but I would love to see him do it. It would be awesome to have another game with both RBs over 100 yards.

Yes it would and keep in mind Cox missed 4.75 games this season because of the injury.

[t4pizza]

I am glad that Marcus Cox was able to break our rushing record. I was getting a little worried as his injury seemed to linger longer than anyone anticipated. It is a shame he was hurt for so much of the season because I believe he would have put up really big numbers this year. Considering the level of competition and the fact he broke the record with fewer attempts, one could make a really strong argument that he is the greatest running back to wear the black and gold.

[Rick83]

I am glad that Marcus Cox was able to break our rushing record. I was getting a little worried as his injury seemed to linger longer than anyone anticipated. It is a shame he was hurt for so much of the season because I believe he would have put up really big numbers this year. Considering the level of competition and the fact he broke the record with fewer attempts, one could make a really strong argument that he is the greatest running back to wear the black and gold.

Yes, you could argue that but looking at Settle, he also had a long and successful career in the NFL and Richardson was a key player on all 3 national championship teams and the Michigan win...so...perhaps Cox is the greatest ever but not sure you can base it strictly on total yards or yards per carry. Definitely one of the greatest-no question, but how would you differentiate between the 3 backs factoring in the different time periods they played in? The quality of the offensive lines and offensive strategies (run vs pass) (spread vs power I) etc...also factor in.

[AppFan11]

Yea I'm pissed that they don't include him in the Sunbelt stats. I know they must use a something like you have to participate in 75% of games to be included. At 136 carries and 872 yds and 6.4 per carry, he would be the most productive back in the Sunbelt (by yds per carry). I would say if he had played in those games he would have had more yards than Moore. We easily have the two best backs in the conference.

[bigdaddyg]

I am glad that Marcus Cox was able to break our rushing record. I was getting a little worried as his injury seemed to linger longer than anyone anticipated. It is a shame he was hurt for so much of the season because I believe he would have put up really big numbers this year. Considering the level of competition and the fact he broke the record with fewer attempts, one could make a really strong argument that he is the greatest running back to wear the black and gold.

Yes, you could argue that but looking at Settle, he also had a long and successful career in the NFL and Richardson was a key player on all 3 national championship teams and the Michigan win...so...perhaps Cox is the greatest ever but not sure you can base it strictly on total yards or yards per carry. Definitely one of the greatest-no question, but how would you differentiate between the 3 backs factoring in the different time periods they played in? The quality of the offensive lines and offensive strategies (run vs pass) (spread vs power I) etc...also factor in.

Those are the top 3 no doubt. I agree you can't just go by yards. Too much to factor in. If the kid at San Diego State gets 270 yards he will be the most prolific but certainly not the best running back of all time. Perhaps prolific might best describe Cox. Richardson might get the nod as the greatest considering the championships and touchdowns he scored. Settle is a close third in my book.

[WVAPPeer]

Really don't think post college should have any influence on all-time APP greats ---

[ericsaid]

He is also only 128 yards short of having 1000K rushing for the season. That's hardly a "gimme" for a single game, but I would love to see him do it. It would be awesome to have another game with both RBs over 100 yards.

Yes it would and keep in mind Cox missed 4.75 games this season because of the injury.

And without the holding call on Meadors, would've still been over 100 yards in the .25 of the one missed game.

[t4pizza]

I am glad that Marcus Cox was able to break our rushing record. I was getting a little worried as his injury seemed to linger longer than anyone anticipated. It is a shame he was hurt for so much of the season because I believe he would have put up really big numbers this year. Considering the level of competition and the fact he broke the record with fewer attempts, one could make a really strong argument that he is the greatest running back to wear the black and gold.

Yes, you could argue that but looking at Settle, he also had a long and successful career in the NFL and Richardson was a key player on all 3 national championship teams and the Michigan win...so...perhaps Cox is the greatest ever but not sure you can base it strictly on total yards or yards per carry. Definitely one of the greatest-no question, but how would you differentiate between the 3 backs factoring in the different time periods they played in? The quality of the offensive lines and offensive strategies (run vs pass) (spread vs power I) etc...also factor in.

I don't consider Settle's NFL career at all when thinking about the best back at App. I started at App in fall 88 so I just missed Settle and only have the lore on which to go, so I can't truly judge between Cox and Settle. I have seen every other back at App since 88 and I would take Cox over everyone else. Richardson was a great one and a key figure in each of our National Titles, but he also had a qb that most teams feared running the ball more than they feared Richardson. AE was the key focus of every defense that we played and that benefited KR greatly. I think everyone would agree that during his time at App, Marcus Cox has been the key focus of the defenses we face. I agree, it is hard to compare the 3 bc of lines, other players, eras, etc. However, it is undeniable that Marcus Cox faced a higher level of competition on a weekly basis and was still able to put up the best numbers.

[appst89]

I have been fortunate enough to see all three. Each has a special place in App history. It's hard to judge between different eras and different offensive styles. But, if I had someone holding a gun to my head, and they told me I had to pick one of the three, in their prime, to gain a yard to keep the trigger from being pulled, I'm telling them to give the ball to Settle.

[Rick83]

Really don't think post college should have any influence on all-time APP greats ---

I don't disagree with what you're saying but seeing how well Settle did in the NFL makes me wonder how much better he would have done with an FBS-caliber team around him. Hard to contrast between different eras.

[ViewCrew87]

I have been fortunate enough to see all three. Each has a special place in App history. It's hard to judge between different eras and different offensive styles. But, if I had someone holding a gun to my head, and they told me I had to pick one of the three, in their prime, to gain a yard to keep the trigger from being pulled, I'm telling them to give the ball to Settle.

+1
Had many classes with JS. He fumbled once on the road at Furman in the rain his freshman year, carried the ball around to classes all week, NEVER fumbled again.
They are all 3 special RB's in thier eras.

[bigdaddyg]

I have been fortunate enough to see all three. Each has a special place in App history. It's hard to judge between different eras and different offensive styles. But, if I had someone holding a gun to my head, and they told me I had to pick one of the three, in their prime, to gain a yard to keep the trigger from being pulled, I'm telling them to give the ball to Settle.

+1
Had many classes with JS. He fumbled once on the road at Furman in the rain his freshman year, carried the ball around to classes all week, NEVER fumbled again.
They are all 3 special RB's in thier eras.

He was also the first undrafted running back in the NFL to go over 1000 yards. I agree as well that pro stats have nothing to do with college measurement. I know this was mentioned somewhere else but didn't JS have some crazy stat such as didn't get thrown for a loss on a run for an extended number of attempts?

[Rick83]

I have been fortunate enough to see all three. Each has a special place in App history. It's hard to judge between different eras and different offensive styles. But, if I had someone holding a gun to my head, and they told me I had to pick one of the three, in their prime, to gain a yard to keep the trigger from being pulled, I'm telling them to give the ball to Settle.

+1
Had many classes with JS. He fumbled once on the road at Furman in the rain his freshman year, carried the ball around to classes all week, NEVER fumbled again.
They are all 3 special RB's in thier eras.

He was also the first undrafted running back in the NFL to go over 1000 yards. I agree as well that pro stats have nothing to do with college measurement. I know this was mentioned somewhere else but didn't JS have some crazy stat such as didn't get thrown for a loss on a run for an extended number of attempts?

I still think that the fact that Settle had an NFL career at all...and I'm not even bringing up his Pro Bowl performance while in the NFL...while Richardson, to my knowledge, didn't even get a serious look says something about their rating as college running backs. I'm not dissing KR at all (love the guy)...but he wasn't good enough as a college back for the next level whereas Settle was.

[Black Saturday]

I am glad that Marcus Cox was able to break our rushing record. I was getting a little worried as his injury seemed to linger longer than anyone anticipated. It is a shame he was hurt for so much of the season because I believe he would have put up really big numbers this year. Considering the level of competition and the fact he broke the record with fewer attempts, one could make a really strong argument that he is the greatest running back to wear the black and gold.

Yes, you could argue that but looking at Settle, he also had a long and successful career in the NFL and Richardson was a key player on all 3 national championship teams and the Michigan win...so...perhaps Cox is the greatest ever but not sure you can base it strictly on total yards or yards per carry. Definitely one of the greatest-no question, but how would you differentiate between the 3 backs factoring in the different time periods they played in? The quality of the offensive lines and offensive strategies (run vs pass) (spread vs power I) etc...also factor in.

I don't consider Settle's NFL career at all when thinking about the best back at App. I started at App in fall 88 so I just missed Settle and only have the lore on which to go, so I can't truly judge between Cox and Settle. I have seen every other back at App since 88 and I would take Cox over everyone else. Richardson was a great one and a key figure in each of our National Titles, but he also had a qb that most teams feared running the ball more than they feared Richardson. AE was the key focus of every defense that we played and that benefited KR greatly. I think everyone would agree that during his time at App, Marcus Cox has been the key focus of the defenses we face. I agree, it is hard to compare the 3 bc of lines, other players, eras, etc. However, it is undeniable that Marcus Cox faced a higher level of competition on a weekly basis and was still able to put up the best numbers.

Settle got his yards the old fashioned way, "He earned them"

Richardson was on the field for 3 years

Cox had better overall talent and depth

[Rick83]

I've always loved the fact that Richardson went from being a walk on to Superstar status...he worked his tail off.