58 Days

"The Run" By Adrian Peterson

Let’s remember when Georgia Southern’s Adrian Peterson ran for 58 yards in this legendary effort against Youngstown State in the 1999 1-AA Championship Game.

This is not the Adrian Peterson you were expecting.

Prior to joining the FBS in 2014, Georgia Southern was a powerhouse in the FCS (formally Division 1-AA). From 1985 to 2001, the Eagles appeared in the championship game 8 times, winning 6 of them. Paul Johnson (of Navy and Georgia Tech fame later in his career) led Georgia Southern to three of these title game appearances from 1997-2001. The engine of Georgia Southern’s attack under Paul Johnson was Adrian Peterson. Not future NFL Hall of Famer, Adrian Peterson, but rather future Chicago Bears backup running back and special teamer, Adrian Peterson.¹

Adrian Peterson started all four seasons at Georgia Southern rushing for at least 1,795 yards in each of his four seasons, including a 2,056 yard campaign in his junior season. His “official” career rushing total is 6,559 yards, which makes him the all-time career rushing leader in FCS history.² He also rushed for 84 regular season touchdowns in his four years, tied for the all-time lead. Peterson won the Walter Payton award (the FCS version of the Heisman) as a Sophomore, a first in FCS history, and finished in the top three for the award each of his four seasons. In other words, this guy was a monster in his time. His abilities are best exhibited in this famous play…

Georgia Southern won the game 59-24. Their first title under Paul Johnson. They would repeat the following year.

Of course, it is impossible to write an article about Georgia Southern and leave out their masterpiece upset against Florida in 2013. Zero passes completed. Solid blocking. Beautiful.

1. Not to slight the guy or anything. His collegiate accomplishments dwarf Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson.

2. Playoff stats do not count towards the all-time record books at the FCS level. Adding in his playoff totals and he exceeds 7,500 yards on the ground.