By Darin What does it take to lead the most prolific offense in college football history? For the 1983 Nebraska Cornhuskers, the answer was Mike Rozier. A “tackling machine” in reverse, Rozier spent his collegiate career making elite defenders look like they were standing still. From his humble beginnings in Camden to hoisting the Heisman Trophy, Rozier’s legendary 7.8 yards-per-carry average remains a benchmark for greatness. Step inside the record-breaking season of the man who turned the “Big Red” into a national scoring juggernaut.
(CROPPED) Date 1987
Source CA PHOTO bcs-959 1987 Houston Oilers Football. eBay Inc. Retrieved 11 January 2016 via Wikimedia Commons.
Football Bio
March 1, 1961 – Camden, New Jersey – The outstanding Nebraska halfback, Mike Rozier, was born. The NFF states that Rozier rushed for 973 yards in 1981 as a sophomore and was not the offense’s featured back. The following year, he became a consensus All-America after running for 1,689 yards and 15 touchdowns. In his senior year in 1983, Rozier was part of a team that averaged over 50 points per game. Mike’s contributions included a nation-leading 2,148 yards on the ground, as he was college football’s top dog with 2,486 all-purpose yards and a 7.8 yards per carry average.
He also scored an eye-popping 29 touchdowns, including 11 games in which he exceeded the 100-yard mark in rushing. Mike Rozier’s collegiate gridiron accomplishments are forever remembered, as in 2006, they were inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Conclusion
Mike Rozier’s 1983 season wasn’t just a great year; it was a statistical masterpiece that redefined the limits of a running back. By averaging nearly eight yards every time he touched the ball, he propelled Nebraska to the doorstep of a national championship and earned himself a permanent place in the Heisman fraternity. Whether it was his speed, his vision, or his sheer durability, Rozier remains the gold standard for Nebraska’s “I-Back” legacy.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Heisman Trophy Winner: 1983.
- Maxwell Award Winner: 1983.
- Walter Camp Player of the Year: 1983.
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2006.
- Unanimous First-Team All-American: 1983.
- Consensus First-Team All-American: 1982.
- 2× Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year: 1982, 1983.
- Career Rushing Yards (Nebraska): 4,780 yards (School record at graduation).
- Single-Season Rushing Yards: 2,148 (1983).
- 2× NFL Pro Bowl Selection: 1987, 1988 (Houston Oilers).
- Retired Jersey: His #30 is retired by the University of Nebraska.
