Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal breaks all-time KU rushing record vs. ISU
Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal has finally done it: He’s officially KU’s all-time leading rusher.
Neal was just six yards shy of tying the record entering Saturday afternoon’s matchup against Iowa State at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Neal broke and reset the record in the first quarter of Saturday’s game. In typical hard-charging fashion, the historic carry — his first of the game — went for 14 yards and gave the Jayhawks a first down.
With 3,951 rushing yards now in his illustrious Kansas career, Neal overtakes June Henley, who rushed for a program-best 3,841 yards from 1993-96. Tony Sands ranks third on KU’s all-time rushing ledger (3,777 from 1988-91).
Neal had 758 rushing yards and eight touchdowns this season — eight games — ahead of Saturday’s showdown against the Cyclones. He became KU’s all-time leader in total touchdowns (44) in a road game against K-State on Oct. 26.
Through the first quarter Saturday at Arrowhead, he had three carries for 31 yards and a touchdown as KU led Iowa State 14-7. He went on to finish with 18 carries for 116 yards and two TDs.
For good measure, he also caught two passes for 22 yards as Kansas beat the Cyclones 45-36.
“I’m just honored to be in this position,” Neal told The Star Wednesday. “It means a lot to me. There’s been a lot of people that helped me get to this point. I will definitely have a lot of thanks to go around. Hopefully, I get a ‘W’ and get a nice meal with the O-line, specifically.”
Neal also reflected on his career overall at Kansas.
“You don’t really know where your career is going to go, just in general,” he said. “You take a leap of faith just to be in a position, starting early as a freshman and going through so many ups and downs. ...
“(I’m) just going out there and having fun playing the game that (I) love and cherish. Just to be in this position now, I never expected it.”
Neal’s story of perseverance is well documented: A four-star out of high school at nearby Lawrence High, he chose to stay home and become a Jayhawk.
“I’m ... honored and blessed,” he said. “I think it writes up a pretty cool story. I know my family is proud most of all. That makes me happy.”
This story was originally published November 9, 2024 at 2:39 PM.
