Mark Story

The Snell Watch: Tracking Benny Snell’s pursuit of UK’s all-time rushing record

Kentucky running back Benny Snell Jr. was tackled during the first half by Texas A&M linebacker Otaro Alaka in College Station, Texas, on Saturday night.
Kentucky running back Benny Snell Jr. was tackled during the first half by Texas A&M linebacker Otaro Alaka in College Station, Texas, on Saturday night. AP

Kentucky Wildcats junior running back Benny Snell entered the 2018 season needing to rush for 1,412 yards to pass Sonny Collins (3,835 yards from 1972-75) as UK’s all-time leading rusher.

Over a 12-game schedule, Snell entered the season needing to average 117.7 yards a game to break the record. If UK advances to a bowl game, Snell would need to average 108.7 yards a game on a 13-game slate to break Collins’ record.

Throughout the Kentucky season, we are tracking Snell’s progress toward the record.

Game Six: Snell ran 13 times for 60 yards at Texas A&M.

Game Five: Snell ran 28 times for 99 yards against South Carolina.

Game Four: Snell ran 25 times for 165 yards against Mississippi State.

Game Three: Snell ran 15 times for 75 yards against Murray State.

Game Two: Snell ran 27 times for 175 yards at Florida.

Game One: Snell ran 20 times for 125 yards against Central Michigan.

For the season: Snell has run for 699 yards on 128 carries. He now has 3,123 career yards and sits third among UK’s all-time leading rushers. Next up on the list is Moe Williams (3,333 yards).

Needed to break the record: 713 yards. That is an average of 118.8 yards in the six remaining games of the regular season or 101.9 if UK earns a postseason bowl trip.

Mark Story: (859) 231-3230; Twitter: @markcstory

This story was originally published October 6, 2018 at 10:51 PM.

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