Jerry Rhome set the bar high for TU quarterbacks
By BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer on Aug 18, 2013, at 2:25 AM Updated on 8/18/13 at 9:42 AM
In 1944, Pittsburgh's Paul Rickards was the national passing leader with 997 yards. In 1954, California's Paul Larson was the national leader with 1,537 yards and 10 touchdown passes.
Unimagined statistical standards were established in 1964, when Jerry Rhome passed for a national-record 2,870 yards and 32 TDs, masterfully executing the Glenn Dobbs-coached Tulsa offense.
During an era when most teams grudgingly threw the football, Rhome broke a variety of NCAA passing and total-offense records during his two seasons at TU.
As an All-American senior in 1964, Rhome was the Heisman Trophy runner-up. In one of the closest votes in Heisman history, he finished second behind Notre Dame quarterback John Huarte. In 1998, Rhome was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Rhome's national passing record lasted only one year. In 1965, it was broken by his successor at TU as Billy Guy Anderson passed for 3,464 yards.
TU quarterback leaders
Passing yards
Paul Smith (2003-07) 10,936
G.J. Kinne (2009-11) 9,472
T.J. Rubley (1987-91) 9,324
TD passes
Smith 83
Kinne 81
Rubley 73
Pass attempts
Rubley 1,336
Smith 1,292
Kinne 1,195
Rushing yards
Steve Gage (1983-86) 2,096
Kinne 1,359
James Kilian (2001-04) 1,083
Rushing TDs
Gage 30
Smith 28
Kenny Jackson (1978-81) 22
Original Print Headline: Jerry Rhome: Tulsa's statistical dynamo
