The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Longhorn great Cedric Benson passes away
08.19.2019 | Football
One of the top running backs in college football history, Cedric Benson established a legacy at Texas from 2001-04.
One of the best running backs in college football history, Longhorn great Cedric Benson passed away late Saturday night at the age of 36.
We remember Cedric Benson. pic.twitter.com/9spXHgcwvt
— Longhorn Network (@LonghornNetwork) August 19, 2019
Benson established a legacy at Texas from 2001-04 as he became the only player in school history and one of only nine on NCAA record to rush for 1,000 yards in each of four consecutive seasons. Trailing only Ricky Williams in career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns at Texas, he totaled 5,540 yards (No. 10 in NCAA history) and 64 TDs (No. 9 in NCAA history) during his career.
As a senior in 2004, Benson won the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back and earned first-team All-America honors. He rushed for 1,834 yards (No. 4 on UT's single-season list) and 19 TDs (No. 4 on UT's single-season list) on 326 carries that season, helping Texas to an 11-1 record capped by a 38-37 win over Michigan in the Longhorns' first appearance in the Rose Bowl.
Thank you for the memories, Cedric. A true Longhorn Legend. pic.twitter.com/9gtoqo7ohi
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) August 18, 2019
In previous seasons, Benson rushed for 1,360 yards (No. 8 on UT all-time season list) and a career-high 21 TDs (No. 3 on UT single-season list) as a junior, and 1,293 yards (No. 10 on UT all-time season list) as a sophomore. He earned Freshman All-America and Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2001 after rushing for UT freshman records of 1,053 yards and 12 TDs in 2001.
Benson helped lead the Longhorns to a 43-8 record, including a 3-1 mark in bowl games and three 11-win campaigns, in his four seasons on the Forty Acres. Texas finished the year ranked in the top six three times, ranking fourth in the final Coaches Poll in 2004 and fifth in the final AP Poll in 2001.
Selected third overall by the Chicago Bears in the 2005 NFL Draft. Benson played eight years in the NFL (2005-12), rushing for more than 1,000 yards three times (2009-11 with Cincinnati) and ending his career with 6,017 rushing yards. He was enshrined in the Texas Hall of Honor in 2014.
