Utah Utes football: John White becomes Utah's first back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher

Utah’s 1,000-yard rushers

1. John White (2011) — 1,519
2. Carl Monroe (1982) — 1,507
3. Dameon Hunter (2001) — 1,396
4. Darrell Mack (2007) — 1,204
5. Mike Anderson (1998) — 1,173
6. Del Rodgers (1981) — 1,127
7. Quinton Ganther (2005) — 1,120
8. Keith Williams (1991) — 1,076
9. Eddie Wide (2009) — 1,069
10. Eddie Johnson (1986) — 1,046
11. John White (2012) — 1,041
12. Eddie Johnson (1984) — 1,021
13. Eddie Lewis (1985) — 1,018

BOULDER, Colo. — Utah running back John White made team history in Friday’s 42-35 victory at Colorado. The senior became the Utes’ first back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher.

“It means a lot to me but it means more to my team. They got me there,” White said. “Without the O-line, tight ends, wide receivers and quarterbacks and all the guys that help out blocking I couldn’t get there.”

White broke the single-season school record with 1,519 yards in 2011 and finished with 1,041 yards this year — giving him two of the program’s 13 seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher.

Eddie Johnson is Utah’s only other two-time 1,000-yard rusher. He eclipsed the milestone in 1984 and 1986.

White didn’t just break a record in the season finale, however. He also broke right arm. Although he had it wrapped and in a sling, the team captain smiled after capping his career with 2,560 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.

“I really commend these guys and the coaches for going hard every week and trusting me in running the ball,” said White, who finished with 168 yards on 28 carries.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham described White’s injury as something that should heal in 4-6 weeks.

Email: dirk@desnews.com

Twitter: @DirkFacer