Iowa Official Athletic Site

First Team All-American (AFCA) | Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Year | Doak Walker Award winner
Chicago Tribune Silver Football Award

UNIVERSITY OF IOWA JUNIOR SHONN GREENE earned the respect of his teammates in August when he returned to the Kenyon Practice Field after not only a year away from the UI football program, but a year away from the game he so much loves to play. Three weeks later, he had earned the starting running back position. After a 13-game 2008 football season, Greene stands among the nation's best and has helped the Hawkeyes return to postseason play after a one-year hiatus....

Shonn Greene

Greene, who ranks first nationally in rushing, has rushed for over 100 yards in all 13 games this year (Maine, FIU, Iowa State, Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Michigan State, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Penn State, Purdue, Minnesota and South Carolina). His rushing total of 159 yards against Northwestern (Sept. 27) pushed him over 1,000 career yards. For his career, Greene has rushed 376 times for 2,228 yards (6.0 average) and 21 scores. The 2,228 yards ranks ninth-best in Iowa's career annals. He amassed 1,850 yards (851 after contact) on 307 attempts (6.0 average) and 20 scores in 2008.

His 6.0 average per carry is near the top in the nation (minimum 225 attempts). The 1,850 rushing yards is the best in a single-season at Iowa, 159 more yards than Tavian Banks' single-season total of 1,691 set in 1997. Greene became the 12th Hawkeye, and second-fastest, to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. Greene's 20 rushing scores are the most by an Iowa player in a single-season.

Greene's 120 points marks the 23rd time an Iowa skill-position player scored at least 60 points in a season. The 120 points ranks as the most in a single season at Iowa by a skilled-position player and ties kicker Nate Kaeding, who scored 120 in 2002. Greene's 6.0 average per carry is the highest rushing average by an Iowa running back, in a single-season, since Tavian Banks averaged 6.5 yards on 260 attempts in 1997. In Iowa's eight conference games, he averages a Big Ten-best 156.5 yards and 13 touchdowns. Also, Greene ranks 22nd nationally in all-purpose yards (146.08).

2008 Game-by-game statistics
Opponent	Att	Yards	Avg	TD	YAC
Maine (W, 46-3)	22	109	5.0	1	59
Florida International (W, 42-0)	13	130	10.0	1	64
Iowa State (W, 17-5)	20	120	6.0	1	67
at Pittsburgh (L, 20-21)	23	147	6.4	1	52
Northwestern (L, 17-22)	21	159	7.6	1	64
at Michigan State (L, 13-16)	30	157	5.2	0	48
at Indiana (W, 45-9)	23	115	5.0	1	53
Wisconsin (W, 38-16)	25	217	8.7	4	113
at Illinois (L, 24-27)	21	103	4.9	1	42
Penn State (W, 24-23)	28	117	4.2	2	43
Purdue (W, 22-17)	30	211	7.0	2	144
at Minnesota (W, 55-0)	22	144	6.5	2	102
South Carolina (W, 31-0)	29	121	4.2	3	NA
Season Totals	307	1,850	6.0	20	851

Greene, who won the Doak Walker Award and was a finalist for the Maxwell Award, is the first Iowa running back to rush for more than 100 yards in 13 straight games. He is also the only FBS player to eclipse 100 yards rushing in every game this season. Greene has topped 100 yards rushing in a game 14 times in his career. He rushed 25 times for a career-high 217 yards and four touchdowns against Wisconsin on Oct. 18. The 217 yards ties Nick Bell for the sixth-most rushing yards in a single-game in Iowa history. Bell rushed 31 times for 217 yards and three touchdowns against Wisconsin on Oct. 14, 1989. Greene's 217 yards are the most by an Iowa running back since Albert Young totaled 202 yards on 38 carries at Northwestern on Nov. 5, 2005. He topped the 200-yard mark for a second time during a victory against Purdue on Nov. 15 (30 carries, 211 yards, two touchdowns).

Shonn Greene highlights in PDF Format

Sean Keeler, Des Moines Register (Nov. 22)
"When the Hawkeyes have Greene in the fold, they're a different team. A better team. A New Year's Day bowl team. If that doesn't describe the most outstanding player in college football, I don't know what does."
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz (Nov. 18)
"I can't say enough about what Shonn has done on the football field. I think it's pretty obvious, if you watch our team at all, what he means to our football team. Really two things have impressed me -- his consistency and production. He's pretty much been the same player every week out there and he's been extremely productive. To have the amount of carries that he's had, against the competition he's played against, and to be averaging six-plus yards a carry, is pretty phenomenal. The other thing I'm really impressed by and really happy about is the way he's handled his newfound success. It's all about the team. He's not one for attention. I think his actions and his play speak for themselves."
Michigan State running back Javon Ringer
"Honestly, right now I'd vote for Shonn Greene. He's played amazing. He's had over 100 yards in every single game he's played this year. He runs hard, he's never brought down by the first guy, he's running behind a great offensive line and he always keeps his feet moving. He is definitely one of the best backs in the nation. If I had a (Heisman) vote, I'd vote for him."
Big Ten Network College Football Analyst Chris Martin
"Shonn Greene is the best running back in the country. I can't tell you another 235-pound back that has the same type of foot work as Shonn Greene. He combines toughness, mental mainstay and quickness. He is the real deal. Put this guy in Heisman consideration."
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz (Oct. 18)
"The guys up front have been getting Shonn up to the second level and he's doing some things on his own. When a guy like him has the ball, I think everybody is a little bit more enthusiastic because they know that effort is going to pay off."
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz (Oct. 18)
"He's a big back and he's a tough-minded back, but he also has got pretty good speed and he always has had good speed. That's one thing you kind of get fixated on is his tough running. You forget he can pick them up and go pretty well. He's a good story."
Iowa offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe (Oct. 24)
"He's pretty darn good. He's a combination of big, strong, powerful and he's faster than you think. The one thing that makes him very different is that he's a great pass protector. We don't have to take him out of the game on third down."
Iowa offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe (Oct. 24)
"Shonn is a physical runner who can make guys miss. He runs through blocks and he finishes plays. That's a big shot in the arm for any offense. When a running back can score from 45 yards out, that makes life a lot easier."
Big Ten Network College Football Analyst Chris Martin (Oct. 19)
"In my opinion, he (Shonn Greene) is the best back in college football. Everybody knows he's a physical back, but he also gives you much more. He runs with his eyes. He's able to see creases, find them and explode through them. He's also able to run through contact, be physical and have great balance. He's that dynamic! He has great burst and acceleration and knows how finish and to get to the end zone. It amazes me that even with blitz packages, with a stacked-box, that no one can slow Shonn Greene -- he's that good."
ESPN College Football Analyst Mel Kiper (Oct. 20)
"Greene really impresses me with his decisive style and ability to get those critical extra yards after initial contact."