NCAA: Sweet as Citrus

The A-Train is now departing.

Finishing out a stellar career for a school with the most Division 1-A victories, Michigan running back, “A-Train,” Anthony Thomas, was named 2001 Citrus Bowl MVP while leading the Wolverines to a 31-28 victory over Auburn.

It was the second time Thomas was named Citrus Bowl MVP, the first time in the bowl’s 55-year history that a player won the award twice.

Anthony Thomas rushed for 182 yards on 32 carries and in the process, became the Wolverines career-rushing leader breaking Jamie Morris’ career mark (1984-1987) as Thomas finished off with 4,472 career yards.

Thomas officially broke the record on a touchdown run late in the first half and wasn’t even aware of the situation until his teammates surrounded him on the sidelines.

That is just the kind of special guy Thomas is.

Proving he was one of the most spectacular backs in all of college football, Thomas tore through Auburn’s defense, gaining more than 100 yards in the first half.

Thomas is strong as iron, keeping his large frame low to the ground and bouncing off would-be-tacklers like a pinball. Unlike many of the big backs in college football, Thomas has an uncanny ability to make extremely quick, explosive cuts, something unusual for a back of his size (6-2, 223 pounds). However, if Thomas can’t shake a player by slashing and juking, he is large enough to lower his shoulder and batter opponents like a belligerent ram. Furthermore, his conditioning and work ethic is so positive that Thomas is able to carry the ball 30 times or more in a game, again something uncommon for a bruiser with his size.

Talk about finishing out a career in style, Thomas not only broke the career-rushing mark at Michigan with a touchdown scamper, he finished off with 336 career points and 56 career touchdowns, both tops at Michigan.

Rather than focus on the records he established during the Citrus Bowl, Thomas was more fired up about the Wolverines winning their fourth consecutive bowl, another first in Michigan’s school history.

Like Thomas, Wolverine coach Lloyd Carr wasn’t focusing on the numerous career records Anthony set; he was too busy boasting about the devastating block Thomas delivered on one play where quarterback Drew Henson was being blitzed.

“That’s just the kind of unselfish play he has made from the beginning,” Carr was quoted as telling a nearby sports reporter. “I couldn’t be more proud of anyone than him. Through all four years, he never changed. He left a legacy for tailbacks at Michigan.”

The A-Train is now leaving Ann Arbor.

The next stop…one of the top rounds in the NFL draft.

All aboard.