OSU's top 10 players of the 2000s: #3 - Ken Simonton
For number three, we chose a four-year starter, who finished his career as Oregon State's all-time leading rusher.
Even though the Beavers didn't snap their 28-year losing seasons streak until 1999, many view the 1998 season, and the Civil War upset over Oregon in particular, as the turning point for OSU. And without Ken Simonton, the Beavs don't win that game.
Simonton had success earlier during that year as a redshirt freshman. He rushed for more than 100 yards in each of his first two collegiate starts, and he even ran for 210 yards against Stanford. But it was the game against the Ducks that put Simonton on the map.
In a double-overtime thriller, Simonton took a handoff from Jonathan Smith and tip-toed his way down the sideline and into the endzone for his second score of the night. That ended a wild 44-41 Beaver victory, and Simonton became just the fourth OSU player at that time to crack the 1,000 yard mark. His stat line for night included 157 yards rushing and the two touchdowns, and shortly after he was named a first team Freshman All-American.
Simonton established himself as one of the premiere backs in the nation the next year as a sophomore. He set a OSU single season records for rushing yards - 1,486 - and rushing touchdowns - 19 - as he led the Beavers to their first bowl appearance in 34 years.
But it was his junior year in 2000 that wound up being his best. Simonton broke his year-old single season rushing record, this time with 1,559 yards - his third straight 1,000 yard season. He also equalled his 19 touchdowns on the ground from his sophomore year.
One of Simonton's best games at OSU came that year against USC. He rushed for 234 yards, and his 36-yard touchdown - his third of the night - with 1:18 left in the game clinched the game for the Beavers.
Following his junior campaign Simonton was named a second team All-American by the Associated Press. He also finished in the top 10 (9th) of the Heisman Trophy voting.
Big things were expected from both Simonton and the Beavers. OSU was ranked number one in the country by Sports Illustrated, and Oregon State launched a Heisman Campaign for Simonton. The hope was that he would become the first Pac-10 player, and just the fifth in NCAA history, to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons.
Those hopes were dashed when the Beavers stumbled to a shocking 5-6 finish, and Simonton was stopped just 29 yards short of the 1,000 yard mark in the Civil War against Oregon.
Even though he fell just short of becoming the first four year 1,000 yard rusher in Pac-10 history, he still finished his career as one of the all-time greats. He is OSU's career leader in just about every rushing category. He ranks first in career rushing yards (5,044), rushing attempts (1,041), 100-yard games (26), and rushing touchdowns (59).
Simonton went undrafted, mainly due to his small stature and his perceived lack of top-end speed, but he did play in both the NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League.
