Temple University Athletics
Comparisons
Bernard Pierce vs. The Nation
Temple RB Bernard Pierce worked his way into the starting line-up and into the records books as a true freshman in 2009.
In 12 games, Temple’s all-time freshman rusher led all Owl and MAC rushers with freshman records of 1,361 yards and 16 touchdowns on 236 carries. He averaged 113.42 yards per game.
Ranked among the nation’s Top 3 rushers (the top freshman rusher) until his injury, Pierce finished the season ranked No. 15 nationally in rushing and No. 4 nationally in rushing by a freshman.
Top 10 FBS Freshman Rushers
100-yd
Player School Season Yards TDs Games
1. Adrian Peterson Oklahoma 2004 1,925 15 11
2. Ron Dayne * Wisconsin 1996 1,863 21 7
3. Jamario Thomas North Texas 2004 1,801 17 3
4. Dion Lewis Pittsburgh 2009 1,799 17 10
5. Chance Kretschmer Nevada 2001 1,732 15 8
6. Herschel Walker Georgia 1980 1,616 15 7
7. Tony Dorsett Pittsburgh 1973 1,586 13 10
8. P.J. Hill Wisconsin 2006 1,569 15 8
9. Alex Smith Indiana 1994 1,475 10 6
10. Anthony Davis Wisconsin 2001 1,466 11 10
Bernard Pierce Temple 2009 1,361 16 6
* NCAA’s all-time rusher
current NCAA Statistics
Bernard Pierce vs. Paul Palmer
During his freshman campaign, Bernard Pierce was compared to Temple’s all-time rusher Paul Palmer (1983-86), the 1986 Heisman Trophy runner-up.
In 2009, Bernard Pierce became the first Temple freshman to record multiple games of more than 100 yards rushing since the Owls began Division I-A competition in 1971.
Bernard Pierce finished his freshman campaign with six 100-yard rushing games, including two 200-yard games.
Paul Palmer recorded the most 100-plus yard games in school history with 21, but only had one as a freshman. The second all-time leading rusher Tanardo Sharps (1999-02) had 15 games of 100-plus yards but only one as a freshman.
Pierce surpassed two of Palmer’s freshman records in just eight games.
In addition to re-writing the freshman marks, Pierce scored the most touchdowns in a season with 16.
Rushing Yards by a Freshman
1. Bernard Pierce (2009) 1,361
2. Paul Palmer (1983) 628
Rushing Attempts by a Freshman
1. Bernard Pierce (2009) 236
2. Paul Palmer (1983) 141
Rushing Touchdowns by a Freshman
1. Bernard Pierce (2009) 16
2. Paul Palmer (1983) 6
100-Yard Games by a Freshman
1. Bernard Pierce (2009) 6
2. Paul Palmer (1983) 1
Career Record Watch
Rushing Attempts
1. Paul Palmer (1983-86) 935
15. Bernard Pierce (2009-) 236
Rushing Yardage
1. Paul Palmer (1983-86) 4,895
15. Bernard Pierce (2009-) 1,361
100-Yard Rushing Games
1. Paul Palmer (1983-86) 21
t5. Bernard Pierce (2009-) 6
200-Yard Rushing Games
1. Paul Palmer (1983-86) 6
3. Bernard Pierce (2009-) 2
Rushing Touchdowns
1. Paul Palmer (1983-86) 39
6. Bernard Pierce (2009-) 16
