Samaje Perine becomes Oklahoma all-time leading rusher, declares for NFL Draft

Perine surpassed Billy Sims in the fourth quarter of the Sugar Bowl

By Ben Kercheval

Jan 3, 2017 at 11:34 am ET • 1 min read

Oklahoma has a new all-time leading career rusher: Samaje Perine after the junior surpassed Sooners great Billy Sims by tallying his 4,122 career rushing yard late in the fourth quarter of Oklahoma's 35-19 win over Auburn in the Sugar Bowl. On Tuesday, the day after the game, Perine declared for the 2017 NFL Draft.

Thank you! #Soonerforlife
A photo posted by Samaje Perine (@samaj32) on Jan 3, 2017 at 8:13am PST

Perine broke the record on a 15-yard run and was congratulated by his teammates while an announcement was made over the PA system.

samechols: Samaje Perine has the all-time OU rushing record. Congrats t... ESPN Sugar Bowl: A... https://t.co/4fJwZ0bJDi pic.twitter.com/lwrMJ32IpG
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) January 3, 2017

HE DID IT!!!!! Samaje Perine stands alone as Oklahoma's career rushing leader! pic.twitter.com/V2D2ovnT40
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) January 3, 2017

Sims, the 1978 Heisman Trophy winner, had 4,118 career yards. Perine entered the Sugar Bowl needing 83 yards to break the record. He finished the night with 86 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown.

After the game, Sims himself tweeted his congratulations to Perine.