CBS SportsLine wire reports
Oct. 24, 1998

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The play was drawn up three years ago -- nothing fancy, just a little something to balance a pass-heavy offense.

On Saturday, it made Brian Shay the leading rusher in college football history.

The Emporia State

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running back scored on a 75-yard run in the fourth quarter against Central Missouri State to break Johnny Bailey's career rushing record.

"I didn't have any time to think about the record on that play because it all happened so fast," Shay said. "It wasn't until I got into the end zone and my teammates all got there that it really hit me."

SHAY FINISHED THE DAY with 213 yards on 28 carries, giving him 6,428 career rushing yards at the Division II school. Bailey ran for 6,320 yards from 1986-89 at Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville). The Division I-A record is 6,082 by Pittsburgh's Tony Dorsett from 1973-76.

Shay, a 5-foot-9, 218-pound senior, also ran for touchdowns of 2, 15 and 44 yards in Emporia State's 56-24 victory.

"I thought it was really appropriate that he scored on that play," coach Manny Matsakis said of the record-breaking run. "That was something we drew up just for him, the spring before his sophomore year.

"I thought we'd use it when we needed a yard or two, but the first couple of times he ran it he went something like 30 or 40 yards."

Shay's teammates appeared more excited about his accomplishments than he did.

"I LOVE IT WHEN HE RUNS to my side and I can make a good block," said left tackle John Hesse, who helped spring Shay on his record-breaking run. "I like being able to look out of the corner of my eye and see him disappearing down the field for a touchdown."

Shay added to his NCAA career records for all-purpose yards (8,661) and 200-yard rushing games (15). His six straight 200-yard rushing games are a Division II record.

Shay's 496 career points moved him past Joe Dudek of Plymouth State into second place on the all-time NCAA scoring list. The record is 528 points, by Carey Bender of Division III Coe College from 1991 to 1994. Shay also closed to within six touchdowns of Bender's career record of 86.

"I think there might be some attention for that record," Shay said. ``But I think this is the one everybody wanted to see."