Most Versatile Wildcat: Lynn Bowden Jr. v. Randall Cobb

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Lynn Bowden Jr. #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats returns a punt 56 yards for a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first quarter of the VRBO Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Lynn Bowden Jr. #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats returns a punt 56 yards for a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first quarter of the VRBO Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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Rushing

This should be good. Neither Bowden nor Cobb was a classically trained rusher, but both found major success rushing at the quarterback position. Again, let’s begin with career rushing totals.

Lynn Bowden Jr.

Rushes: 172

Rushing Yards: 1297

Yards-per-Rush Average: 7.5

Touchdowns:  11

Randall Cobb

Rushes: 228

Rushing Yards: 1313

Yards-per-Rush Average: 5.8

Touchdowns: 22

This one’s tricky. Lynn Bowden’s pure rushing totals are just shy of Cobb’s, however, he lacks significantly in touchdowns. This is largely due in part by the fact that Randall Cobb saw the ball from a rushing standpoint all throughout his career at Kentucky, both as a WR and a QB. Cobb had three years of organized, scheduled rushing plays, whereas Bowden has really only had the taste of running the ball from this year’s playbook.

On that note, let’s reference their season-best totals.

Lynn Bowden Jr.

Rushes:  151 (2019 season)

Rushing Yards: 1235 (2019 season)

Yards-per-Rush Average: 8.2 (2019 season)

Touchdowns:  11 (2019 season)

Randall Cobb

Rushes: 94 (2009 season)

Rushing Yards: 573 (2009 season)

Yards-per-Rush Average: 7.7 (2010 season)

Touchdowns: 10 (2009 season)

Well, if that doesn’t paint a clearer picture, then I don’t know what will. Nearly 90% or more of Bowden’s rushing totals come from this season, including 11 – yes 100 % of his career – rushing touchdowns. What’s more impressive is that Bowden’s rushing totals come in the face of prepared defenses. Even so, Bowden is able to rip a 8.2 rushing average that is second nationally and first in the SEC.

Final verdict #2.

Better rusher: Lynn Bowden Jr.

Schedule

Schedule