Adams Still Shines

Tony Adams, the most prolific passer in USU history, still holds several offensive records at USU, 30 years after he graduated. Adams was a 2nd team All-American for USU.

Adams, the 14th round (343rd overall) pick of the 1973 draft by the NFL's Chargers, and who played five years for the Chiefs and Vikings, still owns 4 USU passing records:

Best game passing: 561 yards against Utah in 1972; Career passing: 6,226 yards ('70-'72); Career touchdown passes: 52; and Career total offense: 6,587.

He still rates high in several other categories:

Career completions (3rd): 456; Career attempts (2nd): 867; Career percentage (10th): .526; Season passing (5th): 2,797 (1972); Season completions (5th): 204 (1972); Season attempts (9th): 351 (1972); Season percentage (3rd): .581 (1972); Season TD passes (T7th): 16 (1971); Game passing (7th/10th): 406/389 (Idaho/Wyoming 1972); and Long completion (T8th/T12th): 85 (Craig Clark vs. Utah 1972) / 80 (Jerry Hughes vs. Utah 1972).

Adams started both the 1971 and 1972 seasons as USU's quarterback, and started most games of the 1970 season. His USU teams posted 5-5*, 8-3 and 8-3 records, and had a 9-5 record against current MWC teams Utah, BYU, Wyoming, Colorado State, UNLV, and San Diego State. This record of 21-11 does not include wins over the All-Japan and Japanese All-Stars in games played in December 1971 in Tokyo and Osaka. USU won those games 50-6 and 46-6.

Adams' passing overshadows his great running ability. Adams transfered to USU from Darrell Royal's wishbown-running Texas team after the 1969 season. He returned to Austin in 1972, where his Aggie team lost a close one to the highly regarded Longhorns, 12-27.

Adams is a 1995 inductee into USU's Hall of Fame. *Shortened season caused by air tragedy involving Wichita State's players, coaches and many supporters.