Hall of Fame
Gwain Durden is one of the top running backs in school history. He was one of the leading rushers on three Southern Conference Champion teams from 1977-80 and an honorable mention Associated Press All-American in 1979.
Durden is second all-time in rushing yards with 3,686 in his career. He is seventh all-time in attempts with 540 and second with 6.8 yards per carry. His career yards-per-attempts on the ground also ranks fourth in SoCon history.
Durden scored 18 rushing touchdowns in his career and 19 overall. He is also tied for the school record with 15 100-yard rushing games.
As a freshman in 1977, he ran for 1,045 yards and six scores, leading the Mocs to their first SoCon Championships. He and teammate Mike Smith (1,090) were the first freshman duo in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards.
Durden led the Mocs in rushing in 1978 and 1980. His 93.3 yards per game in 1978 led the SoCon. He was named to the All-SoCon team in 1979 and was UTC’s most valuable back in 1980.
His 7.8 yards-per-carry in 1979 is school record and the third highest mark in in SoCon history. He came back with 7.1 yards-per-carry as a senior in 1980, the second highest mark at UTC and the 10th best in SoCon history.
The Mocs were 33-9-2 in his four years, including SoCon Championships in 1977, 1978 and 1979. Durden was named to the Mocs’ All-Century team in 2003.
