Crown him: Duke Johnson becomes Miami's all-time leading rusher

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Duke Johnson became the University of Miami's all-time leading rusher Saturday night at Sun Life Stadium against the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Johnson, who entered 34 yards shy of the record, surpassed Ottis Anderson with his 9-yard run a minute into the third quarter. He bested the previous mark in just 32 games and 496 carries.

"It's an honor just when you look back at all the great backs before me the things they were able to accomplished," said Johnson, who finished with 89 yards on 18 rushes. "Just to say I'm up there now, that I'm the top rusher here is amazing for me, my family and the organization."

The 5-foot-9, 206-pound junior had already topped Santana Moss' all-purpose yards record Oct. 11 against the Cincinnati Bearcats. He came into Saturday's contest with 5,238 yards.

Johnson also has 13 career 100-yard rushing games. His next will tie him with Portis and James for the most in school history.

"I just wish it was a better environment to celebrate what he has accomplished because I think it's extraordinary -- I really do," head coach Al Golden said. "For him to do it in the timeframe he's done it makes it really unique for him. He's a unique young man, grateful for the opportunity to coach him every day and obviously the way he's responded and ways he's accepted coaching. (He) changed a lot of little things in his game to be as productive as he has been this year. He deserves it."

A pair of his teammates also achieved milestones.

Senior Clive Walford set the mark for most career catches by a Miami tight end (120) on a five-yard reception in the second quarter, passing Kellen Winslow II. Walford exited a few plays later with a knee injury. Winslow won the 2003 John Mackey Award, given to the nation's top tight end. Walford is one of three finalists this season. He previously became the all-time leader in yardage and touchdowns.

With his 51-yard score in the second quarter, senior wideout Phillip Dorsett exceeded 2,000 career receiving yards, becoming the seventh Hurricane to do so. The others are Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, Michael Irvin, Lamar Thomas, Leonard Hankerson and Travis Benjamin.

You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.