photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas running back Devin Neal after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Cougars on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

Kansas City, Mo. — It didn’t take Kansas running back Devin Neal long to become the Jayhawks’ all-time leading rusher on Saturday.

With an 14-yard carry in the first quarter against Iowa State at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Neal passed June Henley (3,841 yards) on KU’s career leaderboard to claim the title for himself.

Later in the quarter, he also earned sole possession of the Jayhawks’ record for rushing touchdowns, breaking a tie with Henley with his 42nd score on the ground.

An alumnus of Lawrence High School, Neal has been the starting running back since his freshman year, which was also the Jayhawks’ first under Lance Leipold. He considered leaving for the NFL after his junior campaign but opted for one more year in Lawrence.

Neal fell six yards shy of matching Henley’s total in the Sunflower Showdown as rival Kansas State managed to limit him to just 66 yards on Oct. 26. He would not be denied against the Cyclones, who had previously limited well in 2023 (21 carries, 57 yards), more so than any other team in recent years.

Leipold reflected a bit on the senior Neal’s legacy within the program on Monday, recalling fondly how quickly he integrated himself into the program by spending so much time in running backs coach Jonathan Wallace’s office between meetings and practices.

“What I’ll always remember is the guy who walks in the building every day,” Leipold said. and from where he was as a freshman to where he is now as a confident young adult, is probably (what) impresses me most.”

This story will be updated.