Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On September 13, 1997, Tavian Banks set the Iowa Hawkeye single-game rushing record. One of the most electric running backs in Iowa history, the Bettendorf-born Banks racked up yards, touchdowns, and memorable moments on the gridiron.
Banks starred at Bettendorf High School. In an epic 1992 state quarterfinal matchup, Banks and the Bulldogs came up against his future teammate Tim Dwight and Iowa City High. Bettendorf came back to win the game 31-28 after trailing by two touchdowns early, largely thanks to Banks racking up 244 yards and three touchdowns. Dwight did alright himself, scoring all four of City High’s touchdowns in the loss.
While Dwight immediately shined for the Hawkeyes after both players committed, Banks waited patiently behind running back Sedrick Shaw. However, when the time came, Banks broke out. In his first start, Banks rushed for 203 yards and three touchdowns while the Hawkeyes topped UNI 66-0. The next week, Banks outdid himself when he rushed for a school record 314 yards while also tying an Iowa record by rushing for four touchdowns. A first team All-Big Ten selection in 1997 as a senior, Banks rushed for a (then) school-record 1,691 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Banks in the fourth round during 1998. Banks started off the 1999 season showing a lot of promise, but a catastrophic knee injury. The injury, coincidentally against Tim Dwight’s Atlanta Falcons, saw Banks tear all three major ligaments in his knee. After an attempted comeback with New Orleans during 2002, Banks officially hung up his cleats for good to pursue a career in coaching. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar
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