Ken Simonton (Born June 7, 1979) rewrote the record books at Oregon State University. The small but powerful running back was a key part of the Beavers football resurgence in the late 1990’s.
He is remembered for scoring the winning touchdown in the 1998 double-overtime Civil War as a red-shirt freshman, but Ken would go on racking up some eye-popping numbers through his OSU career.
Simonton came to OSU after a two-sport career at Pittsburg HS in California. His father, brother and cousin all had professional baseball careers.
Football became his main focus in Corvallis, he rushed for more than 5,000 career yards (second most in Pac-12 history), racked up 59 career touchdowns (four of which contribute to Reser Stadium’s record for most rushing touchdowns in a game), and established a new record by rushing for 100 yards in five consecutive games. After leading the Beavers to a 2001 Fiesta Bowl title over Notre Dame, Simonton was greeted with All-American status and a spot on the Heisman ballot.
His collegiate success led him to a professional career with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers & Buffalo Bills, the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders, and the Scottish Claymores of the NFL Europe, where he became Offensive Player of the Year in 2003.
Ken Simonton is a member of the Oregon State University Athletic Hall of Fame and has remained an active supporter of Beaver athletics.