Blake Corum touchdown record: Michigan star passes Anthony Thomas for most career TDs

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Nothing is more important to Michigan than winning a national championship this season. After back-to-back early exits in the College Football Playoff, the Wolverines enter as this year's semifinals as the No. 1 seed and title favorite. 

Michigan might not be in this position if not for the return of RB Blake Corum. Corum was a Heisman contender in 2022 and could have left to pursue an NFL career, but he decided there was unfinished business in Ann Arbor.

Corum's biggest goal is winning a championship, but he has a chance to etch his name in Wolverines history in the playoff. Corum is on the verge of setting a program record for rushing touchdowns, one that would be tough for future generations of Michigan running backs to beat.

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Here's what you need to know about Corum's touchdown total and what he needs to do to break the record.

Blake Corum touchdowns

Corum has 56 career touchdowns at Michigan, the most in program history. With his overtime scamper against Alabama, he surpassed Wolverines legend Anthony Thomas' 24-year record.

Corum tied the record in the Wolverines' win over Iowa in the Big Ten championship, marching right into the history books. Now, he sits all alone atop the history books, an even more impressive achievement given that Corum played sparingly as a freshman, receiving only 26 carries. He scored 11 touchdowns in 2021, when Michigan reached the College Football Playoff for the first time, and added 18 to the total in 2022.

While Corum has seen his efficiency dip a bit in 2023, averaging 4.7 yards per carry compared to nearly six in 2022, he's found the end zone a whopping 25 times in 14games.

Here's a closer look at Corum's career stats at Michigan.

Games Rush yards Rush TD YPC
6 77 2 3.0
12 952 11 6.6
12 1,463 18 5.9
14 1,082 25 4.7
Total 3,520 55 5.5

Michigan touchdown record

As it stands now, Anthony Thomas is tied with Corum for the Michigan rushing touchdown record with 55. A four-year player for the Wolverines, Thomas rattled off two seasons of more than 1,200 rushing yards to finish his collegiate career before getting drafted 38th overall by the Bears in 2001.

Thomas would carve out a brief but solid NFL career, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors with Chicago and posting two seasons of at least 1,000 rushing yards. 

Corum's size might concern some NFL front offices, but the Michigan star is hoping for a similar opportunity after the season. Ideally, he would like to have a national championship and a prestigious Michigan record in hand when he enters the league.

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Michigan rushing touchdown leaders

Corum and Thomas are well ahead of the rest of the pack when it comes to rushing touchdowns, sitting 14 and 14 scores clear of QB Denard Robinson (42).

Player Rushing TD Years
Blake Corum 56 2020-23
Anthony Thomas 55 1997-2000
Denard Robinson 42 2009-12
Mike Hart 41 2004-07

While Corum already has a claim to Michigan's touchdown record, he won't break the Wolverines' rushing record unless he chooses to use his additional year of eligibility and return in 2024.

Corum has 3,574 career rushing yards, seventh in program history. That record is held by Mike Hart, who fittingly serves as Corum's position coach at Michigan.

Here's a look at the top eight rushers in Wolverines history.

Player Rushing yards Years
Mike Hart 5,040 2004-07
Denard Robinson 4,495 2009-12
Anthony Thomas 4,098 1997-2000
Jamie Morris 3,943 1984-87
Tyrone Wheatley 3,671 1991-94
Chris Perry 3,657 2000-03
Blake Corum 3,574 2020-23
Butch Woolfolk 3,431 1978-81
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Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News.