Another Great One Lost: Dexter Green Dies at 46

Dexter Green, an All-American tailback at Iowa State in 1978, who ended his career as Iowa State's all-time leading rusher, died Sunday in Columbus, Ohio after a battle with cancer. He was 46.

Green, who played at Iowa State from 1975-78 for ISU head coach Earle Bruce, set the school's all-time career rushing mark of 3,437 yards that lasted until Troy Davis (1994-96) bettered the career mark in 1996 en route to a total of 4,382 yards. Darren Davis (1996-99) now ranks second with 3,763 yards and Green is third.

Green was a key cog in a trio of eight-wins seasons posted by the Cyclones from 1975-78. He ranks second on ISU's career scoring chart with 228 points and third in career all-purpose yards with 4,065 yards. He is one of seven Cyclones to own a single-game rushing mark of more than 200 yards, rushing for 214 yards in a 21-17 win at Missouri in 1976. Green's 34 career rushing touchdowns rank second on the all-time ISU list.

"He was at his best against the great teams," Bruce said. "I had many good backs over the years, but not all of them were at their best against the Nebraskas and Oklahomas like Dexter was. He was determined to be a success."

Twice an all-Big Eight tailback, he led Iowa State in rushing in 1976 (1,074 yds.), 1977 (1,240 yds.) and 1978 (991 yds.). Green's rushing helped the Cyclones to a Peach Bowl berth in 1977 and a Hall of Fame Bowl berth in 1978. Green was inducted into the Iowa State Letterwinners' Hall of Fame in 2000.

The 1980 graduate of ISU, Green is survived by his wife, Betty, daughter Sabrina and son, Dexter. Funeral services will be Saturday at the Diehl-Whittaker Funeral Home in Columbus.