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Show ALL-AMERICAN CANDIDATE NORM THOMPSON 173 • 6-1 • 21 • Defensive Back Senior San Francisco, Calif. Even if he didn't possess the requisite physical abilities (which he does), Utah's great defensive halfback Norm Thompson has some impressive statistical credentials to qualify him as an All-American. Norm, a sleek, quick, 173-pounder from San Francisco, broke two of the oldest NCAA records in the books last year and tied another. His 259 yards in interception return yardage over the season surpassed the 18-year old record held by Pacific's Eddie Macon. A careful persual of 1969 game films showed Norm's 259 yards were valid, and enabled him to wipe out the old mark of 245. Georgia Tech's Jeff Ford rang up 257 yards last year, just missing Norm's record. Norm's 259 yard total is also a new conference career record, meaning everytime he returns an interception this season he will break his own standard. The lithe Californian also established another national mark, averaging 51.8 yards a return. Joe Brodsky of Florida set the old record (48.8) in 1956. Norm tied the record for most pass interceptions returned for TDs (three), a record previously set by Washington of Missouri's Bud Schwenk way back in 1939. Norm, obviously, made the all-WAC Norm's Record Year Opponent San Jose UTEP Arizona St. .. New Mexico Wyoming .... Int. Yds. 62 87 10 3 97 TD 1 1 0 0 1 first team for his 1969 accomplishments. "Only" 166 more interception return yards will give Norm the national career record in that category. Norm, a definite professional football hopeful, came to Utah last season from Laney (Calif.) JC. He proved immediately he was capable of going both ways, but coaches eventually decided his effectiveness would be paramount on the defense. He knows what to do with the ball when he gets it. Dangerous as a punt returner, Norm was a JC All-American at Laney. He played high school ball at Galileo for coach George Poppin while earning all-city in basketball, football and track. He is married to the former Gwendolyn Faye Battle and is the son of Solomon J. Thompson. |
