TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Former Indiana State University football player Vincent Allen will have his No. 26 jersey retired, as announced by the athletic department on Wednesday afternoon.
The Sycamore running back, who will be the first Indiana State player to be recognized with the accolade, will be honored prior to the September 6 game against Eastern Illinois at Memorial Stadium.
“Indiana State University is thrilled to recognize one of the all-time greats that ever wore a Sycamore football jersey,” Director of Athletics Nathan Christensen Said. “Vincent (Allen) deserves this honor, and I am excited for him, his family, and his teammates. We look forward to honoring him.”
Allen gained over a thousand rushing yards in each of his four seasons at Indiana State from 1973-77, finishing up his playing career with a school-record 832 carries for 4,335 yards. He holds the Indiana State record for most 100-yard career rushing games (26) and most consecutive 100-yard rushing games (14), while adding the most career touchdowns scored (33) for the Sycamores.
Allen said in a provided statement, “My journey as a football player has been truly amazing. As I reflect on what the game of football has meant to me and the impact it has had on my life, I find it remarkable. On September 6, 2025, Indiana State University will be retiring my jersey, number 26, making me the first football player in the school’s history to receive this honor.
It is truly a blessing to be recognized by my university in this way. I want to extend my heartful thanks to my head coach Tom Harp for offering me a full scholarship and the opportunity to become a student-athlete at Indiana State University.
I would like to express my gratitude to all my teammates with whom I shared a strong togetherness and bond along with lasting memories. The friendships we have formed our truly special to me. I feel blessed by the Lord for giving me the talent to excel as a player on the football field and to embody good character off the field.
Thank you to my family my teammates, the city of Terre Haute athletic Director Nathan Christensen and Indiana State University.”
The Richmond, Ind. native was a four-time All-American selection, including earning 1975 Associated Press Little First Team All-American, and 1976 American Football Coaches Association First Team honors. He was also honored on the 1974 AP All-American Second Team and 1973 AP All-American Honorable Mention squad.
The Sycamore legend guided Indiana State to one of the most successful seasons in program history in 1975. Indiana State was ranked as high as No. 7 in the AP Top 15 College Division and No. 8 in the United Press International Board of Coaches Small College Football Teams.
Allen rushed 161 times for 1,022 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, while scoring seven touchdowns in leading the Sycamores’ offense on the year. Highlighting his season included a season-high 169 rushing yards against Illinois State.
After suffering a season-ending reconstructive knee injury in 1976, the five-foot-nine Allen returned to have another standout campaign with 231 carries for 1,026 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on his way to earning First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors.
Allen wrapped up his collegiate career as one of only four NCAA Division I rushers at the time to record four 1,000-yard seasons, a list that included Pitt legend Tony Dorsett at the time. He also earned Second Team All-American honors in 1974 behind only Jackson State star running back Walter Payton.
Allen pursued his bachelor’s degree in physical education, before leaving Indiana State in 1978 in starting his professional career in the Canadian Football League (1978-79) and with the National Football League’s Chicago Bears (1980). He was inducted into the Indiana State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998, the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 2000, and has been on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot since 2025.
