Barry Sanders from Oklahoma State. He played on offense with another rookie at quarterback, Rodney Peete. While the Lions showed improvement, they still finished a distant third in the NFC Central with a 7–9 record. However, the winds of change were blowing in Motown, because during his rookie season, Sanders rushed for 1,470 yards on 280 carries, and finished second in rushing just 10 yards behind the leader, Christian Okoye. He had an opportunity to win the rushing title by going back in late in the final game of the season. However, with the Lions leading by the score of 31–24 with less than a minute to go, he took a pass, which would be a trademark of his career. Sanders earned the Offensive Rookie of the Year award following the season. With such a young core, including the newest offensive picks, and with previous picks on defense, the Lions acquired eventual Pro Bowlers Bennie Blades and Chris Spielman in 1988 along with Jerry Ball in 1987, things were once again looking up for the Lions. However, they took a step back when they finished 6–10 in the 1990 season. Sanders won the first of his four NFL rushing titles that season with 1,304 yards, beating out Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas by seven yards. In 1991, the Lions started the season by being shut out on national television, 45–0, by the Washington Redskins. However, they rebounded, winning their next five games. They went 12–4 for the season, and won their first division title in eight years, capping the regular season with a win over the defending AFC Champion Bills. They were inspired late in the season by the loss of guard Mike Utley, who sustained a career ending paralysis injury against the Los Angeles Rams on November 17, 1991. As Utley was carted off the field, he flashed a thumbs up to his teammates and the Silverdome crowd. It became a rallying symbol for the remainder of the season. In the Divisional Round, the Lions dismantled the Dallas Cowboys 38–6 for the franchise's first playoff win since 1957 (it has been their only playoff win since). However, in the NFC Championship Game, they were once again completely overpowered by the Redskins, this time by the score of 41–10. In the following season, the Lions were unable to sustain their success, as they finished in last place in the