With the third overall draft pick in the 1989 NFL Draft, the Lions selected running back Barry Sanders. 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.