Michigan State Spartans football statistical leaders
The Michigan State Spartans football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Michigan State Spartans football program in various categories,[1] including passing, rushing, total offense, receiving, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, Single season and career leaders. The Spartans represent Michigan State University in the NCAA's Big 10 Conference.
Although Michigan State began competing in intercollegiate football in 1896,[1] the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in 1945. Records from before this year are often incomplete and inconsistent, and they are generally not included in these lists.
These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons:
- Since 1945, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length.
- The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972 (with the exception of the World War II years), allowing players to have four-year careers.
- Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002.[2] The Spartans have played in 10 bowl games since then.
- Similarly, the Spartans have played in the Big Ten Championship Game three times since it began in 2011, so players in those seasons had 14 games to accumulate statistics.
These lists are updated through the end of the 2016 season.
Passing
Passing yards
Career
Rank |
Player |
Yards |
Years |
1 | Connor Cook | 9,194[3] | 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
2 | Kirk Cousins | 9,131 | 2008 2009 2010 2011 |
3 | Jeff Smoker | 8,932 | 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
4 | Drew Stanton | 6,524 | 2003 2004 2005 2006 |
5 | Brian Hoyer | 6,159 | 2005 2006 2007 2008 |
6 | Dave Yarema | 5,809 | 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 |
7 | Ed Smith | 5,706 | 1976 1977 1978 |
8 | Bill Burke | 5,463 | 1996 1997 1998 1999 |
9 | Jim Miller | 5,037 | 1990 1991 1992 1993 |
10 | Todd Schultz | 4,273 | 1994 1995 1996 1997 |
|
Single-Season
Rank |
Player |
Yards |
Year |
1 | Jeff Smoker | 3,395 | 2003 |
2 | Kirk Cousins | 3,316 | 2011 |
3 | Connor Cook | 3,214 | 2014 |
4 | Connor Cook | 3,131[3] | 2015 |
5 | Drew Stanton | 3,077 | 2005 |
6 | Kirk Cousins | 2,825 | 2010 |
7 | Connor Cook | 2,755 | 2013 |
8 | Brian Hoyer | 2,725 | 2007 |
9 | Kirk Cousins | 2,680 | 2009 |
10 | Andrew Maxwell | 2,606 | 2012 |
|
|
Passing touchdowns
Rushing
Rushing yards
Career
Rank |
Player |
Yards |
Years |
1 | Lorenzo White | 4,887 | 1984 1985 1986 1987 |
2 | Javon Ringer | 4,398 | 2006 2007 2008 2009 |
3 | Tico Duckett | 4,212 | 1989 1990 1991 1992 |
4 | Blake Ezor | 3,749 | 1986 1987 1988 1989 |
5 | Sedrick Irvin | 3,504 | 1996 1997 1998 |
6 | T.J. Duckett | 3,379 | 1999 2000 2001 |
7 | Le'Veon Bell | 3,346 | 2010 2011 2012 |
8 | Jeremy Langford | 2,967 | 2012 2013 2014 |
9 | Duane Goulbourne | 2,848 | 1992 1993 1994 1996 |
10 | Steve Smith | 2,676 | 1977 1978 1979 1980 |
|
Single-Season
Rank |
Player |
Yards |
Year |
1 | Lorenzo White | 2,066 | 1985 |
2 | Le'Veon Bell | 1,793 | 2012 |
3 | Javon Ringer | 1,673 | 2008 |
4 | Lorenzo White | 1,572 | 1987 |
5 | Jeremy Langford | 1,522 | 2014 |
6 | Blake Ezor | 1,496 | 1988 |
7 | Eric Allen | 1,494 | 1971 |
8 | Javon Ringer | 1,447 | 2007 |
9 | Jeremy Langford | 1,422 | 2013 |
10 | T.J. Duckett | 1,420 | 2001 |
|
|
Rushing touchdowns
Receiving
Receptions
Receiving yards
Career
Rank |
Player |
Yards |
Years |
1 | B.J. Cunningham | 3,086 | 2008 2009 2010 2011 |
2 | Andre Rison | 2,992 | 1985 1986 1987 1988 |
3 | Charles Rogers | 2,821 | 2001 2002 |
4 | Kirk Gibson | 2,347 | 1975 1976 1977 1978 |
5 | Tony Lippett | 2,247 | 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
6 | Courtney Hawkins | 2,210 | 1988 1989 1990 1991 |
7 | Aaron Burbridge | 2,174[8] | 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
8 | Plaxico Burress | 2,155 | 1998 1999 |
9 | Mark Dell | 2,136 | 2007 2008 2009 2010 |
10 | Gari Scott | 2,095 | 1996 1997 1998 1999 |
|
|
|
Receiving touchdowns
Total offense
Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.[11]
Total offense yards
Career
Rank |
Player |
Yards |
Years |
1 | Connor Cook | 9,403 | 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
2 | Kirk Cousins | 9,004 | 2008 2009 2010 2011 |
3 | Jeff Smoker | 8,714 | 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
4 | Drew Stanton | 8,036 | 2003 2004 2005 2006 |
5 | Brian Hoyer | 5,930 | 2005 2006 2007 2008 |
6 | Ed Smith | 5,556 | 1976 1977 1978 |
7 | Dave Yarema | 5,269 | 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 |
8 | Bill Burke | 4,934 | 1996 1997 1998 1999 |
9 | Lorenzo White | 4,887 | 1984 1985 1986 1987 |
10 | Jim Miller | 4,748 | 1990 1991 1992 1993 |
|
Single season
Rank |
Player |
Yards |
Year |
1 | Drew Stanton | 3,415 | 2005 |
2 | Connor Cook | 3,294 | 2014 |
3 | Jeff Smoker | 3,279 | 2003 |
4 | Kirk Cousins | 3,277 | 2011 |
5 | Connor Cook | 3,187 | 2015 |
6 | Connor Cook | 2,831 | 2013 |
7 | Kirk Cousins | 2,740 | 2009 |
8 | Kirk Cousins | 2,689 | 2010 |
9 | Brian Hoyer | 2,620 | 2007 |
10 | Jeff Smoker | 2,521 | 2001 |
|
|
Total touchdowns
|
|
Single game
Rank |
Player |
TDs |
Year |
Opponent |
1 | Blake Ezor | 6 | 1989 | Northwestern |
|
Defense
Interceptions
|
|
Single Game
Rank |
Player |
Ints |
Year |
Opponent |
1 | John Miller | 4 | 1987 | Michigan |
|
Tackles
|
|
Single Game
Rank |
Player |
Tackles |
Year |
Opponent |
1 | Dan Bass | 32 | 1979 | Ohio State |
2 | Don Law | 28 | 1969 | Ohio State |
3 | Dan Bass | 24 | 1979 | Notre Dame |
4 | Percy Snow | 23 | 1989 | Illinois |
5 | Ty Hallock | 21 | 1992 | Minnesota |
| Shane Bullough | 21 | 1985 | Indiana |
| Brad Van Pelt | 21 | 1971 | Notre Dame |
| Doug Barr | 21 | 1969 | Ohio State |
| Don Law | 21 | 1967 | Indiana |
|
Sacks
Kicking
Field goals made
Field goal percentage
References
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National championship seasons in bold |