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 Ten 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 Brian Lewerke 8,293[4] 2016 2017 2018 2019 5 Drew Stanton 6,524 2003 2004 2005 2006 6 Brian Hoyer 6,159 2005 2006 2007 2008 7 Dave Yarema 5,809 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 8 Ed Smith 5,706 1976 1977 1978 9 Bill Burke 5,463 1996 1997 1998 1999 10 Jim Miller 5,037 1990 1991 1992 1993

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 Brian Lewerke 3,079[4] 2019 6 Drew Stanton 3,077 2005 7 Kirk Cousins 2,825 2010 8 Brian Lewerke 2,793[4] 2017 9 Connor Cook 2,755 2013 10 Brian Hoyer 2,725 2007

Single Game Rank Player Yards Year Opponent 1 Brian Lewerke 445 2017 Northwestern 2 Bill Burke 400 1999 Michigan Brian Lewerke 400 2017 Penn State 4 Connor Cook 398[5] 2015 Indiana 5 Jeff Smoker 376 2001 Fresno State 6 Ed Smith 369 1978 Indiana 7 Connor Cook 367[6] 2015 Rutgers 8 Jim Miller 360 1993 Ohio State 9 Connor Cook 358 2014 Ohio State 10 Jeff Smoker 357 2003 Penn State

Passing touchdowns

Career Rank Player TDs Years 1 Connor Cook 71[3] 2012 2013 2014 2015 2 Kirk Cousins 66 2008 2009 2010 2011 3 Jeff Smoker 61 2000 2001 2002 2003 4 Brian Lewerke 47[4] 2016 2017 2018 2019 5 Bill Burke 46 1996 1997 1998 1999 6 Dave Yarema 44 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 7 Ed Smith 43 1976 1977 1978 8 Drew Stanton 42 2003 2004 2005 2006 9 Brian Hoyer 35 2005 2006 2007 2008 10 Todd Schultz 27 1994 1995 1996 1997

Single-Season Rank Player TDs Year 1 Kirk Cousins 25 2011 2 Connor Cook 24 2014 Connor Cook 24[3] 2015 4 Drew Stanton 22 2005 Connor Cook 22 2013 6 Jeff Smoker 21 2001 Jeff Smoker 21 2003 8 Ed Smith 20 1978 Bill Burke 20 1999 Brian Hoyer 20 2007 Kirk Cousins 20 2010 Brian Lewerke 20[4] 2017

Single Game Rank Player TDs Year Opponent 1 Drew Stanton 5 2005 Illinois 2 Brian Lewerke 4 2017 Northwestern Mike Rasmussen 4 1970 Indiana Ed Smith 4 1978 Wisconsin Bill Burke 4 1998 Central Michigan Bill Burke 4 1999 Iowa Damon Dowdell 4 2002 Indiana Jeff Smoker 4 2003 Penn State Brian Hoyer 4 2007 Notre Dame Brian Hoyer 4 2007 Penn State Connor Cook 4 2013 Youngstown State Connor Cook 4[7] 2015 Air Force Connor Cook 4[5] 2015 Indiana Connor Cook 4[8] 2015 Nebraska

Rushing

Rushing yards

Career Rank Player Yards Years 1 Lorenzo White 4,887 1984 1985 1986 1987 2 Javon Ringer 4,398 2005 2006 2007 2008 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 LJ Scott 2,771 2015 2016 2017 2018

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

Single Game Rank Player Yards Year Opponent 1 Eric Allen 350 1971 Purdue 2 Lorenzo White 292 1987 Indiana 3 Lorenzo White 286 1985 Indiana 4 Javon Ringer 282 2008 Florida Atlantic 5 Clinton Jones 268 1966 Iowa 6 Le'Veon Bell 266 2012 Minnesota 7 Le'Veon Bell 253 2012 Eastern Michigan 8 Blake Ezor 250 1988 Indiana 9 T. J. Duckett 248 2000 Iowa 10 Eric Allen 247 1971 Wisconsin

Rushing touchdowns

Career Rank Player TDs Years 1 Lorenzo White 43 1984 1985 1986 1987 2 Jeremy Langford 40 2012 2013 2014 3 Jehuu Caulcrick 39 2004 2005 2006 2007 4 Sedrick Irvin 35 1996 1997 1998 5 Javon Ringer 34 2005 2006 2007 2008 Blake Ezor 34 1986 1987 1988 1989 7 Le'Veon Bell 33 2010 2011 2012 8 T. J. Duckett 29 1999 2000 2001 9 Eric Allen 28 1969 1970 1971 Lynn Chandnois 28 1946 1947 1948 1949

Single-Season Rank Player TDs Year 1 Javon Ringer 22 2008 Jeremy Langford 22 2014 3 Jehuu Caulcrick 21 2007 4 Blake Ezor 19 1989 5 Jeremy Langford 18 2013 Eric Allen 18 1971 7 Scott Greene 17 1995 Lorenzo White 17 1985 9 Sedrick Irvin 16 1996 Lorenzo White 16 1987

Single Game Rank Player TDs Year Opponent 1 Blake Ezor 6 1989 Northwestern 2 Javon Ringer 5 2008 Eastern Michigan

Receiving

Receptions

Career Rank Player Rec Years 1 B.J. Cunningham 218 2008 2009 2010 2011 2 Aaron Burbridge 165[9] 2012 2013 2014 2015 3 Darrell Stewart Jr. 150[10] 2016 2017 2018 2019 4 Tony Lippett 149 2011 2012 2013 2014 5 Matt Trannon 148 2003 2004 2005 2006 6 Andre Rison 146 1985 1986 1987 1988 7 Cody White 143[11] 2017 2018 2019 8 Courtney Hawkins 138 1988 1989 1990 1991 9 Charles Rogers 135 2001 2002 10 Gari Scott 134 1996 1997 1998 1999

Single-Season Rank Player Rec Year 1 Aaron Burbridge 85[9] 2015 2 B.J. Cunningham 79 2011 Devin Thomas 79 2007 4 Blair White 70 2009 5 Charles Rogers 68 2002 6 Charles Rogers 67 2001 7 Keshawn Martin 66 2011 Plaxico Burress 66 1999 Cody White 66[11] 2019 10 Plaxico Burress 65 1998 Tony Lippett 65 2014

Single Game Rank Player Rec Year Opponent 1 Matt Trannon 14 2006 Eastern Michigan 2 Devin Thomas 13 2007 Indiana Plaxico Burress 13 2000 Florida 4 Felton Davis III 12 2017 Penn State B.J. Cunningham 12 2011 Notre Dame Blair White 12 2009 Northwestern Mitch Lyons 12 1992 Michigan 8 Kerry Reed 11 2006 Minnesota Josh Keur 11 1997 Northwestern Andre Rison 11 1986 Indiana Tony Lippett 11 2014 Oregon

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[9] 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

Single-Season Rank Player Yards Year 1 Charles Rogers 1,470 2001 2 Charles Rogers 1,351 2002 3 B.J. Cunningham 1,306 2011 4 Devin Thomas 1,260 2007 5 Aaron Burbridge 1,258[9] 2015 6 Tony Lippett 1,198 2014 7 Plaxico Burress 1,142 1999 8 Courtney Hawkins 1,080 1989 9 Plaxico Burress 1,013 1998 10 Blair White 990 2009

Single Game Rank Player Yards Year Opponent 1 Charles Rogers 270 2001 Fresno State 2 Plaxico Burress 255 1999 Michigan 3 Andre Rison 252 1989 Georgia 4 Charles Rogers 206 2001 Wisconsin 5 Mark Dell 202 2008 California 6 Courtney Hawkins 197 1989 Minnesota 7 Andre Rison 196 1986 Indiana 8 Courtney Hawkins 193 1989 Purdue 9 Charles Rogers 191 2001 Penn State 10 R. J. Shelton 190[12] 2016 Northwestern

Receiving touchdowns

Career Rank Player TDs Years 1 Charles Rogers 27 2001 2002 2 B.J. Cunningham 25 2008 2009 2010 2011 3 Kirk Gibson 24 1975 1976 1977 1978 4 Josiah Price 21[13] 2013 2014 2015 2016 5 Plaxico Burress 20 1998 1999 Andre Rison 20 1985 1986 1987 1988 7 Gari Scott 18 1996 1997 1998 1999 8 Gene Washington 16 1964 1965 1966 9 Eugene Boyd 15 1975 1976 1978 1979 Tony Lippett 15 2011 2012 2013 2014 10 Mark Ingram, Sr. 14 1983 1984 1985 1986 Bob Carey 14 1949 1950 1951 Felton Davis III 14 2015 2016 2017 2018

Single-Season Rank Player TDs Year 1 Charles Rogers 14 2001 2 Charles Rogers 13 2002 3 B.J. Cunningham 12 2011 Plaxico Burress 12 1999 6 Tony Lippett 11 2014 7 B.J. Cunningham 9 2010 Blair White 9 2009 Felton Davis III 9 2017 8 Devin Thomas 8 2007 Plaxico Burress 8 1998 Andre Rison 8 1988 Bob Carey 8 1949

Total offense

Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.[14]

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 Brian Lewerke 5,284 2016 2017 2018 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

Single season Rank Player Yards Year 1 Drew Stanton 3,415 2005 2 Brian Lewerke 3,357 2017 3 Connor Cook 3,294 2014 4 Jeff Smoker 3,279 2003 5 Kirk Cousins 3,277 2011 6 Connor Cook 3,187 2015 7 Connor Cook 2,831 2013 8 Kirk Cousins 2,740 2009 9 Kirk Cousins 2,689 2010 10 Brian Hoyer 2,620 2007

Single game Rank Player Yards Year Opponent 1 Brian Lewerke 475 2017 Northwestern 2 Brian Lewerke 425 2017 Penn State 3 Connor Cook 416[5] 2015 Indiana 4 Drew Stanton 410 2004 Minnesota 5 Drew Stanton 406 2004 Hawaii 6 Jeff Smoker 393 2001 Fresno State 7 Bill Burke 383 1999 Michigan 8 Drew Stanton 375 2005 Notre Dame 9 Connor Cook 373 2014 Ohio State 10 Bryan Clark 372 1981 Minnesota

Total touchdowns

Career Rank Player TDs Years 1 Connor Cook 74 2012 2013 2014 2015 2 Jeff Smoker 68 2000 2001 2002 2003 3 Kirk Cousins 67 2008 2009 2010 2011 4 Drew Stanton 57 2003 2004 2005 2006 5 Bill Burke 47 1996 1997 1998 1999 6 Dave Yarema 46 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 7 Ed Smith 45 1976 1977 1978 8 Lorenzo White 43 1984 1985 1986 1987 9 Jeremy Langford 40 2012 2013 2014 10 Jehuu Caulcrick 39 2004 2005 2006 2007

Single season Rank Player TDs Year 1 Drew Stanton 26 2005 Connor Cook 26 2014 3 Kirk Cousins 25 2011 Brian Lewerke 25 2017 5 Jeff Smoker 24 2003 Connor Cook 24 2015 7 Jeff Smoker 23 2001 Connor Cook 23 2013 9 Javon Ringer 22 2008

Single game Rank Player TDs Year Opponent 1 Blake Ezor 6 1989 Northwestern

Defense

Interceptions

Career Rank Player Ints Years 1 Lynn Chandnois 20 1946 1947 1948 1949 2 Todd Krumm 18 1984 1985 1986 1987 3 Phil Parker 16 1982 1983 1984 1985 4 Kurt Larson 14 1985 1986 1987 1988 John Miller 14 1985 1986 1987 1988 Brad Van Pelt 14 1970 1971 1972 7 Mark Anderson 12 1976 1977 1978 1979 Bill Simpson 12 1971 1972 1973 Jesse Thomas 12 1948 1949 1950 10 Johnny Adams 11 2008 2010 2011 2012

Single-Season Rank Player Ints Year 1 Todd Krumm 9 1987 2 Kurt Larson 8 1988 John Miller 8 1987 Jesse Thomas 8 1950 5 Demetrice Martin 7 1994 Phil Parker 7 1983 Lynn Chandnois 7 1949

Single Game Rank Player Ints Year Opponent 1 John Miller 4 1987 Michigan

Tackles

Career Rank Player Tackles Years 1 Dan Bass 541 1976 1977 1978 1979 2 Percy Snow 473 1986 1987 1988 1989 3 Greg Jones 465 2007 2008 2009 2010 4 Ike Reese 420 1994 1995 1996 1997 5 Josh Thornhill 395 1998 1999 2000 2001 6 Chuck Bullough 391 1988 1989 1990 1991 7 Ronald Stanley 368 2001 2002 2003 2004 8 Sorie Kanu 365 1995 1996 1997 1998 9 Aric Morris 350 1996 1997 1998 1999 10 Thomas Wright 346 1999 2000 2001 2002

Single-Season Rank Player Tackles Year 1 Chuck Bullough 175 1991 2 Percy Snow 172 1989 3 Chuck Bullough 164 1990 Percy Snow 164 1988 5 Dan Bass 160 1979 6 Shane Bullough 156 1985 7 Greg Jones 154 2009 8 Ty Hallock 144 1992 9 Ike Reese 137 1997 Jim Morrissey 137 1984

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

Career Rank Player Sacks Years 1 Larry Bethea 33.0 1975 1976 1977 2 Shilique Calhoun 26.0 2012 2013 2014 2015 Kenny Willekes 26.0[15] 2017 2018 2019 4 Julian Peterson 25.0 1998 1999 5 Travis Davis 24.0 1986 1987 1988 1989 Kelly Quinn 24.0 1982 1983 1984 1985 7 Robaire Smith 22.0 1997 1998 1999 8 Denicos Allen 19.5 2010 2011 2012 2013 9 Greg Jones 16.5 2007 2008 2009 2010 10 Clifford Dukes 15.5 2001 2002 2003 2004

Single-Season Rank Player Sacks Year 1 Larry Bethea 16.0 1977 2 Julian Peterson 15.0 1999 3 Robaire Smith 12.0 1997 Travis Davis 12.0 1987 Kelly Quinn 12.0 1984 6 Denicos Allen 11.0 2011 7 Shilique Calhoun 10.5 2015 Kenny Willekes 10.5[15] 2019 9 Jonal Saint-Dic 10.0 2007 Greg Taplin 10.0 2003 Julian Peterson 10.0 1998 Kelly Quinn 10.0 1983

Kicking

Field goals made

Career Rank Player FGs Years 1 Brett Swenson 71 2006 2007 2008 2009 2 Dave Rayner 62 2001 2002 2003 2004 3 John Langeloh 57 1987 1988 1989 1990 4 Michael Geiger 56[16] 2013 2014 2015 2016 5 Dan Conroy 55 2009 2010 2011 2012 Matt Coghlin 55[17] 2017 2018 2019 7 Chris Gardner 52 1994 1995 1996 1997 8 Paul Edinger 46 1996 1997 1998 1999 9 Morten Andersen 45 1978 1979 1980 1981 10 Hans Nielsen 44 1974 1975 1976 1977

Single season Rank Player FGs Year 1 Dan Conroy 23 2012 2 Paul Edinger 22 1998 Dave Rayner 22 2003 Dave Rayner 22 2004 Brett Swenson 22 2008 Matt Coghlin 22[17] 2019 7 Paul Edinger 21 1999 8 Brett Swenson 19 2009 9 John Langeloh 18 1988 Matt Coghlin 18[17] 2018

Single game Rank Player FGs Year Opponent 1 John Langeloh 5 1988 Wisconsin Paul Edinger 5 1998 Northwestern Paul Edinger 5 1998 Ohio State

Field goal percentage

Career Rank Player FG% Years 1 Paul Edinger 79.3% 1996 1997 1998 1999 2 Brett Swenson 78.0% 2006 2007 2008 2009 3 Dan Conroy 77.5% 2009 2010 2011 2012 4 Matt Coghlin 75.3%[17] 2017 2018 2019 5 Michael Geiger 73.7%[16] 2013 2014 2015 2016

Single season Rank Player FG% Year 1 Michael Geiger 93.8% 2013 2 Brett Swenson 86.4% 2009 3 Paul Edinger 84.6% 1998 4 Matt Coghlin 81.8%[17] 2018 5 Paul Edinger 80.8% 1999 6 Michael Geiger 78.9%[16] 2016 Matt Coghlin 78.9%[17] 2017 8 Brett Swenson 78.6% 2008

References

1. "2015 Michigan State Football Media Guide". MSUSpartans.com. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
2. "NCAA changes policy on football stats". ESPN.com. AP. 2002-08-28. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
3. "Connor Cook". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2016-01-01.
4. "Brian Lewerke". ESPN.com.
5. "No. 7 Michigan State pulls away late to beat Indiana". ESPN.com. 2015-10-24.
6. "No. 4 Michigan State edges Rutgers on Scott's late TD". ESPN.com. 2015-10-10.
7. "Aaron Burbridge leads No. 4 Michigan State past Air Force". ESPN.com. 2015-09-19.
8. "Brandon Reilly's controversial TD lifts Nebraska over Michigan State". ESPN.com. 2015-11-07.
9. "Aaron Burbridge". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2016-01-01.
10. "Darrell Stewart Jr". ESPN.com.
11. "Cody White". ESPN.com.
12. "Northwestern rolls past Michigan State 54-40". ESPN.com. 2016-10-15.
13. "Josiah Price". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
14. "Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Record Book" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-12-01. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
15. "Kenny Willekes". ESPN.com.
16. "Michael Geiger". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
17. "Matt Coghlin". ESPN.com.