BYU Cougars football statistical leaders

The BYU Cougars football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the BYU Cougars football program in various categories,^[1] including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, all-purpose yardage, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Cougars represent Brigham Young University as a member of the NCAA Division I FBS Big 12 Conference.

Although BYU began competing in intercollegiate football in 1922,^[1] these lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons:

• Since 1922, seasons have increased from 6 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 Cougars have played in 16 bowl games since then, allowing many recent players an extra game to accumulate statistics.
• Similarly, the Cougars have played games at Hawaii 16 times since 1978. When a team plays at Hawaii, they are allowed to schedule another game beyond the usual limit.^[3]
• Due to COVID-19 issues, the NCAA ruled that the 2020 season would not count against the athletic eligibility of any football player, giving everyone who played in that season the opportunity for five years of eligibility instead of the normal four.^[4]
• The Big 12 has held a championship game during two different periods—first from 1996–2010, and since 2017. Should BYU qualify for this game in any season, it will be assured of playing at least 14 games.

These lists are updated to the end of the 2021 season.

Passing

Passing yards

Career Rank Player Yards Years 1 Ty Detmer 15,031 1988 1989 1990 1991 2 Max Hall 11,365 2007 2008 2009 3 John Beck 11,021 2003 2004 2005 2006 4 Jim McMahon 9,536 1977 1978 1980 1981 5 Robbie Bosco 8,400 1983 1984 1985 6 John Walsh 8,390 1991 1992 1993 1994 7 Kevin Feterik 8,065 1996 1997 1998 1999 8 Steve Young 7,733 1981 1982 1983 9 Zach Wilson 7,652 2018 2019 2020 10 Marc Wilson 7,637 1977 1978 1979

Single season Rank Player Yards Year 1 Ty Detmer 5,188 1990 2 Jim McMahon 4,571 1980 3 Ty Detmer 4,560 1989 4 Robbie Bosco 4,273 1985 5 Ty Detmer 4,031 1991 6 Steve Sarkisian 4,027 1996 7 Max Hall 3,957 2008 8 Steve Young 3,902 1983 9 John Beck 3,885 2006 10 Robbie Bosco 3,875 1984

Single game Rank Player Yards Year Opponent 1 John Walsh 619 1993 Utah State 2 Ty Detmer 599 1991 San Diego State 3 Robbie Bosco 585 1985 New Mexico 4 Ty Detmer 576 1989 Penn State 5 Marc Wilson 571 1977 Utah

Passing touchdowns

Career Rank Player TDs Years 1 Ty Detmer 121 1988 1989 1990 1991 2 Max Hall 94 2007 2008 2009 3 Jim McMahon 84 1977 1978 1980 1981 4 John Beck 79 2003 2004 2005 2006 5 Robbie Bosco 66 1983 1984 1985 John Walsh 66 1991 1992 1993 1994 7 Marc Wilson 61 1977 1978 1979 8 Steve Young 56 1981 1982 1983 Zach Wilson 56 2018 2019 2020 10 Gifford Nielsen 55 1974 1975 1976 1977

Single season Rank Player TDs Year 1 Jim McMahon 47 1980 2 Ty Detmer 41 1990 3 Ty Detmer 35 1991 Max Hall 35 2008 5 Steve Young 33 1983 Robbie Bosco 33 1984 Steve Sarkisian 33 1996 Brandon Doman 33 2001 Max Hall 33 2009 Zach Wilson 33 2020

Single game Rank Player TDs Year Opponent 1 Marc Wilson 7 1977 Colorado State Jim McMahon 7 1981 Colorado State Max Hall 7 2008 UCLA

Rushing

Rushing yards

Career Rank Player Yards Years 1 Jamaal Williams 3,901 2012 2013 2014 2016 2 Harvey Unga 3,455 2006 2007 2008 2009 3 Curtis Brown 3,221 2002 2004 2005 2006 4 Jamal Willis 2,970 1991 1992 1993 1994 5 Tyler Allgeier 2,904[5] 2018 2019 2020 2021 6 Taysom Hill 2,813 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 7 Lakei Heimuli 2,710 1983 1984 1985 1986 8 Jeff Blanc 2,663 1973 1974 1975 1976 9 Luke Staley 2,493 1999 2000 2001 10 Pete Van Valkenburg 2,392 1969 1970 1971 1972

Single season Rank Player Yards Year 1 Tyler Allgeier 1,606[5] 2021 2 Luke Staley 1,582 2001 3 Pete Van Valkenburg 1,386 1972 4 Jamaal Williams 1,375 2016 5 Taysom Hill 1,344 2013 6 Ronney Jenkins 1,307 1998 7 Jamaal Williams 1,233 2013 8 Harvey Unga 1,227 2007 9 Harvey Unga 1,132 2008 10 Tyler Allgeier 1,130[5] 2020

Single game Rank Player Yards Year Opponent 1 Jamaal Williams 286[6] 2016 Toledo 2 Eldon Fortie 272 1962 George Washington 3 Tyler Allgeier 266 2021 Virginia 4 Taysom Hill 259[7] 2013 Texas 5 Ronney Jenkins 250 1998 San Jose State

Rushing touchdowns

Career Rank Player TDs Years 1 Luke Staley 41 1999 2000 2001 2 Tyler Allgeier 36[5] 2018 2019 2020 2021 Harvey Unga 36 2006 2007 2008 2009 4 Jamal Willis 35 1991 1992 1993 1994 Jamaal Williams 35 2012 2013 2014 2016 6 Taysom Hill 32 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 7 Curtis Brown 31 2002 2004 2005 2006 8 Lakei Heimuli 30 1983 1984 1985 1986 9 Pete Van Valkenburg 24 1969 1970 1971 1972 Ronney Jenkins 24 1996 1998

Single season Rank Player TDs Year 1 Luke Staley 24 2001 2 Tyler Allgeier 23[5] 2021 3 Eldon Fortie 14 1962 Waymon Hamilton 14 1981 Lakei Heimuli 14 1985 Curtis Brown 14 2005 7 Ronney Jenkins 13 1972 Harvey Unga 13 2007 Tyler Allgeier 13[5] 2020 10 Pete Van Valkenburg 12 1972 Jamal Willis 12 1994 Brian McKenzie 12 1997 Jamaal Williams 12 2012 Jamaal Williams 12 2016

Single game Rank Player TDs Year Opponent 1 Eric Lane 5 1979 Utah State Luke Staley 5 2001 Colorado State Jamaal Williams 5[6] 2016 Toledo Tyler Allgeier 5 2021 Virginia 5 Dick Felt 4 1952 San Jose State John Ogden 4 1964 Western Michigan Ronney Jenkins 4 1998 San Jose State

Receiving

Receptions

Career Rank Player Rec Years 1 Cody Hoffman 260 2010 2011 2012 2013 2 Dennis Pitta 221 2004 2007 2008 2009 3 Austin Collie 215 2004 2007 2008 4 Matt Bellini 204 1987 1988 1989 1990 5 Margin Hooks 189 1997 1998 1999 2000 6 Phil Odle 183 1965 1966 1967 1968 7 Gordon Hudson 178 1981 1982 1983 8 Reno Mahe 166 1998 2001 2002 9 Eric Drage 162 1990 1991 1992 1993 10 Curtis Brown 157 2002 2004 2005 2006

Single season Rank Player Rec Year 1 Austin Collie 106 2008 2 Jay Miller 100 1973 Cody Hoffman 100 2012 4 Reno Mahe 91 2001 5 Dennis Pitta 83 2008 6 Andy Boyce 79 1990 7 Phil Odle 77 1967 8 Mitch Mathews 73 2014 9 Dax Milne 70 2020 10 Chris Smith 68 1990

Single game Rank Player Rec Year Opponent 1 Jay Miller 22 1973 New Mexico 2 Mitch Mathews 16[8] 2014 Nevada 3 Phil Odle 14 1966 UTEP Reno Mahe 14 2001 Hawaii Puka Nacua 14[9] 2022 Boise State

Receiving yards

Career Rank Player Yards Years 1 Cody Hoffman 3,612 2010 2011 2012 2013 2 Austin Collie 3,255 2004 2007 2008 3 Eric Drage 3,065 1990 1991 1992 1993 4 Dennis Pitta 2,901 2004 2007 2008 2009 5 Margin Hooks 2,841 1997 1998 1999 2000 6 Matt Bellini 2,635 1987 1988 1989 1990 7 Phil Odle 2,548 1965 1966 1967 8 Gordon Hudson 2,484 1981 1982 1983 9 Mark Bellini 2,429 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 10 Chris Smith 2,367 1987 1988 1989 1990

Single season Rank Player Yards Year 1 Austin Collie 1,538 2008 2 Cody Hoffman 1,248 2012 3 Andy Boyce 1,241 1990 4 Reno Mahe 1,211 2001 5 Dax Milne 1,188 2020 6 Jay Miller 1,181 1973 7 Chris Smith 1,156 1990 8 Eric Drage 1,093 1992 9 Chris Smith 1,090 1989 10 Dennis Pitta 1,083 2008

Single game Rank Player Yards Year Opponent 1 Jay Miller 263 1973 New Mexico 2 Gordon Hudson 259 1981 Utah 3 Phil Odle 242 1966 UTEP 4 Glen Kozlowski 241 1985 Boston College 5 Andy Boyce 235 1990 New Mexico

Receiving touchdowns

Career Rank Player TDs Years 1 Cody Hoffman 33 2010 2011 2012 2013 2 Austin Collie 30 2004 2007 2008 3 Eric Drage 29 1990 1991 1992 1993 4 Phil Odle 25 1965 1966 1967 5 Mitch Mathews 24 2012 2013 2014 2015 Isaac Rex 24[10] 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 7 Glen Kozlowski 23 1981 1983 1984 1985 Mark Bellini 23 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 9 Gordon Hudson 22 1981 1982 1983 10 Mike Chonsiter 21 2004 2007 2008 2009 Dennis Pitta 21 2004 2007 2008 2009

Single season Rank Player TDs Year 1 Clay Brown 15 1980 Austin Collie 15 2008 3 Mark Bellini 14 1985 4 Andy Boyce 13 1990 5 Eric Drage 12 1992 Jonny Harline 12 2006 Isaac Rex 12[10] 2020

Single game Rank Player TDs Year Opponent 1 Cody Hoffman 5[11] 2012 New Mexico State 2 John VanderWouden 4 1976 Colorado State Kirk Pendleton 4 1983 New Mexico Luke Ashworth 4[12] 2010 Colorado State

Total offense

Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.^[13]

Total offense yards

Career Rank Player Yards Years 1 Ty Detmer 14,665 1988 1989 1990 1991 2 Max Hall 11,569 2007 2008 2009 3 John Beck 11,059 2003 2004 2005 2006 4 Taysom Hill 9,742 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 5 Jim McMahon 9,723 1977 1978 1980 1981 6 Steve Young 8,817 1980 1981 1982 1983 7 Robbie Bosco 8,299 1983 1984 1985 8 Zach Wilson 8,294 2018 2019 2020 9 John Walsh 7,736 1991 1992 1993 1994 10 Kevin Feterik 7,723 1996 1997 1998 1999

Single season Rank Player Yards Year 1 Ty Detmer 5,022 1990 2 Jim McMahon 4,627 1980 3 Ty Detmer 4,433 1989 4 Steve Young 4,346 1983 5 Taysom Hill 4,282 2013 6 Robbie Bosco 4,141 1985 7 Max Hall 4,072 2008 8 Brandon Doman 4,045 2001 9 Ty Detmer 4,001 1991 10 Steve Sarkisian 3,983 1996

Single game Rank Player Yards Year Opponent 1 Ty Detmer 603 1991 San Diego State 2 Virgil Carter 599 1966 UTEP 3 John Walsh 597 1993 Utah State 4 Ty Detmer 594 1989 Penn State 5 Marc Wilson 582 1977 Utah

Touchdowns responsible for

"Touchdowns responsible for" is the official NCAA term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.

Career Rank Player TDs Years 1 Ty Detmer 135 1988 1989 1990 1991 2 Max Hall 101 2007 2008 2009 3 Jim McMahon 94 1977 1978 1980 1981 4 John Beck 88 2003 2004 2005 2006 5 Taysom Hill 75 6 Steve Young 74 1981 1982 1983 7 Zach Wilson 71 2018 2019 2020 8 Robbie Bosco 70 1983 1984 1985 9 Marc Wilson 69 1977 1978 1979 John Walsh 69 1991 1992 1993 1994

Single season Rank Player TDs Year 1 Jim McMahon 53 1980

Single game Rank Player TDs Year Opponent 1 Marc Wilson 8 1977 Colorado State Jim McMahon 8 1980 Utah State

All-purpose yardage

All-purpose yardage is the sum of all yards credited to a player who is in possession of the ball. It includes rushing, receiving, and returns, but does not include passing.^[13]

BYU does not list a complete top 10 in all-purpose yardage over any time frame (career, season, game), only listing the top 5 for each. It also does not break down its leaders' performances by type of play.^[1]

Career Rank Player Yards Years 1 Cody Hoffman 5,015 2010 2011 2012 2013 2 Curtis Brown 4,996 2002 2004 2005 2006 3 Austin Collie 4,649 2004 2007 2008 4 Harvey Unga 4,540 2006 2007 2008 2009 5 Jamaal Williams 4,468 2012 2014 2015 2016

Single season Rank Player Yards Year 1 Austin Collie 2,112 2008 2 Luke Staley 2,004 2001 3 Harvey Unga 1,882 2007 4 Curtis Brown 1,864 2006 5 Pete Van Valkenburg 1,838 1972

Single game Rank Player Yards Year Opponent 1 Austin Collie 366 2007 Tulsa 2 Pete Van Valkenburg 306 1972 Wyoming 3 Eldon Fortie 303 1962 George Washington 4 Luke Staley 300 2001 Utah State 5 Tyler Anderson 296 1993 Utah State

Defense

Interceptions

Career Rank Player Ints Years 1 Dave Atkinson 20 1970 1971 1972 1973 2 Bobby Roberts 18 1965 1966 1967 Dan Hansen 18 1969 1970 1971 1972 4 Derwin Gray 14 1989 1990 1991 1992 Kai Nacua 14[14] 2013 2014 2015 2016 6 Tom Holmoe 13 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 Brian Mitchell 13 1987 1988 1989 1990

Single season Rank Player Ints Year 1 Gene Frantz 9 1962 Dave Atkinson 9 1971 3 Dan Hansen 8 1970 Dave Atkinson 8 1972

Tackles

Career Rank Player Tackles Years 1 Shad Hansen 408 1989 1990 1991 1992 2 Rod Wood 394 1976 1977 1978 3 Larry Carr 389 1972 1973 1974 4 Glenn Redd 382 1978 1979 1980 5 Rocky Biegel 371 1988 1989 1990 1991

Single season Rank Player Tackles Year 1 Shad Hansen 193 1991 2 Rocky Biegel 192 1991 3 Rod Wood 157 1978 4 Sid Smith 149 1975 5 Glen Redd 148 1980 Bob Davis 148 1988

Single game Rank Player Tackles Year Opponent 1 Dan Hansen 25 1971 New Mexico 2 Derwin Gray 22 1991 Penn State Jared Lee 22 1999 Air Force 4 Dan Hansen 21 1970 Colorado State 5 Ted Nelson 20 1970 Arizona State

Sacks

Career Rank Player Sacks Years 1 Brandon Flint 33.0 1980 1981 1982 1983 2 Jan Jorgensen 30.0 2006 2007 2008 2009 3 Randy Brock 28.5 1991 1992 1993 1994 4 Mekeli Ieremia 27.0 1974 1975 1976 1977 5 Bronson Kaufusi 26.5 2012 2013 2014 2015 6 Jim Herrmann 26.0 1981 1983 1984 Kyle Van Noy 26.0 2010 2011 2012 2013

Single season Rank Player Sacks Year 1 Mekeli Ieremia 17.0 1976 2 Jim Herrmann 16.0 1983 Shawn Knights 16.0 1986 4 Stan Varner 14.0 1974 Todd Shell 14.0 1983

Single game Rank Player Sacks Year Opponent 1 Shay Muirbrook 6.0 1996 Kansas State 2 Kyle Whittingham 4.0 1986 San Diego State Jason Buck 4.0 1997 Oregon State Setema Gali 4.0 1999 New Mexico

Kicking

Field goals made

Career Rank Player FGs Years 1 Owen Pochman 66 1997 1998 1999 2000 2 Matt Payne 54 2001 2002 2003 2004 3 Jake Oldroyd 50[15] 2016 2019 2020 2021 2022 4 Mitch Payne 47 2007 2008 2009 2010 5 Justin Sorensen 43 2008 2011 2012 2013 6 Will Ferrin 35[16] 2023 2024 7 Leonard Chitty 34 1986 1987 8 Rhett Almond 30 2015 2016 2017 9 Jared McLaughlin 28 2005 2006 10 Kurt Gunther 27 1980 1981 1982

Single season Rank Player FGs Year 1 Will Ferrin 24[16] 2024 2 Justin Sorensen 21 2013 3 Ethan Pochman 20 1996 Owen Pochman 20 1998 5 Owen Pochman 19 2000 6 Leonard Chitty 18 1987 Owen Pochman 18 1999 8 Mitch Payne 17 2010 Rhett Almond 17 2016 10 Leonard Chitty 16 1986 Jake Oldroyd 16[15] 2019

Single game Rank Player FGs Year Opponent 1 Joe Liljenquist 5 1969 Colorado State Owen Pochman 5 1999 UNLV

Field goal percentage

Career Rank Player FG% Years 1 Will Ferrin 85.4%[16] 2023 2024 2 Trevor Samson 83.9% 2013 2014 2015 3 Jared McLaughlin 75.7% 2005 2006 4 Rhett Almond 75.0% 2015 2016 2017 5 Mitch Payne 74.6% 2007 2008 2009 2010 6 Matt Payne 74.0% 2001 2002 2003 2004 7 Jake Oldroyd 73.5%[15] 2016 2019 2020 2021 2022 8 Owen Pochman 72.5% 1997 1998 1999 2000 9 Leonard Chitty 72.3% 1986 1987 10 Ethan Pochman 71.4% 1996

Single season Rank Player FG% Year 1 Jake Oldroyd 100.0%[15] 2020 2 Will Ferrin 88.9%[16] 2024 3 Trevor Samson 85.7% 2014 4 Trevor Samson 82.4% 2015 5 Matt Payne 81.3% 2002 6 Mitch Payne 81.0% 2010 Rhett Almond 81.0% 2016 8 Justin Sorensen 80.8% 2013 9 Earl Kauffman 80.0% 1990 10 Owen Pochman 79.2% 2000

References

1. "2020 BYU Football Almanac" (PDF). BYU Cougars. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
2. "NCAA changes policy on football stats". ESPN.com. AP. August 28, 2002. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
3. Kelley, Kevin (May 28, 2010). "The Hawaii Exemption". FBSSchedules.com.
4. Cobb, David (August 21, 2020). "NCAA approves blanket waiver for 2020 fall sports athletes to retain year of eligibility". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
5. "Tyler Allgeier". ESPN.com.
6. "Williams has 5 TDs; Almond's FG lifts BYU over Toledo 55-53". ESPN.com. September 30, 2016.
7. "BYU tramples No. 15 Texas behind Taysom Hill's 259 rushing yards". ESPN.com. September 7, 2013.
8. "Fajardo leads Nevada comeback, 42-35 win over BYU". ESPN.com. October 19, 2014.
9. "BYU vs. Boise State Box Score". ESPN.com. November 5, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
10. "Isaac Rex". ESPN.com.
11. "BYU 50, New Mexico St. 14". ESPN.com. November 24, 2012.
12. "BYU 49, Colorado St. 10". ESPN.com. November 13, 2010. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016.
13. "Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Record Book" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2007. Retrieved January 3, 2008.
14. "Kai Nacua". BYUCougars.com. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
15. "Jake Oldroyd". ESPN.com.
16. "Will Ferrin". ESPN.com.