Ball State Cardinals football statistical leaders

Keith Wenning is Ball State's career leader in passing yardage.

The Ball State Cardinals football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Ball State Cardinals football program in various categories,[1] including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Cardinals represent Ball State University in the NCAA's Mid-American Conference.

Although Ball State began competing in intercollegiate football in 1924,[1] the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in 1960s. 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 1960s, 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 Cardinals have played in four bowl games since this decision, giving many recent players an extra game to accumulate statistics.

These lists are updated through the end of the 2019 season.

Passing

Passing yards

Career
Rk Player Yards Years
1 Keith Wenning 11,402 2010 2011 2012 2013
2 Nate Davis 9,233 2006 2007 2008
3 Drew Plitt 9,051[3] 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
4 Riley Neal 7,393[4] 2015 2016 2017 2018
5 Mike Neu 6,271 1990 1991 1992 1993
6 Talmadge Hill 5,902 2000 2001 2002 2003
7 David Riley 4,730 1986 1987 1988 1989
8 Wade Kosakowski 4,550 1985 1986 1987
9 Joey Lynch 4,292 2003 2004 2005 2006
10 Brent Baldwin 4,256 1993 1994 1995 1996
Single season
Rk Player Yards Year
1 Keith Wenning 4,148 2013
2 Nate Davis 3,667 2007
3 Nate Davis 3,591 2008
4 Keith Wenning 3,095 2012
5 Drew Plitt 2,918[3] 2019
6 Keith Wenning 2,786 2011
7 John Paddock 2,719[5] 2022
8 Riley Neal 2,541[4] 2016
Drew Plitt 2,541[3] 2021
10 Neil Britt 2,377 1983
Single game
Rk Player Yards Year Opponent
1 Mike Neu 469 1993 Toledo
2 Keith Wenning 445[6] 2012 Kent State
Keith Wenning 445[7] 2013 Miami (Ohio)
4 Drew Plitt 439[8] 2019 Fordham
5 Neil Britt 437 1983 Bowling Green
6 Keith Wenning 434[9] 2012 Northern Illinois
7 Nate Davis 422 2007 Nebraska
8 John Paddock 403[10] 2022 Northern Illinois
9 Riley Neal 402 2018 Kent State
10 Joey Lynch 397 2004 Central Michigan

Passing touchdowns

Career
Rk Player TDs Years
1 Keith Wenning 92 2010 2011 2012 2013
2 Nate Davis 74 2006 2007 2008
3 Drew Plitt 68[3] 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
4 Talmadge Hill 44 2000 2001 2002 2003
5 Mike Neu 43 1990 1991 1992 1993
6 Joey Lynch 37 2003 2004 2005 2006
7 Dave Wilson 36 1976 1977 1978 1979
8 Brent Baldwin 35 1993 1994 1995 1996
Riley Neal 35[4] 2015 2016 2017
10 Willard Rice 25 1968 1969 1970
David Riley 25 1986 1987 1988 1989
Single season
Rk Player TDs Year
1 Keith Wenning 35 2013
2 Nate Davis 30 2007
3 Nate Davis 26 2008
4 Keith Wenning 24 2012
Drew Plitt 24[3] 2019
6 Keith Wenning 19 2011
7 Joey Lynch 18 2005
Nate Davis 18 2006
Drew Plitt 18[3] 2021
John Paddock 18[5] 2022
Single game
Rk Player TDs Year Opponent
1 Keith Wenning 6[7] 2013 Miami (Ohio)
Drew Plitt 6[11] 2019 Fordham
3 Rick Scott 5 1974 Richmond
Mike Neu 5 1990 Indiana State
Andy Roesch 5 2002 Central Michigan
Andy Roesch 5 2002 Eastern Michigan
Keith Wenning 5[6] 2012 Kent State
Keith Wenning 5[12] 2013 Akron

Rushing

Rushing yards

Career
Rk Player Yards Years
1 Jahwan Edwards 4,558 2011 2012 2013 2014
2 Marcus Merriweather 4,002 1999 2000 2001 2002
3 MiQuale Lewis 3,748 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
4 Bernie Parmalee 3,483 1987 1988 1989 1990
5 LeAndre Moore 3,080 1995 1996 1997 1998
6 Michael Blair 3,051 1993 1994 1995 1996
7 Caleb Huntley 2,902[13] 2017 2018 2019 2020
8 James Gilbert 2,806 2015 2016 2017 2018
9 Corey Croom 2,725 1989 1990 1991 1992
10 Carson Steele 2,447[14] 2021 2022
Single season
Rk Player Yards Year
1 MiQuale Lewis 1,736 2008
2 Marcus Merriweather 1,618 2002
3 Carson Steele 1,556[14] 2022
4 Jahwan Edwards 1,410 2012
5 James Gilbert 1,332[15] 2016
6 Caleb Huntley 1,275[13] 2019
7 Jahwan Edwards 1,252 2014
8 Marcus Merriweather 1,244 2001
9 Tony Nibbs 1,210 1994
10 Corey Croom 1,157 1992
Single game
Rk Player Yards Year Opponent
1 MiQuale Lewis 301 2009 Eastern Michigan
2 James Gilbert 264[16] 2016 Buffalo
3 Earl Taylor 260 1976 Eastern Michigan
4 Marcus Merriweather 257 2000 Central Michigan
5 Corey Croom 242 1992 Miami (Ohio)
6 Amos Van Pelt 228 1966 St. Joseph’s
7 Marcus Merriweather 227 2002 Buffalo
8 Marcus Merriweather 217 2002 Western Michigan
9 Bernie Parmalee 211 1987 Ohio
10 Bernie Parmalee 208 1987 Indiana State

Rushing touchdowns

Career
Rk Player TDs Years
1 Jahwan Edwards 51 2011 2012 2013 2014
2 Marcus Merriweather 34 1999 2000 2001 2002
3 Michael Blair 31 1993 1994 1995 1996
MiQuale Lewis 31 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
5 Mark Bornholdt 30 1978 1979 1980 1981
James Gilbert 30 2015 2016 2017 2018
7 Bernie Parmalee 26 1987 1988 1989 1990
8 Amos Van Pelt 23 1966 1967 1968
9 Fred Kehoe 22 1947 1948 1949
10 Art Yaroch 21 1973 1974 1975 1976
Caleb Huntley 21[13] 2017 2018 2019 2020
Single season
Rk Player TDs Year
1 MiQuale Lewis 22 2008
2 Mark Bornholdt 19 1979
3 Jahwan Edwards 14 2012
Jahwan Edwards 14 2013
Carson Steele 14[14] 2022
6 Bernie Parmalee 13 1987
7 Marcus Merriweather 12 2001
Marcus Merriweather 12 2002
Jahwan Edwards 12 2014
James Gilbert 12[15] 2016
Caleb Huntley 12[13] 2019
Single game
Rk Player TDs Year Opponent
1 Michael Blair 4 1994 Akron
MiQuale Lewis 4 2008 Indiana

Receiving

Receptions

Career
Rk Player Rec Years
1 Justin Hall 318[17] 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
2 KeVonn Mabon 244[18] 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
3 Dante Ridgeway 238 2002 2003 2004
4 Willie Snead 223 2011 2012 2013
5 Briggs Orsbon 213 2008 2009 2010 2011
6 Jordan Williams 200 2012 2013 2014 2015
7 Dante Love 199 2005 2006 2007 2008
8 Yo'Heinz Tyler 181[19] 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
9 Jamill Smith 177 2010 2011 2012 2013
10 Darius Hill 158 2005 2006 2007 2008
Single season
Rk Player Rec Year
1 Willie Snead 106 2013
2 Dante Ridgeway 105 2004
3 Dante Love 100 2007
4 Dante Ridgeway 89 2003
Willie Snead 89 2012
6 KeVonn Mabon 85[18] 2016
7 Justin Hall 78[17] 2017
8 Jayshon Jackson 73[20] 2022
9 Jordan Williams 72 2013
Jordan Williams 72 2015
Single game
Rk Player Rec Year Opponent
1 Kevin Canfield 15 1972 Western Michigan
2 Dante Ridgeway 14 2004 Akron
Dante Love 14 2007 Indiana
Jamill Smith 14[9] 2012 Northern Illinois
Willie Snead 14[6] 2012 Kent State
6 Adrian Reese 13 1999 Eastern Michigan
Dante Ridgeway 13 2004 Eastern Michigan
Justin Hall 13 2017 Western Michigan
Dante Love 13 2007 Rutgers
Briggs Orsbon 13 2008 Buffalo

Receiving yards

Career
Rk Player Yards Years
1 Justin Hall 3,385[17] 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
2 Dante Ridgeway 3,030 2002 2003 2004
3 Willie Snead 2,991 2011 2012 2013
4 KeVonn Mabon 2,862[18] 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
5 Dante Love 2,778 2005 2006 2007 2008
6 Jordan Williams 2,723 2012 2013 2014 2015
7 Darius Hill 2,473 2005 2006 2007 2008
8 Yo'Heinz Tyler 2,265[19] 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
9 Deon Chester 2,256 1984 1985 1986 1987
10 Briggs Orsbon 2,218 2008 2009 2010 2011
Single season
Rk Player Yards Year
1 Willie Snead 1,516 2013
2 Dante Ridgeway 1,399 2004
3 Dante Love 1,398 2007
4 Willie Snead 1,148 2012
5 Dante Ridgeway 1,075 2003
6 Dave Naumcheff 1,065 1983
7 Jordan Williams 1,050 2013
8 Brian Oliver 1,010 1993
9 KeVonn Mabon 976[18] 2016
10 Darius Hill 926 2007
Single game
Rk Player Yards Year Opponent
1 Brian Oliver 297 1993 Toledo
2 Dave Naumcheff 237 1983 Bowling Green
3 Vic Comparetto 219 1971 Indiana State
4 Dante Ridgeway 217 2004 Western Michigan
5 Willie Snead 216[6] 2012 Kent State
6 Dante Ridgeway 215 2004 Central Michigan
7 Dante Love 214 2007 Nebraska
8 Juan Gorman 200 1994 Purdue
9 Kevin Canfield 198 1972 Western Michigan
10 Dante Ridgeway 185 2004 Eastern Michigan

Receiving touchdowns

Career
Rk Player TDs Years
1 Darius Hill 31 2005 2006 2007 2008
2 Willie Snead 26 2011 2012 2013
3 Brian Oliver 24 1991 1992 1993 1994
Jordan Williams 24 2012 2013 2014 2015
5 Dante Ridgeway 22 2002 2003 2004
Yo'Heinz Tyler 22[19] 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
7 Dante Love 20 2005 2006 2007 2008
8 Justin Hall 18[17] 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
9 Jamill Smith 17 2010 2011 2012 2013
10 Mike Andress 15 1974 1975 1976 1977
Single season
Rk Player TDs Year
1 Willie Snead 15 2013
2 Darius Hill 11 2007
3 Brian Oliver 10 1993
Dante Ridgeway 10 2003
Darius Hill 10 2006
Dante Love 10 2007
Jordan Williams 10 2013
8 Willie Snead 9 2012
Single game
Rk Player TDs Year Opponent
1 Larry Hamell 4 1963 Valparaiso
Rick Morrison 4 1977 Eastern Michigan
3 Vic Comparetto 3 1971 Indiana State
Juan Gorman 3 1994 Purdue
Dante Ridgeway 3 2004 Western Michigan
Jack Tomlinson 3[21] 2010 Akron
Jamill Smith 3[7] 2013 Miami (Ohio)

Total offense

Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.[22]

Total offense yards

Career
Rk Player Yards Years
1 Keith Wenning 11,730 2010 2011 2012 2013
2 Nate Davis 9,732 2006 2007 2008
3 Drew Plitt 9,474[3] 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
4 Talmadge Hill 6,484 2000 2001 2002 2003
5 Riley Neal 6,482[4] 2015 2016 2017
6 Mike Neu 5,852 1990 1991 1992 1993
7 David Riley 5,093 1986 1987 1988 1989
8 Brent Baldwin 4,643 1993 1994 1995 1996
9 Jahwan Edwards 4,558 2011 2012 2013 2014
10 Willard Rice 4,403 1968 1969 1970 1971
Single season
Rk Player Yards Year
1 Keith Wenning 4,192 2013
2 Nate Davis 3,903 2008
3 Nate Davis 3,902 2007
4 Keith Wenning 3,200 2012
5 Drew Plitt 3,089[3] 2019
6 Riley Neal 3,081[4] 2016
7 Keith Wenning 2,968 2011
8 Riley Neal 2,675 2015
9 Drew Plitt 2,672[3] 2021
10 John Paddock 2,635[5] 2022
Single game
Rk Player Yards Year Opponent
1 Nate Davis 479 2007 Nebraska
2 Riley Neal 463 2018 Kent State
3 Keith Wenning 459[6] 2012 Kent State
4 Drew Plitt 453[8] 2019 Fordham
5 Mike Neu 450 1993 Toledo
6 Keith Wenning 445[7] 2013 Miami (Ohio)
7 Keith Wenning 438[9] 2012 Northern Illinois
Riley Neal 438[23] 2016 Eastern Michigan
9 Riley Neal 411[24] 2015 Northern Illinois
10 John Paddock 403[10] 2022 Northern Illinois

Touchdowns responsible for

"Touchdowns responsible for" is the NCAA's official term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.[25]

Career
Rk Player TDs Years
1 Keith Wenning 105 2010 2011 2012 2013
2 Nate Davis 84 2006 2007 2008
3 Drew Plitt 82[3] 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
4 Jahwan Edwards 51 2011 2012 2013 2014
5 Dave Wilson 48 1976 1977 1978 1979
Talmadge Hill 48 2000 2001 2002 2003
7 Riley Neal 45[4] 2015 2016 2017
Single season
Rk Player TDs Year
1 Keith Wenning 40 2013
2 Nate Davis 35 2007
3 Nate Davis 31 2008
4 Drew Plitt 29[3] 2019
5 Keith Wenning 27 2012
6 Dave Wilson 26 1977
7 MiQuale Lewis 22 2008
Keith Wenning 22 2011
9 Riley Neal 21[4] 2016
Drew Plitt 21[3] 2020

Defense

Interceptions

Career
Rk Player Ints Years
1 Sean Baker 18 2008 2009 2010 2011
2 Shafer Suggs 14 1972 1973 1974 1975
Mike Lecklider 14 1974 1975 1976
4 Terry Schmidt 13 1971 1972 1973
Greg Garnica 13 1986 1987 1988 1989
Single season
Rk Player Ints Year
1 Craig Newberg 13 1981
Kelly George 13 1982
3 Bryant Branigan 11 1992
Keith McKenzie 11 1995
5 Wilber McDonald 10 1997
Single game
Rk Player Ints Year Opponent
1 Bob Burkhardt 3 1966 Indiana (Pa.)
Doc Heath 3 1966 Valparaiso
Mike Lecklider 3 1975 Richmond
Greg Garnica 3 1989 Miami (Ohio)
Sean Baker 3 2008 Akron

Tackles

Career
Rk Player Tackles Years
1 Greg Garnica 689 1986 1987 1988 1989
Single season
Rk Player Tackles Year
1 Kevin Johnson 204 1993
2 Kevin Johnson 196 1994
3 Greg Garnica 188 1987
4 Greg Garnica 185 1986
5 Mark Parris 178 1992
6 Brad Saar 169 1985
7 Mark Parris 167 1991
8 Greg Garnica 161 1989
Single game
Rk Player Tackles Year Opponent
1 Kevin Johnson 29 1993 Ohio
Kevin Johnson 29 1993 Akron
Kevin Johnson 29 1994 Eastern Michigan
4 Greg Garnica 25 1986 Eastern Michigan
Kevin Johnson 25 1994 Miami (Ohio)

Sacks

Career
Rk Player Sacks Years
1 Keith McKenzie 25.0 1992 1993 1994 1995
Anthony Winbush 25.0 2014 2015 2016 2017
2 Kelly George 24.0 1979 1980 1981 1982
Single season
Rk Player Sacks Year
1 Anthony Winbush 11.5 2017
2 Anthony Winbush 8.5 2016
3 Nickey Baker 8.0 1965
Shafer Suggs 8.0 1974
Sidney Houston Jr. 8.0[26] 2023
Single game
Rk Player Sacks Year Opponent
1 Toby Beegle 5.0 1990 Central Michigan

Kicking

Field goals made

Career
Rk Player FGs Years
1 John Diettrich 63 1983 1984 1985 1986
2 Kenny Stucker 62 1988 1989 1990 1991
3 Ian McGarvey 55 2007 2008 2009 2010
4 Brian Jackson 49 2003 2004 2005 2006
5 Scott Secor 44 2011 2012 2013 2014
6 Steven Schott 41 2009 2010 2011 2012
7 Morgan Hagee 40[27] 2015 2016 2017
8 Brent Lockliear 38 1994 1995 1996 1997
9 Mike Langford 21 2000 2001 2002 2003
Single season
Rk Player FGs Year
1 John Diettrich 25 1985
Steven Schott 25 2012
Scott Secor 25 2014
4 Kenny Stucker 19 1989
Scott Secor 19 2013
6 Kenny Stucker 18 1988
Ian McGarvey 18 2009
8 John Diettrich 17 1986
Brian Jackson 17 2006
Ben VonGunten 17[28] 2022
Single game
Rk Player FGs Year Opponent
1 John Diettrich 5 1985 Indiana State
Scott Secor 5 2014 Akron

References

  1. ^ a b "2016 Ball State Cardinals Media Guide". BallStateSports.com. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
  2. ^ "NCAA changes policy on football stats". ESPN.com. AP. 2002-08-28. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Drew Plitt". ESPN.com.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Riley Neal". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-11-24.
  5. ^ a b c "John Paddock". ESPN.com.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Kent St. 45, Ball St. 43". ESPN.com. 2012-09-29.
  7. ^ a b c d "Ball State cruises past Miami (Ohio) 55-14". ESPN.com. 2013-11-29.
  8. ^ a b "Fordham vs. Ball State". espn.com. September 7, 2019. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  9. ^ a b c "N. Illinois 35, Ball St. 23". ESPN.com. 2012-10-06.
  10. ^ a b "Northern Illinois vs. Ball State Box Score". ESPN.com. October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  11. ^ "Fordham vs. Ball State Box Score". ESPN.com. September 7, 2019. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  12. ^ "Wenning throws 5 TDs, Ball State tops Akron 42-24". ESPN.com. 2013-10-26.
  13. ^ a b c d "Caleb Huntley". ESPN.com.
  14. ^ a b c "Carson Steele". ESPN.com.
  15. ^ a b "James Gilbert". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  16. ^ "Gilbert's 264 yards keys Ball State's 31-21 win over Buffalo". ESPN.com.
  17. ^ a b c d "Justin Hall". ESPN.com.
  18. ^ a b c d "KeVonn Mabon". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  19. ^ a b c "Yo'Heinz Tyler". ESPN.com.
  20. ^ "Jayshon Jackson". ESPN.com.
  21. ^ "Ball St. 37, Akron 30, OT". ESPN.com. 2010-11-06.
  22. ^ "2021 Football Bowl Subdivision Records" (PDF). NCAA. p. 9. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  23. ^ "Eastern Michigan rallies from 21 points down to beat Ball St". ESPN.com. 2016-11-08.
  24. ^ "Northern Illinois beats Ball State 59-41". ESPN.com. 2015-10-10.
  25. ^ "2021 Football Bowl Subdivision Records" (PDF). NCAA. p. 12. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  26. ^ "Sidney Houston Jr". ESPN.com.
  27. ^ "Morgan Hagee". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-11-24.
  28. ^ "Ben VonGunten". ESPN.com.
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