Colorado Buffaloes football statistical leaders explained

The Colorado Buffaloes football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Colorado Buffaloes football program in various categories,[1] [2] including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Buffaloes represent the University of Colorado Boulder in the NCAA Division I FBS Pac-12 Conference.

Although Colorado began competing in intercollegiate football in 1890, the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in the 1930s. Records prior to this year are often incomplete and inconsistent, and are generally not included in these lists.

These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons:

These lists are updated through Colorado's game against TCU on September 2, 2023.

Passing

Passing yards

Career
1Sefo Liufau9,763[4] 2013 2014 2015 2016
2Steven Montez9,7102016 2017 2018 2019
3Cody Hawkins7,7312007 2008 2009 2010
4Joel Klatt7,7082002 2003 2004 2005
5Kordell Stewart6,4811991 1992 1993 1994
6Tyler Hansen5,7052008 2009 2010 2011
7Koy Detmer5,3901992 1994 1995 1996
8Mike Moschetti4,7971998 1999
9John Hessler4,7881994 1995 1996 1997
10Steve Vogel3,9121981 1982 1983 1984
Single season
1Shedeur Sanders3,2302023
2Sefo Liufau3,2002014
3Koy Detmer3,1561996
4Steven Montez2,9752017
5Tyler Hansen2,8832011
6Steven Montez2,8492018
7Steven Montez2,8082019
8Joel Klatt2,6962005
9Mike Moschetti2,6931999
Cody Hawkins2,6932007
Single game
1Shedeur Sanders510[5] TCU
2Tyler Hansen474[6] California
3Mike Moschetti465San Jose State
4Koy Detmer457Missouri
5Sefo Liufau455[7] California
6Koy Detmer426NE Louisiana
7Joel Klatt419[8] Kansas
8Koy Detmer418Oklahoma
9Kordell Stewart409Colorado State
10Koy Detmer402Oklahoma State

Passing touchdowns

Career
1Cody Hawkins632007 2008 2009 2010
Steven Montez632016 2017 2018 2019
3Sefo Liufau602013 2014 2015 2016
4Joel Klatt462002 2003 2004 2005
5Koy Detmer401992 1994 1995 1996
6Tyler Hansen352008 2009 2010 2011
7John Hessler341994 1995 1996 1997
8Kordell Stewart331991 1992 1993 1994
Mike Moschetti331998 1999
10Steve Vogel271981 1982 1983 1984
Darian Hagan271988 1989 1990 1991
Shedeur Sanders272023
Single season
1Sefo Liufau282014
2Shedeur Sanders272023
3Koy Detmer221996
Cody Hawkins222007
5Joel Klatt212003
6John Hessler201995
Tyler Hansen202011
8Steven Montez192018
9Mike Moschetti181999
Steven Montez182017
Single game
1Sefo Liufau7California
2John Hessler5Oklahoma
John Hessler5Oklahoma State
Koy Detmer5Iowa State
Shedeur Sanders5Stanford
6Darian Hagan4Oklahoma State
Kordell Stewart4Colorado State
Koy Detmer4Northeast Louisiana
Mike Moschetti4Oklahoma
Mike Moschetti4Oregon[9]
Joel Klatt4[10] Colorado State
Joel Klatt4[11] Kansas
Cody Hawkins4[12] Iowa State
Cody Hawkins4[13] Toledo
Shedeur Sanders4TCU
Shedeur Sanders4[14] Colorado State
Shedeur Sanders4USC

Rushing

Rushing yards

Career
1 Eric Bieniemy3,9401987 1988 1989 1990
2 Rodney Stewart3,5982008 2009 2010 2011
3 3,550[15] 2014 2015 2016 2017
4 Bobby Purify3,0962000 2001 2002 2003 2004
5 Rashaan Salaam3,0571992 1993 1994
6 Charlie Davis2,9581971 1972 1973
7 Hugh Charles2,7952004 2005 2006 2007
8 Chris Brown2,7872001 2002
9 James Mayberry2,5481975 1976 1977 1978
10 Herchell Troutman2,4871994 1995 1996 1997
Single season
1Rashaan Salaam2,0551994
2Chris Brown1,8412002
3Eric Bieniemy1,6281990
4Charlie Davis1,3861971
5Rodney Stewart1,3182010
6James Mayberry1,2991977
7 Phillip Lindsay 1,254 2017
8 Phillip Lindsay 1,252 2016
9 Eric Bieniemy1,2431988
10 Tony Reed1,2101976
Single game
1Charlie Davis342Oklahoma State
2Rashaan Salaam317Texas
3Chris Brown309Kansas
4Jarek Broussard301[16] Arizona
5 Phillip Lindsay 281[17] Arizona
6Rashaan Salaam259Iowa State
7Bobby Anderson254Alabama[18]
8James Mayberry250Oklahoma State
9J.J. Flannigan246Kansas State
10Carroll Hardy238Kansas State

Rushing touchdowns

Career
1Eric Bieniemy411987 1988 1989 1990
2Chris Brown352001 2002
3Bobby Anderson341967 1968 1969
4Rashaan Salaam331992 1993 1994
5 Phillip Lindsay 32 2014 2015 2016 2017
6 J.J. Flannigan 271987 1988 1989
271988 1989 1990 1991
8 James Mayberry 251975 1976 1977 1978
Rodney Stewart 252008 2009 2010 2011
10 241949 1950 1951
241971 1972 1973
Single season
1Rashaan Salaam241994
2Bobby Anderson181969
J.J. Flannigan181989
Chris Brown182002
5Darian Hagan171989
Eric Bieniemy171990
7Chris Brown162001
8Phillip Lindsay162016
9Merwin Hodel151950
Jim Kelleher151976
Phillip Lindsay152016
Single game
1Chris Brown6Nebraska
2Earl Loser4BYU
Max Chamberlain4Denver
Bill Smith4Colorado Mines
Kayo Lam4Colorado Mines
Byron White4Colorado Mines
Harry Narcisian4Kansas State
John Bayuk4Arizona
Bobby Anderson4Tulsa
James Mayberry4Northwestern
J.J. Flannigan4Kansas State
Eric Bieniemy4Nebraska
Rashaan Salaam4Wisconsin
Rashaan Salaam4Oklahoma
Michael Adkins II4[19] Charleston Southern

Receiving

Receptions

Career
1Nelson Spruce2942012 2013 2014 2015
2Scotty McKnight2192007 2008 2009 2010
3Shay Fields194[20] 2014 2015 2016 2017
4Michael Westbrook1671991 1992 1993 1994
5Paul Richardson1562010 2011 2012 2013
6Phil Savoy1521994 1995 1996 1997
7Laviska Shenault Jr.1492017 2018 2019
8Javon Green1361997 1998 1999 2000
9Rae Carruth1351992 1994 1995 1996
10Derek McCoy1342000 2001 2002 2003
Single season
1Nelson Spruce1062014
2Nelson Spruce892015
3Laviska Shenault Jr.86[21] 2018
4Paul Richardson832013
5D.J. Hackett782003
6Michael Westbrook761992
Scotty McKnight762009
8Devin Ross69[22] 2016
9Xavier Weaver68[23] 2023
10Derek McCoy632003
Single game
1Nelson Spruce19California
2Nelson Spruce13[24] Hawai’i
Nelson Spruce13[25] Washington
Travis Hunter13[26] Stanford
5Michael Westbrook11Baylor
Charles Johnson11Missouri
Derek McCoy11[27] Washington State
Scotty McKnight11Toledo
Markques Simas11[28] Oklahoma State
Paul Richardson11[29] Kansas
Paul Richardson11California
Paul Richardson11Central Arkansas
Paul Richardson11[30] California
Nelson Spruce11[31] UCLA
Phillip Lindsay11[32] UCLA
Travis Hunter11TCU
Jimmy Horn Jr.11TCU

Receiving yards

Career
1Nelson Spruce3,3472012 2013 2014 2015
2Shay Fields2,5902014 2015 2016 2017
3Scotty McKnight2,5882007 2008 2009 2010
4Michael Westbrook2,5481991 1992 1993 1994
5Rae Carruth2,5401992 1994 1995 1996
6Charles Johnson2,4471990 1991 1992 1993
7Paul Richardson2,4122010 2011 2012 2013
8Phil Savoy2,1761994 1995 1996 1997
9Derek McCoy2,0382000 2001 2002 2003
10Javon Green2,0311997 1998 1999 2000
Single season
1Paul Richardson1,3432013
2Nelson Spruce1,1982014
3Charles Johnson1,1491992
4Rae Carruth1,1161996
5Charles Johnson1,0821993
6Michael Westbrook1,0601992
7Nelson Spruce1,0532015
8D.J. Hackett1,0132003
9Laviska Shenault Jr.1,0112018
10Rae Carruth1,0081995
Single game
1Paul Richardson284California
2Walter Stanley222Texas Tech
3Rae Carruth222Missouri
4Paul Richardson209[33] Central Arkansas
5Paul Richardson208[34] Colorado State
6Omarion Miller196[35] USC
7Derek McCoy192Colorado State
8Michael Westbrook186Baylor
9Charles Johnson182Oklahoma
10Nelson Spruce179California

Receiving touchdowns

Career
1Nelson Spruce232012 2013 2014 2015
2Scotty McKnight222007 2008 2009 2010
3Paul Richardson212010 2011 2012 2013
Shay Fields212014 2015 2016 2017
5Rae Carruth201992 1994 1995 1996
Derek McCoy202000 2001 2002 2003
7Michael Westbrook191991 1992 1993 1994
8Javon Green171997 1998 1999 2000
9Charles Johnson151990 1991 1992 1993
10Phil Savoy141994 1995 1996 1997
Single season
1Nelson Spruce122014
2Derek McCoy112003
3Paul Richardson102013
4Charles Johnson91993
Rae Carruth91995
Shay Fields92016
7Gary Knafelc81953
Michael Westbrook81992
Rae Carruth81996
Toney Clemons82011
Single game
1Richard Johnson3Kansas
Rae Carruth3Iowa State
Nelson Spruce3California
Shay Fields3[36] Oregon State
Dylan Edwards3TCU

Total offense

Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.[37]

Total offense yards

Career
1Sefo Liufau10,702 2013 2014 2015 2016
2Kordell Stewart7,770 1991 1992 1993 1994
3Cody Hawkins7,564 2007 2008 2009 2010
4Joel Klatt7,562 2002 2003 2004 2005
5Tyler Hansen6,183 2008 2009 2010 2011
6Darian Hagan5,808 1988 1989 1990 1991
7Koy Detmer5,359 1992 1994 1995 1996
8John Hessler5,064 1994 1995 1996 1997
9Mike Moschetti4,867 1998 1999
10Bobby Anderson4,565 1967 1968 1969
Single season
1Sefo Liufau3,336 2014
2Shedeur Sanders3,1532023
3Koy Detmer3,150 1996
4Tyler Hansen2,998 2011
5Sefo Liufau2,860 2016
6Kordell Stewart2,823 1993
7Mike Moschetti2,818 1999
8Kordell Stewart2,710 1994
9Joel Klatt2,699 2005
10Cody Hawkins2,682 2007
Single game
1Sefo Liufau527California
2Mike Moschetti500San Jose State
Tyler Hansen500California
4Shedeur Sanders478TCU
5Steven Montez468[38] Oregon
6Koy Detmer457Missouri
7Sefo Liufau453[39] Washington State
8Mike Moschetti446Oklahoma
9Shedeur Sanders437Stanford
10Kordell Stewart430Colorado State
Koy Detmer430Northeast Louisiana

Touchdowns responsible for

"Touchdowns responsible for" is the NCAA's official term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.[40]

Career
1Sefo Liufau73 2013 2014 2015 2016
2Cody Hawkins70 2007 2008 2009 2010
3Darian Hagan54 1988 1989 1990 1991
4Joel Klatt49 2002 2003 2004 2005
5Kordell Stewart48 1991 1992 1993 1994
6John Hessler44 1994 1995 1996 1997
7Bobby Anderson43 1967 1968 1969
Koy Detmer43 1992 1994 1995 1996
Tyler Hansen43 2008 2009 2010 2011
10Eric Bieniemy42 1987 1988 1989 1990
Single season
1Shedeur Sanders31[41] 2023
2Sefo Liufau28 2014
3Koy Detmer25 1996
Cody Hawkins25 2007
5Rashaan Salaam24 1994
John Hessler24 1995
7Mike Moschetti23 1999
Tyler Hansen23 2011
9Joel Klatt22 2003
10Darian Hagan21 1989
Single game
1Sefo Liufau7California
2Chris Brown6Nebraska

Defense

Interceptions

Career
1John Stearns161970 1971 1972
2Chris Hudson151991 1992 1993 1994
3Dick Anderson141965 1966 1967
Terrence Wheatley142003 2004 2006 2007
5Tim James131987 1988 1989 1990
Tedric Thompson132013 2014 2015 2016
7Deon Figures121988 1990 1991 1992
8Steve Rosga111994 1995 1996
Ben Kelly111997 1998 1999
10Roy Shepherd101950 1951 1952
Boyd Dowler101956 1957 1958
Cullen Bryant101970 1971 1972
Victor Scott101980 1981 1982 1983
Single season
1Dick Anderson71967
Cullen Bryant71972
Tedric Thompson72016
4John Stearns61972
Tim James61990
Deon Figures61992
Single game
1Malcolm Miller3Kansas
Roy Shepherd3Colorado State
Frank Bernardi3Utah
Carroll Hardy3Utah
Dick Anderson3Oregon
Rich Bland3Air Force
Victor Scott3Oklahoma State
Terrence Wheatley3[42] Texas Tech

Tackles

Career
1Barry Remington4931982 1983 1984 1985 1986
2Matt Russell4461993 1994 1995 1996
3Greg Biekert4411989 1990 1991 1992
4Jordon Dizon4402004 2005 2006 2007
5Ted Johnson4091991 1992 1993 1994
6Laval Short3721976 1977 1978 1979
7Chad Brown3691989 1990 1991 1992
8Michael Jones3491986 1987 1988 1989
9Thaddeus Washington3382003 2004 2005 2006
10Michael Lewis3361998 1999 2000 2001
Single season
1Ray Cone1831982
2Ryan Sutter1701997
3Bill Roe1621979
4Barry Remington1621985
5Jordon Dizon1602007
6Ryan Black1541996
7Greg Biekert1501990
8Eric McCarty1481987
9Ted Johnson1471994
10Jeff Geiser1461973
Single game
1Jeff Geiser30Kansas State
2Ryan Sutter28Michigan
Hannibal Navies28Missouri
4Lennie Ciufo25Oklahoma State
Brian Cabral25Stanford
6Jeff Geiser24Oklahoma
Bill Roe24Kansas State
Don DeLuzio24Oregon

Sacks

Career
1Alfred Williams35.01987 1988 1989 1990
2Ron Woolfork33.01990 1991 1992 1993
3Greg Jones25.01992 1994 1995 1996
4Laval Short24.51976 1977 1978 1979
5Abraham Wright21.02004 2005 2006
6Herb Orvis20.01969 1970 1971
Dan McMillen20.01982 1983 1984 1985
Chidera Uzo-Diribe20.02010 2011 2012 2013
Jimmie Gilbert20.02013 2014 2015 2016
10Bill Brundige19.01967 1968 1969
Curt Koch19.01984 1985 1986 1987
Leonard Renfro19.01989 1990 1991 1992
Single season
1Dan McMillen14.01985
2Ron Woolfork13.51992
3Bill Brundige13.01969
Ron Woolfork13.01991
5Alfred Williams12.51990
6Abraham Wright11.52006
7Alfred Williams10.51989
Leonard Renfro10.51992
Jimmie Gilbert10.52016
10Curt Koch10.01986
Garry Howe10.01990
Single game
1Bill Brundige5.0Alabama
Dan McMillen5.0Kansas
3Ron Woolfork4.5Iowa
4Bill Brundige4.0Iowa State

Kicking

Field goals made

Career
1Mason Crosby662003 2004 2005 2006
2Will Oliver502011 2012 2013
3Jeremy Aldrich481996 1997 1998 1999
4Tom Field361979 1980 1982 1983
5James Stefanou342017 2018 2019 2020
6Aric Goodman252008 2009 2010
7Cole Becker25[43] 2021 2022
8Ken Culbertson231986 1987 1988 1989
9Jim Harper221990 1991
Neil Voskeritchian221994 1995
Single season
1Mason Crosby212005
2Mason Crosby192004
Mason Crosby192006
4Jeremy Flores182001
Diego Gonzalez18[44] 2015
6Will Oliver172013
James Stefanou17[45] 2017
8Jeremy Aldrich161998
Jeremy Aldrich161999
Will Oliver162014
Single game
1Jeremy Aldrich5Kansas
Kevin Eberhart5[46] Baylor

Field goal percentage

Career
1Alejandro Mata83.3%[47] 2023
2Cole Becker75.8%2021 2022
3Jeremy Aldrich75.0%1996 1997 1998 1999
Mason Crosby75.0%2003 2004 2005 2006
5Will Oliver72.5%2011 2012 2013
6James Stefanou69.4%2017 2018 2019 2020
7Tom Field65.5%1979 1980 1982 1983
8Neil Voskeritchian64.7%1994 1995
9Diego Gonzalez63.6%2014 2015 2016
10Jim Harper62.9%1990 1991<-- In case Stefanou and Becker fall out of top ten
11Pete Dadiotis61.5%1976 1977 1978
12Dave Haney60.0%1968 1969 1970-->
Single season
1Jeremy Aldrich85.7%1997

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Leaders . 2023 Colorado Football Record Book . Colorado Buffaloes . September 2, 2023.
  2. Web site: 2015 Colorado Buffaloes Media Guide. 2015-11-07. CUBuffs.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20150914233037/http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/football/2015_Info_Guide/part_2_127-233.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=600. 2015-09-14. dead.
  3. Web site: NCAA changes policy on football stats. 2002-08-28. 2014-09-11. ESPN.com. AP.
  4. Web site: Sefo Liufau . 2017-01-15. ESPN.com.
  5. Web site: Colorado vs. TCU Box Score. September 2, 2023. September 5, 2023. ESPN.com.
  6. Web site: California emerges in OT despite Colorado's huge day . https://web.archive.org/web/20141017065307/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=312530038 . dead . October 17, 2014 . 2011-09-10 . ESPN.com .
  7. Web site: California beats Colorado 59-56 in double OT . 2014-09-27 . ESPN.com .
  8. Web site: Colorado 50, Kansas 47 (OT) . 2003-10-11 . ESPN.com .
  9. [Aloha Bowl]
  10. Web site: Klatt leads Colorado past CSU . https://web.archive.org/web/20160307100642/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=232420036 . dead . March 7, 2016 . 2003-08-31 . ESPN.com .
  11. Web site: Klatt hurls 4 TD passes; Colorado special teams dominate . 2005-10-23 . ESPN.com .
  12. Web site: Colorado's defense stifles Iowa St. in last seconds . 2008-11-08 . ESPN.com .
  13. Web site: Rockets roll up 624 yards total offense in win over Buffs . 2009-09-12 . ESPN.com .
  14. Web site: Colorado State vs. Colorado Box Score. ESPN.com. September 16, 2023. September 19, 2023.
  15. Web site: Phillip Lindsay . ESPN . November 3, 2017.
  16. Web site: Colorado vs. Arizona Box Score. ESPN. December 5, 2020. December 6, 2020.
  17. Web site: Arizona's Khalil Tate sets FBS QB rushing mark with 327 yards in a win over Colorado . . ESPN . October 8, 2017 . November 3, 2017.
  18. [Liberty Bowl]
  19. Web site: Liufau leads Buffs past Charleston Southern 43-10 . 2013-10-19 . ESPN.com .
  20. Web site: Shay Fields . 2017-01-15. ESPN.com.
  21. Web site: Laviska Shenault Jr.. ESPN.
  22. Web site: Devin Ross . 2017-01-15. ESPN.com.
  23. Web site: Xavier Weaver. ESPN.com.
  24. Web site: Spruce leads Colorado past Hawaii 21-12 . 2014-09-20 . ESPN.com .
  25. Web site: Thompson leads Washington past Colorado 38-23 . 2014-11-01 . ESPN.com .
  26. Web site: Stanford vs. Colorado Box Score. ESPN.com. October 13, 2023. October 14, 2023.
  27. Web site: Cougs use second-half surge to seal win . https://web.archive.org/web/20131219155309/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=232560038 . dead . December 19, 2013 . 2003-09-13 . ESPN.com .
  28. Web site: Oklahoma St. clips Colorado, keeps pressure on Texas in Big 12 race . https://web.archive.org/web/20131218135305/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=293230197 . dead . December 18, 2013 . 2009-11-20 . ESPN.com .
  29. Web site: Kansas runs off 35 straight in fourth to stun Colorado . https://web.archive.org/web/20131124193116/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=303102305 . dead . November 24, 2013 . 2010-11-06 . ESPN.com .
  30. Web site: Colorado beats Cal 41-24 to snap conference skid . 2013-11-13 . ESPN.com .
  31. Web site: No. 24 UCLA blows big lead, rallies to beat Colorado . 2015-10-31 . ESPN.com .
  32. Web site: No. 15 Colorado squeaks by UCLA 20-10 despite penalties . 2016-11-03 . ESPN.com .
  33. Web site: Richardson leads Colorado past Cent. Ark. 38-24 . 2013-09-08 . ESPN.com .
  34. Web site: Richardson leads CU to 41-27 win over CSU . 2013-09-01 . ESPN.com .
  35. Web site: USC vs. Colorado Box Score. ESPN.com. September 30, 2023. October 3, 2023.
  36. Web site: Colorado crushes Oregon State 47-6 behind Montez, Fields . 2016-10-01 . ESPN.com .
  37. Web site: 2021 Football Bowl Subdivision Records . NCAA . 9 . December 4, 2021.
  38. Web site: Colorado holds off Oregon in Steven Montez's first career start . 2016-09-24 . ESPN.com .
  39. Web site: Liufau scores 3 TDs, No. 10 Colorado beats No. 22 Wash State . 2016-11-19 . ESPN.com .
  40. Web site: 2021 Football Bowl Subdivision Records . NCAA . 12 . December 4, 2021.
  41. Web site: Shedeur Sanders. ESPN.com.
  42. Web site: Harrell's 4 INTs too much as Colorado rolls Texas Tech . 2007-10-27 . ESPN.com .
  43. Web site: Cole Becker. ESPN.
  44. Web site: Diego Gonzalez . 2017-01-15. ESPN.com.
  45. Web site: James Stefanou. ESPN.
  46. Web site: Colorado 43, Baylor 23 . 2007-10-06 . ESPN.com .
  47. Web site: Alejandro Mata . ESPN.com.