Illinois Fighting Illini football statistical leaders explained

The Illinois Fighting Illini football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Illinois Fighting Illini 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 Fighting Illini represent the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in the NCAA's Big Ten Conference.

Although Illinois began competing in intercollegiate football in 1890, the school's official record book generally does not include statistics from before the 1950s, as records from before this year are often incomplete and inconsistent. An exception to this is Red Grange, who appears several times on these lists despite playing in the 1920s.

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

These lists are updated through the end of the 2016 season.

Passing

Passing yards

Career
1Jack Trudeau8,7251981 1983 1984 1985
2Kurt Kittner8,7221998 1999 2000 2001
3Nathan Scheelhaase8,5682010 2011 2012 2013
4Juice Williams8,0372006 2007 2008 2009
5Jason Verduzco7,5321989 1990 1991 1992
6Tony Eason7,0311981 1982
7Wes Lunt5,900[3] 2014 2015 2016
8Johnny Johnson5,2931992 1993 1994 1995
9Jon Beutjer5,1902002 2003 2004
10Jeff George5,1891988 1989
Single season
1Tony Eason3,6711982
2Tony Eason3,3601981
3Jack Trudeau3,3391985
4Nathan Scheelhaase3,2722013
5Kurt Kittner3,2562001
6Juice Williams3,1732008
7Dave Wilson3,1541980
8Jason Verduzco3,0141991
9Wes Lunt2,7612015
10Jeff George2,7381989
Single game
1Dave Wilson621Ohio State
2John Paddock507Indiana
3Tony Eason479Wisconsin
4Juice Williams462[4] Minnesota
5Wes Lunt456[5] Western Kentucky
6Juice Williams451[6] Missouri
7Nathan Scheelhaase450[7] Indiana
8Jason Verduzco431Missouri
9Jon Beutjer430California
10Jon Beutjer426San Jose State

Passing touchdowns

Career
1Kurt Kittner701998 1999 2000 2001
2Juice Williams562006 2007 2008 2009
3Jack Trudeau551981 1983 1984 1985
Nathan Scheelhaase552010 2011 2012 2013
5Jason Verduzco421989 1990 1991 1992
6Jon Beutjer392002 2003 2004
7Tony Eason381981 1982
8Wes Lunt362014 2015 2016
9Johnny Johnson351992 1993 1994 1995
10Jeff George311988 1989
Single season
1Kurt Kittner272001
2Kurt Kittner241999
3Jeff George221989
Juice Williams222008
5Jon Beutjer212002
Nathan Scheelhaase212013
7Tony Eason201981
8Dave Wilson191980
Jack Trudeau191983
Johnny Johnson191994
Single game
1Dave Wilson6Ohio State
2Tom O'Connell5Washington
Jeff George5Indiana
Juice Williams5Missouri
Reilly O'Toole5[8] Charleston Southern
Nathan Scheelhaase5[9] Miami (Ohio)

Rushing

Rushing yards

Career
1Robert Holcombe4,1051994 1995 1996 1997
2Chase Brown3,206[10] 2019 2020 2021 2022
3Antoineo Harris2,9851999 2000 2001 2002
4Thomas Rooks2,8871982 1983 1984 1985
5Jim Grabowski2,8781963 1964 1965
6Rocky Harvey2,7111998 1999 2000 2001
7Josh Ferguson2,5862011 2012 2013 2014 2015
8Juice Williams2,5572006 2007 2008 2009
Mikel Leshoure2,5572008 2009 2010
10Pierre Thomas2,5452003 2004 2005 2006
Single season
1Mikel Leshoure1,6972010
2Rashard Mendenhall1,6812007
3Chase Brown1,6432022
4Antoineo Harris1,3302002
5Robert Holcombe1,2811996
6Jim Grabowski1,2581965
7J.C. Caroline1,2561953
8Robert Holcombe1,2531997
9Keith Jones1,1961988
10Howard Griffith1,1151990
Single game
1Mikel Leshoure330[11] Northwestern
2Robert Holcombe315Minnesota
3Howard Griffith263Northwestern
4Chase Brown257[12] Charlotte
5Jim Grabowski239Wisconsin
6Red Grange237Pennsylvania
7Chase Brown223[13] Penn State
8Rocky Harvey215Middle Tennessee
9Rashard Mendenhall214[14] Indiana
10Red Grange212Michigan

Rushing touchdowns

Career
1Howard Griffith311987 1988 1989 1990
2Jason Ford262008 2009 2010 2011
3Thomas Rooks251982 1983 1984 1985
Robert Holcombe251994 1995 1996 1997
5Johnny Karras241949 1950 1951
Jim Grabowski241963 1964 1965
Chubby Phillips241973 1974 1975 1976
8Red Grange231923 1924 1925
Ty Douthard231993 1994 1995 1996
Mikel Leshoure232008 2009 2010
Single season
1Rashard Mendenhall172007
Mikel Leshoure172010
3Howard Griffith151990
4Johnny Karras131951
5Red Grange121924
Robert Holcombe121996
7Keith Jones111988
8Jim Grabowski101964
Steve Havard101999
Chase Brown102022
Single game
1Howard Griffith8[15] Southern Illinois
2Red Grange4Michigan
Antoineo Harris4Indiana

Receiving

Receptions

Career
1David Williams2621983 1984 1985
2Isaiah Williams2142019 2021 2022 2023
3Josh Ferguson1972011 2012 2013 2014
4Jason Dulick1691993 1994 1995 1996
5A. J. Jenkins1672008 2009 2010 2011
6Brandon Lloyd1601999 2000 2001 2002
7John Wright1591965 1966 1967
Arrelious Benn1592007 2008 2009
9Walter Young1471999 2000 2001 2002
10Mike Martin1431979 1980 1981 1982
Single season
1David Williams1011984
2David Williams921985
3A. J. Jenkins902011
4Isaiah Williams82[16] 2022
Isaiah Williams822023
6Mike Martin771982
7Mike Dudek762014
8David Williams691983
9Arrelious Benn672008
10Brandon Lloyd652001
Brandon Lloyd652002
Geronimo Allison652015
Single game
1David Williams16Purdue
2Keith Jones13Michigan State
Steve Hull13[17] Northwestern
Isaiah Williams13[18] Minnesota
5Mike Martin12Ohio State
David Williams12Michigan
Kameno Bell12Ohio State
Brandon Lloyd12Northwestern
Arrelious Benn12Minnesota
A. J. Jenkins12Northwestern

Receiving yards

Career
1David Williams3,3921983 1984 1985
2Brandon Lloyd2,5831999 2000 2001 2002
3A. J. Jenkins2,4322008 2009 2010 2011
4Walter Young2,3821999 2000 2001 2002
5Isaiah Williams2,3042019 2021 2022 2023
6Mike Martin2,3001979 1980 1981 1982
7John Wright2,2841965 1966 1967
8Arrelious Benn2,2212007 2008 2009
9Pat Bryant2,0952021 2022 2023 2024
10Jason Dulick2,0041993 1994 1995 1996
Single season
1David Williams1,2781984
2A. J. Jenkins1,2762011
3David Williams1,1561985
4Mike Martin1,0681982
5Brandon Lloyd1,0622001
6Arrelious Benn1,0552008
Isaiah Williams1,0552023
8Mike Dudek1,0382014
9Brandon Lloyd1,0102002
10Steve Hull9932013
Single game
1A. J. Jenkins268[19] Northwestern
2Steve Hull224Indiana
3Casey Washington218Northwestern
4David Williams208Northwestern
5Mike Dudek200[20] Purdue
Isaiah Williams200Indiana
7Pat Bryant197[21] Rutgers
8Mike Sherrod191Indiana
9Rex Smith188Iowa
David Williams188Minnesota

Receiving touchdowns

Career
1David Williams241983 1984 1985
2Brandon Lloyd211999 2000 2001 2002
3Pat Bryant192021 2022 20232024
A. J. Jenkins192008 2009 2010 2011
5Mike Martin151980 1981 1982
Jason Dulick151993 1994 1995 1996
Walter Young151999 2000 2001 2002
8Isaiah Williams14[22] 2019 2021 2022 2023
9John Wright121965 1966 1967
Oliver Williams121981 1982
Shawn Wax121988 1989 1990
Greg Lewis121999 2000 2001 2002
Josh Imatorbhebhe122019 2020
Single season
1Pat Bryant10[23] 2024
David Williams101985
Brandon Lloyd102001
4Brandon Lloyd92002
Josh Imatorbhebhe9[24] 2019
6Randy Grant81984
David Williams81984
Mike Bellamy81989
Walter Young82001
A. J. Jenkins82011
Single game
1David Williams3Purdue
Mike Bellamy3Indiana
Shawn Wax3Iowa
Gus Palma3Houston
Greg Lewis3Middle Tennessee
A. J. Jenkins3Northwestern
Casey Washington3[25] Northwestern

Total offense

Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.[26]

Total offense yards

Career
1Nathan Scheelhaase10,634 2010 2011 2012 2013
2Juice Williams10,594 2006 2007 2008 2009
3Kurt Kittner8,880 1998 1999 2000 2001
4Jack Trudeau8,640 1981 1983 1984 1985
5Jason Verduzco7,256 1989 1990 1991 1992
6Tony Eason7,002 1981 1982
7Wes Lunt5,602 2014 2015 2016
8Johnny Johnson5,358 1992 1993 1994 1995
9Jon Beutjer5,158 2002 2003 2004
10Jeff George4,767 1988 1989
Single season
1Juice Williams3,892 2008
2Tony Eason3,671 1982
3Nathan Scheelhaase3,543 2013
4Tony Eason3,331 1981
5Jack Trudeau3,321 1985
6Kurt Kittner3,242 2001
7Jason Verduzco2,983 1991
8Dave Wilson2,960 1980
9Jack Trudeau2,797 1984
10Kurt Kittner2,785 1999
Single game
1Dave Wilson585Ohio State
2Juice Williams503Minnesota
3John Paddock499Indiana
4Nathan Scheelhaase495Indiana
5Tony Eason480Wisconsin
6Juice Williams461Missouri
7Tony Eason450Northwestern
8Jason Verduzco445Missouri
9Wes Lunt439Western Kentucky
Luke Altmyer439[27] Purdue

Total touchdowns

Career
1Kurt Kittner77 1998 1999 2000 2001
2Juice Williams74 2006 2007 2008 2009
Nathan Scheelhaase74 2010 2011 2012 2013
4Jack Trudeau60 1981 1983 1984 1985
5Jason Verduzco47 1989 1990 1991 1992
6Tony Eason44 1981 1982
7Jon Beutjer41 2002 2003 2004
8Wes Lunt37 2014 2015 2016
9Johnny Johnson36 1992 1993 1994 1995
Single season
1Kurt Kittner29 2001
2Juice Williams27 2008
3Tony Eason25 1981
Kurt Kittner25 1999
Nathan Scheelhaase25 2013
6Jon Beutjer23 2002
7Jeff George22 1989
Nathan Scheelhaase22 2010
9Tommy DeVito21[28] 2022
10Dave Wilson20 1980
Jack Trudeau20 1983
Juice Williams20 2007
Single game
1Howard Griffith8Southern Illinois

Defense

Interceptions

Career
1Al Brosky301950 1951 1952
2Mike Gow191972 1973 1974
3George Donnelly131962 1963 1964
Mike Heaven131981 1982 1983 1984
Craig Swoope131982 1983 1984 1985
6Red Grange111923 1924 1925
Henry Jones111987 1988 1989 1990
Eugene Wilson111999 2000 2001 2002
9Phil Knell101964 1965 1966 1967 1968
Ron Bess101965 1966 1967
Trevor Starghill101994 1995 1996 1997
Sydney Brown102018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Single season
1Al Brosky111950
Al Brosky111951
3Mike Gow101973
4Al Brosky81952
George Donnelly81964
6Willie Osley71971
7Red Grange61925
Ron Bess61967
Terry Miller61967
Eugene Wilson62001
Sydney Brown6[29] 2022
Single game
1Mike Gow4Stanford
2Mike Gow3Minnesota
Phil Knell3Purdue
Duane Lyle3East Carolina
Eugene Wilson3Penn State

Tackles

Career
1Dana Howard5951991 1992 1993 1994
2John Sullivan5011974 1975 1976 1977 1978
3Darrick Brownlow4831987 1988 1989 1990
4John Gillen4411977 1978 1979 1980
5John Holecek4361991 1992 1993 1994
6Jeremy Leman4072004 2005 2006 2007
7Danny Clark3811996 1997 1998 1999
8Dick Butkus3741962 1963 1964
9Steve Glasson3711986 1987 1988 1989
10Jerry Schumacher3701999 2000 2001 2002
Single season
1John Sullivan2021977
2Scott Studwell1771976
3Darrick Brownlow1661988
4Darrick Brownlow1611990
5John Gillen1551978
6Dele Harding1542019
7Jeremy Leman1522006
8Dana Howard1501992
Dana Howard1501994
10Dana Howard1481993
Single game
1John Sullivan34Minnesota
2John Sullivan27Syracuse
3Bill Burrell26Purdue
4John Sullivan25Ohio State
5Dana Howard24Ohio State

Sacks

Career
1Simeon Rice44.51992 1993 1994 1995
2Scott Davis23.01983 1984 1985 1986 1987
3Fred Wakefield21.01997 1998 1999 2000
4Mike Poloskey20.01988 1989 1990 1991
5Moe Gardner18.01987 1988 1989 1990
Kevin Hardy18.01992 1993 1994 1995
Whitney Mercilus18.02009 2010 2011
Johnny Newton18.0[30] 2020 2021 2022 2023
9Dawuane Smoot15.52013 2014 2015 2016
Owen Carney Jr.15.5[31] 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Single season
1Simeon Rice16.01994
Whitney Mercilus16.02011
3Mike Poloskey15.01991
4Simeon Rice11.51995
5Scott Davis10.01987
6Will Davis9.52007
7Scott Davis9.01985
Moe Gardner9.01989
Mel Agee9.01989
Simeon Rice9.01992
Fred Wakefield9.02000
Carroll Phillips9.02016
Oluwole Betiku Jr.9.0[32] 2019
Single game
1Simeon Rice5.0Washington State
2Mike Poloskey4.0East Carolina
Will Davis4.0Indiana
Clay Nurse4.0Minnesota
5Jeff Weisse3.5Middle Tennessee
Oluwole Betiku Jr.3.5UConn

Kicking

Field goals made

Career
1Chris White531983 1984 1985
2Chris Richardson521991 1992 1993 1994
3Jason Reda512004 2005 2006 2007
4Mike Bass411980 1981 1982
5Doug Higgins391987 1988 1989 1990
Derek Dimke392008 2009 2010 2011
7Dan Beaver381973 1974 1975 1976
8James McCourt372019 2020 2021
9Taylor Zalewski352012 2013 2014 2015
10Neil Rackers341996 1997 1998 1999
Single season
1Mike Bass241982
Chris White241984
Derek Dimke242010
4Neil Rackers201999
5James McCourt18[33] 2021
6Jason Reda162007
Taylor Zalewski162015
8Chris White151985
Jason Reda152006
Matt Eller152008
Single game
1Dan Beaver5Purdue
Mike Bass5Wisconsin
Chris White5Wisconsin
Doug Higgins5Michigan State

Field goal percentage

Career
1Derek Dimke84.8%2008 2009 2010 2011
2Peter Christofilakos84.0%1999 2000 2001 2002
3Jason Reda75.0%2004 2005 2006 2007
4Mike Bass74.5%1980 1981 1982
5Caleb Griffin74.4%[34] 2020 2021 2022 2023
6Chris White73.6%1983 1984 1985
7Chris Richardson71.2%1991 1992 1993 1994
8James McCourt71.2%2019 2020 2021
9Doug Higgins68.4%1987 1988 1989 1990
10Neil Rackers66.7%1996 1997 1998 1999<-- In case McCourt drops out fo the top 10
11Taylor Zalewski63.6%2012 2013 2014 2015-->
Single season
1Peter Christofilakos92.3%2001
2Jason Reda88.9%2007
3Mike Bass85.7%1982
Chris White85.7%1984
5Derek Dimke83.3%2011
6Derek Dimke82.8%2010
7Mike Wells80.0%1970
8Jason Reda78.9%2006
9James McCourt78.3%2021
10Neil Rackers76.9%1999

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2015 Illinois Fighting Illini Media Guide. 2016-07-09. FightingIllini.com.
  2. Web site: NCAA changes policy on football stats. 2002-08-28. 2014-09-11. ESPN.com. AP.
  3. Web site: West Lunt . 2016-11-30 . ESPN.com .
  4. Web site: Defense key as Minnesota takes down Illinois . https://web.archive.org/web/20141107110853/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=282850356 . dead . November 7, 2014 . 2008-10-11 . ESPN.com .
  5. Web site: Illini come back to knock off W. Kentucky, 42-34 . 2014-09-06 . ESPN.com .
  6. Web site: Missouri 52, Illinois 42 . 2008-08-30 . ESPN.com .
  7. Web site: Indiana defeats Illinois 52-35 . 2013-11-09 . ESPN.com .
  8. Web site: Reilly O'Toole throws for 5 TDs as Illinois blanks Charleston Southern . 2012-09-15 . ESPN.com .
  9. Web site: Illinois blows by Miami (OH), 50-14 . 2013-09-28 . ESPN.com .
  10. Web site: Chase Brown.
  11. Web site: Mikel Leshoure runs rampant as Illinois stomps Northwestern at Wrigley . https://archive.today/20130216040624/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=303240077 . dead . February 16, 2013 . 2010-11-20 . ESPN.com .
  12. Web site: Charlotte vs. Illinois Box Score. ESPN.com. October 2, 2021. October 2, 2021.
  13. Web site: Illinois vs. Penn State Box Score. ESPN.com. October 23, 2021. October 25, 2021.
  14. Web site: Illini trample Hoosiers to end losing streak in Big Ten openers . 2007-09-15 . ESPN.com .
  15. Web site: Griffith Gets 8 Touchdowns in Illini Win . 1990-09-23 . . Associated Press.
  16. Web site: Isaiah Williams. ESPN.com.
  17. Web site: Northwestern closes with 37-34 win over Illinois . 2013-11-30 . ESPN.com .
  18. Web site: Illinois vs. Minnesota Box Score. ESPN.com. November 4, 2023. November 7, 2023.
  19. Web site: Illinois completes comeback in final minute to defeat rival Northwestern . https://web.archive.org/web/20130722173017/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=312740356 . dead . July 22, 2013 . 2011-10-01 . ESPN.com .
  20. Web site: Purdue runs past Illinois 38-27 . 2014-10-04 . ESPN.com .
  21. Web site: Illinois vs. Rutgers Box Score . 2024-11-23 . ESPN.com .
  22. Web site: Isaiah Williams. ESPN.com.
  23. Web site: Pat Bryant. ESPN.com.
  24. Web site: Josh Imatorbhebhe. ESPN.com.
  25. Web site: Northwestern vs. Illinois Box Score. ESPN.com. November 25, 2023. November 30, 2023.
  26. Web site: Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2008-01-03. August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071201142013/http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/football/football_records_book/2007/2007_d1_football_records_book.pdf . 2007-12-01.
  27. Web site: Illinois vs. Purdue Box Score. ESPN.com. October 12, 2024. October 13, 2024.
  28. Web site: Tommy DeVito. ESPN.com.
  29. Web site: Sydney Brown. ESPN.com.
  30. Web site: Jer'Zhan Newton. ESPN.com.
  31. Web site: Owen Carney Jr.. ESPN.com.
  32. Web site: Oluwole Betiku Jr.. ESPN.com.
  33. Web site: James McCourt. ESPN.com.
  34. Web site: Caleb Griffin. ESPN.com.

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