Michigan Wolverines football statistical leaders explained
The lists of Michigan Wolverines football statistical leaders identify individual statistical leaders of the Michigan Wolverines football program in various offensive categories, including passing, rushing, and receptions. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season and career leaders in yardage, number (receptions, rushes or passes), and touchdowns. Statistics accumulated after transferring from or before transferring to Michigan are not included here. The Michigan Wolverines football program is a college football team that represents the University of Michigan in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Big Ten Conference.
Passing leaders. Michigan's career leader in passing yardage is Chad Henne with 9,715 passing yards from 2004 to 2007. Henne also holds the career records in completions (828) and touchdown passes (87). John Navarre holds the records for passing yards in a single season (3,331), set during the 2003 season. Devin Gardner holds the record for passing yards in a single game (503) against Indiana in 2013. Tom Brady holds the school's record for most completions in a game, having completed 34 passes against Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl.
Rushing leaders. Michigan's career leader in rushing yards is Mike Hart with 5,040 rushing yards from 2004 to 2007. Hart also holds the career record with 1,050 carries. Tim Biakabutuka holds the single-season record with 1,818 rushing yards during the 1995 season. Ron Johnson holds the single-game record with 347 rushing yards in a game against Wisconsin during the 1967 season. Willie Heston, who played on Fielding H. Yost's "Point-a-Minute" teams from 1901 to 1904, holds the career record for rushing touchdowns with 72. Blake Corum holds the records for most rushing touchdowns in a season (27), setting the record during Michigan’s 2023 national championship campaign. Albert E. Herrnstein owns the single-game touchdown record (7), having set the mark for the 1902 team.
Receiving leaders. Michigan receiving records are dominated by Braylon Edwards who played for Michigan from 2001 to 2004. When Edwards finished, he held the records for most career receiving yards (3,541),[1] receptions (252),[2] and touchdowns (39).[3] In 2004, Edwards also set the single-season records for receiving yards (1,330) and receptions (97).[4] However, in 2013 his single-season record for receiving yards was surpassed by Jeremy Gallon, who finished the season with 1,373 yards.[5] Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard holds the single season record with 19 touchdown catches during the 1991 season.[6] Michigan's single-game records are held by Jeremy Gallon (369 receiving yards, Indiana, October 19, 2013),[7] Marquise Walker (15 receptions twice, Ohio State, November 24, 2001 and Washington, September 8, 2001), and Derrick Alexander (4 touchdown receptions, Minnesota, October 24, 1992).[8]
Historical caveats. Although Michigan began competing in intercollegiate football in 1879,[9] the school's official statistical database only tracks offensive statistics since 1949.[10] Definitive tracking of most defensive statistics dates only to 1965, and tracking of sacks did not start until 1979. Field goal statistics have only been included since 1984, and a complete database of field goal statistics (i.e., down to the level of individual games) dates only to 1997.
Because the official database commences in 1949, many statistical achievements are overlooked in these lists. For example, Dick Rifenburg's career receiving statistics are not included in the official database despite the fact that his 16 career and eight single-season touchdowns were recognized as school records until 1980.[11]
Where pre-1949 records are available from reliable sources, they have been included below with yellow shading. Because there is no complete database of pre-1949 records, such records are incomplete and may not be considered "official" records.
With playing seasons extending progressively from relatively short four-games seasons in the 19th century to the current 12-game regular seasons, conference championship games, and bowl games,[12] and with players being eligible to play four years of college football starting in 1972,[13] as well as the NCAA's decision to not count the COVID-affected 2020 season against the athletic eligibility of any football player,[14] the lists tend to be dominated by more recent players.
Passing
Completions
Passing yards
Career| 1 | Chad Henne | 9,715 | 2004 2005 2006 2007 |
| 2 | John Navarre | 9,254 | 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
| 3 | Elvis Grbac | 6,460 | 1989 1990 1991 1992 |
| 4 | Devin Gardner | 6,336 | 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
| 5 | Denard Robinson | 6,250 | 2009 2010 2011 2012 |
| 6 | J. J. McCarthy | 6,226 | 2021 2022 2023 |
| 7 | Todd Collins | 5,858 | 1991 1992 1993 1994 |
| 8 | Shea Patterson | 5,661 | 2018 2019 |
| 9 | Jim Harbaugh | 5,449 | 1983 1984 1985 1986 |
| 10 | Tom Brady | 5,351 | 1996 1997 1998 1999 | |
Single season| 1 | John Navarre | 3,331 | 2003 |
| 2 | Shea Patterson | 3,061 | 2019 |
| 3 | Jake Rudock | 3,017 | 2015 |
| 4 | J. J. McCarthy | 2,991 | 2023 |
| 5 | Devin Gardner | 2,960 | 2013 |
| 6 | John Navarre | 2,905 | 2002 |
| 7 | Chad Henne | 2,743 | 2004 |
| 8 | Jim Harbaugh | 2,729 | 1986 |
| 9 | J. J. McCarthy | 2,719 | 2022 |
| 10 | Tom Brady | 2,636 | 1998 | |
Passing touchdowns
Rushing
Rushing yards
Career| 1 | Mike Hart | 5,040 | 2004 2005 2006 2007 |
| 2 | Denard Robinson | 4,495 | 2009 2010 2011 2012 |
| 3 | Anthony Thomas | 4,472 | 1997 1998 1999 2000 |
| 4 | Jamie Morris | 4,392 | 1984 1985 1986 1987 |
| 5 | Tyrone Wheatley | 4,178 | 1991 1992 1993 1994 |
| 6 | Butch Woolfolk | 3,850 | 1978 1979 1980 1981 |
| 7 | Blake Corum | 3,737 | 2020 2021 2022 2023 |
| 8 | Chris Perry | 3,696 | 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
| 9 | Rob Lytle | 3,307 | 1973 1974 1975 1976 |
| 10 | Billy Taylor | 3,072 | 1969 1970 1971 | |
Single season| 1 | Tim Biakabutuka | 1,818 | 1995 |
| 2 | Anthony Thomas | 1,733 | 2000 |
| 3 | Jamie Morris | 1,703 | 1987 |
| 4 | Denard Robinson | 1,702 | 2010 |
| 5 | Chris Perry | 1,674 | 2003 |
| 6 | Mike Hart | 1,562 | 2006 |
| 7 | Rob Lytle | 1,469 | 1976 |
| 8 | Blake Corum | 1,463 | 2022 |
| 9 | Butch Woolfolk | 1,459 | 1981 |
| 10 | Mike Hart | 1,455 | 2004 | |
Rushing touchdowns
Records for years prior to 1949 are not included in the University of Michigan's statistical records database. Where pre-1949 records are available from reliable sources, they have been included below with yellow shading. Because there is no complete database of pre-1949 records, such records are incomplete and may not be considered "official" records. Unless otherwise indicated, touchdown totals in this section are taken from the 2011 Michigan Football Record Book.[17]
Receiving
Receptions
Receiving yards
Career| 1 | Braylon Edwards | 3,541 | 2001 2002 2003 2004 |
| 2 | Anthony Carter | 3,076 | 1979 1980 1981 1982 |
| 3 | Jeremy Gallon | 2,704 | 2010 2011 2012 2013 |
| 4 | Amani Toomer | 2,657 | 1992 1993 1994 1995 |
| 5 | David Terrell | 2,317 | 1998 1999 2000 |
| 6 | Mario Manningham | 2,310 | 2005 2006 2007 |
| 7 | Roy Roundtree | 2,304 | 2009 2010 2011 2012 |
| 8 | Tai Streets | 2,284 | 1995 1996 1997 1998 |
| 9 | Ronnie Bell | 2,269 | 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 |
| Marquise Walker | 2,269 | 1998 1999 2000 2001 | |
Single season| 1 | Jeremy Gallon | 1,373 | 2013 |
| 2 | Braylon Edwards | 1,330 | 2004 |
| 3 | Mario Manningham | 1,174 | 2007 |
| 4 | Marquise Walker | 1,143 | 2001 |
| 5 | Braylon Edwards | 1,138 | 2003 |
| 6 | David Terrell | 1,130 | 2000 |
| 7 | Amani Toomer | 1,096 | 1994 |
| 8 | Jack Clancy | 1,077 | 1966 |
| 9 | David Terrell | 1,038 | 1999 |
| 10 | Tai Streets | 1,035 | 1998 |
| Braylon Edwards | 1,035 | 2002 | |
Receiving touchdowns
Total offense
Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.[20]
Michigan does not include total offense records in its current statistical database.
Total offense yards
Career| 1 | Denard Robinson | 10,745 | 2009 2010 2011 2012 |
| 2 | Chad Henne | 9,400 | 2004 2005 2006 2007 |
| 3 | John Navarre | 9,031 | 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
| 4 | Devin Gardner | 7,252 | 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
| 5 | J. J. McCarthy | 6,858 | 2021 2022 2023 |
| 6 | Steve Smith | 6,554 | 1980 1981 1982 1983 |
| 7 | Rick Leach | 6,460 | 1975 1976 1977 1978 |
| 8 | Elvis Grbac | 6,221 | 1989 1990 1991 1992 |
| 9 | Shea Patterson | 5,984 | |
| 10 | Jim Harbaugh | 5,745 | 1983 1984 1985 1986 | |
Single season| 1 | Denard Robinson | 4,272 | 2010 |
| 2 | Devin Gardner | 3,443 | 2013 |
| 3 | Denard Robinson | 3,349 | 2011 |
| 4 | John Navarre | 3,276 | 2003 |
| 5 | J. J. McCarthy | 3,193 | 2023 |
| 6 | Jake Rudock | 3,183 | 2015 |
| 7 | Shea Patterson | 3,111 | 2019 |
| 8 | J. J. McCarthy | 3,025 | 2022 |
| 9 | John Navarre | 2,889 | 2002 |
| 10 | Shea Patterson | 2,873 | 2018 | |
Touchdowns responsible for
"Touchdowns responsible for" is the official NCAA designation for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.[30]
Defense
Interceptions
Tackles
Sacks
Kicking
Field goals made
Field goal percentage
Margin of victory
Season
| Rank | Year | Coach | Points for | Points against | Delta |
|---|
| 1 | 1902 | Yost | 644 | 12 | 632 |
| 2 | 1903 | Yost | 565 | 6 | 559 |
| 3 | 1901 | Yost | 550 | 0 | 550 |
| 4 | 1904 | Yost | 567 | 22 | 545 |
| 5 | 1905 | Yost | 495 | 2 | 493 |
| 6 | 2023 | Harbaugh | 538 | 156 | 382 |
| 7 (tie) | 1947 | Crisler | 394 | 53 | 341 |
| 7 (tie) | 2016 | Harbaugh | 524 | 183 | 341 |
| 7 (tie) | 2022 | Harbaugh | 566 | 225 | 341 |
| 10 | 1971 | Schembechler | 421 | 83 | 338 | |
Game (overall)
| Rank | Year | Opponent | Margin | Score |
|---|
| 1 | 1904 | West Virginia | 130 | 130–0 |
| 2 | 1901 | Buffalo | 128 | 128–0 |
| 3 | 1902 | Michigan State | 119 | 119–0 |
| 4 | 1902 | Iowa | 107 | 107–0 |
| 5 | 1904 | Kalamazoo | 95 | 95–0 |
| 6 | 1901 | Beloit | 89 | 89–0 |
| 7 (tie) | 1902 | Albion | 88 | 88–0 |
| 7 (tie) | 1903 | Ferris | 88 | 88–0 |
| 9 | 1902 | Ohio State | 86 | 86–0 |
| 10 | 1939 | Chicago | 85 | 85–0 | |
Game (modern era)
| Rank | Date | Opponent | Margin | Score |
|---|
| 1 | 2016 | Rutgers | 78 | 78–0 |
| 2 (tie) | 1947 | Pittsburgh | 69 | 69–0 |
| 2 (tie) | 1975 | Northwestern | 69 | 69–0 |
| 4 | 2016 | Hawaii | 60 | 63–3 |
| 5 | 2022 | UConn | 59 | 59–0 |
| 6 (tie) | 2000 | Indiana | 58 | 58–0 |
| 6 (tie) | 2011 | Minnesota | 58 | 58–0 |
| 8 (tie) | 1969 | Illinois | 57 | 57–0 |
| 8 (tie) | 2009 | Delaware State | 57 | 63–6 |
| 10 (tie) | 1971 | Virginia | 56 | 56–0 |
| 10 (tie) | 1971 | Iowa | 56 | 63–7 |
| 10 (tie) | 1977 | Wisconsin | 56 | 56–0 |
| 10 (tie) | 1986 | | Illinois | 56 | 69–13 |
| 10 (tie) | 2016 | Maryland | 56 | 59–3 | |
Notes and References
- Web site: Career Leaders and Records for Receiving Yards. July 28, 2014. Sports-Reference: College Football. Sports Reference LLC.
- Web site: Career Leaders and Records for Receptions. July 28, 2014. Sports-Reference: College Football . Sports Reference LLC .
- Web site: Career Leaders and Records for Receiving Touchdowns. July 28, 2014. Sports-Reference: College Football . Sports Reference LLC .
- Web site: Single Season Leaders and Records for Receptions. July 28, 2014 . Sports-Reference: College Football . Sports Reference LLC .
- Web site: Single Season Leaders and Records for Receiving Yards. July 28, 2014. Sports-Reference: College Football . Sports Reference LLC .
- Web site: Single Season Leaders and Records for Receiving Touchdowns. July 28, 2014. Sports-Reference: College Football . Sports Reference LLC .
- Web site: Michigan's Jeremy Gallon Sets Big Ten Record for Most Receiving Yards in a Game. October 19, 2013. July 28, 2014. Bleacher Report. Bleacher Report, Inc./Turner Broadcasting System, Inc..
- Web site: Michigan Football Record Book. July 28, 2014. MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive Advanced Media.
- Web site: University of Michigan Football Annual Team Records. October 8, 2011. mgoblue.com.
- Web site: 2015 Michigan Football Media Guide. August 21, 2016. MGoBlue.com.
- News: Northrop, Milt. Delectable Subplots Await in Season's Homestretch. Buffalo News. December 7, 1994.
- Web site: 1887 Football Team. The Regents of the University of Michigan. March 31, 2007.
- Web site: Big Ten Football: Individual Records (All Games). December 5, 2007. The Big Ten Conference.
- News: NCAA approves blanket waiver for 2020 fall sports athletes to retain year of eligibility . David . Cobb . CBSSports.com . August 21, 2020 . November 27, 2021.
- Web site: Michigan State vs. Michigan Box Score. ESPN.com. October 31, 2020. November 1, 2020.
- Web site: Michigan vs. Michigan State Box Score. ESPN.com. October 30, 2021. November 1, 2021.
- Web site: Michigan Football Record Book. University of Michigan. 2011. 122.
- Web site: NCAA Football's Finest. NCAA. 2002. May 4, 2012. (In 2002, the NCAA published "NCAA Football's Finest," researched and compiled by the NCAA Statistics Service. The compilers were able to find rushing statistics for only 17 of Heston's 36 games for Michigan.)
- Paul Magoffin's total is for all touchdowns during the 1907 game against Michigan Agricultural College. No breakdown is readily available to determine whether any of his touchdowns were receiving touchdowns.
- Web site: 2021 Football Bowl Subdivision Records . NCAA . 9 . December 4, 2021.
- Web site: Devin Gardner, Jeremy Gallon set records in Michigan's shootout win . October 19, 2013 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: No. 14 Michigan hangs on for 48-41 win over Indiana in 2OT . November 14, 2015 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: Michigan's Denard Robinson caps stellar performance with winning TD . https://web.archive.org/web/20160822185535/http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap/_/id/302540087 . dead . August 22, 2016 . September 11, 2010 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: Denard Robinson scores with 17 seconds left as Michigan breaks Indiana . October 2, 2010 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: Ohio State survives when Michigan's 2-point attempt fails . November 30, 2013 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: Michigan erases 10-point halftime deficit to beat Northwestern . October 8, 2011 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: Michigan scores with 2 seconds left, stuns Irish . September 10, 2011 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: Denard Robinson carries Michigan to hard-fought win over Air Force . September 8, 2012 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: Denard Robinson accounts for 4 TDs as No. 17 Michigan routs Umass . September 15, 2012 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: 2021 Football Bowl Subdivision Records . NCAA . 12 . December 4, 2021.
- Web site: Quinn Nordin. ESPN.com.
