Ohio State Buckeyes football statistical leaders explained
The Ohio State Buckeyes football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Ohio State Buckeyes 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 Buckeyes represent the Ohio State University in the NCAA's Big Ten Conference.
Although Ohio State began competing in intercollegiate football in 1890, the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in 1944. 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 1944, 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.
- 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.[2]
- The NCAA only began counting bowl games toward single-season and career statistics in 2002.[3] The Buckeyes have played in 21 bowl games since then, giving many recent players at least one additional game to accumulate statistics. Since the current College Football Playoff was established in 2014, the Buckeyes have advanced to the CFP title game in 2014 and 2020, giving players in those seasons a second extra game to accumulate statistics. However, Ohio State's official record books included bowl games in single-season and career statistics long before the NCAA made it official policy.
- The Big Ten instituted a championship game starting in 2011, allowing the top team in each division to play another game each season. The Buckeyes have played in this game six times.
- Since former head coach Urban Meyer arrived in 2012, the Buckeyes have run a spread option offense. 2013 saw the most offensive yards in school history, and the 2014 team passed that mark. The emphasis on dual-threat quarterbacks has led to Braxton Miller and J. T. Barrett entering the leaderboards.
The Ohio State Media Guide does not include 2010 statistics for Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, and DeVier Posey due to NCAA sanctions, but they are reflected here.
Passing
Passing yards
Career| 1 | J. T. Barrett | 9,434 | 2014 2015 2016 2017 |
| 2 | C. J. Stroud | 8,123[4] | |
| 3 | Art Schlichter | 7,547 | 1978 1979 1980 1981 |
| 4 | Bobby Hoying | 7,232 | 1992 1993 1994 1995 |
| 5 | Joe Germaine | 6,370 | 1996 1997 1998 |
| 6 | Greg Frey | 6,316 | 1987 1988 1989 1990 |
| 7 | Terrelle Pryor | 6,177 | 2008 2009 2010 |
| 8 | Steve Bellisari | 5,878 | 1998 1999 2000 2001 |
| 9 | Troy Smith | 5,720 | 2003 2004 2005 2006 |
| 10 | Mike Tomczak | 5,569 | 1981 1982 1983 1984 | |
Single season| 1 | Dwayne Haskins | 4,831 | 2018 |
| 2 | C. J. Stroud | 4,435 | 2021 |
| 3 | C. J. Stroud | 3,688 | 2022 |
| 4 | Joe Germaine | 3,330 | 1998 |
| 5 | Justin Fields | 3,273 | 2019 |
| 6 | Bobby Hoying | 3,269 | 1995 |
| 7 | Kyle McCord | 3,170 | 2023 |
| 8 | J. T. Barrett | 3,053 | 2017 |
| 9 | J. T. Barrett | 2,834[5] | 2014 |
| 10 | Terrelle Pryor | 2,772 | 2010 |
|
Passing touchdowns
Rushing
Rushing attempts
Rushing yards
Career| 1 | Archie Griffin | 5,589 | 1972 1973 1974 1975 |
| 2 | J. K. Dobbins | 4,459 | 2017 2018 2019 |
| 3 | Ezekiel Elliott | 3,961 | |
| 4 | Eddie George | 3,768 | 1992 1993 1994 1995 |
| 5 | Tim Spencer | 3,553 | 1979 1980 1981 1982 |
| 6 | Beanie Wells | 3,382 | 2006 2007 2008 |
| 7 | Braxton Miller | 3,314 | 2011 2012 2013 2015 |
| 8 | J. T. Barrett | 3,263 | 2014 2015 2016 2017 |
| 9 | Keith Byars | 3,200 | |
| 10 | Carlos Hyde | 3,198 | 2010 2011 2012 2013 | |
Single season| 1 | J. K. Dobbins | 2,003 | 2019 |
| 2 | Eddie George | 1,927 | 1995 |
| 3 | Ezekiel Elliott | 1,878 | 2014 |
| 4 | Ezekiel Elliott | 1,821 | 2015 |
| 5 | Keith Byars | 1,764 | 1984 |
| 6 | Archie Griffin | 1,695 | 1974 |
| 7 | Beanie Wells | 1,609 | 2007 |
| 8 | Archie Griffin | 1,577 | 1973 |
| 9 | Tim Spencer | 1,538 | 1982 |
| 10 | Carlos Hyde | 1,521 | 2013 | |
Rushing touchdowns
Receiving
Receptions
Receiving yards
Career| 1 | Michael Jenkins | 2,898 | 2001 2002 2003 |
| 2 | David Boston | 2,855 | 1996 1997 1998 |
| 3 | Gary Williams | 2,792 | 1979 1980 1981 1982 |
| 4 | Cris Carter | 2,725 | 1984 1985 1986 |
| 5 | Chris Olave | 2,711 | 2018 2019 2020 2021 |
| 6 | Marvin Harrison Jr. | 2,613 | 2021 2022 2023 |
| 7 | Devin Smith | 2,503[31] | 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
| 8 | K. J. Hill | 2,332 | |
| 9 | Santonio Holmes | 2,295 | 2003 2004 2005 |
| 10 | Doug Donley | 2,252 | 1977 1978 1979 1980 | |
Single season| 1 | Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 1,606 | 2021 |
| 2 | David Boston | 1,435 | 1998 |
| 3 | Terry Glenn | 1,411 | 1995 |
| 4 | Marvin Harrison Jr. | 1,263 | 2022 |
| 5 | Marvin Harrison Jr. | 1,211 | 2023 |
| 6 | Emeka Egbuka | 1,151 | 2022 |
| 7 | Cris Carter | 1,127 | 1986 |
| 8 | Michael Jenkins | 1,076 | 2002 |
| 9 | Parris Campbell | 1,063 | 2018 |
| 10 | Garrett Wilson | 1,058 | 2021 |
|
Receiving touchdowns
Total offense
Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.[36]
Total offense yards
Career| 1 | J. T. Barrett | 12,697 | 2014 2015 2016 2017 |
| 2 | Braxton Miller | 8,950 | 2011 2012 2013 2015 |
| 3 | Art Schlichter | 8,850 | 1978 1979 1980 1981 |
| 4 | Terrelle Pryor | 8,341 | 2008 2009 2010 |
| 5 | C. J. Stroud | 8,259 | 2020 2021 2022 |
| 6 | Bobby Hoying | 7,151 | 1992 1993 1994 1995 |
| 7 | Troy Smith | 6,888 | 2003 2004 2005 2006 |
| 8 | Steve Bellisari | 6,496 | 1998 1999 2000 2001 |
| 9 | Justin Fields | 6,240 | 2019 2020 |
| 10 | Greg Frey | 6,098 | 1987 1988 1989 1990 |
|
Single season| 1 | Dwayne Haskins | 4,939 | 2018 |
| 2 | C. J. Stroud | 4,415 | 2021 |
| 3 | J. T. Barrett | 3,851 | 2017 |
| 4 | C. J. Stroud | 3,796 | 2022 |
| 5 | J. T. Barrett | 3,772 | 2014 |
| 6 | Justin Fields | 3,757 | 2019 |
| 7 | Terrelle Pryor | 3,526 | 2010 |
| 8 | J. T. Barrett | 3,400 | 2016 |
| 9 | Braxton Miller | 3,310 | 2012 |
| 10 | Bobby Hoying | 3,290 | 1995 | |
Touchdowns responsible for
"Touchdowns responsible for" is the NCAA's official term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.[39]
Defense
Interceptions
Tackles
Sacks
Kicking
Field goals made
Field goal percentage
Yearly
Notes and References
- Web site: 2014 Ohio State Buckeyes Media Guide. 2014-11-16. OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
- 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: NCAA changes policy on football stats. 2002-08-28. 2014-09-11. ESPN.com. AP.
- Web site: C. J. Stroud. ESPN.com.
- Web site: J. T. Barrett. 2017-01-01. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Box Score: Rose Bowl Game Presented by Capital One Venture . ESPN.com . January 1, 2022 . January 1, 2022.
- Web site: Northwestern vs. Ohio State Box Score. ESPN.com. December 1, 2018. November 21, 2020.
- Web site: Oregon vs. Ohio State Box Score. ESPN.com. September 11, 2021. September 12, 2021.
- Web site: Box Score: Minnesota vs. Ohio State . ESPN.com . October 13, 2018 . October 13, 2018.
- Web site: Braxton Miller. 2016-01-02. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Dwayne Haskins Stats . 2018-11-26 . ohiostatebuckeyes.com .
- Web site: Justin Fields. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Kenny Guiton sets Ohio State touchdown record in 76-0 laugher . 2013-09-21 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: J. T. Barrett ties Ohio State record with 6 TD passes in rout . 2014-09-13 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: No. 6 Ohio St posts record romp over Bowling Green 77-10. 2016-09-03 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: Ohio State vs. Clemson - Box Score - January 1, 2021 - ESPN.
- Web site: Ohio State vs. Michigan State - Box Score - November 20, 2021 - ESPN.
- Web site: Ohio State vs. Michigan State - Box Score - October 8, 2022 - ESPN.
- Web site: Ohio State vs. Rutgers Box Score. ESPN.com. October 2, 2021. October 2, 2021.
- Web site: Ohio State vs. Maryland Box Score. ESPN.com. October 9, 2021. October 9, 2021.
- Web site: Box Score: Oregon State vs. Ohio State . ESPN.com . September 1, 2018 . September 1, 2018.
- Web site: Box Score: Tulane vs. Ohio State . ESPN.com . September 22, 2018 . September 22, 2018.
- Web site: Box Score: Toledo vs. Ohio State . ESPN.com . September 27, 2022 . September 17, 2022.
- Web site: Box Score: Wisconsin vs. Ohio State . ESPN.com . September 27, 2022 . September 17, 2022.
- Web site: Box Score: Indiana vs. Ohio State . ESPN.com . November 12, 2022 . November 12, 2022.
- Web site: Tulsa vs. Ohio State Box Score. ESPN.com. September 18, 2021. September 19, 2021.
- Web site: Ezekiel Elliott. 2016-01-02. ESPN.com.
- Web site: 2022 Rutgers. 2022-10-01. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Curtis Samuel. 2017-01-01. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Braxton Miller, No. 14 Ohio State hold off No. 20 Michigan State . 2012-09-29 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: Devin Smith. 2015-01-13. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Ohio State survives on last-second field goal . https://web.archive.org/web/20141023012810/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=242550194 . dead . October 23, 2014 . 2004-09-11 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: Ohio State blows out Wisconsin for statement win in Big Ten title game . 2014-12-06. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Purdue vs. Ohio State Box Score. ESPN.com. November 13, 2021. November 15, 2021.
- Web site: Arkansas State vs. Ohio State Box Score. ESPN.com. October 8, 2022. October 8, 2022.
- Web site: 2021 Football Bowl Subdivision Records . NCAA . 9 . December 4, 2021.
- Web site: Ohio State vs. Purdue Box Score. ESPN.com. October 20, 2018. September 12, 2021.
- Web site: Box Score: Indiana vs. Ohio State . ESPN.com . October 6, 2018 . October 6, 2018.
- Web site: 2021 Football Bowl Subdivision Records . NCAA . 12 . December 4, 2021.
- Web site: Anders . Andy . Football: Chase Young declares for NFL Draft . The Lantern . January 3, 2020 . March 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200406225649/https://www.thelantern.com/2020/01/ohio-state-football-chase-young-declares-for-nfl-draft-2/ . April 6, 2020 . live.
- Web site: Kaufman . Joey . Chase Young a Heisman finalist despite playing defense, being suspended . Buckeyextra.com . The Columbus Dispatch . December 13, 2019 . December 24, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191224230059/https://www.buckeyextra.com/sports/20191213/ohio-state-football--chase-young-heisman-finalist-despite-playing-defense-being-suspended . December 24, 2019 . live.
- Web site: Buckeyes' Smith throws 3 TDs as Spartans falter . https://web.archive.org/web/20131109015115/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=252880194 . dead . November 9, 2013 . 2005-10-15 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: Ohio St. gets Big Ten record 20th straight conference win . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129032415/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=273070194 . dead . November 29, 2014 . 2007-11-03 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: Ohio State stays perfect after beating Wisconsin in OT . 2012-11-17 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: Heisman Watch: Chase Young Crashes Quarterback Party . . November 14, 2019 . October 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191031175718/https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/page/HeismanWatch191029/heisman-watch-chase-young-crashes-quarterback-party . October 31, 2019 . live.
- Web site: Buckeyes' national title hopes still intact . https://web.archive.org/web/20131218011557/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=223200356 . dead . December 18, 2013 . 2002-11-16 . ESPN.com .
- Web site: Buckeyes prevail behind five Nugent field goals . https://archive.today/20150118010443/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=242620152. dead. January 18, 2015. 2004-09-18. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Late score lifts Texas to second straight Big Ten win. https://web.archive.org/web/20131205180111/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=252530194. dead. December 5, 2013. 2005-09-10. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Ohio St. picks off Jacory Harris 4 times; Terrelle Pryor scores 2 TDs . https://web.archive.org/web/20131218091807/http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=302540194. dead. December 18, 2013. 2010-09-11. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Blake Haubeil. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Jayden Fielding. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Tyler Durbin. 2017-01-01. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Noah Ruggles. ESPN.com.
