BYU Cougars football statistical leaders

The BYU Cougars football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the BYU Cougars football program in various categories,[1] including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, all-purpose yardage, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Cougars represent Brigham Young University as a member of the NCAA Division I FBS Big 12 Conference.

Although BYU began competing in intercollegiate football in 1922,[1] these lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons:

  • Since 1922, seasons have increased from 6 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 Cougars have played in 16 bowl games since then, allowing many recent players an extra game to accumulate statistics.
  • Similarly, the Cougars have played games at Hawaii 16 times since 1978. When a team plays at Hawaii, they are allowed to schedule another game beyond the usual limit.[3]
  • 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.[4]
  • The Big 12 has held a championship game during two different periods—first from 1996–2010, and since 2017. Should BYU qualify for this game in any season, it will be assured of playing at least 14 games.

These lists are updated to the end of the 2021 season.

Passing

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Passing yards

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Passing touchdowns

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Rushing

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Rushing yards

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Rushing touchdowns

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Receiving

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Receptions

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Receiving yards

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Receiving touchdowns

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Total offense

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Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.[13]

Total offense yards

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Touchdowns responsible for

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"Touchdowns responsible for" is the official NCAA term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.

All-purpose yardage

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All-purpose yardage is the sum of all yards credited to a player who is in possession of the ball. It includes rushing, receiving, and returns, but does not include passing.[13]

BYU does not list a complete top 10 in all-purpose yardage over any time frame (career, season, game), only listing the top 5 for each. It also does not break down its leaders' performances by type of play.[1]

Defense

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Interceptions

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Tackles

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Sacks

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Kicking

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Field goals made

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Field goal percentage

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "2020 BYU Football Almanac" (PDF). BYU Cougars. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  2. ^ "NCAA changes policy on football stats". ESPN.com. AP. August 28, 2002. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  3. ^ Kelley, Kevin (May 28, 2010). "The Hawaii Exemption". FBSSchedules.com.
  4. ^ Cobb, David (August 21, 2020). "NCAA approves blanket waiver for 2020 fall sports athletes to retain year of eligibility". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Tyler Allgeier". ESPN.com.
  6. ^ a b "Williams has 5 TDs; Almond's FG lifts BYU over Toledo 55-53". ESPN.com. September 30, 2016.
  7. ^ "BYU tramples No. 15 Texas behind Taysom Hill's 259 rushing yards". ESPN.com. September 7, 2013.
  8. ^ "Fajardo leads Nevada comeback, 42-35 win over BYU". ESPN.com. October 19, 2014.
  9. ^ "BYU vs. Boise State Box Score". ESPN.com. November 5, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Isaac Rex". ESPN.com.
  11. ^ "BYU 50, New Mexico St. 14". ESPN.com. November 24, 2012.
  12. ^ "BYU 49, Colorado St. 10". ESPN.com. November 13, 2010. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Record Book" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2007. Retrieved January 3, 2008.
  14. ^ "Kai Nacua". BYUCougars.com. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  15. ^ a b c d "Jake Oldroyd". ESPN.com.
  16. ^ a b "Will Ferrin". ESPN.com.