Michigan State Spartans football statistical leaders

The Michigan State Spartans football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Michigan State Spartans football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, total offense, receiving, defensive stats, kicking, and scoring. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, Single season and career leaders. The Spartans represent Michigan State University in the NCAA's Big Ten Conference.

Although Michigan State began competing in intercollegiate football in 1896, the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in 1945. 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 1945, 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. Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002. The Spartans have played in 10 bowl games since then. Similarly, the Spartans have played in the Big Ten Championship Game three times since it began in 2011, so players in those seasons had 14 games to accumulate statistics. Due to COVID-19 disruptions, the NCAA ruled that the 2020 season would not be counted against any football player's athletic eligibility, giving players active in that season five years of eligibility instead of the standard four.

These lists are updated through the 2025 season.

Passing

Passing yards

+ Career 1 Connor Cook 9,194 2012 2013 2014 20152Kirk Cousins9,1312008 2009 2010 20113Jeff Smoker8,9322000 2001 2002 20034Brian Lewerke8,293 2016 2017 2018 20195Drew Stanton6,5242003 2004 2005 20066 Payton Thorne 6,501 2020 2021 20227Brian Hoyer6,1592005 2006 2007 20088Dave Yarema5,8091982 1983 1984 1985 19869Ed Smith5,7061976 1977 197810Bill Burke5,4631996 1997 1998 1999

+ Single-Season1Jeff Smoker3,39520032Kirk Cousins3,31620113 Payton Thorne 3,240 20214Connor Cook3,21420145Connor Cook3,131 20156Brian Lewerke3,079 20197Drew Stanton3,07720058Kirk Cousins2,82520109Brian Lewerke2,793 201710Connor Cook2,7552013

{| class="wikitable" |+ Single Game

|1||Brian Lewerke||445||2017|| style="font-size:80%;" |Northwestern |- |2||Bill Burke||400||1999|| style="font-size:80%;" |Michigan |- ||||Brian Lewerke||400||2017|| style="font-size:80%;|Penn State |- |4||Connor Cook||398 ||2015|| style="font-size:80%;" |Indiana |- |5||Jeff Smoker||376||2001|| style="font-size:80%;" |Fresno State |- |6||Ed Smith||369||1978|| style="font-size:80%;" |Indiana |- |7||Connor Cook||367 ||2015|| style="font-size:80%;" |Rutgers |- |8||Aidan Chiles||363||2024|| style="font-size:80%;" |Maryland |- |9||Jim Miller||360||1993|| style="font-size:80%;" |Ohio State |- |10||Connor Cook||358||2014|| style="font-size:80%;" |Ohio State

Passing touchdowns

+ Career1Connor Cook71 2012 2013 2014 20152Kirk Cousins662008 2009 2010 20113Jeff Smoker612000 2001 2002 20034 Payton Thorne 49 2020 2021 20225Brian Lewerke47 2016 2017 2018 20196Bill Burke461996 1997 1998 19997Dave Yarema441982 1983 1984 1985 19868Ed Smith431976 1977 19789Drew Stanton422003 2004 2005 200610Brian Hoyer352005 2006 2007 2008

+ Single-Season1 Payton Thorne 27 2021 2 Kirk Cousins 25 2011 3 Connor Cook 24 2014 Connor Cook 24 2015 5 Drew Stanton 22 2005 Connor Cook 22 2013 7 Jeff Smoker 21 2001 Jeff Smoker 21 2003 9 Ed Smith 20 1978 Bill Burke 20 1999 Brian Hoyer 20 2007 Kirk Cousins 20 2010 Brian Lewerke 20 2017

+ Single Game1Drew Stanton52005Illinois2Brian Lewerke42017NorthwesternMike Rasmussen41970IndianaEd Smith41978WisconsinBill Burke41998Central MichiganBill Burke41999IowaDamon Dowdell42002IndianaJeff Smoker42003Penn StateBrian Hoyer42007Notre DameBrian Hoyer42007Penn StateConnor Cook42013Youngstown StateConnor Cook4 2015Air ForceConnor Cook4 2015IndianaConnor Cook4 2015NebraskaPayton Thorne42021 Youngstown StatePayton Thorne42021Miami (FL)Payton Thorne42021MarylandPayton Thorne42022Western MichiganAidan Chiles42025Boston CollegeAlessio Milivojevic42025Maryland

Rushing

Rushing yards

+ Career1Lorenzo White4,8871984 1985 1986 19872Javon Ringer4,3982005 2006 2007 20083Tico Duckett4,2121989 1990 1991 19924Blake Ezor3,7491986 1987 1988 19895Sedrick Irvin3,5041996 1997 19986T. J. Duckett3,3791999 2000 20017Le'Veon Bell3,3462010 2011 20128Jeremy Langford2,9672012 2013 20149Duane Goulbourne2,8481992 1993 1994 199610LJ Scott2,7712015 2016 2017 2018

+ Single-Season1Lorenzo White2,06619852Le'Veon Bell1,79320123Javon Ringer1,6732008 4 Kenneth Walker III 1,636 20215Lorenzo White1,57219876Jeremy Langford1,5222014 7 Blake Ezor 1,496 1988 8 Eric Allen 1,494 1971 9 Javon Ringer 1,447 2007 10 Jeremy Langford 1,422 2013

+ Single Game1Eric Allen3501971Purdue2Lorenzo White2921987Indiana3Lorenzo White2861985Indiana4Javon Ringer2822008Florida Atlantic5Clinton Jones2681966Iowa6Le'Veon Bell2662012Minnesota7Kenneth Walker III2642021 Northwestern8Le'Veon Bell2532012Eastern Michigan9Blake Ezor2501988Indiana10T. J. Duckett2482000Iowa

Rushing touchdowns

+ Career1Lorenzo White431984 1985 1986 19872Jeremy Langford402012 2013 20143Jehuu Caulcrick392004 2005 2006 20074Sedrick Irvin351996 1997 19985Javon Ringer342005 2006 2007 2008Blake Ezor341986 1987 1988 19897Le'Veon Bell332010 2011 20128T. J. Duckett291999 2000 20019Eric Allen281969 1970 1971Lynn Chandnois281946 1947 1948 1949

+ Single-Season1Javon Ringer222008Jeremy Langford2220143Jehuu Caulcrick2120074Blake Ezor1919895Jeremy Langford182013Eric Allen181971 Kenneth Walker III 18 2021 8 Scott Greene 17 1995 Lorenzo White 17 1985 10 Sedrick Irvin 16 1996 Lorenzo White 16 1987

+ Single Game1Blake Ezor61989Northwestern2Javon Ringer52008 Eastern Michigan Kenneth Walker III 5 2021 Michigan

Receiving

Receptions

+ Career1B.J. Cunningham2182008 2009 2010 20112Aaron Burbridge165 2012 2013 2014 20153Darrell Stewart Jr.150 2016 2017 2018 20194Tony Lippett1492011 2012 2013 20145Matt Trannon1482003 2004 2005 20066Jayden Reed1472020 2021 20227Andre Rison1461985 1986 1987 19888Cody White143 2017 2018 20199Courtney Hawkins1381988 1989 1990 199110Charles Rogers1352001 2002

+ Single-Season1Aaron Burbridge85 20152B.J. Cunningham792011Devin Thomas7920074Blair White7020095Charles Rogers6820026Charles Rogers6720017Keshawn Martin662011Plaxico Burress661999Cody White66 201910Plaxico Burress651998Tony Lippett652014

+ Single Game1Matt Trannon142006Eastern Michigan2Devin Thomas132007IndianaPlaxico Burress132000Florida4Felton Davis III122017Penn StateB.J. Cunningham122011Notre DameBlair White122009NorthwesternMitch Lyons121992Michigan8Kerry Reed112006MinnesotaJosh Keur111997NorthwesternAndre Rison111986IndianaTony Lippett112014OregonJayden Reed11 2020Rutgers

Receiving yards

+ Career1B.J. Cunningham3,0862008 2009 2010 20112Andre Rison2,9921985 1986 1987 19883Charles Rogers2,8212001 20024Kirk Gibson2,3471975 1976 1977 19785Tony Lippett2,2472011 2012 2013 20146Courtney Hawkins2,2101988 1989 1990 19917Aaron Burbridge2,174 2012 2013 2014 20158Plaxico Burress2,1551998 19999Mark Dell2,1362007 2008 2009 201010Gari Scott2,0951996 1997 1998 1999

+ Single-Season1Charles Rogers1,47020012Charles Rogers1,35120023B.J. Cunningham1,30620114Devin Thomas1,26020075Aaron Burbridge 1,258 20156Tony Lippett1,19820147Plaxico Burress1,14219998Courtney Hawkins1,08019899Jayden Reed1,026202110Plaxico Burress1,0131998

+ Single Game1Charles Rogers2702001Fresno State2Plaxico Burress2551999Michigan3Andre Rison2521989Georgia4Jalen Nailor2212021Rutgers5Charles Rogers2062001Wisconsin6Mark Dell2022008California7Courtney Hawkins1971989Minnesota8Andre Rison1961986Indiana Ricky White196 2020 Michigan10Nick Marsh1942024Maryland

Receiving touchdowns

+ Career1Charles Rogers272001 20022B.J. Cunningham252008 2009 2010 20113Kirk Gibson241975 1976 1977 19784Josiah Price21 2013 2014 2015 20165Plaxico Burress201998 1999Andre Rison201985 1986 1987 19887Gari Scott181996 1997 1998 1999 Jayden Reed182020 2021 20229Gene Washington161964 1965 196610Eugene Boyd151975 1976 1978 1979Tony Lippett152011 2012 2013 2014

+ Single-Season1Charles Rogers1420012Charles Rogers1320023B.J. Cunningham122011Plaxico Burress1219995Tony Lippett1120146Jayden Reed1020217B.J. Cunningham92010Blair White92009Felton Davis III9201710Devin Thomas82007Plaxico Burress81998Andre Rison81988Bob Carey81949

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

Total offense yards

+ Career1Connor Cook9,403 2012 2013 2014 20152Kirk Cousins9,004 2008 2009 2010 20113Jeff Smoker8,714 2000 2001 2002 20034Drew Stanton8,036 2003 2004 2005 20065 Payton Thorne 6,771 2020 2021 20226Brian Hoyer5,930 2005 2006 2007 20087Ed Smith5,556 1976 1977 19788Brian Lewerke5,284 2016 2017 20189Dave Yarema5,269 1982 1983 1984 1985 198610Bill Burke4,934 1996 1997 1998 1999

+ Single season 1 Payton Thorne 3,421 2021 2 Drew Stanton 3,415 2005 3 Brian Lewerke 3,352 2017 4 Connor Cook 3,294 2014 5 Jeff Smoker 3,279 2003 6 Kirk Cousins 3,277 2011 7 Connor Cook 3,187 2015 8 Connor Cook 2,831 2013 9 Kirk Cousins 2,740 2009 10 Payton Thorne 2,721 2022

+ Single game1Brian Lewerke4752017 Northwestern2Brian Lewerke4252017 Penn State3Connor Cook416 2015 Indiana4Drew Stanton4102004 Minnesota5Drew Stanton4062004 Hawaii6Jeff Smoker3932001 Fresno State7Bill Burke3831999 Michigan8Drew Stanton3752005 Notre Dame9Aidan Chiles3742024 Maryland10Connor Cook3732014 Ohio State

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

Michigan State's record book does not list single-game leaders in this category.

+ Career1Connor Cook74 2012 2013 2014 20152Jeff Smoker68 2000 2001 2002 20033Kirk Cousins67 2008 2009 2010 20114Drew Stanton57 2003 2004 2005 20065 Payton Thorne 55 2020 2021 20226Bill Burke47 1996 1997 1998 19997Dave Yarema46 1982 1983 1984 1985 19868Ed Smith45 1976 1977 19789Lorenzo White43 1984 1985 1986 198710Jeremy Langford40 2012 2013 2014

+ Single season1 Payton Thorne 31 2021 2 Drew Stanton 26 2005 Connor Cook 26 2014 4 Kirk Cousins 25 2011 Brian Lewerke 25 2017 6 Jeff Smoker 24 2003 Connor Cook 24 2015 8 Jeff Smoker 23 2001 Connor Cook 23 2013 10 Javon Ringer 22 2008

Defense

Interceptions

+ Career1Lynn Chandnois201946 1947 1948 19492Todd Krumm181984 1985 1986 19873Phil Parker161982 1983 1984 19854Kurt Larson141985 1986 1987 1988John Miller141985 1986 1987 1988Brad Van Pelt141970 1971 19727Mark Anderson121976 1977 1978 1979Bill Simpson121971 1972 1973Jesse Thomas121948 1949 195010Johnny Adams112008 2010 2011 2012

+ Single-Season1Todd Krumm919872Kurt Larson81988John Miller81987Jesse Thomas819505Demetrice Martin71994Phil Parker71983Lynn Chandnois71949

+ Single Game1John Miller41987Michigan

Tackles

+ Career1Dan Bass5411976 1977 1978 19792Percy Snow4731986 1987 1988 19893Greg Jones4652007 2008 2009 20104Ike Reese4201994 1995 1996 19975Josh Thornhill3951998 1999 2000 20016Chuck Bullough3911988 1989 1990 19917Ronald Stanley3682001 2002 2003 20048Sorie Kanu3651995 1996 1997 19989Aric Morris3501996 1997 1998 199910Thomas Wright3461999 2000 2001 2002

+ Single-Season1Chuck Bullough17519912Percy Snow17219893Chuck Bullough1641990Percy Snow16419885Dan Bass16019796Shane Bullough15619857Greg Jones15420098Ty Hallock14419929Ike Reese1371997Jim Morrissey1371984

+ Single Game1Dan Bass321979Ohio State2Don Law281969Ohio State3Dan Bass241979Notre Dame4Percy Snow231989Illinois5Ty Hallock211992MinnesotaShane Bullough211985IndianaBrad Van Pelt211971Notre DameDoug Barr211969Ohio StateDon Law211967Indiana

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