The Ball State Cardinals football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Ball State Cardinals football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Cardinals represent Ball State University in the NCAA's Mid-American Conference.
Although Ball State began competing in intercollegiate football in 1924, the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in 1960s. 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 1960s, 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 Cardinals have played in four bowl games since this decision, giving many recent players an extra game to accumulate statistics.
These lists are updated through the end of the 2025 season.
Passing
Passing yards
+ Career1Keith Wenning11,4022010 2011 2012 2013 2Nate Davis9,2332006 2007 2008 3Drew Plitt9,0512017 2018 2019 2020 20214 Riley Neal7,3932015 2016 2017 20185Mike Neu6,2711990 1991 1992 1993 6Talmadge Hill5,9022000 2001 2002 20037David Riley4,7301986 1987 1988 1989 8Wade Kosakowski4,5501985 1986 1987 9Joey Lynch4,2922003 2004 2005 2006 10Brent Baldwin4,2561993 1994 1995 1996
+ Single season1Keith Wenning4,1482013 2Nate Davis3,6672007 3Nate Davis3,5912008 4Keith Wenning3,0952012 5Drew Plitt2,9182019 6Kadin Semonza2,904 2024 7Keith Wenning2,78620118John Paddock2,719 20229Riley Neal2,5412016 Drew Plitt2,541 2021
+ Single game1Mike Neu4691993 Toledo2Keith Wenning4452012 Kent StateKeith Wenning4452013 Miami (Ohio)4Drew Plitt4392019 Fordham5Neil Britt4371983 Bowling Green6Keith Wenning4342012 Northern Illinois7Nate Davis4222007 Nebraska8John Paddock4032022 Northern Illinois9Riley Neal4022018 Kent State10Joey Lynch3972004 Central Michigan
Passing touchdowns
+ Career1Keith Wenning922010 2011 2012 2013 2Nate Davis742006 2007 2008 3Drew Plitt682017 2018 2019 2020 20214Talmadge Hill442000 2001 2002 2003 5Mike Neu431990 1991 1992 1993 6Joey Lynch372003 2004 2005 2006 7Dave Wilson361976 1977 1978 1979 8Brent Baldwin351993 1994 1995 1996 Riley Neal352015 2016 201710Kadin Semonza282023 2024
+ Single season1Keith Wenning352013 2Nate Davis302007 3Nate Davis262008 4Kadin Semonza25 2024 5Keith Wenning242012 Drew Plitt242019 7Keith Wenning192011 8Joey Lynch182005 Nate Davis182006 Drew Plitt18 2021John Paddock18 2022
+ Single game1Keith Wenning62013 Miami (Ohio)Drew Plitt62019 Fordham3Rick Scott51974 RichmondMike Neu51990 Indiana StateAndy Roesch52002 Central MichiganAndy Roesch52002 Eastern MichiganKeith Wenning52012 Kent StateKeith Wenning52013 Akron
Rushing
Rushing yards
+ Career1Jahwan Edwards4,5582011 2012 2013 2014 2Marcus Merriweather4,0021999 2000 2001 2002 3MiQuale Lewis3,7482006 2007 2008 2009 2010 4Bernie Parmalee3,4831987 1988 1989 1990 5LeAndre Moore3,0801995 1996 1997 1998 6Michael Blair3,0511993 1994 1995 1996 7Caleb Huntley2,9022017 2018 2019 20208James Gilbert2,8062015 2016 2017 20189Corey Croom2,7251989 1990 1991 199210Carson Steele2,4472021 2022
+ Single season1MiQuale Lewis1,7362008 2Marcus Merriweather1,6182002 3Carson Steele1,556 20224Jahwan Edwards1,4102012 5James Gilbert1,3322016 6Caleb Huntley1,27520197Jahwan Edwards1,2522014 8Marcus Merriweather1,2442001 9Tony Nibbs1,2101994 10Corey Croom1,1571992
+ Single game1MiQuale Lewis3012009 Eastern Michigan2James Gilbert2642016 Buffalo3Earl Taylor2601976 Eastern Michigan4Marcus Merriweather2572000 Central Michigan5Corey Croom2421992 Miami (Ohio)6Amos Van Pelt2281966 St. Joseph's7Marcus Merriweather2272002 Buffalo8Marcus Merriweather2172002 Western Michigan9Bernie Parmalee2111987 Ohio10Bernie Parmalee2081987 Indiana State
Rushing touchdowns
+ Career1Jahwan Edwards512011 2012 2013 2014 2Marcus Merriweather341999 2000 2001 2002 3Michael Blair311993 1994 1995 1996 MiQuale Lewis312006 2007 2008 2009 2010 5Mark Bornholdt301978 1979 1980 1981 James Gilbert302015 2016 2017 20187Bernie Parmalee261987 1988 1989 1990 8Amos Van Pelt231966 1967 1968 9Fred Kehoe221947 1948 194910Art Yaroch211973 1974 1975 1976 Caleb Huntley212017 2018 2019 2020
+ Single season1MiQuale Lewis222008 2Mark Bornholdt191979 3Jahwan Edwards142012 Jahwan Edwards142013 Carson Steele14 20226Bernie Parmalee131987 7Marcus Merriweather122001 Marcus Merriweather122002 Jahwan Edwards122014 James Gilbert122016 Caleb Huntley122019
+ Single game1Michael Blair41994 AkronMiQuale Lewis42008 Indiana
Receiving
Receptions
+ Career1Justin Hall3182017 2018 2019 2020 20212KeVonn Mabon2442012 2013 2014 2015 20163Dante Ridgeway2382002 2003 2004 4Willie Snead2232011 2012 2013 5Briggs Orsbon2132008 2009 2010 2011 6Jordan Williams2002012 2013 2014 2015 7Dante Love1992005 2006 2007 2008 8Yo'Heinz Tyler181 2018 2019 2020 2021 20229Jamill Smith1772010 2011 2012 201310Tanner Koziol1632022 2023 2024
+ Single season1Willie Snead1062013 2Dante Ridgeway1052004 3Dante Love1002007 4Tanner Koziol94 20245Dante Ridgeway892003 Willie Snead8920127KeVonn Mabon852016 8Justin Hall7820179Jayshon Jackson73202210Jordan Williams722013 Jordan Williams722015
+ Single game1Kevin Canfield151972 Western Michigan2Dante Ridgeway142004 AkronDante Love142007 IndianaJamill Smith142012 Northern IllinoisWillie Snead142012 Kent State6Adrian Reese131999 Eastern MichiganDante Ridgeway132004 Eastern MichiganJustin Hall132017 Western MichiganDante Love132007 RutgersBriggs Orsbon132008 Buffalo
Receiving yards
+ Career1Justin Hall3,3852017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2Dante Ridgeway3,0302002 2003 2004 3Willie Snead2,9912011 2012 2013 4KeVonn Mabon2,8622012 2013 2014 2015 20165Dante Love2,7782005 2006 2007 2008 6Jordan Williams2,7232012 2013 2014 2015 7Darius Hill2,4732005 2006 2007 2008 8Yo'Heinz Tyler2,265 2018 2019 2020 2021 20229Deon Chester2,2561984 1985 1986 1987 10Briggs Orsbon2,2182008 2009 2010 2011
+ Single season1Willie Snead1,5162013 2Dante Ridgeway1,3992004 3Dante Love1,3982007 4Willie Snead1,1482012 5Dante Ridgeway1,0752003 6Dave Naumcheff1,0651983 7Jordan Williams1,0502013 8Brian Oliver1,0101993 9KeVonn Mabon976201610Darius Hill9262007
+ Single game1Brian Oliver2971993 Toledo2Dave Naumcheff2371983 Bowling Green3Vic Comparetto2191971 Indiana State4Dante Ridgeway2172004 Western Michigan5Willie Snead2162012 Kent State6Dante Ridgeway2152004 Central Michigan7Dante Love2142007 Nebraska8Juan Gorman2001994 Purdue9Kevin Canfield1981972 Western Michigan10Dante Ridgeway1852004 Eastern Michigan
Receiving touchdowns
+ Career1Darius Hill312005 2006 2007 2008 2Willie Snead262011 2012 2013 3Brian Oliver241991 1992 1993 1994 Jordan Williams242012 2013 2014 2015 5Dante Ridgeway222002 2003 2004 Yo'Heinz Tyler22 2018 2019 2020 2021 20227Dante Love202005 2006 2007 2008 8Justin Hall182017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Tanner Koziol182022 2023 202410Jamill Smith172010 2011 2012 2013
+ Single season1Willie Snead152013 2Darius Hill112007 3Brian Oliver101993 Dante Ridgeway102003 Darius Hill102006 Dante Love102007 Jordan Williams102013 8Willie Snead92012
+ Single game1Larry Hamell41963 ValparaisoRick Morrison41977 Eastern Michigan3Vic Comparetto31971 Indiana StateJuan Gorman31994 PurdueDante Ridgeway32004 Western MichiganJack Tomlinson32010 AkronJamill Smith32013 Miami (Ohio)
Total offense Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.
Total offense yards
+ Career1Keith Wenning11,730 2010 2011 2012 2013 2Nate Davis9,732 2006 2007 20083Drew Plitt9,4742017 2018 2019 2020 20214Riley Neal8,7562015 2016 2017 20185Talmadge Hill6,484 2000 2001 2002 2003 6Mike Neu5,852 1990 1991 1992 1993 7David Riley5,093 1986 1987 1988 1989 8Brent Baldwin4,643 1993 1994 1995 1996 9Jahwan Edwards4,558 2011 2012 2013 2014 10Willard Rice4,403 1968 1969 1970 1971
+ Single season1Keith Wenning4,192 2013 2Nate Davis3,903 2008 3Nate Davis3,902 2007 4Keith Wenning3,200 2012 5Drew Plitt3,089 20196Riley Neal3,081 2016 7Keith Wenning2,968 2011 8Kadin Semonza2,819 2024 9Riley Neal2,675 2015 10Drew Plitt2,672 2021
+ Single game1Nate Davis4792007 Nebraska2Riley Neal463 2018 Kent State3Keith Wenning4592012 Kent State4Drew Plitt4532019 Fordham5Mike Neu4501993 Toledo6Keith Wenning4452013 Miami (Ohio)7Keith Wenning4382012 Northern IllinoisRiley Neal4382016 Eastern Michigan9Riley Neal4112015 Northern Illinois10John Paddock4032022 Northern Illinois
Touchdowns responsible for "Touchdowns responsible for" is the NCAA's official term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.
+ Career1Keith Wenning105 2010 2011 2012 2013 2Nate Davis84 2006 2007 2008 3Drew Plitt822017 2018 2019 2020 20214Riley Neal612015 2016 2017 20185Jahwan Edwards51 2011 2012 2013 2014 6Dave Wilson48 1976 1977 1978 1979 Talmadge Hill48 2000 2001 2002 20038Mike Neu45 1990 1991 1992 1993 9Brent Baldwin421993 1994 1995 1996 10Joey Lynch382003 2004 2005 2006
+ Single season1Keith Wenning40 2013 2Nate Davis35 2007 3Nate Davis31 2008 4Drew Plitt2920195Keith Wenning27 2012 6Dave Wilson26 1977 Kadin Semonza26 2024 8MiQuale Lewis22 2008 Keith Wenning22 2011 10Riley Neal21 2016 Drew Plitt21 2020
Defense
Interceptions
+ Career1Sean Baker182008 2009 2010 2011 2Shafer Suggs141972 1973 1974 1975 Mike Lecklider141974 1975 1976 4Terry Schmidt131971 1972 1973 Greg Garnica131986 1987 1988 1989
+ Single season1Craig Newberg131981 Kelly George131982 3Bryant Branigan111992 Keith McKenzie111995 5Wilber McDonald101997
+ Single game1Bob Burkhardt31966 Indiana (Pa.)Doc Heath31966 ValparaisoMike Lecklider31975 RichmondGreg Garnica31989 Miami (Ohio)Sean Baker32008 Akron
Tackles
+ Career1Greg Garnica6891986 1987 1988 1989
+ Single season1Kevin Johnson2041993 2Kevin Johnson1961994 3Greg Garnica1881987 4Greg Garnica1851986 5Mark Parris1781992 6Brad Saar1691985 7Mark Parris1671991 8Greg Garnica1611989
+ Single game1Kevin Johnson291993 OhioKevin Johnson291993 AkronKevin Johnson291994 Eastern Michigan4Greg Garnica251986 Eastern MichiganKevin Johnson251994 Miami (Ohio)
Sacks
+ Career1Keith McKenzie25.01992 1993 1994 1995 Anthony Winbush25.02014 2015 2016 2017 2Kelly George24.01979 1980 1981 1982
+ Single season1Nathan Voorhis12.020252Anthony Winbush11.520173Anthony Winbush8.52016 4Nickey Baker8.01965 Shafer Suggs8.01974 Sidney Houston Jr.8.02023
+ Single game1Toby Beegle5.01990 Central Michigan
Kicking
Field goals made
+ Career1John Diettrich631983 1984 1985 1986 2Kenny Stucker621988 1989 1990 1991 3Ian McGarvey552007 2008 2009 2010 4Brian Jackson492003 2004 2005 2006 5Scott Secor442011 2012 2013 20146Steven Schott412009 2010 2011 2012 7Morgan Hagee402015 2016 2017 8Brent Lockliear381994 1995 1996 1997 9Jackson Courville262023 202410Mike Langford212000 2001 2002 2003
+ Single season1John Diettrich251985 Steven Schott252012 Scott Secor252014 4Kenny Stucker191989 Scott Secor192013 6Kenny Stucker181988 Ian McGarvey182009 8John Diettrich171986 Brian Jackson172006Ben VonGunten172022
+ Single game1John Diettrich51985 Indiana StateScott Secor52014 Akron
References