The Iowa State Cyclones football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Iowa State Cyclones football program in various categories,[1] including passing, rushing, total offense, and receiving, and defensive stats. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Cyclones represent Iowa State University in the NCAA Division I FBS Big 12 Conference.
Although Iowa State began competing in intercollegiate football in 1892, the school's official record book considers[1] the "modern era" to have begun in 1943. 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 1943, 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.
- Since 2018, players have been allowed to participate in as many as four games in a redshirt season; previously, playing in even one game "burned" the redshirt.[2] Since 2024, postseason games have not counted against the four-game limit.[3] These changes to redshirt rules have given very recent players several extra games to accumulate statistics.
- Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002.[4] The Cyclones have played in six bowl games since then.
- The Big 12 has played a championship game during two different periods—first from 1996 to 2010, and more recently since 2017. The Cyclones have played in this game twice (2020 and 2024), giving players in those seasons an extra game to amass statistics.
- 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.[5]
- Six of the Cyclones' nine highest seasons in total offensive yards have come since 2000.[1]
These lists are updated through Week 11 of the 2025 season. Currently active players are in bold.
Passing
Passing yards
Career
| Rank
|
Player
|
Yards
|
Years
|
| 1 |
Brock Purdy |
12,170 |
2018 2019 2020 2021
|
| 2 |
Bret Meyer |
9,499 |
2004 2005 2006 2007
|
| 3 |
Rocco Becht |
9,274[6] |
2022 2023 2024 2025
|
| 4 |
Austen Arnaud |
6,777 |
2007 2008 2009 2010
|
| 5 |
Sam B. Richardson |
6,050[7] |
2012 2013 2014 2015
|
| 6 |
Alex Espinoza |
5,307 |
1984 1985 1986
|
| 7 |
Seneca Wallace |
5,289 |
2001 2002
|
| 8 |
Todd Bandhauer |
5,235 |
1995 1996 1997 1998
|
| 9 |
Sage Rosenfels |
4,164 |
1997 1998 1999 2000
|
| 10 |
David Archer |
4,104 |
1982 1983
|
|
Single season
| Rank
|
Player
|
Yards
|
Year
|
| 1 |
Brock Purdy |
3,982 |
2019
|
| 2 |
Rocco Becht |
3,505[6] |
2024
|
| 3 |
Seneca Wallace |
3,245 |
2002
|
| 4 |
Brock Purdy |
3,188 |
2021
|
| 5 |
Rocco Becht |
3,120[6] |
2023
|
| 6 |
Hunter Dekkers |
3,044 |
2022
|
| 7 |
Bret Meyer |
2,876 |
2005
|
| 8 |
Austen Arnaud |
2,792 |
2008
|
| 9 |
Brock Purdy |
2,750 |
2020
|
| 10 |
Sam B. Richardson |
2,669 |
2014
|
|
|
Passing touchdowns
Rushing
Rushing yards
Career
| Rank
|
Player
|
Yards
|
Years
|
| 1 |
Troy Davis |
4,382 |
1994 1995 1996
|
| 2 |
Breece Hall |
3,941 |
2019 2020 2021
|
| 3 |
Darren Davis |
3,763 |
1996 1997 1998 1999
|
| 4 |
Dexter Green |
3,585 |
1975 1976 1977 1978
|
| 5 |
Alexander Robinson |
3,309 |
2007 2008 2009 2010
|
| 6 |
Mike Strachan |
3,058 |
1972 1973 1974
|
| 7 |
David Montgomery |
2,925 |
2016 2017 2018
|
| 8 |
Ennis Haywood |
2,862 |
1998 1999 2000 2001
|
| 9 |
Joe Henderson |
2,715 |
1985 1986 1987 1988
|
| 10 |
Stevie Hicks |
2,601 |
2003 2004 2005 2006
|
|
Single season
| Rank
|
Player
|
Yards
|
Year
|
| 1 |
Troy Davis |
2,185 |
1996
|
| 2 |
Troy Davis |
2,010 |
1995
|
| 3 |
Breece Hall |
1,572 |
2020
|
| 4 |
Blaise Bryant |
1,516 |
1989
|
| 5 |
Breece Hall |
1,472 |
2021
|
| 6 |
Darren Davis |
1,388 |
1999
|
| 7 |
Mike Warren |
1,339[21] |
2015
|
| 8 |
Dwayne Crutchfield |
1,312 |
1980
|
| 9 |
George Amundson |
1,260 |
1971
|
|
Mike Strachan |
1,260 |
1972
|
|
|
Rushing touchdowns
Receiving
Receptions
Receiving yards
Career
| Rank
|
Player
|
Yards
|
Years
|
| 1 |
Allen Lazard |
3,360[25] |
2014 2015 2016 2017
|
| 2 |
Todd Blythe |
3,096 |
2004 2005 2006 2007
|
| 3 |
Xavier Hutchinson |
2,929 |
2020 2021 2022
|
| 4 |
Jaylin Noel |
2,851 |
2021 2022 2023 2024
|
| 5 |
Lane Danielsen |
2,690 |
2000 2001 2002 2003
|
| 6 |
Charlie Kolar |
2,181 |
2018 2019 2020 2021
|
| 7 |
Jayden Higgins |
2,166 |
2023 2024
|
| 8 |
Hakeem Butler |
2,149 |
2016 2017 2018
|
| 9 |
Deshaunte Jones |
2,052 |
2016 2017 2018 2019
|
| 10 |
Tracy Henderson |
2,048 |
1982 1983 1984
|
|
|
|
Receiving touchdowns
Total offense
Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.[39]
Total offense yards
Career
| Rank
|
Player
|
Yards
|
Years
|
| 1 |
Brock Purdy |
13,347 |
2018 2019 2020 2021
|
| 2 |
Bret Meyer |
10,422 |
2004 2005 2006 2007
|
| 3 |
Rocco Becht |
9,773[6] |
2022 2023 2024 2025
|
| 4 |
Austen Arnaud |
8,044 |
2007 2008 2009 2010
|
| 5 |
Sam B. Richardson |
7,058[7] |
2012 2013 2014 2015
|
| 6 |
Seneca Wallace |
6,201 |
2001 2002
|
| 7 |
Alex Espinoza |
5,018 |
1984 1985 1986
|
| 8 |
Sage Rosenfels |
4,824 |
1997 1998 1999 2000
|
| 9 |
George Amundson |
4,798 |
1970 1971 1972 1972
|
| 10 |
Todd Bandhauer |
4,763 |
1995 1996 1997 1998
|
|
Single season
| Rank
|
Player
|
Yards
|
Year
|
| 1 |
Brock Purdy |
4,231 |
2019
|
| 2 |
Rocco Becht |
3,823[6] |
2024
|
| 3 |
Seneca Wallace |
3,682 |
2002
|
| 4 |
Brock Purdy |
3,426 |
2021
|
| 5 |
Austen Arnaud |
3,193 |
2008
|
| 6 |
Rocco Becht |
3,183[6] |
2023
|
| 6 |
Brock Purdy |
3,132 |
2020
|
| 8 |
Hunter Dekkers |
3,117 |
2022
|
| 9 |
Sam B. Richardson |
3,090[7] |
2014
|
| 10 |
Bret Meyer |
2,999 |
2005
|
|
|
Touchdowns responsible for
"Touchdowns responsible for" is the NCAA's official term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.[42]
Defense
Interceptions
|
|
|
Single game
| Rank
|
Player
|
Ints
|
Year
|
Opponent
|
| 1 |
Everett Kischer |
4 |
1937 |
Northwestern
|
|
Barry Hill |
4 |
1974 |
Kansas
|
|
Tackles
|
|
|
Single game
| Rank
|
Player
|
Tackles
|
Year
|
Opponent
|
| 1 |
Brian Refner |
28 |
1985 |
Nebraska
|
|
Sacks
|
|
|
Single game
| Rank
|
Player
|
Sacks
|
Year
|
Opponent
|
| 1 |
Jason Berryman |
5.0[45] |
2005 |
TCU[46]
|
|
JaQuan Bailey |
5.0 |
2018 |
Akron
|
|
Kicking
Field goals made
|
|
|
Single game
| Rank
|
Player
|
FGs
|
Year
|
Opponent
|
| 1 |
Jeff Shudak |
5 |
1990 |
Missouri
|
|
Bret Culbertson |
5[52] |
2007 |
Iowa
|
|
Field goal percentage
See also
References
- ^ a b c "2014 Iowa State Cyclones Media Guide" (PDF). Cyclones.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
- ^ "DI football to offer more participation opportunities" (Press release). NCAA. June 13, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
- ^ "DI football oversight committees propose one transfer window" (Press release). NCAA. August 27, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ "NCAA changes policy on football stats". ESPN.com. AP. August 28, 2002. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Rocco Becht". ESPN.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Sam B. Richardson". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
- ^ a b "Freeman makes Kansas St. a winner in Prince's finale with four TDs". ESPN.com. November 22, 2008. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013.
- ^ a b "UL Monroe vs. Iowa State Box Score". ESPN.com. September 21, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
- ^ "Kansas vs. Iowa State Box Score". ESPN.com. November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ "Oklahoma State vs. Iowa State Box Score". ESPN.com. October 26, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Iowa St. tops Baylor behind Steele Jantz's career day". ESPN.com. October 27, 2012.
- ^ "Iowa State vs. Texas Tech Box Score". ESPN.com. October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Blythe spirit: Receiver powers Cyclones' rout of A&M". ESPN.com. October 29, 2005. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014.
- ^ "Arnaud's 4 TD tosses lead Iowa State by Texas Tech". ESPN.com. October 2, 2010. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014.
- ^ "Iowa State shocks Iowa in 3OT to snap three-game rivalry skid". ESPN.com. September 10, 2011. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013.
- ^ "Iowa State cruises as QB Sam B. Richardson breaks out against Kansas". ESPN.com. November 17, 2012.
- ^ "Iowa St beats West Virginia 52-44 in 3 Ots". ESPN.com. November 30, 2013.
- ^ "Stanley, Hawkeyes rally to stun Iowa State 44-41 (OT)". ESPN.com. September 9, 2017.
- ^ "Kansas vs. Iowa State Box Score". ESPN.com. October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ "Mike Warren". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
- ^ "Texas Tech beats Iowa State 66-31 for 1st Big 12 win". ESPN.com. October 10, 2015.
- ^ "TCU vs. Iowa State Box Score". ESPN.com. November 26, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
- ^ "Iowa State clobbers Texas Tech 66-10". ESPN.com. November 19, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "Allen Lazard". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
- ^ "Northern Iowa vs Iowa State box score". ESPN.com.
- ^ "Iowa State vs. Kansas Box Score". ESPN.com. October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ "Oklahoma State vs. Iowa State Box Score". ESPN.com. October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
- ^ "Iowa State vs. Oklahoma Box Score". ESPN.com. November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
- ^ "Cody Hawkins throws 3 TDs to power Colorado in interim coach Brian Cabral's debut". ESPN.com. November 13, 2010. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014.
- ^ "Tech QB accounts for five TDs in victory". ESPN.com. October 11, 2003. Archived from the original on November 30, 2014.
- ^ "Iowa State 34, Nebraska 27". ESPN.com. November 6, 2004. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014.
- ^ "Robert Griffin III, Terrance Ganaway help No. 25 Baylor run over Iowa State". ESPN.com. October 8, 2011. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013.
- ^ "Quenton Bundrage". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
- ^ "E.J. Bibbs". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
- ^ "Iowa State 48, Northern Illinois 41". ESPN.com. September 18, 2004. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014.
- ^ "Iowa St. puts halt to No. 15 TCU's 12-game win streak". ESPN.com. October 6, 2012.
- ^ "Iowa holds off Iowa State 27-21". ESPN.com. September 14, 2013.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Jeff Woody's TD run in 2nd OT caps Iowa State's stunning upset". ESPN.com. November 18, 2011. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Johnson tosses career-best four TDs as Aggies roll past Cyclones". ESPN.com. October 25, 2008. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014.
- ^ "2022 Football Bowl Subdivision Records" (PDF). NCAA. p. 12. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Will Mcdonald IV". ESPN.com.
- ^ "O'Rien Vance". ESPN.com.
- ^ "TCU wins Houston Bowl on LoCoco FG in fourth quarter". ESPN.com. December 31, 2005. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013.
- ^ Houston Bowl
- ^ a b c d "Cole Netten". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Connor Assalley". ESPN.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Kyle Konrardy". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Chase Contreraz". ESPN.com.
- ^ a b c "Andrew Mevis". ESPN.com.
- ^ "Iowa State's game-winning kick caps win over Iowa". ESPN.com. September 15, 2007. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015.
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