# Ball State Cardinals football statistical leaders

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 2019 season.

## Passing
### Passing yards

Career :
| Rk | Player | Yards | Years |
| 1 | Keith Wenning | 11,402 | 2010 2011 2012 2013 |
| 2 | Nate Davis | 9,233 | 2006 2007 2008 |
| 3 | Drew Plitt | 9,051 | 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 |
| 4 | Riley Neal | 7,393 | 2015 2016 2017 2018 |
| 5 | Mike Neu | 6,271 | 1990 1991 1992 1993 |
| 6 | Talmadge Hill | 5,902 | 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
| 7 | David Riley | 4,730 | 1986 1987 1988 1989 |
| 8 | Wade Kosakowski | 4,550 | 1985 1986 1987 |
| 9 | Joey Lynch | 4,292 | 2003 2004 2005 2006 |
| 10 | Brent Baldwin | 4,256 | 1993 1994 1995 1996 |
Single season :
| Rk | Player | Yards | Year |
| 1 | Keith Wenning | 4,148 | 2013 |
| 2 | Nate Davis | 3,667 | 2007 |
| 3 | Nate Davis | 3,591 | 2008 |
| 4 | Keith Wenning | 3,095 | 2012 |
| 5 | Drew Plitt | 2,918 | 2019 |
| 6 | Kadin Semonza | 2,904 | 2024 |
| 7 | Keith Wenning | 2,786 | 2011 |
| 8 | John Paddock | 2,719 | 2022 |
| 9 | Riley Neal | 2,541 | 2016 |
| | Drew Plitt | 2,541 | 2021 |
Single game :
| Rk | Player | Yards | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Mike Neu | 469 | 1993 | Toledo |
| 2 | Keith Wenning | 445 | 2012 | Kent State |
| | Keith Wenning | 445 | 2013 | Miami (Ohio) |
| 4 | Drew Plitt | 439 | 2019 | Fordham |
| 5 | Neil Britt | 437 | 1983 | Bowling Green |
| 6 | Keith Wenning | 434 | 2012 | Northern Illinois |
| 7 | Nate Davis | 422 | 2007 | Nebraska |
| 8 | John Paddock | 403 | 2022 | Northern Illinois |
| 9 | Riley Neal | 402 | 2018 | Kent State |
| 10 | Joey Lynch | 397 | 2004 | Central Michigan |

### Passing touchdowns

Career :
| Rk | Player | TDs | Years |
| 1 | Keith Wenning | 92 | 2010 2011 2012 2013 |
| 2 | Nate Davis | 74 | 2006 2007 2008 |
| 3 | Drew Plitt | 68 | 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 |
| 4 | Talmadge Hill | 44 | 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
| 5 | Mike Neu | 43 | 1990 1991 1992 1993 |
| 6 | Joey Lynch | 37 | 2003 2004 2005 2006 |
| 7 | Dave Wilson | 36 | 1976 1977 1978 1979 |
| 8 | Brent Baldwin | 35 | 1993 1994 1995 1996 |
| | Riley Neal | 35 | 2015 2016 2017 |
| 10 | Kadin Semonza | 28 | 2023 2024 |
Single season :
| Rk | Player | TDs | Year |
| 1 | Keith Wenning | 35 | 2013 |
| 2 | Nate Davis | 30 | 2007 |
| 3 | Nate Davis | 26 | 2008 |
| 4 | Kadin Semonza | 25 | 2024 |
| 5 | Keith Wenning | 24 | 2012 |
| | Drew Plitt | 24 | 2019 |
| 7 | Keith Wenning | 19 | 2011 |
| 8 | Joey Lynch | 18 | 2005 |
| | Nate Davis | 18 | 2006 |
| | Drew Plitt | 18 | 2021 |
| | John Paddock | 18 | 2022 |
Single game :
| Rk | Player | TDs | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Keith Wenning | 6 | 2013 | Miami (Ohio) |
| | Drew Plitt | 6 | 2019 | Fordham |
| 3 | Rick Scott | 5 | 1974 | Richmond |
| | Mike Neu | 5 | 1990 | Indiana State |
| | Andy Roesch | 5 | 2002 | Central Michigan |
| | Andy Roesch | 5 | 2002 | Eastern Michigan |
| | Keith Wenning | 5 | 2012 | Kent State |
| | Keith Wenning | 5 | 2013 | Akron |

## Rushing
### Rushing yards

Career :
| Rk | Player | Yards | Years |
| 1 | Jahwan Edwards | 4,558 | 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
| 2 | Marcus Merriweather | 4,002 | 1999 2000 2001 2002 |
| 3 | MiQuale Lewis | 3,748 | 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 |
| 4 | Bernie Parmalee | 3,483 | 1987 1988 1989 1990 |
| 5 | LeAndre Moore | 3,080 | 1995 1996 1997 1998 |
| 6 | Michael Blair | 3,051 | 1993 1994 1995 1996 |
| 7 | Caleb Huntley | 2,902 | 2017 2018 2019 2020 |
| 8 | James Gilbert | 2,806 | 2015 2016 2017 2018 |
| 9 | Corey Croom | 2,725 | 1989 1990 1991 1992 |
| 10 | Carson Steele | 2,447 | 2021 2022 |
Single season :
| Rk | Player | Yards | Year |
| 1 | MiQuale Lewis | 1,736 | 2008 |
| 2 | Marcus Merriweather | 1,618 | 2002 |
| 3 | Carson Steele | 1,556 | 2022 |
| 4 | Jahwan Edwards | 1,410 | 2012 |
| 5 | James Gilbert | 1,332 | 2016 |
| 6 | Caleb Huntley | 1,275 | 2019 |
| 7 | Jahwan Edwards | 1,252 | 2014 |
| 8 | Marcus Merriweather | 1,244 | 2001 |
| 9 | Tony Nibbs | 1,210 | 1994 |
| 10 | Corey Croom | 1,157 | 1992 |
Single game :
| Rk | Player | Yards | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | MiQuale Lewis | 301 | 2009 | Eastern Michigan |
| 2 | James Gilbert | 264 | 2016 | Buffalo |
| 3 | Earl Taylor | 260 | 1976 | Eastern Michigan |
| 4 | Marcus Merriweather | 257 | 2000 | Central Michigan |
| 5 | Corey Croom | 242 | 1992 | Miami (Ohio) |
| 6 | Amos Van Pelt | 228 | 1966 | St. Joseph’s |
| 7 | Marcus Merriweather | 227 | 2002 | Buffalo |
| 8 | Marcus Merriweather | 217 | 2002 | Western Michigan |
| 9 | Bernie Parmalee | 211 | 1987 | Ohio |
| 10 | Bernie Parmalee | 208 | 1987 | Indiana State |

### Rushing touchdowns

Career :
| Rk | Player | TDs | Years |
| 1 | Jahwan Edwards | 51 | 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
| 2 | Marcus Merriweather | 34 | 1999 2000 2001 2002 |
| 3 | Michael Blair | 31 | 1993 1994 1995 1996 |
| | MiQuale Lewis | 31 | 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 |
| 5 | Mark Bornholdt | 30 | 1978 1979 1980 1981 |
| | James Gilbert | 30 | 2015 2016 2017 2018 |
| 7 | Bernie Parmalee | 26 | 1987 1988 1989 1990 |
| 8 | Amos Van Pelt | 23 | 1966 1967 1968 |
| 9 | Fred Kehoe | 22 | 1947 1948 1949 |
| 10 | Art Yaroch | 21 | 1973 1974 1975 1976 |
| | Caleb Huntley | 21 | 2017 2018 2019 2020 |
Single season :
| Rk | Player | TDs | Year |
| 1 | MiQuale Lewis | 22 | 2008 |
| 2 | Mark Bornholdt | 19 | 1979 |
| 3 | Jahwan Edwards | 14 | 2012 |
| | Jahwan Edwards | 14 | 2013 |
| | Carson Steele | 14 | 2022 |
| 6 | Bernie Parmalee | 13 | 1987 |
| 7 | Marcus Merriweather | 12 | 2001 |
| | Marcus Merriweather | 12 | 2002 |
| | Jahwan Edwards | 12 | 2014 |
| | James Gilbert | 12 | 2016 |
| | Caleb Huntley | 12 | 2019 |
Single game :
| Rk | Player | TDs | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Michael Blair | 4 | 1994 | Akron |
| | MiQuale Lewis | 4 | 2008 | Indiana |

## Receiving
### Receptions

Career :
| Rk | Player | Rec | Years |
| 1 | Justin Hall | 318 | 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 |
| 2 | KeVonn Mabon | 244 | 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 |
| 3 | Dante Ridgeway | 238 | 2002 2003 2004 |
| 4 | Willie Snead | 223 | 2011 2012 2013 |
| 5 | Briggs Orsbon | 213 | 2008 2009 2010 2011 |
| 6 | Jordan Williams | 200 | 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
| 7 | Dante Love | 199 | 2005 2006 2007 2008 |
| 8 | Yo'Heinz Tyler | 181 | 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 |
| 9 | Jamill Smith | 177 | 2010 2011 2012 2013 |
| 10 | Tanner Koziol | 163 | 2022 2023 2024 |
Single season :
| Rk | Player | Rec | Year |
| 1 | Willie Snead | 106 | 2013 |
| 2 | Dante Ridgeway | 105 | 2004 |
| 3 | Dante Love | 100 | 2007 |
| 4 | Tanner Koziol | 94 | 2024 |
| 5 | Dante Ridgeway | 89 | 2003 |
| | Willie Snead | 89 | 2012 |
| 7 | KeVonn Mabon | 85 | 2016 |
| 8 | Justin Hall | 78 | 2017 |
| 9 | Jayshon Jackson | 73 | 2022 |
| 10 | Jordan Williams | 72 | 2013 |
| | Jordan Williams | 72 | 2015 |
Single game :
| Rk | Player | Rec | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Kevin Canfield | 15 | 1972 | Western Michigan |
| 2 | Dante Ridgeway | 14 | 2004 | Akron |
| | Dante Love | 14 | 2007 | Indiana |
| | Jamill Smith | 14 | 2012 | Northern Illinois |
| | Willie Snead | 14 | 2012 | Kent State |
| 6 | Adrian Reese | 13 | 1999 | Eastern Michigan |
| | Dante Ridgeway | 13 | 2004 | Eastern Michigan |
| | Justin Hall | 13 | 2017 | Western Michigan |
| | Dante Love | 13 | 2007 | Rutgers |
| | Briggs Orsbon | 13 | 2008 | Buffalo |

### Receiving yards

Career :
| Rk | Player | Yards | Years |
| 1 | Justin Hall | 3,385 | 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 |
| 2 | Dante Ridgeway | 3,030 | 2002 2003 2004 |
| 3 | Willie Snead | 2,991 | 2011 2012 2013 |
| 4 | KeVonn Mabon | 2,862 | 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 |
| 5 | Dante Love | 2,778 | 2005 2006 2007 2008 |
| 6 | Jordan Williams | 2,723 | 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
| 7 | Darius Hill | 2,473 | 2005 2006 2007 2008 |
| 8 | Yo'Heinz Tyler | 2,265 | 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 |
| 9 | Deon Chester | 2,256 | 1984 1985 1986 1987 |
| 10 | Briggs Orsbon | 2,218 | 2008 2009 2010 2011 |
Single season :
| Rk | Player | Yards | Year |
| 1 | Willie Snead | 1,516 | 2013 |
| 2 | Dante Ridgeway | 1,399 | 2004 |
| 3 | Dante Love | 1,398 | 2007 |
| 4 | Willie Snead | 1,148 | 2012 |
| 5 | Dante Ridgeway | 1,075 | 2003 |
| 6 | Dave Naumcheff | 1,065 | 1983 |
| 7 | Jordan Williams | 1,050 | 2013 |
| 8 | Brian Oliver | 1,010 | 1993 |
| 9 | KeVonn Mabon | 976 | 2016 |
| 10 | Darius Hill | 926 | 2007 |
Single game :
| Rk | Player | Yards | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Brian Oliver | 297 | 1993 | Toledo |
| 2 | Dave Naumcheff | 237 | 1983 | Bowling Green |
| 3 | Vic Comparetto | 219 | 1971 | Indiana State |
| 4 | Dante Ridgeway | 217 | 2004 | Western Michigan |
| 5 | Willie Snead | 216 | 2012 | Kent State |
| 6 | Dante Ridgeway | 215 | 2004 | Central Michigan |
| 7 | Dante Love | 214 | 2007 | Nebraska |
| 8 | Juan Gorman | 200 | 1994 | Purdue |
| 9 | Kevin Canfield | 198 | 1972 | Western Michigan |
| 10 | Dante Ridgeway | 185 | 2004 | Eastern Michigan |

### Receiving touchdowns

Career :
| Rk | Player | TDs | Years |
| 1 | Darius Hill | 31 | 2005 2006 2007 2008 |
| 2 | Willie Snead | 26 | 2011 2012 2013 |
| 3 | Brian Oliver | 24 | 1991 1992 1993 1994 |
| | Jordan Williams | 24 | 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
| 5 | Dante Ridgeway | 22 | 2002 2003 2004 |
| | Yo'Heinz Tyler | 22 | 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 |
| 7 | Dante Love | 20 | 2005 2006 2007 2008 |
| 8 | Justin Hall | 18 | 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 |
| | Tanner Koziol | 18 | 2022 2023 2024 |
| 10 | Jamill Smith | 17 | 2010 2011 2012 2013 |
Single season :
| Rk | Player | TDs | Year |
| 1 | Willie Snead | 15 | 2013 |
| 2 | Darius Hill | 11 | 2007 |
| 3 | Brian Oliver | 10 | 1993 |
| | Dante Ridgeway | 10 | 2003 |
| | Darius Hill | 10 | 2006 |
| | Dante Love | 10 | 2007 |
| | Jordan Williams | 10 | 2013 |
| 8 | Willie Snead | 9 | 2012 |
Single game :
| Rk | Player | TDs | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Larry Hamell | 4 | 1963 | Valparaiso |
| | Rick Morrison | 4 | 1977 | Eastern Michigan |
| 3 | Vic Comparetto | 3 | 1971 | Indiana State |
| | Juan Gorman | 3 | 1994 | Purdue |
| | Dante Ridgeway | 3 | 2004 | Western Michigan |
| | Jack Tomlinson | 3 | 2010 | Akron |
| | Jamill Smith | 3 | 2013 | Miami (Ohio) |

## Total offense

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

### Total offense yards

Career :
| Rk | Player | Yards | Years |
| 1 | Keith Wenning | 11,730 | 2010 2011 2012 2013 |
| 2 | Nate Davis | 9,732 | 2006 2007 2008 |
| 3 | Drew Plitt | 9,474 | 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 |
| 4 | Talmadge Hill | 6,484 | 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
| 5 | Riley Neal | 6,482 | 2015 2016 2017 |
| 6 | Mike Neu | 5,852 | 1990 1991 1992 1993 |
| 7 | David Riley | 5,093 | 1986 1987 1988 1989 |
| 8 | Brent Baldwin | 4,643 | 1993 1994 1995 1996 |
| 9 | Jahwan Edwards | 4,558 | 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
| 10 | Willard Rice | 4,403 | 1968 1969 1970 1971 |
Single season :
| Rk | Player | Yards | Year |
| 1 | Keith Wenning | 4,192 | 2013 |
| 2 | Nate Davis | 3,903 | 2008 |
| 3 | Nate Davis | 3,902 | 2007 |
| 4 | Keith Wenning | 3,200 | 2012 |
| 5 | Drew Plitt | 3,089 | 2019 |
| 6 | Riley Neal | 3,081 | 2016 |
| 7 | Keith Wenning | 2,968 | 2011 |
| 8 | Kadin Semonza | 2,819 | 2024 |
| 9 | Riley Neal | 2,675 | 2015 |
| 10 | Drew Plitt | 2,672 | 2021 |
Single game :
| Rk | Player | Yards | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Nate Davis | 479 | 2007 | Nebraska |
| 2 | Riley Neal | 463 | 2018 | Kent State |
| 3 | Keith Wenning | 459 | 2012 | Kent State |
| 4 | Drew Plitt | 453 | 2019 | Fordham |
| 5 | Mike Neu | 450 | 1993 | Toledo |
| 6 | Keith Wenning | 445 | 2013 | Miami (Ohio) |
| 7 | Keith Wenning | 438 | 2012 | Northern Illinois |
| | Riley Neal | 438 | 2016 | Eastern Michigan |
| 9 | Riley Neal | 411 | 2015 | Northern Illinois |
| 10 | John Paddock | 403 | 2022 | Northern Illinois |

### Touchdowns responsible for

"Touchdowns responsible for" is the NCAA's official term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.
Career :
| Rk | Player | TDs | Years |
| 1 | Keith Wenning | 105 | 2010 2011 2012 2013 |
| 2 | Nate Davis | 84 | 2006 2007 2008 |
| 3 | Drew Plitt | 82 | 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 |
| 4 | Jahwan Edwards | 51 | 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
| 5 | Dave Wilson | 48 | 1976 1977 1978 1979 |
| | Talmadge Hill | 48 | 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
| 7 | Riley Neal | 45 | 2015 2016 2017 |
Single season :
| Rk | Player | TDs | Year |
| 1 | Keith Wenning | 40 | 2013 |
| 2 | Nate Davis | 35 | 2007 |
| 3 | Nate Davis | 31 | 2008 |
| 4 | Drew Plitt | 29 | 2019 |
| 5 | Keith Wenning | 27 | 2012 |
| 6 | Dave Wilson | 26 | 1977 |
| | Kadin Semonza | 26 | 2024 |
| 8 | MiQuale Lewis | 22 | 2008 |
| | Keith Wenning | 22 | 2011 |
| 10 | Riley Neal | 21 | 2016 |
| | Drew Plitt | 21 | 2020 |

## Defense
### Interceptions

Career :
| Rk | Player | Ints | Years |
| 1 | Sean Baker | 18 | 2008 2009 2010 2011 |
| 2 | Shafer Suggs | 14 | 1972 1973 1974 1975 |
| | Mike Lecklider | 14 | 1974 1975 1976 |
| 4 | Terry Schmidt | 13 | 1971 1972 1973 |
| | Greg Garnica | 13 | 1986 1987 1988 1989 |
Single season :
| Rk | Player | Ints | Year |
| 1 | Craig Newberg | 13 | 1981 |
| | Kelly George | 13 | 1982 |
| 3 | Bryant Branigan | 11 | 1992 |
| | Keith McKenzie | 11 | 1995 |
| 5 | Wilber McDonald | 10 | 1997 |
Single game :
| Rk | Player | Ints | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Bob Burkhardt | 3 | 1966 | Indiana (Pa.) |
| | Doc Heath | 3 | 1966 | Valparaiso |
| | Mike Lecklider | 3 | 1975 | Richmond |
| | Greg Garnica | 3 | 1989 | Miami (Ohio) |
| | Sean Baker | 3 | 2008 | Akron |

### Tackles

Career :
| Rk | Player | Tackles | Years |
| 1 | Greg Garnica | 689 | 1986 1987 1988 1989 |
Single season :
| Rk | Player | Tackles | Year |
| 1 | Kevin Johnson | 204 | 1993 |
| 2 | Kevin Johnson | 196 | 1994 |
| 3 | Greg Garnica | 188 | 1987 |
| 4 | Greg Garnica | 185 | 1986 |
| 5 | Mark Parris | 178 | 1992 |
| 6 | Brad Saar | 169 | 1985 |
| 7 | Mark Parris | 167 | 1991 |
| 8 | Greg Garnica | 161 | 1989 |
Single game :
| Rk | Player | Tackles | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Kevin Johnson | 29 | 1993 | Ohio |
| | Kevin Johnson | 29 | 1993 | Akron |
| | Kevin Johnson | 29 | 1994 | Eastern Michigan |
| 4 | Greg Garnica | 25 | 1986 | Eastern Michigan |
| | Kevin Johnson | 25 | 1994 | Miami (Ohio) |

### Sacks

Career :
| Rk | Player | Sacks | Years |
| 1 | Keith McKenzie | 25.0 | 1992 1993 1994 1995 |
| | Anthony Winbush | 25.0 | 2014 2015 2016 2017 |
| 2 | Kelly George | 24.0 | 1979 1980 1981 1982 |
Single season :
| Rk | Player | Sacks | Year |
| 1 | Anthony Winbush | 11.5 | 2017 |
| 2 | Anthony Winbush | 8.5 | 2016 |
| 3 | Nickey Baker | 8.0 | 1965 |
| | Shafer Suggs | 8.0 | 1974 |
| | Sidney Houston Jr. | 8.0 | 2023 |
Single game :
| Rk | Player | Sacks | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Toby Beegle | 5.0 | 1990 | Central Michigan |

## Kicking
### Field goals made

Career :
| Rk | Player | FGs | Years |
| 1 | John Diettrich | 63 | 1983 1984 1985 1986 |
| 2 | Kenny Stucker | 62 | 1988 1989 1990 1991 |
| 3 | Ian McGarvey | 55 | 2007 2008 2009 2010 |
| 4 | Brian Jackson | 49 | 2003 2004 2005 2006 |
| 5 | Scott Secor | 44 | 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
| 6 | Steven Schott | 41 | 2009 2010 2011 2012 |
| 7 | Morgan Hagee | 40 | 2015 2016 2017 |
| 8 | Brent Lockliear | 38 | 1994 1995 1996 1997 |
| 9 | Jackson Courville | 26 | 2023 2024 |
| 10 | Mike Langford | 21 | 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
Single season :
| Rk | Player | FGs | Year |
| 1 | John Diettrich | 25 | 1985 |
| | Steven Schott | 25 | 2012 |
| | Scott Secor | 25 | 2014 |
| 4 | Kenny Stucker | 19 | 1989 |
| | Scott Secor | 19 | 2013 |
| 6 | Kenny Stucker | 18 | 1988 |
| | Ian McGarvey | 18 | 2009 |
| 8 | John Diettrich | 17 | 1986 |
| | Brian Jackson | 17 | 2006 |
| | Ben VonGunten | 17 | 2022 |
Single game :
| Rk | Player | FGs | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | John Diettrich | 5 | 1985 | Indiana State |
| | Scott Secor | 5 | 2014 | Akron |