Northwestern Wildcats football statistical leaders

Updated on Dec 03, 2024

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The Northwestern Wildcats football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Northwestern Wildcats 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 Wildcats represent Northwestern University in the NCAA's Big 10 Conference.

Although Northwestern began competing in intercollegiate football in 1876, records from before the 1950s are often incomplete and inconsistent, so players from then may not make it onto these lists.

These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons:

Since the 1950s, 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 Wildcats have played in 8 bowl games since the decision, allowing many recent players an extra game to accumulate statistics.

These lists are updated through the end of the 2015 season.

Total offense

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

References

Northwestern Wildcats football statistical leaders Wikipedia

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