Who are the best YPC rushers all-time for BYU Football?
We recently interviewed former BYU Football Running Back Matt Hadley (@versace_matt2) on Cougars Sports with Ben Criddle. During our discussion we talked about his potential as a running back at BYU had he played the position his entire time as a Cougar (also played LB).
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Let’s pull up Hadley’s stats while at the RB position:
Career (2012, 2015-2018)
Carries – 71
Yards Gained – 390
Yards Lost – 11
Net Yards – 379
Yards Per Carry (YPC) – 5.3
Long – 40 yards
Touchdowns – 6
While some of those numbers might not jump off the page, there is one, in particular, that did in my mind and it got me thinking.
5.3.
5.3 Yards Per Carry.
If Matt Hadley was running for a first down every couple times he touched the ball on average he would be up there with the great RBs in BYU history, right?
Let’s see where he sits all-time (minimum 50 carries):
| Rank | Name | Year(s) | Carries | Yards Gained | Yards Lost | Net Yards | YPC |
| 1 | Eddie Stinnett | 1982-1983 | 101 | 765 | 23 | 742 | 7.3 |
| 2 | Vai Sikahema | 1980-1981, 1983-1985 | 112 | 755 | 10 | 745 | 6.7 |
| 3 | Homer Jones | 1979-1980 | 107 | 732 | 23 | 709 | 6.6 |
| 4 | Tom Tuipulotu | 1983-1986 | 91 | 596 | 7 | 589 | 6.5 |
| 5 | Francis Bernard | 2015-2016 | 52 | 346 | 12 | 334 | 6.4 |
| 6 | Dustin Johnson | 1995-1997 | 68 | 441 | 14 | 427 | 6.3 |
| 7 | David Foote | 2010-2012 | 63 | 415 | 18 | 397 | 6.3 |
| 8 | Casey Tiumalu | 1982-1983 | 244 | 1,530 | 26 | 1,504 | 6.2 |
| 9 | Scott Pettis | 1980-1982 | 149 | 951 | 52 | 899 | 6 |
| 10 | KJ Hall | 2016-2017 | 65 | 393 | 3 | 390 | 6 |
| 11 | Luke Staley | 1999-2002 | 419 | 2,644 | 151 | 2,493 | 5.9 |
| 12 | Stacey Corley | 1987-1990 | 138 | 869 | 48 | 821 | 5.9 |
| 13 | Robert Parker | 1984-1986 | 129 | 818 | 62 | 756 | 5.9 |
| 14 | Eric Lane | 1979-1980 | 190 | 1,072 | 10 | 1,062 | 5.6 |
| 15 | Mike Salido | 1986-1988, 1990 | 177 | 1,049 | 64 | 985 | 5.6 |
| 16 | Reynaldo Brathwaite | 2003 | 145 | 891 | 79 | 812 | 5.6 |
| 17 | Reno Mahe | 1998, 2001-2002 | 128 | 776 | 57 | 719 | 5.6 |
| 18 | Peter Tuipulotu | 1987-1991 | 277 | 1,570 | 42 | 1,528 | 5.5 |
| 19 | Scott Phillips | 1977-1980 | 212 | 1,244 | 86 | 1,157 | 5.5 |
| 20 | Steve Campora | 1956-1958 | 94 | 266 | 7 | 521 | 5.5 |
| 21 | Lopini Katoa | 2018 | 77 | 437 | 10 | 427 | 5.5 |
| 22 | Kelly Smith | 1982-1985 | 74 | 446 | 38 | 408 | 5.5 |
| 23 | Jamaal Williams | 2012-2014, 2016 | 726 | 3,998 | 97 | 3,901 | 5.4 |
| 24 | Ronney Jenkins | 1996, 1998 | 380 | 2,179 | 139 | 2,040 | 5.4 |
| 25 | Steve Stratton | 1971-1973 | 215 | 1,176 | 16 | 1,160 | 5.4 |
| 26 | Taysom Hill | 2012-2016 | 534 | 3,336 | 517 | 2,819 | 5.3 |
| 27 | Bruce Hansen | 1980-1981, 1985-1986 | 135 | 725 | 15 | 710 | 5.3 |
| 28 | Riley Burt | 2015, 2017-2018 | 96 | 534 | 21 | 513 | 5.3 |
| 29 | Matt Hadley | 2012, 2015-2018 | 71 | 390 | 11 | 379 | 5.3 |
| 30 | Jamal Willis | 1991-1994 | 576 | 3,169 | 199 | 2,970 | 5.2 |
| 31 | Pete Van Valkenburg | 1969-1972 | 456 | 2,529 | 137 | 2,392 | 5.2 |
| 32 | Kalin Hall | 1992-1993 | 251 | 1,399 | 90 | 1,309 | 5.2 |
| 33 | Nate Carter | 2013-2015 | 84 | 459 | 20 | 439 | 5.2 |
| 34 | Tefua Bloomfield | 1994-1995 | 66 | 352 | 12 | 340 | 5.2 |
| 35 | Brian McKenzie | 1996-1997 | 385 | 2,021 | 67 | 1,954 | 5.1 |
| 36 | JJ DiLuigi | 2008-2011 | 352 | 1,858 | 61 | 1,797 | 5.1 |
| 37 | Algernon Brown | 2013-2016 | 259 | 1,349 | 39 | 1,310 | 5.1 |
| 38 | Steve Carlsen | 1977, 1979-1980 | 53 | 277 | 5 | 272 | 5.1 |
| 39 | Harvey Unga | 2006-2009 | 696 | 3,547 | 92 | 3,455 | 5 |
| 40 | Curtis Brown | 2002, 2004-2006 | 641 | 3,372 | 151 | 3,221 | 5 |
| 41 | Weldon Jackson | 1956-1958 | 292 | 185 | 39 | 1,449 | 5 |
| 42 | Squally Canada | 2015-2018 | 286 | 1,478 | 40 | 1,438 | 5 |
| 43 | Adam Hinē | 2012-2015 | 142 | 747 | 43 | 704 | 5 |
| 44 | Waymon Hamilton | 1980-1983 | 218 | 1,113 | 49 | 1,064 | 4.9 |
| 45 | Paul Lasike | 2012-2014 | 171 | 856 | 13 | 843 | 4.9 |
| 46 | Eric Mortensen | 1988-1991 | 91 | 473 | 31 | 442 | 4.9 |
| 47 | Mark Giles | 1973-1975 | 53 | 346 | 85 | 261 | 4.9 |
| 48 | Marcus Whalen | 2000, 2002-2003 | 264 | 1,359 | 93 | 1,266 | 4.8 |
| 49 | Brian McDonald | 2000-2001 | 148 | 741 | 35 | 706 | 4.8 |
| 50 | Phil Brady | 1962-1964 | 128 | 609 | 4.8 | ||
| 51 | Jack Gifford | 1958-1960 | 106 | 508 | 4.8 | ||
| 52 | Wayne Bower | 1970-1973 | 98 | 494 | 35 | 460 | 4.7 |
| 53 | Ken Call | 1967-1968 | 51 | 250 | 12 | 238 | 4.7 |
| 54 | Ron Wakley | 1967-1969 | 137 | 640 | 13 | 627 | 4.6 |
| 55 | Alan Robinson | 1962-1964 | 108 | 497 | 4.6 | ||
| 56 | Paul Allen | 1959-1961 | 60 | 275 | 4.6 | ||
| 57 | Lakei Heimuli | 1983-1986 | 605 | 2,850 | 140 | 2,710 | 4.5 |
| 58 | Eldon Fortie | 1960-1962 | 364 | 1,624 | 4.5 | ||
| 59 | Fred Whittingham | 1984, 1987-1989 | 351 | 1,704 | 124 | 1,580 | 4.5 |
| 60 | Fui Vakapuna | 2003, 2006-2008 | 249 | 1,235 | 118 | 1,117 | 4.5 |
| 61 | Nyle McFarlane | 1958-1959 | 181 | 811 | 4.5 | ||
| 62 | Bill Ring | 1977-1978 | 174 | 822 | 40 | 782 | 4.5 |
| 63 | LeGrand Young | 1955, 1958-1959 | 140 | 624 | 4.5 | ||
| 64 | Casey Wingard | 1977-1978 | 115 | 555 | 38 | 517 | 4.5 |
| 65 | Howard Ringwood | 1957-1959 | 112 | 509 | 4.5 | ||
| 66 | John Ogden | 1964-1966 | 535 | 1,617 | 11 | 2,376 | 4.4 |
| 67 | Matt Bellini | 1987-1990 | 214 | 998 | 67 | 931 | 4.4 |
| 68 | Michael Alisa | 2008, 2011-2014 | 175 | 811 | 35 | 776 | 4.4 |
| 69 | Scott Farmer | 1954-1956 | 101 | 122 | 5 | 441 | 4.4 |
| 70 | Mark Terranova | 1973-1977 | 94 | 454 | 40 | 414 | 4.4 |
| 71 | Jeff Blanc | 1973-1976 | 625 | 2,766 | 103 | 2,663 | 4.3 |
| 72 | Hema Heimuli | 1992-1995 | 329 | 1,521 | 95 | 1,426 | 4.3 |
| 73 | Josh Quezada | 2010-2011 | 185 | 843 | 40 | 803 | 4.3 |
| 74 | Kalani Sitake | 1994, 1997-2000 | 86 | 400 | 27 | 373 | 4.3 |
| 75 | Ron Jacobson | 1956, 1959-1960 | 66 | 189 | 9 | 283 | 4.3 |
| 76 | Fahu Tahi | 1999, 2003-2005 | 326 | 1,432 | 74 | 1,358 | 4.2 |
| 77 | Chris Reading | 1968-1970 | 95 | 403 | 8 | 395 | 4.2 |
| 78 | Dick Felt | 1952-1954 | 91 | 379 | 4.2 | ||
| 79 | Ula Tolutau | 2017 | 72 | 308 | 5 | 303 | 4.2 |
| 80 | Scott Charlton | 1988-1991 | 53 | 243 | 23 | 220 | 4.2 |
| 81 | Mark Atuaia | 1991, 1994-1996 | 301 | 1,309 | 62 | 1,247 | 4.1 |
| 82 | Perry Rodrigue | 1966-1967 | 97 | 421 | 23 | 398 | 4.1 |
| 83 | Don James | 1953-1954 | 75 | 306 | 4.1 | ||
| 84 | Bryan Kariya | 2008-2011 | 278 | 1,141 | 40 | 1,101 | 4 |
| 85 | Steve Young | 1981-1983 | 269 | 1,601 | 517 | 1,084 | 4 |
| 86 | Roger Gourley | 1975-1977 | 145 | 613 | 32 | 581 | 4 |
| 87 | Dave Lowry | 1974-1976 | 137 | 587 | 35 | 552 | 4 |
| 88 | Todd Christensen | 1974-1977 | 270 | 1,089 | 23 | 1,066 | 3.9 |
| 89 | Raynor Pearce | 1955-1957 | 180 | 171 | 18 | 701 | 3.9 |
| 90 | Wally Hawkins | 1965-1968 | 134 | 533 | 15 | 518 | 3.9 |
| 91 | Will Snowden | 1997-2000 | 69 | 286 | 16 | 270 | 3.9 |
| 92 | Virgil Carter | 1964-1966 | 323 | 1,114 | 277 | 1,225 | 3.8 |
| 93 | Kip Jackson | 1968-1970 | 312 | 1,232 | 54 | 1,180 | 3.8 |
| 94 | Riley Nelson | 2009-2012 | 226 | 1,151 | 293 | 858 | 3.8 |
| 95 | Manase Tonga | 2005-2007, 2009 | 178 | 716 | 38 | 678 | 3.8 |
| 96 | Steve Ogden | 1964-1966 | 104 | 254 | 6 | 393 | 3.8 |
| 97 | John Malarsie | 1961-1963 | 89 | 326 | 3.7 | ||
| 98 | Ned Stearns | 1996, 1999-2001 | 55 | 222 | 19 | 203 | 3.7 |
| 99 | Charlie Ah You | 1972-1975 | 213 | 821 | 55 | 766 | 3.6 |
| 100 | Dave Swanson | 1965, 1968-1969 | 166 | 612 | 7 | 605 | 3.6 |
| 101 | Tom Ripee | 1967-1968 | 135 | 494 | 10 | 484 | 3.6 |
| 102 | Tom Stolworthy | 1960 | 62 | 225 | 3.6 | ||
| 103 | Doran Merkley | 1961-1963 | 223 | 789 | 3.5 | ||
| 104 | Keith Hubbs | 1957-1959 | 138 | 485 | 3.5 | ||
| 105 | Randy Litchfield | 1973, 1976 | 62 | 323 | 108 | 215 | 3.5 |
| 106 | Dalton Overstreet | 1954-1955 | 52 | 182 | 3.5 | ||
| 107 | Dave Coon | 1970-1973 | 249 | 1,015 | 130 | 839 | 3.4 |
| 108 | Brandon Doman | 1998-2001 | 185 | 956 | 330 | 626 | 3.4 |
| 109 | Mike O’Brien | 1969, 1985-1988 | 121 | 440 | 29 | 411 | 3.4 |
| 110 | Phil Oyler | 1953-1955 | 118 | 398 | 3.4 | ||
| 111 | Dan Taylor | 1960, 1972-1973 | 68 | 268 | 36 | 232 | 3.4 |
| 112 | Eddie Nichols | 1969-1970 | 116 | 385 | 6 | 379 | 3.3 |
| 113 | Kent Oborn | 1964-1966 | 75 | 153 | 13 | 247 | 3.3 |
| 114 | Dave McLaren | 1954-1955 | 58 | 192 | 3.3 | ||
| 115 | Joe McGinn | 1957-1959 | 54 | 165 | 3.1 | ||
| 116 | Burt Bullock | 1956-1959 | 74 | 94 | 10 | 223 | 3 |
| 117 | Terry Sanford | 1967-1968 | 104 | 556 | 253 | 303 | 2.9 |
| 118 | Zach Wilson | 2018 | 75 | 379 | 158 | 221 | 2.9 |
| 119 | Bruce Samples | 1960-1961 | 58 | 170 | 2.9 | ||
| 120 | Bill Nelson | 1961-1963 | 118 | 327 | 2.8 | ||
| 121 | Dion Frazier | 1960-1961, 1963 | 110 | 292 | 2.7 | ||
| 122 | Bill Wright | 1960-1962 | 97 | 264 | 2.7 | ||
| 123 | Gary Dunn | 1958-1959 | 83 | 226 | 2.7 | ||
| 124 | Bud Belnap | 1958-1960 | 107 | 280 | 2.6 | ||
| 125 | Dave Terry | 1970-1973 | 164 | 619 | 234 | 385 | 2.3 |
| 126 | Carroll Johnston | 1955-1957 | 71 | 82 | 43 | 146 | 2.1 |
| 127 | Doug Wardell | 1962-1964 | 90 | 184 | 2 | ||
| 128 | Christian Stewart | 2013-2014 | 83 | 321 | 163 | 158 | 1.9 |
| 129 | Bob Jensen | 1985-1987 | 136 | 618 | 391 | 227 | 1.7 |
| 130 | Brian Gunderson | 1970-1972 | 69 | 227 | 112 | 115 | 1.7 |
| 131 | Max Hall | 2007-2009 | 189 | 624 | 420 | 204 | 1.1 |
| 132 | Jim McMahon | 1977-1978, 1980-1981 | 265 | 935 | 748 | 187 | 0.7 |
| 133 | Rick Jones | 1968-1970 | 147 | 518 | 426 | 92 | 0.6 |
| 134 | John Beck | 2003-2006 | 267 | 735 | 696 | 39 | 0.1 |
| 135 | Marc Wilson | 1975-1979 | 246 | 724 | 759 | -35 | -0.1 |
| 136 | Bill August | 1971-1972 | 99 | 256 | 278 | -22 | -0.2 |
| 137 | Charlie Peterson | 1995, 1999-2001 | 60 | 190 | 201 | -11 | -0.2 |
| 138 | Marc Lyons | 1966-1969 | 169 | 526 | 571 | -45 | -0.3 |
| 139 | Robbie Bosco | 1982-1985 | 162 | 478 | 579 | -101 | -0.6 |
| 140 | Steve Lindsley | 1984-1986 | 100 | 301 | 392 | -91 | -0.9 |
| 141 | Tanner Mangum | 2015-2018 | 119 | 280 | 400 | -120 | -1 |
| 142 | Steve Sarkisian | 1995-1996 | 164 | 352 | 563 | -211 | -1.3 |
| 143 | Sean Covey | 1986-1989 | 109 | 231 | 375 | -144 | -1.3 |
| 144 | Ty Detmer | 1988-1991 | 265 | 739 | 1,105 | -366 | -1.4 |
| 145 | Kevin Feterik | 1996-1999 | 248 | 531 | 873 | -342 | -1.4 |
| 146 | Matt Berry | 2002-2005 | 92 | 195 | 333 | -138 | -1.5 |
| 147 | Gary Sheide | 1973-1974 | 102 | 192 | 364 | -172 | -1.7 |
| 148 | Bret Engemann | 1999-2000, 2002 | 62 | 119 | 243 | -124 | -2 |
| 149 | Gifford Nielsen | 1974-1977 | 163 | 281 | 723 | -442 | -2.7 |
| 150 | John Walsh | 1991-1994 | 179 | 162 | 816 | -654 | -3.7 |
29th! 29th out of 150 rushers seen totin the rock in a Cougar uni! That’s pretty impressive and the numbers say as much. It makes me wonder what could have been had Hadley been at RB when he returned from a mission in 2015. The RB depth in 2015 included the following:
- Algernon Brown
- Adam Hine
- Nate Carter
- Francis Bernard
I know Cougar fans love to play the “what if” game as well. Matt Hadley alluded to the “what if” about what his BYU career could have been at Running Back in the interview below:
I also think we need to factor in style of offense when looking at these rushing leaders. Guys like Eddite Stinnett and Vai Sikahema took advantage of the trap draw. Guys like Taysom Hill & Jamaal Williams played with the Go Fast, Go Hard offense. But it was amazing to see where the greats stacked up against one another.
Other Rushers of Note:
5 – Francis Bernard 6.4 YPC (transferred)
10 – KJ Hall 6 YPC (retired)
11 – Luke Staley 5.9 YPC (left early for NFL)
21 – Lopini Katoa 5.5 YPC (currently projected as BYU’s RB1 for 2019)
23 – Jamaal Williams 5.4 (BYU’s All-Time Leading Rusher)
26 – Taysom Hill 5.3 (BYU’s All-Time QB Rushing Leader)
28 – Riley Burt 5.3 YPC (transferred)
39 – Harvey Unga 5 YPC (previous All-Time Leading Rusher)
40 – Curtis Brown 5 YPC (previous All-Time Leading Rusher)
42 – Squally Canada 5 YPC (2018 Starting Running Back)
74 – Kalani Sitake 4.3 YPC (BYU Football Head Coach)
85 – Steve Young 4 YPC (BYU great & NFL Hall of Famer)
118 – Zach Wilson 2.9 YPC (Current Starting QB)
There are some pretty awesome names on that list.
What do you think of the list? Who stands out to you? Would Matt Hadley’s career have looked like had he be given the opportunity to run the ball his whole time in a Cougar blue? Let me know what you think! Tweet at me @CriddleBenjamin using #ESPN960.
