By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 9, 2024
College football keeps track of every statistic for their record books. They, of course, keep track of records for popular stats like most rushing attempts, most rushing yards, pass attempts, consecutive completions, touchdowns responsible for, most receptions, and sacks, to name a few.
But every season, the NCAA also keeps track of records of the more obscure stats, like most rushing attempts during a night game after a holiday, most consecutive completions to a tight end, most rushing yards on turf, longest pass attempts dropped, or most games without scoring a field goal. If you know the player holds any of these very obscure records, this is the quiz for you.
In this quiz, we’ll test you on the most surprising records in college football, records that most people don’t even know exist. Come show that you’re the champion of college football trivia in this obscure records quiz!
College Football Records
College football is hugely popular, with big schools like Florida State or Michigan State receiving thousands of fans per game. If they're lucky, these fans may get to see a record being set. College football records have been kept since the first game ever played, and every single year those stats expand to cover more and more data than ever before. From the most pass attempts in a season to the most passes intercepted, the basic stats have always been fun to track and talk about for years.
These days, they have expanded the data to include everything from most yards receiving by a freshman quarterback to most consecutive field goals missed by a junior. The obscure records are still the most fun to read about since they include things you'd never realize could even be a record.
Do You Know Who Holds These Obscure College Football Records?
When it comes to college football, we all know the Heisman winners and national champions. Those guys get their jerseys retired and their faces plastered all over highlight reels. But hold onto your helmets, because the world of college pigskin is packed with records so quirky and downright odd, you might find yourself doing a double-take at the stat sheet!
So, let’s huddle up and dive into the less-traveled corridors of college football lore. Ever wondered about the longest field goal in a snowstorm, or the most safeties scored by a single player in a game? Those are the kind of delightfully obscure records we're talking about. Grab your foam fingers and face paint, because we are about to kick off an epic journey through some of the most head-scratching, eyebrow-raising achievements that college football has to offer!
Record-Breaking Playmakers and Game-Changers
When it comes to college football, some players set the bar so high it seems to hang out with the clouds. These aren't just any players; they're the ones who redefine what we think is possible on the gridiron.
Quarterbacks With an Arm Stronger Than Hercules
In the realm of obscure college football records, few QBs can sling it like Andre Ware of Houston. With an arm that seemed to be forged in mythology, Ware shattered records with a whopping 4,699 passing yards in the magical year of 1989. And let's not forget Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech; who could? In 2016, this QB prodigy turned the field into a fireworks display, setting the FBS single-game record for total offense.
Rush Hour Heroes: Fast Feet and Unstoppable Runs
Bow down to the kings of the ground game! Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State became a legend in 1988 by rushing for an astronomical 2,628 yards in a single season. Sprinkle in Wisconsin's bulldozer duo, Ron Dayne and Jonathan Taylor, both of whom bulldozed the competition and left names etched in the record books for average rushing yards per game.
Catching History: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Next up, we've got those wide receivers and tight ends who caught everything but a cold. If we're spinning the record wheel, it lands on Corey Davis of Western Michigan. With 5,278 receiving yards, Davis taught us all a lesson in consistency. Meanwhile, Alex Van Dyke of Nevada said 'hold my Gatorade' as he chalked up the most receiving yards in a single season—over 1,800 in 1995, no less!
So, before you try our quiz and find out which gridiron great you're most like, tip your hat to these football gladiators. They've set records that have us checking our glasses to make sure we're seeing right!
Fascinating Factoids and Phenomenal Football Feats
Let's lace up for a dive into the college gridiron lore where defensive savants and special teams wizards leave us in awe with their superhuman antics on the field.
Defensive Demigods and Special Teams Titans
Derrick Thomas, the sack maestro from Alabama, still reigns over NCAA records with the most sacks in a single game. Now imagine this – a whirlwind on the field who amassed a dizzying 27 sacks in a season. That's Terrell Suggs for you, folks, a legend that bleed Arizona State maroon and gold. But wait, there's Elvis Dumervil, striking fear into hearts with his own sack party. Special teams bring their own magic – ever heard of Pat Brady's monstrous 69-yard longest punt? It's as legendary as a football unicorn!
Gridiron Legends: Coaches and Unparalleled Teams
Navy may not be your traditional juggernaut, but talk about a relentless force; they're the proud owners of the most shutouts in a season. Now, for the maestros calling the shots, let's tip our hats to the heavyweight champs of the coaching world. With more national titles under their belts than a heavy-lifting champion, Alabama and Clemson are true titans, sculpting seasons that would make Mount Olympus look like a sandbox. Remember when Georgia Tech ramblin' wrecked up a margin of victory at the 222-0 Rose Bowl?If that doesn't spell phenomenal, we're not sure what does!