Colorado Buffaloes football statistical leaders

The Colorado Buffaloes football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Colorado Buffaloes football program in various categories,^[1][2][3] including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Buffaloes represent the University of Colorado Boulder in the NCAA Division I FBS Big 12 Conference.

Although Colorado began competing in intercollegiate football in 1890,^[3] the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in the 1930s. Records prior to this year are often incomplete and inconsistent, and are generally not included in these lists.

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

• Since the 1930s, 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.^[4] The Buffaloes have played in six bowl games since then, allowing players in those seasons an extra game to accumulate statistics. However, Colorado record books before 2024 did not include bowl games from any season in any category of career statistics.^[2] Even in 2024, only passing, rushing, and total offense leaderboards incorporate bowl game statistics.^[1]
• Similarly, the Buffaloes have appeared in the Big 12 Championship Game four times and the Pac-12 Championship Game once, giving players yet another game to accumulate stats.
• Due to COVID-19 disruptions, the NCAA ruled that the 2020 season would not count against any football player's athletic eligibility, giving all players active in that season the opportunity for five years of play instead of the normal four.

These lists are updated through the end of the 2024 season. Players expected to be active for Colorado in 2025 are in bold.

Passing

Passing yards

Career Rank Player Yards Years 1 Sefo Liufau 9,763[5] 2013 2014 2015 2016 2 Steven Montez 9,710 2016 2017 2018 2019 3 Cody Hawkins 7,731 2007 2008 2009 2010 4 Joel Klatt 7,708 2002 2003 2004 2005 5 Shedeur Sanders 7,364[6] 2023 2024 6 Kordell Stewart 6,481 1991 1992 1993 1994 7 Tyler Hansen 5,705 2008 2009 2010 2011 8 Koy Detmer 5,390 1992 1994 1995 1996 9 Mike Moschetti 4,797 1998 1999 10 John Hessler 4,788 1994 1995 1996 1997

Single season Rank Player Yards Year 1 Shedeur Sanders 4,134[6] 2024 2 Koy Detmer 3,527 1996 3 Shedeur Sanders 3,230[6] 2023 4 Sefo Liufau 3,200 2014 5 Cody Hawkins 3,015 2007 6 Steven Montez 2,975 2017 7 Tyler Hansen 2,883 2011 8 Steven Montez 2,849 2018 9 Steven Montez 2,808 2019 10 Joel Klatt 2,696 2005

Single game Rank Player Yards Year Opponent 1 Shedeur Sanders 510[7] 2023 TCU 2 Tyler Hansen 474[8] 2011 California 3 Mike Moschetti 465 1999 San Jose State 4 Koy Detmer 457 1996 Missouri 5 Sefo Liufau 455[9] 2014 California 6 Shedeur Sanders 445[10] 2024 North Dakota State 7 Shedeur Sanders 438[11] 2024 Oklahoma State 8 Koy Detmer 426 1995 NE Louisiana 9 Joel Klatt 419[12] 2003 Kansas 10 Koy Detmer 418 1992 Oklahoma

Passing touchdowns

Career Rank Player TDs Years 1 Shedeur Sanders 64[6] 2023 2024 2 Cody Hawkins 63 2007 2008 2009 2010 Steven Montez 63 2016 2017 2018 2019 4 Sefo Liufau 60[5] 2013 2014 2015 2016 5 Joel Klatt 46 2002 2003 2004 2005 6 Koy Detmer 40 1992 1994 1995 1996 7 Tyler Hansen 35 2008 2009 2010 2011 8 John Hessler 34 1994 1995 1996 1997 9 Kordell Stewart 33 1991 1992 1993 1994 Mike Moschetti 33 1998 1999

Single season Rank Player TDs Year 1 Shedeur Sanders 37[6] 2024 2 Sefo Liufau 28 2014 3 Shedeur Sanders 27[6] 2023 4 Koy Detmer 22 1996 Cody Hawkins 22 2007 5 Joel Klatt 21 2003 7 John Hessler 20 1995 Tyler Hansen 20 2011 9 Steven Montez 19 2018 10 Mike Moschetti 18 1999 Steven Montez 18 2017

Single game Rank Player TDs Year Opponent 1 Sefo Liufau 7[9] 2014 California 2 John Hessler 5 1995 Oklahoma John Hessler 5 1995 Oklahoma State Koy Detmer 5 1996 Iowa State Shedeur Sanders 5[13] 2023 Stanford Shedeur Sanders 5[11] 2024 Oklahoma State 7 Darian Hagan 4 1990 Oklahoma State Kordell Stewart 4 1992 Colorado State Koy Detmer 4 1995 Northeast Louisiana Mike Moschetti 4 1999 Oklahoma Mike Moschetti 4 1998 Oregon[14] Joel Klatt 4[15] 2003 Colorado State Joel Klatt 4[16] 2005 Kansas Cody Hawkins 4[17] 2008 Iowa State Cody Hawkins 4[18] 2009 Toledo Shedeur Sanders 4[7] 2023 TCU Shedeur Sanders 4[19] 2023 Colorado State Shedeur Sanders 4[20] 2023 USC Shedeur Sanders 4[10] 2024 North Dakota State Shedeur Sanders 4[21] 2024 Colorado State

Rushing

Rushing yards

Career Rank Player Yards Years 1 Eric Bieniemy 3,940 1987 1988 1989 1990 2 Rodney Stewart 3,598 2008 2009 2010 2011 3 Phillip Lindsay 3,550[22] 2014 2015 2016 2017 4 Bobby Purify 3,096 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 5 Rashaan Salaam 3,057 1992 1993 1994 6 Charlie Davis 2,958 1971 1972 1973 7 Hugh Charles 2,795 2004 2005 2006 2007 8 Chris Brown 2,787 2001 2002 9 James Mayberry 2,548 1975 1976 1977 1978 10 Herchell Troutman 2,487 1994 1995 1996 1997

Single season Rank Player Yards Year 1 Rashaan Salaam 2,055 1994 2 Chris Brown 1,841 2002 3 Eric Bieniemy 1,628 1990 4 Charlie Davis 1,386 1971 5 Rodney Stewart 1,318 2010 6 James Mayberry 1,299 1977 7 Phillip Lindsay 1,254[22] 2017 8 Phillip Lindsay 1,252[22] 2016 9 Eric Bieniemy 1,243 1988 10 Tony Reed 1,210 1976

Single game Rank Player Yards Year Opponent 1 Charlie Davis 342 1971 Oklahoma State 2 Rashaan Salaam 317 1994 Texas 3 Chris Brown 309 2002 Kansas 4 Jarek Broussard 301[23] 2020 Arizona 5 Phillip Lindsay 281[24] 2017 Arizona 6 Rashaan Salaam 259 1994 Iowa State 7 Bobby Anderson 254 1969 Alabama[25] 8 James Mayberry 250 1977 Oklahoma State 9 J.J. Flannigan 246 1989 Kansas State 10 Carroll Hardy 238 1954 Kansas State

Rushing touchdowns

Career Rank Player TDs Years 1 Eric Bieniemy 41 1987 1988 1989 1990 2 Chris Brown 35 2001 2002 3 Bobby Anderson 34 1967 1968 1969 4 Rashaan Salaam 33 1992 1993 1994 5 Phillip Lindsay 32[22] 2014 2015 2016 2017 6 J.J. Flannigan 27 1987 1988 1989 Darian Hagan 27 1988 1989 1990 1991 8 James Mayberry 25 1975 1976 1977 1978 Rodney Stewart 25 2008 2009 2010 2011 10 Merwin Hodel 24 1949 1950 1951 Charlie Davis 24 1971 1972 1973

Single season Rank Player TDs Year 1 Rashaan Salaam 24 1994 2 Bobby Anderson 18 1969 J.J. Flannigan 18 1989 Chris Brown 18 2002 5 Darian Hagan 17 1989 Eric Bieniemy 17 1990 7 Chris Brown 16 2001 8 Phillip Lindsay 16[22] 2016 9 Merwin Hodel 15 1950 Jim Kelleher 15 1976 Phillip Lindsay 15 2016

Single game Rank Player TDs Year Opponent 1 Chris Brown 6 2001 Nebraska 2 Earl Loser 4 1923 BYU Max Chamberlain 4 1925 Denver Bill Smith 4 1928 Colorado Mines Kayo Lam 4 1935 Colorado Mines Byron White 4 1937 Colorado Mines Harry Narcisian 4 1948 Kansas State John Bayuk 4 1954 Arizona Bobby Anderson 4 1969 Tulsa James Mayberry 4 1978 Northwestern J.J. Flannigan 4 1989 Kansas State Eric Bieniemy 4 1990 Nebraska Rashaan Salaam 4 1994 Wisconsin Rashaan Salaam 4 1994 Oklahoma Michael Adkins II 4[26] 2013 Charleston Southern

Receiving

Receptions

Career Rank Player Rec Years 1 Nelson Spruce 294 2012 2013 2014 2015 2 Scotty McKnight 219 2007 2008 2009 2010 3 Shay Fields 194[27] 2014 2015 2016 2017 4 Michael Westbrook 167 1991 1992 1993 1994 5 Paul Richardson 156 2010 2011 2012 2013 6 Travis Hunter 153[28] 2023 2024 7 Phil Savoy 152 1994 1995 1996 1997 8 Laviska Shenault Jr. 149[29] 2017 2018 2019 9 Javon Green 136 1997 1998 1999 2000 10 Rae Carruth 135 1992 1994 1995 1996

Single season Rank Player Rec Year 1 Nelson Spruce 106 2014 2 Travis Hunter 96[28] 2024 2 Nelson Spruce 89 2015 3 Laviska Shenault Jr. 86[29] 2018 4 Paul Richardson 83 2013 6 D.J. Hackett 78 2003 7 Michael Westbrook 76 1992 Scotty McKnight 76 2009 9 LaJohntay Wester 74[30] 2024 10 Devin Ross 69[31] 2016

Single game Rank Player Rec Year Opponent 1 Nelson Spruce 19[9] 2014 California 2 Nelson Spruce 13[32] 2014 Hawai’i Nelson Spruce 13[33] 2014 Washington Travis Hunter 13[13] 2023 Stanford Travis Hunter 13[21] 2024 Colorado State 6 Michael Westbrook 11 1992 Baylor Charles Johnson 11 1992 Missouri Derek McCoy 11[34] 2003 Washington State Scotty McKnight 11[18] 2009 Toledo Markques Simas 11[35] 2009 Oklahoma State Paul Richardson 11[36] 2010 Kansas Paul Richardson 11[8] 2011 California Paul Richardson 11[37] 2013 Central Arkansas Paul Richardson 11[38] 2013 California Nelson Spruce 11[39] 2015 UCLA Phillip Lindsay 11[40] 2016 UCLA Travis Hunter 11[7] 2023 TCU Jimmy Horn Jr. 11[7] 2023 TCU LaJohntay Wester 11[11] 2024 Oklahoma State

Receiving yards

Career Rank Player Yards Years 1 Nelson Spruce 3,347 2012 2013 2014 2015 2 Shay Fields 2,590[27] 2014 2015 2016 2017 3 Scotty McKnight 2,588 2007 2008 2009 2010 4 Michael Westbrook 2,548 1991 1992 1993 1994 5 Rae Carruth 2,540 1992 1994 1995 1996 6 Charles Johnson 2,447 1990 1991 1992 1993 7 Paul Richardson 2,412 2010 2011 2012 2013 8 Phil Savoy 2,176 1994 1995 1996 1997 9 Derek McCoy 2,038 2000 2001 2002 2003 10 Javon Green 2,031 1997 1998 1999 2000

Single season Rank Player Yards Year 1 Paul Richardson 1,343 2013 2 Travis Hunter 1,258[28] 2024 3 Nelson Spruce 1,198 2014 4 Charles Johnson 1,149 1992 5 Rae Carruth 1,116 1996 6 Charles Johnson 1,082 1993 7 Michael Westbrook 1,060 1992 8 Nelson Spruce 1,053 2015 9 D.J. Hackett 1,013 2003 10 Laviska Shenault Jr. 1,011[29] 2018

Single game Rank Player Yards Year Opponent 1 Paul Richardson 284[8] 2011 California 2 Walter Stanley 222 1981 Texas Tech 3 Rae Carruth 222 1996 Missouri 4 Paul Richardson 209[37] 2013 Central Arkansas 5 Paul Richardson 208[41] 2013 Colorado State 6 Jimmy Horn Jr. 198[10] 2024 North Dakota State 7 Omarion Miller 196[20] 2023 USC 8 Derek McCoy 192[15] 2003 Colorado State 9 Michael Westbrook 186 1992 Baylor 10 Charles Johnson 182 1992 Oklahoma

Receiving touchdowns

Career Rank Player TDs Years 1 Nelson Spruce 23 2012 2013 2014 2015 2 Scotty McKnight 22 2007 2008 2009 2010 3 Paul Richardson 21 2010 2011 2012 2013 Shay Fields 21[27] 2014 2015 2016 2017 5 Rae Carruth 20 1992 1994 1995 1996 Derek McCoy 20 2000 2001 2002 2003 Travis Hunter 20[28] 2023 2024 8 Michael Westbrook 19 1991 1992 1993 1994 9 Javon Green 17 1997 1998 1999 2000 10 Charles Johnson 15 1990 1991 1992 1993

Single season Rank Player TDs Year 1 Travis Hunter 15[28] 2024 2 Nelson Spruce 12 2014 3 Derek McCoy 11 2003 4 Paul Richardson 10 2013 LaJohntay Wester 10[30] 2024 6 Charles Johnson 9 1993 Rae Carruth 9 1995 Shay Fields 9[27] 2016 9 Gary Knafelc 8 1953 Michael Westbrook 8 1992 Rae Carruth 8 1996 Toney Clemons 8 2011

Single game Rank Player TDs Year Opponent 1 Richard Johnson 3 1982 Kansas Rae Carruth 3 1996 Iowa State Nelson Spruce 3[9] 2014 California Shay Fields 3[42] 2016 Oregon State Dylan Edwards 3[7] 2023 TCU Travis Hunter 3[10] 2024 North Dakota State Travis Hunter 3[11] 2024 Oklahoma State

Total offense

Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.^[43]

Total offense yards

Career Rank Player Yards Years 1 Sefo Liufau 10,702 2013 2014 2015 2016 2 Steven Montez 10,670 2016 2017 2018 2019 3 Kordell Stewart 8,538 1991 1992 1993 1994 4 Cody Hawkins 7,718 2007 2008 2009 2010 5 Joel Klatt 7,562 2002 2003 2004 2005 6 Shedeur Sanders 7,237[6] 2023 2024 7 Tyler Hansen 6,338 2008 2009 2010 2011 8 Darian Hagan 6,276 1988 1989 1990 1991 9 Koy Detmer 5,747 1992 1994 1995 1996 10 Mike Moschetti 5,355 1998 1999

Single season Rank Player Yards Year 1 Shedeur Sanders 4,084[6] 2024 2 Sefo Liufau 3,336 2014 3 Steven Montez 3,313 2017 4 Steven Montez 3,187 2018 5 Shedeur Sanders 3,153[6] 2023 6 Koy Detmer 3,150 1996 7 Tyler Hansen 2,998 2011 8 Steven Montez 2,961 2019 9 Sefo Liufau 2,860[5] 2016 10 Kordell Stewart 2,823 1993

Single game Rank Player Yards Year Opponent 1 Sefo Liufau 527[9] 2014 California 2 Mike Moschetti 500 1999 San Jose State Tyler Hansen 500[8] 2011 California 4 Shedeur Sanders 478[7] 2023 TCU 5 Steven Montez 468[44] 2016 Oregon 6 Shedeur Sanders 462[10] 2024 North Dakota State 7 Koy Detmer 457 1996 Missouri 8 Sefo Liufau 453[45] 2016 Washington State 9 Mike Moschetti 446 1999 Oklahoma 10 Shedeur Sanders 437[13] 2023 Stanford

Touchdowns responsible for

"Touchdowns responsible for" is the NCAA's official term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.^[46]

Career Rank Player TDs Years 1 Steven Montez 74[5] 2016 2017 2018 2019 2 Sefo Liufau 73[5] 2013 2014 2015 2016 3 Shedeur Sanders 72[6] 2023 2024 4 Cody Hawkins 70 2007 2008 2009 2010 5 Darian Hagan 54 1988 1989 1990 1991 6 Joel Klatt 49 2002 2003 2004 2005 7 Kordell Stewart 48 1991 1992 1993 1994 8 John Hessler 44 1994 1995 1996 1997 9 Bobby Anderson 43 1967 1968 1969 Koy Detmer 43 1992 1994 1995 1996 Tyler Hansen 43 2008 2009 2010 2011

Single season Rank Player TDs Year 1 Shedeur Sanders 41[6] 2024 2 Shedeur Sanders 31[6] 2023 3 Sefo Liufau 28 2014 4 Koy Detmer 25 1996 Cody Hawkins 25 2007 6 Rashaan Salaam 24 1994 John Hessler 24 1995 8 Mike Moschetti 23 1999 Tyler Hansen 23 2011 Steven Montez 23 2018

Single game Rank Player TDs Year Opponent 1 Sefo Liufau 7[9] 2014 California 2 Chris Brown 6 2001 Nebraska

Defense

Interceptions

Career Rank Player Ints Years 1 John Stearns 16 1970 1971 1972 2 Chris Hudson 15 1991 1992 1993 1994 3 Dick Anderson 14 1965 1966 1967 Terrence Wheatley 14 2003 2004 2006 2007 5 Tim James 13 1987 1988 1989 1990 Tedric Thompson 13 2013 2014 2015 2016 7 Deon Figures 12 1988 1990 1991 1992 8 Steve Rosga 11 1994 1995 1996 Ben Kelly 11 1997 1998 1999 10 Roy Shepherd 10 1950 1951 1952 Boyd Dowler 10 1956 1957 1958 Cullen Bryant 10 1970 1971 1972 Victor Scott 10 1980 1981 1982 1983

Single season Rank Player Ints Year 1 Dick Anderson 7 1967 Cullen Bryant 7 1972 Tedric Thompson 7 2016 4 John Stearns 6 1972 Tim James 6 1990 Deon Figures 6 1992

Single game Rank Player Ints Year Opponent 1 Malcolm Miller 3 1949 Kansas Roy Shepherd 3 1952 Colorado State Frank Bernardi 3 1953 Utah Carroll Hardy 3 1953 Utah Dick Anderson 3 1967 Oregon Rich Bland 3 1973 Air Force Victor Scott 3 1982 Oklahoma State Terrence Wheatley 3[47] 2007 Texas Tech

Tackles

Career Rank Player Tackles Years 1 Barry Remington 493 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 2 Matt Russell 446 1993 1994 1995 1996 3 Greg Biekert 441 1989 1990 1991 1992 4 Jordon Dizon 440 2004 2005 2006 2007 5 Ted Johnson 409 1991 1992 1993 1994 6 Laval Short 372 1976 1977 1978 1979 7 Chad Brown 369 1989 1990 1991 1992 8 Michael Jones 349 1986 1987 1988 1989 9 Thaddeus Washington 338 2003 2004 2005 2006 10 Michael Lewis 336 1998 1999 2000 2001

Single season Rank Player Tackles Year 1 Ray Cone 183 1982 2 Ryan Sutter 170 1997 3 Bill Roe 162 1979 4 Barry Remington 162 1985 5 Jordon Dizon 160 2007 6 Ryan Black 154 1996 7 Greg Biekert 150 1990 8 Eric McCarty 148 1987 9 Ted Johnson 147 1994 10 Jeff Geiser 146 1973

Single game Rank Player Tackles Year Opponent 1 Jeff Geiser 30 1973 Kansas State 2 Ryan Sutter 28 1997 Michigan Hannibal Navies 28 1997 Missouri 4 Lennie Ciufo 25 1973 Oklahoma State Brian Cabral 25 1977 Stanford 6 Jeff Geiser 24 1973 Oklahoma Bill Roe 24 1979 Kansas State Don DeLuzio 24 1986 Oregon

Sacks

Career Rank Player Sacks Years 1 Alfred Williams 35.0 1987 1988 1989 1990 2 Ron Woolfork 33.0 1990 1991 1992 1993 3 Greg Jones 25.0 1992 1994 1995 1996 4 Laval Short 24.5 1976 1977 1978 1979 5 Abraham Wright 21.0 2004 2005 2006 6 Herb Orvis 20.0 1969 1970 1971 Dan McMillen 20.0 1982 1983 1984 1985 Chidera Uzo-Diribe 20.0 2010 2011 2012 2013 Jimmie Gilbert 20.0 2013 2014 2015 2016 10 Bill Brundige 19.0 1967 1968 1969 Curt Koch 19.0 1984 1985 1986 1987 Leonard Renfro 19.0 1989 1990 1991 1992

Single season Rank Player Sacks Year 1 Dan McMillen 14.0 1985 2 Ron Woolfork 13.5 1992 3 Bill Brundige 13.0 1969 Ron Woolfork 13.0 1991 5 Alfred Williams 12.5 1990 6 Abraham Wright 11.5 2006 7 Alfred Williams 10.5 1989 Leonard Renfro 10.5 1992 Jimmie Gilbert 10.5 2016 10 Curt Koch 10.0 1986 Garry Howe 10.0 1990

Single game Rank Player Sacks Year Opponent 1 Bill Brundige 5.0 1969 Alabama[25] Dan McMillen 5.0 1985 Kansas 3 Ron Woolfork 4.5 1992 Iowa 4 Bill Brundige 4.0 1969 Iowa State

Kicking

Field goals made

Career Rank Player FGs Years 1 Mason Crosby 66 2003 2004 2005 2006 2 Will Oliver 50 2011 2012 2013 3 Jeremy Aldrich 48 1996 1997 1998 1999 4 Tom Field 36 1979 1980 1982 1983 5 James Stefanou 34[48] 2017 2018 2019 2020 6 Aric Goodman 25 2008 2009 2010 7 Cole Becker 25[49] 2021 2022 8 Ken Culbertson 23 1986 1987 1988 1989 9 Jim Harper 22 1990 1991 Neil Voskeritchian 22 1994 1995 Alejandro Mata 22[50] 2023 2024

Single season Rank Player FGs Year 1 Mason Crosby 21 2005 2 Mason Crosby 19 2004 Mason Crosby 19 2006 4 Jeremy Flores 18 2001 Diego Gonzalez 18[51] 2015 6 Will Oliver 17 2013 James Stefanou 17[48] 2017 8 Jeremy Aldrich 16 1998 Jeremy Aldrich 16 1999 Will Oliver 16 2014

Single game Rank Player FGs Year Opponent 1 Jeremy Aldrich 5 1999 Kansas Kevin Eberhart 5[52] 2007 Baylor

Field goal percentage

Career Rank Player FG% Years 1 Alejandro Mata 81.5%[50] 2023 2024 2 Cole Becker 75.8%[49] 2021 2022 3 Jeremy Aldrich 75.0% 1996 1997 1998 1999 Mason Crosby 75.0% 2003 2004 2005 2006 5 Will Oliver 72.5% 2011 2012 2013 6 James Stefanou 69.4%[48] 2017 2018 2019 2020 7 Tom Field 65.5% 1979 1980 1982 1983 8 Neil Voskeritchian 64.7% 1994 1995 9 Diego Gonzalez 63.6%[51] 2014 2015 2016 10 Jim Harper 62.9% 1990 1991

Single season Rank Player FG% Year 1 Jeremy Aldrich 85.7% 1997