MSU Stats: Past, Present & Future
The last 15 years for Mississippi State football have included the best of times, and the worst of times. Looking at the statistics from the past 15 football seasons (since 1997), here are some highlights:
Top 5 Individual Passing Seasons:
1. Kevin Fant, 2,151 (2003)
2. Kevin Fant, 1,918 (2002)
3. Wayne Madkin, 1,908 (2000)
4. Wayne Madkin, 1,884 (1999)
5. Chris Relf, 1,789 (2010)
*Chris Relf is on pace for 1,456 in 2011, Tyler Russell is on pace for 949.
Top 5 Individual Rushing Seasons:
1. Anthony Dixon, 1,391 (2009)
2. James Johnson, 1,383 (1998)
3. Jerious Norwood, 1,126 (2005)
4. James Johnson, 1,069 (1997)
5. Anthony Dixon, 1,066 (2007)
*Vick Ballard is on pace for 1,110 in 2011, LaDarius Perkins is on pace for 445.
Top 5 Individual Receiving Seasons:
1. Justin Jenkins, 880 (2003)
2. Tony Burks, 850 (2006)
3. Kelvin Love, 834 (1999)
4. Kevin Printiss, 681 (1998)
5. Justin Jenkins, 661 (2001)
*Arceto Clark is on pace for 466 in 2011, Chad Bumphis is on pace for 427.
Top 5 Overall Passing Seasons:
1. 2,611 in 2002 (Kevin Fant – 1,918, Kyle York – 693)
2. 2,424 in 1999 (Wayne Madkin – 1,884, Matt Wyatt – 530)
2. 2,424 in 2010 (Chris Relf – 1,789, Tyler Russell – 635)
4. 2,364 in 2001 (Kevin Fant – 1,352, Wayne Madkin – 1,012)
5. 2,295 in 2006 (Michael Henig – 1,201, Omarr Conner – 943, Tray Rutland – 151)
*MSU is on pace for 2,549 in 2011.
Top 5 Overall Rushing Seasons:
1. 2,792 in 2010 (Vick Ballard – 968, Chris Relf – 713, LaDarius Perkins – 566, Robert Elliot – 221, etc.)
2. 2,731 in 2009 (Anthony Dixon – 1,391, Chris Relf – 500, Christian Ducre – 263, Robert Elliot – 221, etc.)
3. 2,131 in 2000 (Dicenzo Miller – 1,005, Dontae Walker – 795, etc.)
4. 2,119 in 1998 (James Johnson – 1,383, Dicenzo Miller – 290, etc.)
5. 1,783 in 2007 (Anthony Dixon – 1066, Christian Ducre – 487, etc.)
*MSU is on pace for 2,341 in 2011.
*In a statistical anomaly for MSU, the 10-2 season of 1999 (MSU’s best in this span) featured the least amount of rushing yardage (1,224). The second best season (9-4 in 2010) featured the most rushing yardage (2,792).
Top 5 Best Defensive Seasons in yards per game:
1. 236 in 1999
2. 321 in 2006
3. 324 in 1998
3. 324 in 2002
5. 327 in 2008
*MSU has averaged 343 YPG over this span (333 YPG if you throw out the 473 in 2003).
*MSU is allowing 340 YPG in 2011.
Top 5 Best Defensive Seasons in points per game:
1. 13.0 in 1999
2. 19.6 in 1997
3. 19.7 in 1998
4. 19.8 in 2010
5. 23.2 in 2007
*MSU has averaged 24.4 PPG over this span (23.2 PPG if you throw out the 39.3 in 2003).
*MSU is allowing 19.3 PPG in 2011.
Top Passing Careers:
1. Wayne Madkin, 6,336 (’98-’01) – #1 in MSU history
2. Kevin Fant, 5,631 (’00-’03) – #2 in MSU history
Current Passing Careers:
1. Chris Relf (Sr.), 2,945 – needs to throw for 565 YPG to break MSU record
2. Tyler Russell (So.), 1,149 – needs to throw for 162 YPG to break MSU record (however, he is slightly ahead of where Fant was at this point in his career)
Top Rushing Careers:
1. Anthony Dixon, 3,994 (’06-’09) – #1 in MSU history
2. Jerious Norwood, 3,212 (’02-’05) – #2 in MSU history
Current Rushing Careers:
1. Vick Ballard (Sr.), 1,566 – needs 405 YPG to break MSU record
2. LaDarius Perkins (So.), 806 – needs 100 YPG to break MSU record (however, he is slightly ahead of where Norwood was at this point in his career)
Top Receiving Careers:
1. Justin Jenkins, 1,974 (’00-’03)
2. Terrell Grindle 1,724 (’99-’02)
* MSU’s all-time leading receivers are Mardye McDole, 2,214 (’77-’80) & David Smith, 2,168 (’68-’70).
Current Receiving Careers:
1. Chad Bumphis (Jr.), 1,215 – needs 53 YPG to break MSU record (he is well ahead of Jenkins and Grindle’s pace to this point in his career)
2. Arceto Clark (Jr.), 624 – needs 84 YPG to break MSU record
Perhaps the most likely record to be broken is Walt Harris’ (’92-’95) 16 interceptions during his career at MSU. Johnthan Banks (Jr.) now has 12 INTs (5 this year). He just needs to average .21 INTs per game, or roughly one pick every four games and he will break that record.