The Real Deal

[Schadenfreude]

What are the current numbers for career yards? It can't still eb at what it was in 1980 can it? Are those guys even on the list anymore?

No, college football has changed.

This was the career passing yardage list heading into this season:

CAREER YARDS

1. Timmy Chang, Hawaii (2000-04): 17,072
2. Ty Detmer, Brigham Young (1988-91): 15,031
3. Philip Rivers, North Carolina St (2000-03): 13,484
4. Tim Rattay, Louisiana Tech (1997-99): 12,746
5. Luke McCown, Louisiana Tech (2000-03): 12,666
6. Chris Redman, Louisville (1996-99): 12,541
7. Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech (1999-02): 12,429
8. Byron Leftwich, Marshall (1998-02): 11,903
9. David Greene, Georgia (2001-04): 11,528
10. Gino Guidugli, Cincinnati (2001-04): 11,453

... (others of interest) ...

12. Carson Palmer, Southern California (1998-02): 11,388
13. Tim Lester, Western Mich. (1996-99): 11,299

15. Peyton Manning, Tennessee (1994-97): 11,201

17. Charlie Frye, Akron (2001-04): 11,049
18. Ryan Schneider, Cent. Fla. (2000-03): 10,976

23. Ben Roethlisberger, Miami (Ohio) (2001-03): 10,829
24. Chad Pennington, Marshall (1997-99): 10,698

27. Doug Flutie, Boston College (1981-84): 10,579

30. Brian McClure, Bowling Green (1982-85): 10,280

50. Daunte Culpepper, Cent. Fla. (1996-98): 9,341

69. Brad Tayles, Western Mich. (1989-92): 8,717

[Schadenfreude]

Even more interesting is this little chart, "career yardage progression." Enjoy:

3,075—Billy Patterson, Baylor, 1936-38;
3,777—Bud Schwenk, Washington-St. Louis, 1939-41;
4,004—Johnny Rauch, Georgia, 1945-48;
4,736—John Ford, Hardin-Simmons, 1947-50;
4,863—Zeke Bratkowski, Georgia, 1951-53;
5,472—Jerry Rhome, Southern Methodist, 1961, Tulsa, 1963-64;
6,495—Billy Stevens, UTEP, 1965-67;
7,076—Steve Ramsey, North Texas, 1967-69;
7,544—Jim Plunkett, Stanford, 1968-70;
7,549—John Reaves, Florida, 1969-71;
7,818—Jack Thompson, Washington St., 1975-78;
9,188—Mark Herrmann, Purdue, 1977-80;
9,536—Jim McMahon, Brigham Young, 1977-78, 1980-81;
9,614—Ben Bennett, Duke, 1980-83;
10,579—Doug Flutie, Boston College, 1981-84;
10,623—Kevin Sweeney, Fresno St., $1982-86;
11,425—Todd Santos, San Diego St., 1984-87;
15,031—Ty Detmer, Brigham Young, 1988-91;
17,072—Timmy Chang, Hawaii, $2000-04.