Previously I posted all the single-game passing yardage leaders (LINK). Today we look at the season passing yardage leaders.
Hit the jump for the list.
- 3,331 – John Navarre (2003)
- 3,061 – Shea Patterson (2019)
- 3,017 – Jake Rudock (2015)
- 2,960 – Devin Gardner (2013)
- 2,905 – John Navarre (2002)
- 2,743 – Chad Henne (2004)
- 2,739 – Jake Rudock (2015)
- 2,729 – Jim Harbaugh (1986)
- 2,719 – J.J. McCarthy (2022)
- 2,636 – Tom Brady (1998)
- 2,600 – Shea Patterson (2018)
- 2,586 – Tom Brady (1999)
- 2,576 – Cade McNamara (2021)
- 2,570 – Denard Robinson (2010)
- 2,538 – Wilton Speight (2016)
- 2,526 – Chad Henne (2005)
- 2,518 – Todd Collins (1994)
- 2,509 – Todd Collins (1993)
- 2,508 – Chad Henne (2005)
- 2,435 – John Navarre (2001)
- 2,293 – Brian Griese (1997)
- 2,173 – Denard Robinson (2011)
- 2,146 – Drew Henson (2000)
- 2,085 – Elvis Grbac (2001)
- 2,050 – Tate Forcier (2009)
- 2,025 – Scott Dreisbach (1996)
- 1,976 – Jim Harbaugh (1985)
- 1,938 – Chad Henne (2007)
- 1,911 – Elvis Grbac (1990)
It’s pretty impressive that John Navarre’s school record is still standing since 2003, even after the rule changes that have favored passing offenses. Rich Rodriguez’s super-speed spread came and went, and Michigan has had seasons where they need to throw the ball all over the place to try to catch up, and the record still belongs to Navarre.
This was originally posted on April 26, 2019.
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I ascribe to the school of thought that Navarre got a raw deal from the fans here over a sophomore year in which he had absolutely no business doing any job more strenuous than warming up Drew Henson, who is the real villain that year.
I also ascribe to the theory that Carr, tired of it all, and still pissy about Navarre, threw a fuck you into the program by bailing on Rich Rod rather than helping to smooth the path for him coming in, a la Bump who was never anything other than a class act here.
Just sayin’.
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I agree and it’s a major blemish on Carr’s otherwise excellent legacy. He failed to develop a quality coaching tree and got upset when none of his underqualified guys got the job. The resistance to Rodriguez turned out not to be futile. Carr could have changed that but instead he was complicit in it.
Oh well, in the end we got the best guy for the program and got to enjoy some fun memories, despite a rough 2008-2014.
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Shea Patterson was 731 yards away from the record. He could reach that this year. Very possible.
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First you get my upvote again for these snapshots of our history and for the effort it takes to get them to us.
I admit I didn’t realize what we had with Navarre at the time because the team was so well balanced with receivers and a decent run game. Also, if the truth be told those were the days when a cold beer and UM football on the radio made for a great afternoon because we knew we could compete with anyone.
We are only a decent QB staying here for three or four years away from shattering this record given today’s game.
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My memory is dim and I can’t recall the 2003 season … if the team was well balanced with receivers and runners, then it suggests the passing yards were deliberate (as opposed to throws made out of desperation to catch up). What do you recall about the offensive game plan of that year? Where were those passing yards achieved … on a lot of short dink/dunks, or more downfield shots; first down shots or 3rd-and-long success?
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I can’t do a full breakdown of exactly how it worked, but there was a lot of play action with downfield shots. When you’ve got Chris Perry running for 1,600 yards, you’ve got a lot of opportunities to suck defenses up and throw over the top. Plus you’ve got Braylon and Breaston, who can stretch the field. Lots of wide open post routes and out routes.
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Add Perry out of the backfield and Avant and we had some serious weapons. Offense was pretty balanced run/pass. But, you know what we still finished the year 10-3. (I looked it up)
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Losses to Oregon, Iowa, and USC in the Rose Bowl.
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It was a very Harbaughish team, other than actually beating Ohio State. We choked against Iowa and lost our bowl resoundingly to a team that exposed how lacking we were in top tier athletes.
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Thanks!
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Why is Rudock listed twice, at 3 & again at 7?
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For some reason #7 Rudock is his 2015 Regular Season Passing Total.
He threw for 285 yards in the Citrus Bowl
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