The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Hilltoppers represent Western Kentucky University (WKU) in the NCAA's Conference USA (C-USA) in the Football Bowl Subduvision (FBS) of Division I.
Although Western Kentucky began competing in intercollegiate football in 1908, the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun the 1950s. Records from before this decade are often incomplete and inconsistent, and they are generally not included in these lists.
These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons: Since 1951, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length. C-USA has held a championship game since 2005. Since joining the league in 2014, WKU has appeared in three title games, winning in 2015 and 2016 and losing in 2021. 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. Postseason games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002. Since then, the Hilltoppers have appeared the FCS Playoffs three times and in eight bowl games. Due to COVID-19, the NCAA declared that the 2020 season would not count against any player's athletic eligibility, thus giving anyone who appeared in a game during that season five years of eligibility instead of the standard four.
These lists are updated through the 2025 season.
Passing
Passing yards
+ Career 1 Brandon Doughty 12,855 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2 Jeff Cesarone 8,566 1984 1985 1986 1987 3 Mike White 8,540 2016 2017 4 Austin Reed 8,084 2022 2023 5 Justin Haddix 7,9292003 2004 2005 2006 6 Kawaun Jakes7,538 2009 2010 2011 2012 7 Bailey Zappe 5,967 2021 8 Johnny Vance4,0461966 1967 1968 1969 9 John Hall3,8761977 1978 1979 1980 10 Jimmy Feix3,7801949 1950 1951 1952
+ Single season 1 Bailey Zappe 5,967 2021 2 Brandon Doughty 5,055 2015 3 Brandon Doughty 4,830 2014 4 Austin Reed 4,744 2022 5 Mike White 4,363 2016 6 Mike White 4,177 2017 7 Austin Reed 3,340 2023 8 Caden Veltkamp3,108 2024 9 Brandon Doughty 2,857 2013 10 Jeff Cesarone 2,737 1985
+ Single game 1 Brandon Doughty 593 2014 Middle Tennessee 2 Bailey Zappe 577 2021 UTSA(C-USA Championship Game) 3 Brandon Doughty 569 2014 Bowling Green 4 Bailey Zappe 523 2021 UTSA 5 Mike White 5172016Rice 6 Austin Reed497 2022 South Alabama 7 Jeff Cesarone4941985 Akron 8 Brandon Doughty 491 2014 Marshall 9 Bailey Zappe 488 2021 Michigan State 10 Brandon Doughty 486 2014 Central Michigan(Bahamas Bowl)
Passing touchdowns
+ Career 1 Brandon Doughty 111 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2 Austin Reed 71 2022 2023 3 Mike White 63 2016 2017 4 Bailey Zappe 62 2021 5 Kawaun Jakes 51 2009 2010 2011 2012 6 Justin Haddix 50 2003 2004 2005 2006 7 Jeff Cesarone 46 1984 1985 1986 1987 8 Leo Peckenpaugh 35 1970 1971 1972 1973 9 Jimmy Feix301949 1950 1951 1952 John Hall301977 1978 1979 1980 Willie Taggart301995 1996 1997 1998 Caden Veltkamp30 2022 2023 2024
+ Single season 1 Bailey Zappe 62 2021 2 Brandon Doughty 49 2014 3 Brandon Doughty 48 2015 4 Austin Reed 40 2022 5 Mike White 37 2016 6 Austin Reed 31 2023 7 Mike White26 2017 8 Caden Veltkamp25 2024 9 Kawaun Jakes222012 10 Jeff Cesarone181985
+ Single game1Brandon Doughty 8 2014 Marshall 2 Bailey Zappe 7 2021 UT Martin 3 Brandon Doughty 6 2014 Bowling Green Brandon Doughty 6 2015 Miami (Ohio) Bailey Zappe 6 2021 Florida Atlantic Bailey Zappe 6 2021 Appalachian State(Boca Raton Bowl) Austin Reed6 2022 Charlotte 8 15 times by 8 players 5 Most recent: Maverick McIvor, 2025 vs. North Alabama
Rushing
Rushing yards
+ Career1Bobby Rainey4,5422008 2009 2010 20112Lerron Moore4,3962003 2004 2005 20063Willie Taggart3,9971995 1996 1997 19984Antwan Floyd3,7751993 1994 1995 19965Antonio Andrews3,6742010 2011 2012 20136Joe Arnold3,5701985 1986 1987 19887Dickie Moore3,5601965 1966 1967 19688Anthony Wales3,342 2013 2014 2015 20169Clarence Jackson2,5841970 1971 1972 197310Jimmy Woods2,4791975 1976 1977 1978
+ Single season1Antonio Andrews1,73020132Antonio Andrews1,72820123Bobby Rainey1,69520114Joe Arnold1,66819885Bobby Rainey1,64920106Anthony Wales1,621 20167Leon Allen1,54220148Jon Frazier1,53720029Lerron Moore1,490200310Dickie Moore1,4441967
+ Single game1Leon Allen345 2014 Army2Eddie Thompson3091992 Southern Illinois3Clarence Jackson2971971 Butler4Willie Taggart2891997 Southern Illinois5Joe Arnold2601987 North Carolina A&T6Rod Smart2581999 Eastern Illinois
Rushing touchdowns
+ Career1Willie Taggart471995 1996 1997 19982Lerron Moore432003 2004 2005 2006Anthony Wales43 2013 2014 2015 20164Clarence Jackson371970 1971 1972 19735Bobby Rainey352008 2009 2010 20116Dickie Moore341965 1966 1967 19687Antonio Andrews292010 2011 2012 20138Joe Arnold281985 1986 1987 19889Antwan Floyd271993 1994 1995 199610Latravis Powell241994 1995 1996 1997
+ Single season1Anthony Wales27 20162Dickie Moore1919673Willie Taggart161997Antonio Andrews1620135Willie Taggart151998Bobby Rainey1520107Joe Arnold141988Jason Michael142002Brian Porter14200410Lerron Moore132003Bobby Rainey132011Leon Allen132014
+ Single game 1 Antonio Andrews 5 2013 Morgan State 2 5 times 4 Most recent: Anthony Wales, 2016 vs. Louisiana Tech
Receiving
Receptions
+ Career 1 Malachi Corley259 2020 2021 2022 20232Taywan Taylor253 2013 2014 2015 20163Lucky Jackson210 2016 2017 2018 20194Nicholas Norris194 2013 2014 2015 20165Willie McNeal1712010 2012 2013 20146Jake Gaebler1682006 2007 2008 20097Jack Doyle1622009 2010 2011 20128Jared Dangerfield151 2014 20159 Jerreth Sterns 150 2021 10 Curtis Hamilton 149 2004 2005 2006 2007
+ Single season 1 Jerreth Sterns 150 2021 2 Malachi Corley101 2022 3 Taywan Taylor 98 2016 4 Lucky Jackson 94 2019 5 Mitchell Tinsley 87 2021 6 Taywan Taylor 86 2015 7 Jared Dangerfield 82 2015 8 Malachi Corley79 2023 9 Nicholas Norris 76 2016 Jahcour Pearson 76 2019
+ Single game1Lucky Jackson17 2019 Western Michigan (First Responder Bowl) Jerreth Sterns 17 2021 Michigan State3Lucky Jackson16 2019 Marshall Jerreth Sterns 16 2021 UTSA 5 Jay Davis 15 1969 Akron 6 Jerreth Sterns 14 2021 FIU 7 Jerreth Sterns 13 2021 Old Dominion Jerreth Sterns 13 2021 Appalachian State(Boca Raton Bowl) 9 Pat McKenzie121984 Eastern IllinoisCurtis Hamilton12 2007 Eastern KentuckyTaywan Taylor12 2014 Bowling GreenTaywan Taylor12 2016 Middle Tennessee Jerreth Sterns 12 2021 Florida Atlantic Daewood Davis12 2022 Troy
Receiving yards
+ Career1Taywan Taylor4,234 2013 2014 2015 20162Nicholas Norris3,091 2013 2014 2015 2016 3 Malachi Corley3,033 2020 2021 2022 20234Lucky Jackson2,691 2016 2017 2018 20195Curtis Hamilton2,3242004 2005 2006 20076Jay Davis2,2361968 1969 1970 19717Willie McNeal2,1812010 2012 2013 20148Keith Paskett2,1171983 1984 1985 19869Eddie Preston2,0831976 1977 1978 197910Joey Stockton2,0571995 1996 1997
+ Single season 1 Jerreth Sterns 1,902 2021 2 Taywan Taylor 1,730 2016 3 Taywan Taylor 1,467 2015 4 Mitchell Tinsley 1,402 2021 5 Nicholas Norris 1,318 2016 6 Malachi Corley1,293 2022 7 Lucky Jackson 1,133 2019 8 Porter Williams 1,107 1973 9 Malachi Corley984 2023 10 Nicholas Norris 971 2015
+ Single game 1 Joey Stockton 276 1995 Austin Peay 2 Jerreth Sterns 221 2021 Old Dominion 3 Malachi Corley 207 2023 Louisiana Tech 4 Mitchell Tinsley 198 2021 Rice 5 Taywan Taylor197 2016 Middle Tennessee 6 Taywan Taylor196 2015 Indiana 7 Jerreth Sterns 195 2021 UTSA 8 Joey Stockton1941997Murray State Taywan Taylor 194 2016 Louisiana Tech(C-USA Championship) Lucky Jackson194 2019 Florida Atlantic
Receiving touchdowns
+ Career 1 Taywan Taylor41 2013 2014 2015 20162Malachi Corley29 2020 2021 2022 2023 3 Nicholas Norris26 2013 2014 2015 2016 4 Eddie Preston221976 1977 1978 1979 5 Porter Williams211970 1971 1972 1973 Willie McNeal212010 2012 2013 2014 Dalvin Smith212020 2021 2022 2023 2024 8 Jay Davis191968 1969 1970 Curtis Hamilton192004 2005 2006 2007 Jared Dangerfield19 2014 2015
+ Single season 1 Taywan Taylor 17 2015 Taywan Taylor 17 2016 Jerreth Sterns 17 2021 4 Nicholas Norris 14 2016 Mitchell Tinsley 14 2021 6 Porter Williams 11 1973 Jared Dangerfield 11 2014 Malachi Corley11 2022 Malachi Corley11 2023 10 Curtis Hamilton 10 2006
+ Single game1Porter Williams41973 Murray State2Porter Williams31971 East Tennessee StateEddie Preston31978 Morehead StateTyler Higbee32014 MarshallTaywan Taylor3 2015 Middle TennesseeNicholas Norris3 2016Louisiana TechTaywan Taylor3 2016 Old DominionTaywan Taylor3 2016 North Texas Jerreth Sterns 3 2021 Appalachian State(Boca Raton Bowl) Malachi Corley3 2022 Austin Peay Malachi Corley 3 2023 Louisiana Tech Dalvin Smith 3 2023 Old Dominion
Total offense Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.
Total offense yards
+ Career1Brandon Doughty12,570 2011 2012 2013 2014 20152Justin Haddix8,890 2003 2004 2005 2006 3 Austin Reed 8,408 2022 20234Willie Taggart7,223 1995 1996 1997 19985Jeff Cesarone7,852 1984 1985 1986 19876Kawaun Jakes8,323 2009 2010 2011 2012 7 Bailey Zappe 5,984 2021 8 Johnny Vance 4,782 1966 1967 1968 1969 9 Bobby Rainey4,595 2008 2009 2010 2011 10 Lerron Moore4,334 2003 2004 2005 2006
+ Single season 1 Bailey Zappe 5,984 2021 2 Austin Reed 4,968 2022 3 Brandon Doughty 4,933 2015 4 Brandon Doughty 4,778 2014 5 Mike White 4,289 2016 6 Austin Reed 3,440 2023 7 Caden Veltkamp3,2582024 8 Brandon Doughty 2,478 2013 9 Kawaun Jakes2,546 2012 10 Jeff Cesarone2,542 1985
+ Single game 1 Bailey Zappe 582 2021 UTSA(C-USA Championship Game) 2 Brandon Doughty579 2014 Middle Tennessee 3 Brandon Doughty567 2014 Bowling Green 4 Bailey Zappe 525 2021 UTSA 5 Austin Reed522 2022 South Alabama 6 Mike White517 2016Rice 7 Brandon Doughty495 2015 Indiana 8 Brandon Doughty490 2014 Central Michigan(Bahamas Bowl) 9 Jeff Cesarone4841985 Akron 10 Bailey Zappe 477 2021 Rice
Touchdowns responsible for "Touchdowns responsible for" is the NCAA's official term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns. Note that Western's most recent (2021) football media guide does not list leaders in this statistic over any time frame, though past media guides have done so.
+ Career1Brandon Doughty114 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Austin Reed 83 2022 20233Willie Taggart77 1995 1996 1997 19984Justin Haddix70 2003 2004 2005 20065Kawaun Jakes65 2009 2010 2011 2012 Bailey Zappe 65 2021 7 Jeff Cesarone 48 1984 1985 1986 1987 Mike White 48 2016 9 Lerron Moore43 2003 2004 2005 2006Anthony Wales43 2013 2014 2015 2016
+ Single season 1 Bailey Zappe 65 2021 2 Brandon Doughty 51 2014 3 Brandon Doughty 49 2015 4 Mike White 48 2016 Austin Reed 48 2022 6 Austin Reed 35 2023 7 Caden Veltkamp322024 8 Willie Taggart27 1997 Anthony Wales27 2016 10 Kawaun Jakes25 2012
+ Single game1Brandon Doughty8 2014 Marshall2Bailey Zappe72021 UT Martin3Brandon Doughty6 2014 Bowling GreenBrandon Doughty6 2015 Miami (Ohio) Bailey Zappe 6 2021 Florida Atlantic Bailey Zappe 6 2021 Appalachian State(Boca Raton Bowl) Austin Reed6 2022 Charlotte Caden Veltkamp6 2024 Middle Tennessee
Defense
Interceptions
+ Career1Bobby Sippio191999 2000 20012Delvechio Walls141995 1996 1997 19983James Edwards131984 1985 1986 19874Antonio Thomas122002 2003 2004 20055Reginald Johnson111979 1980 1981 1983Cam Thomas112011 2012 2013 20147Barry Bumm101978 1979 1980 19818Jeremy Chandler92000 2001 2002 2003Jonathan Dowling92012 201310Vernard Johnson81984 1985 1986Joseph Jefferson81988 1989 1990 1991
+ Single season1Bobby Sippio1020002James Edwards71987Antonio Thomas720044Joseph Jefferson62000Jonathan Dowling620126Carl Brazley51978Reginald Johnson51981Hayes Thomas52000Bobby Sippio52001Jeremy Chandler52002Bo Smith52007Cam Thomas52013