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To compare a quarterback’s rushing from game to game, use rushing attempts, net rushing yards, and net yards per attempt from the same statistical source and the same season and competition scope. Then check sacks, kneel-downs, and game context before treating a high or low total as evidence of rushing performance.
Start with three figures, not one
For each game, record attempts, net rushing yards, and net rushing yards per attempt. They answer different questions: attempts show workload, net yards show total recorded contribution, and yards per attempt puts that contribution in relation to the number of attempts.
| Measure | What it tells you | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing attempts | How many rushing attempts were credited to the quarterback. | Use it to compare workload, but check how the source treats sacks and other plays. |
| Net rushing yards | The quarterback’s recorded rushing yardage after applicable losses. | Use it to compare total production; it is not simply the sum of yards gained on positive runs. |
| Net yards per attempt | Net rushing yards divided by rushing attempts. | Use it as a rate, alongside attempts and total yards. It reflects the same losses and scoring conventions included in the source figures. |
Use one source’s yardage and attempt figures for the calculation: net yards per attempt = net rushing yards ÷ rushing attempts. Label the result as net yards per attempt. If a source reports zero attempts, the rate is undefined; do not divide by zero or substitute a different denominator without explaining it.
Understand what the official rushing total includes
The NCAA Football Statistics Rules say, “The rushing total is a net figure. All rushing losses must be recorded so as to account for the net figure” (Section 2, Article 3). That means a quarterback’s rushing yards can be reduced by negative plays, so a low net total does not necessarily mean the quarterback gained little on his positive runs.
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Check sacks before interpreting a low total
Under NCAA scoring rules, a sack can be recorded as a rushing loss. When a quarterback’s total looks unexpectedly low or negative, inspect the game statistics or play-by-play for sacks before attributing the number to designed runs or scrambles. Do not assume every source or competition applies identical scoring conventions; use figures that share a source and scope.
Account for kneel-downs and team totals
The NCAA manual identifies quarterback kneel-down losses as team rushes. As a result, the team rushing figure need not equal the sum of the individual rushing totals shown for the quarterback and other players. Keep team totals separate from individual totals rather than using one as a check that must match the other.
Look at how option plays were credited
On an option play, the quarterback’s individual rushing credit can depend on whether he pitches the ball while still at the line or first keeps it beyond the distance specified in the scoring example and then pitches. A video impression of who seemed to run the play is not enough to reconstruct the official individual totals; use the official scoring or play-by-play record.
Set a consistent comparison before collecting stats
- Define the sample. State the season, competition level, and games included. Do not silently combine FBS with lower-division games or regular-season games with postseason games.
- Choose one consistent source. Start with the relevant official game box scores or official statistics pages. NCAA.com provides a current FBS individual rushing statistics page; check the live page directly for current figures. Confirm the source covers the games and season you intend to compare.
- Record attempts and net yards for every game. Keep the figures per game, with the opponent and date if available. Do not mix an individual box-score total for one game with a differently scoped season figure for another.
- Calculate net yards per attempt. Divide net rushing yards by attempts from the same source, and show both inputs with the result so readers can see what the rate represents.
- Investigate outliers. For unusually high, low, or negative totals, check play-by-play or detailed game statistics for sacks, kneel-downs, option plays, and other relevant scoring decisions.
- Add game context. Where available, note opponent and circumstances such as score, quarter, down and distance, or field position. These can help explain why two similar totals arose from different situations.
Use context to explain differences between games
Aggregate stats do not tell the whole story. A quarterback might have more rushing yards in one game because he had more attempts; another game might show fewer total yards but a higher net yards-per-attempt rate. Neither figure alone establishes which performance was better. First decide whether the comparison is about workload, total recorded contribution, or efficiency, and present the corresponding measure.
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When play-level data is available, use it to explain rather than replace the box-score comparison. cfbstats.com describes player and team splits by half, quarter, down and distance, field position, and score, along with play-by-play. Check current season coverage and access before relying on a particular split. Those categories can show whether rushing came in different game situations, but the aggregate totals still need to be compared on a consistent basis.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to find figures and what to verify
- NCAA Football Statistics Rules: The primary reference for NCAA statistical scoring, including net rushing totals, special treatment of losses, and option-play examples. Consult the current manual when a scoring detail matters.
- NCAA.com FBS individual rushing statistics: An official starting point for current FBS figures. The page may require interactive access; verify live numbers directly and use game box scores to investigate individual games.
- cfbstats.com: A potential source for splits and play-by-play. Verify that the season and games you need are covered and that the relevant data is accessible.
Keep the comparison reproducible: identify the season and competition, name the statistics source, show attempts and net yards, and state how the rate was calculated. If two sources disagree, check their scope and scoring treatment instead of averaging their numbers.
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