Big Ten rushing yardage leaders after Week 1

Big Ten rushing yardage leaders after Week 1

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Big Ten rushing yardage leaders after Week 1

If you are going to succeed in the Big Ten, then the odds are pretty good you are going to need a pretty good running game. Big Ten teams are known to have some solid running backs in college football and this season has already seen some backs put up some decent numbers after just one week.

Iowa running back Kamari Moulton turned in the best rushing performance of Week 1 with his 183 rushing yards in a season-opening victory over Northern Illinois. Moulton averaged 16.64 rushing yards per attempt, which was a testament to how difficult NIU had slowing him down.

We also saw a brilliant performance from Nebraska freshman Jamal Rule that will generate some excitement in Lincoln, Nebraska. Rule rushed for 122 yards on 15 carries for an average of 8.13 yards per attempt. In all, there were six running backs in the Big Ten who rushed for at least 100 yards in Week 1.

Here is a look at the Big Ten's rushing yardage leaders after Week 1.

1. Kamari Moulton, Iowa

Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton (28) breaks free for a first down against Northern Illinois on Sept. 5, 2026, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

  • Season rushing yards: 183
  • Touchdowns: 2

2. Jamal Rule, Nebraska

  • Season rushing yards: 122
  • Touchdowns: 2

3. Anthony Woods, UCLA

  • Season rushing yards: 118
  • Touchdowns: 2

4. DeJuan Williams, Maryland

  • Season rushing yards: 116
  • Touchdowns: 2

5. Waymond Jordan, USC

  • Season rushing yards: 115
  • Touchdowns: 1

6. King Miller, USC

  • Season rushing yards: 108
  • Touchdowns: 1

7. Cam Edwards, Michigan State

  • Season rushing yards: 98
  • Touchdowns: 1

8. Jordan Davison, Oregon

  • Season rushing yards: 90
  • Touchdowns: 1

9. Cal'Lil Valentine, Illinois

  • Season rushing yards: 88
  • Touchdowns: 1

10. Joseph Himon II, Northwestern and Fame Ijeboi, Purdue

  • Season rushing yards: 87
  • Touchdowns: 1

Who is Penn State's leading rusher after Week 1?

Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht (3) hands the ball off to running back Carson Hansen (21) during an NCAA football game against Marshall at Beaver Stadium, Sept. 5, 2026, in State College.

Penn State's running game did not do a ton of damage in its season debut against Marshall, but the passing game was thriving to make up for it. Penn State rushed for 163 yards as a team by the end of its Week 1 win against Marshall. Iowa State transfer senior Carson Hansen ended the afternoon as Penn State's top rusher with 48 yards on 11 carries.

Junior Cam Wallace was the team's second-leading rusher with 42 yards on 11 carries in the second half, and he scored one of the team's two rushing touchdowns. Sophomore Quinton Martin Jr. added 38 yards on 10 carries and Ohio State transfer James Peoples had 31 rushing yards on 8 carries.

Kevin McGuire is the lead writer for Nittany Lions Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on BlueSky, Threads or any of these other platforms.

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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Big Ten rushing yardage leaders after Week 1

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