Big Ten rushing yardage leaders after Week 3

Big Ten rushing yardage leaders after Week 3

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Big Ten rushing yardage leaders after Week 3

The Big Ten has another new rushing yardage leader in the clubhouse after Week 3. For the second straight week, a new player has taken over the top spot in the Big Ten rushing yardage department following a massive day on the ground in Week 3.

UCLA running back Wayne Knight soared to the top of the Big Ten rushing leaderboard after Week 3. Coming into the week ranked seventh in the Big Ten in rushing yardage, Knight rushed for 177 yards in a late-night home win against Purdue to help him capitalize on some absences due to injury to a handful of Big Ten backs this weekend. Knight also leads the Big Ten with 8 rushing touchdowns, while no other player in the conference has more than 6 at this stage of the season.

Michigan State's Cam Edwards came into the week leading the Big Ten in rushing yardage but was limited to just 38 yards on 12 carries against Notre Dame in Week 3. As a result, Edwards tumbled down the top-10 leaderboard. Kamari Moulton of Iowa also took a fall due to not playing this week as a result of an injury suffered the previous week. He still remains in the top-10 despite not playing in Week 3.

Here is a look at the Big Ten's rushing yardage leaders after Week 3.

1. Wayne Knight, UCLA

UCLA running back Wayne Knight (3) celebrates a touchdown during the second half against San Diego State at the Rose Bowl.

  • Season rushing yards: 345
  • Touchdowns: 8 (leads Big Ten)

3. King Miller, USC

Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (8) carries the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

  • Season rushing yards: 338
  • Touchdowns: 3

3. Jamal Rule, Nebraska

Sep 12, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Jamal Rule (25) runs for a touchdown against the Bowling Green Falcons during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

  • Season rushing yards: 329
  • Touchdowns: 5

4. Turbo Richard, Indiana

Sep 5, 2026; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Turbo Richard (1) carries the ball against the North Texas Mean Green during the first quarter at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

  • Season rushing yards: 315
  • Touchdowns: 4

5. Antwan Raymond, Rutgers

Massachusetts Minutemen at Rutgers Scarlet Knights football in Piscataway, New Jersey on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Rutgers #3 Antwan Raymond.

  • Season rushing yards: 298
  • Touchdowns: 1

6. Cam Edwards, Michigan State

Michigan State’s Cam Edwards runs for a gain against Eastern Michigan during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

  • Season rushing yards: 288
  • Touchdowns: 3

7. Fame Ijeboi, Purdue

Sep 4, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Fame Ijeboi (2) avoids a tackle by Indiana State Sycamores linebacker Braxton Sampson (42) during the second quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium.

  • Season rushing yards: 248
  • Touchdowns: 6

8. 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: 240
  • Touchdowns: 2

9. Bo Jackson, Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Bo Jackson (25) runs against the Texas Longhorns.

  • Season rushing yards: 230
  • Touchdowns: 2

10. Anthony Woods, UCLA

Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Anthony Woods (6) runs with the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Amare Campbell (24) tackles during the first quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

  • Season rushing yards: 228
  • Touchdowns: 3

Who is Penn State's leading rusher after Week 3?

Sep 12, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Carson Hansen (21) pushes forward with the ball before being tackled by Temple Owls safety Saboor Karriem (2) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

After a week of talk about the slow start to the Penn State running game, the Nittany Lions exploded on the ground against Buffalo in Week 3. Carson Hansen, who followed Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State, has been the top running back on the depth chart for each of the first three games of the season, and he remains the team's leading rusher despite the relatively slow start. Hansen has rushed for 169 yards with 1 touchdown through the first three games of the year. He currently ranks 16th among Big Ten rushers.

Quinton Martin Jr. (138 yards, 1 TD) busted through for a big game on the ground with his opportunities against Buffalo and is now Penn State's second-leading rusher as Penn State enters Big Ten play. Ohio State transfer James Peoples (ards, 2 TDs) scored 2 rushing touchdowns against Buffalo and added to his season rushing total with some good runs. Cam Wallace (121 yards, 2 TDs) also had some big moments in Week 3 and added to his season rushing total.

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 3

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