Wait, how many USC quarterbacks are starting?
As impressive as that might sound, it’s not even halfway to the record. You can take a second to think about which school had the longest run with at least one of its former players starting at quarterback, but first, another bit of trivia: I noticed that in week 12 of the 2009 season, Matt Leinart, Matt Cassel, Mark Sanchez, and Carson Palmer all started. But believe it or not, that’s not a record, either.
In week 13 of the 2000 season, five quarterbacks from the University of Washington — Warren Moon, Mark Brunell, Damon Huard, Chris Chandler, and Brock Huard — were starting in the NFL. Add in Washington State’s Drew Bledsoe and Ryan Leaf, and seven quarterbacks that played college in the Evergreen State were starting in the NFL that weekend.
Back to the post topic. Which school has the longest streak of consecutive weeks with a starting quarterback since 1960? From week 4 of the 1973 season to week 14 of the 1984 season — a period covering 170 weeks — the University of Alabama had at least one quarterback start a game each week. The table below shows the Crimson Tide quarterbacks starting in each week of each year during that period:
1984-14 Richard Todd 1984-13 Richard Todd 1984-12 Richard Todd 1984-11 Richard Todd 1984-10 Richard Todd 1984-9 Richard Todd 1984-8 Richard Todd 1984-7 Richard Todd 1984-6 Richard Todd 1984-5 Richard Todd 1984-4 Richard Todd 1984-3 Richard Todd 1984-2 Richard Todd 1984-1 Richard Todd 1983-16 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler; Jeff Rutledge 1983-15 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler; Jeff Rutledge 1983-14 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1983-13 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1983-12 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1983-11 Richard Todd 1983-10 Richard Todd 1983-9 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler; Jeff Rutledge 1983-8 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler; Jeff Rutledge 1983-7 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1983-6 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1983-5 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1983-4 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1983-3 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1983-2 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1983-1 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1982-9 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1982-8 Richard Todd 1982-7 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1982-6 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1982-5 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1982-4 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1982-3 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1982-2 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1982-1 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1981-16 Richard Todd 1981-15 Richard Todd 1981-14 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1981-13 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1981-12 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1981-11 Richard Todd 1981-10 Richard Todd 1981-9 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1981-8 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1981-7 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1981-6 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1981-5 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1981-4 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1981-3 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1981-2 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1981-1 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-16 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-15 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-14 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-13 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-12 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-11 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-10 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-9 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-8 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-7 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-6 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-5 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-4 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-3 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-2 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1980-1 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-16 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-15 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-14 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-13 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-12 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-11 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler; Jeff Rutledge 1979-10 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-9 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-8 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-7 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-6 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-5 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-4 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-3 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-2 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1979-1 Ken Stabler 1978-16 Ken Stabler 1978-15 Ken Stabler 1978-14 Ken Stabler 1978-13 Ken Stabler 1978-12 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1978-11 Ken Stabler 1978-10 Ken Stabler 1978-9 Ken Stabler 1978-8 Ken Stabler 1978-7 Ken Stabler 1978-6 Ken Stabler 1978-5 Ken Stabler 1978-4 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1978-3 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1978-2 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1978-1 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1977-14 Richard Todd 1977-13 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1977-12 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1977-11 Ken Stabler 1977-10 Ken Stabler 1977-9 Ken Stabler 1977-8 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1977-7 Scott Hunter; Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1977-6 Scott Hunter; Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1977-5 Scott Hunter; Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1977-4 Scott Hunter; Richard Todd; Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1977-3 Scott Hunter; Richard Todd; Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1977-2 Scott Hunter; Richard Todd; Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1977-1 Scott Hunter; Richard Todd; Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1976-14 Scott Hunter; Joe Namath 1976-13 Scott Hunter; Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1976-12 Scott Hunter; Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1976-11 Scott Hunter; Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1976-10 Scott Hunter; Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1976-9 Scott Hunter; Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1976-8 Richard Todd; Ken Stabler 1976-7 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1976-6 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1976-5 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1976-4 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1976-3 Joe Namath 1976-2 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1976-1 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1975-14 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1975-13 Ken Stabler 1975-12 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1975-11 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1975-10 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1975-9 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1975-8 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1975-7 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1975-6 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1975-5 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1975-4 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1975-3 Joe Namath 1975-2 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1975-1 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1974-14 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1974-13 Joe Namath 1974-12 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1974-11 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1974-10 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1974-9 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1974-8 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1974-7 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1974-6 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1974-5 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1974-4 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1974-3 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1974-2 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1974-1 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1973-14 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1973-13 Ken Stabler 1973-12 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1973-11 Ken Stabler; Joe Namath 1973-10 Ken Stabler 1973-9 Ken Stabler 1973-8 Scott Hunter; Ken Stabler 1973-7 Ken Stabler 1973-6 Scott Hunter; Ken Stabler 1973-5 Scott Hunter; Ken Stabler 1973-4 Ken Stabler
In fact, from week 2 of the 1971 season to week 2 of the 1973 season, a span of 29 weeks, at least one of Scott Hunter, Joe Namath, Bart Starr, and/or Ken Stabler was a starting quarterback each week. In week 3 of 1973, the streak ended, but Alabama trotted out a starting quarterback for 199 of 200 straight weeks in the NFL. One reason the streak went on for so long: both the Jets and Packers tried to replace their Hall of Fame Crimson Tide quarterbacks with other quarterbacks from Alabama (Todd and Hunter).
The second longest streak belongs to the University of Miami (Florida). A Hurricane started every week for an eleven year period spanning 168 weeks:
1997-6 Vinny Testaverde 1997-5 Vinny Testaverde 1997-4 Vinny Testaverde 1997-3 Vinny Testaverde 1997-2 Vinny Testaverde 1997-1 Vinny Testaverde 1996-17 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1996-16 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1996-15 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1996-14 Vinny Testaverde 1996-13 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1996-12 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1996-11 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1996-10 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1996-9 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1996-8 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1996-7 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1996-6 Vinny Testaverde; Craig Erickson 1996-5 Vinny Testaverde 1996-4 Steve Walsh 1996-3 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1996-2 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly 1996-1 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly 1995-17 Vinny Testaverde 1995-16 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1995-15 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1995-14 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1995-13 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1995-12 Jim Kelly 1995-11 Jim Kelly 1995-10 Jim Kelly 1995-9 Jim Kelly 1995-8 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1995-7 Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1995-6 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1995-5 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1995-4 Vinny Testaverde 1995-3 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1995-2 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1995-1 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1994-17 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Craig Erickson 1994-16 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Craig Erickson 1994-15 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1994-14 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1994-13 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1994-12 Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1994-11 Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1994-10 Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly 1994-9 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1994-8 Vinny Testaverde 1994-7 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1994-6 Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1994-5 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1994-4 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1994-3 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1994-2 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1994-1 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1993-18 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1993-17 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1993-16 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1993-15 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1993-14 Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1993-13 Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1993-12 Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson; Bernie Kosar 1993-11 Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1993-10 Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson; Bernie Kosar 1993-9 Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1993-8 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1993-7 Vinny Testaverde 1993-6 Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson; Bernie Kosar 1993-5 Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson 1993-4 Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson; Bernie Kosar 1993-3 Bernie Kosar 1993-2 Jim Kelly; Craig Erickson; Bernie Kosar 1993-1 Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1992-17 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1992-16 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1992-15 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1992-14 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1992-13 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1992-12 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1992-11 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1992-10 Jim Kelly 1992-9 Jim Kelly 1992-8 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1992-7 Vinny Testaverde 1992-6 Jim Kelly 1992-5 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1992-4 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1992-3 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1992-2 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1992-1 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1991-17 Vinny Testaverde; Bernie Kosar 1991-16 Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1991-15 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1991-14 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1991-13 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1991-12 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1991-11 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1991-10 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1991-9 Bernie Kosar 1991-8 Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1991-7 Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1991-6 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1991-5 Jim Kelly 1991-4 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1991-3 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1991-2 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1991-1 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1990-17 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh 1990-16 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh 1990-15 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1990-14 Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1990-13 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1990-12 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1990-11 Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1990-10 Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly 1990-9 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly 1990-8 Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1990-7 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1990-6 Vinny Testaverde; Bernie Kosar 1990-5 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1990-4 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1990-3 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1990-2 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1990-1 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1989-16 Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1989-15 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1989-14 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1989-13 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1989-12 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1989-11 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1989-10 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1989-9 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1989-8 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Bernie Kosar 1989-7 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Bernie Kosar 1989-6 Steve Walsh; Bernie Kosar 1989-5 Vinny Testaverde; Steve Walsh; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1989-4 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1989-3 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1989-2 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1989-1 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1988-16 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1988-15 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1988-14 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1988-13 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1988-12 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1988-11 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1988-10 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1988-9 Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1988-8 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1988-7 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1988-6 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1988-5 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1988-4 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1988-3 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1988-2 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly 1988-1 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1987-15 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1987-14 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1987-13 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1987-12 Vinny Testaverde; Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1987-11 Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1987-10 Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1987-9 Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1987-8 Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1987-7 Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar 1987-6 Jim Kelly; Bernie Kosar
If not for the use of replacement players during the 1987 strike, the Hurricanes would hold the record, as Kelly and/or Kosar started each of the twenty-two weeks prior to the strike.
Things haven’t gone well for Trojans quarterbacks lately. Leinart is unlikely to start anytime soon, while Cassel just signed on to be Christian Ponder’s backup in Minnesota. The Jets may not find anyone better than Sanchez to start in week 1, but it’s hard to imagine him starting too many more games. The same is true for Palmer in Oakland, who is still a possible cap cut.
On the other hand, perhaps Matt Barkley will be able to keep the streak alive.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Doesn’t Brett Favre have all these records beat single-handedly?
Perhaps if there wasn’t a bye week every year
If snOmm1s is right, then Southern Mississippi has the record. Before checking PFR, does anyone know another Souther Mississippi starter of note?
Regarding the chance to answer trivia about the school with the longest streak, I pondered Notre Dame first, then derived Alabama. But my history was wrong in that I figured the streak started with Bart Starr in 1960 and was connected thru Ken Stabler with some help from Jeff Rutledge. Did not think it stretched thu Richard Todd, though.
While USC has a rich football history and has many QB’s with good to great college careers, their contribution to NFL greatness is not particularly notable. If one looks at the PFR college to NFL list, one will be sorely disappointed to find a lot of stellar NFL careers. Quite a few that did some good things like Pat Haden, Bill Nelsen, Vince Evans. But relative to schools like UW and Purdue, not so hot.
Couldn’t think of one, so I checked PFR. 4 other SoMiss QBs in NFL history.
Jeff Kelly (2002) 1 game Seattle
Val Keckin (1962) 6 games San Diego
Reggie Collier (1986-1987) 6 total games 4 w/Dal in 86 (1 start), 2 w/Pit in 87
George Herring (1960-1961) 28 total games Denver. Started 4 in 61.
Combined stats of 4 Qbs – 41 total games, 5 starts, 0-5 record, 8 TD, 26 Int
In 1987, the NFL decided that consecutive games streaks would not be ended by replacement games, so UMiami should have the record. Interesting that Testaverde was in the first year as it stands now and the last.
I did not know that. That’s pretty interesting.
Thanks JeremyDe. I recall Reggie Collier some. Saw his game as starting QB for Dallas. He also was a starter in the USFL.