Big Ten passing yardage leaders after Week 6

Even without the benefit of an extra game on the schedule, USC quarterback Jayden Maiava may be difficult for most passers in the Big Ten to keep up. Maiava is coming off a big road win at Penn State in which he passed for 301 yards for his third 300-yard game of the season. He also added to his Big Ten-leading touchdown total with 3 touchdown passes thrown in the victory in the whiteout game in Beaver Stadium.

Through the second weekend of October, only Ohio State's Julian Sayin is close to matching the production of Maiava so far. Sayin is averaging 4 more passing yards per game than Maiava and has just 1 fewer touchdown pass, and 1 fewer interception.

Indiana's Josh Hoover had a tough outing against Nebraska before helping lift the Hoosiers

to a victory. Hoover has the most impressive TD: INT ratio right now with 17 touchdowns and no interceptions. That sets the stage for a big passing showdown with Syain and Ohio State in Week 7.

Penn State's Rocco Becht remains in the upper half of the Big Ten's passing leaders at No. 6 after his performance against USC. Becht has the second-lowest completion percentage among the Big Ten's top 10 passing leaders through Week 6.

Here are the Big Ten's top 10 passing-yardage leaders following the results of Week 6.

1. Jayden Maiava, USC

Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws the ball before the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Passing yards: 2,045
Passing TDs: 18 (Big Ten lead)
Interceptions: 3

2. Julian Sayin, Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) throws under pressure from Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.

Passing yards: 1,772
Passing TDs: 17
Interceptions: 2

3. Ryan Browne, Purdue

Nov 28, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Ryan Browne (15) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Passing yards: 549
Passing TDs: 9
Interceptions: 1

5. Katin Houser, Illinois

Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Katin Houser (4) runs the ball during the first half against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Gies Memorial Stadium.

Passing yards: 1,440
Passing TDs: 12
Interceptions: 4

5. Anthony Colandrea, Nebraska

Nebraska’s Anthony Colandrea throws a pass against Michigan State during the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in East Lansing.

Passing yards: 1,406
Passing TDs: 13
Interceptions: 3

6. Rocco Becht, Penn State

Sep 26, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Rocco Becht (3) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Passing yards: 1,397
Passing TDs: 11
Interceptions: 3

7. Demond Williams Jr., Washington

Sep 12, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Utah State Aggies linebacker Jordan Pendleton (17) pressures Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (1) into throwing an incomplete pass during the third quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Passing yards: 1,396
Passing TDs: 8
Interceptions: 3

8. Josh Hoover, Indiana

Sep 25, 2026; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Josh Hoover (10) celebrates after running for a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Passing yards: 1,364
Passing TDs: 17
Interceptions: 0

9. Malik Washington, Maryland

Sep 19, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Malik Washington (7) passes in the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

Passing yards: 1,352
Passing TDs: 7
Interceptions: 6

8. Drake Lindsey, Minnesota

Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey (5) motions to his team in the first quarter Sep 26, 2026 at Husky Stadium.

Passing yards: 1,135
Passing TDs: 9
Interceptions: 5

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 passing yardage leaders after Week 6