Northern Illinois’ best punters since 2004
Matt Ference has the most punting yards of the 9 punters who played at Northern Illinois since 2004, 12,992 in 58 games. Andy Dittbenner is 2nd with 8,337. Jake Ference is 7th, with 2,835; 1,071 more passes Ryan Neir for 6th.
Of the MAC’s best punters since 2004, Matt Ference is 1st.
Northern Illinois’ punters this season
- Jake Ference8 games, 42.4 yards a punt2,835 at Northern Illinois, the 7th-most since 2004. 1,071 more puts him past Ryan Neir for 6th.1,525punting yards
By decade: 2020s · 2010s · 2004–09
Compare with in · side by side
| Place | Player | punting yards | punts | yards per punt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Ference2017 – 2021 · 58 games | 12,992 | 310 | 41.9 |
| 2 | Andy Dittbenner2005 – 2008 · 46 games | 8,337 | 209 | 39.9 |
| 3 | Jacob Ambrose2015 – 2016 · 26 games | 5,543 | 144 | 38.5 |
| 4 | Tom Foley2022 – 2024 · 38 games | 5,502 | 137 | 40.2 |
| 5 | Tyler Wedel2012 – 2014 · 29 games | 4,727 | 115 | 41.1 |
| 6 | Ryan Neir2011 – 2012 · 27 games | 3,905 | 106 | 36.8 |
| 7 | Jake Ference2025 – 2026 · still playing | 2,835 | 66 | 43.0 |
| +1,525 this season · passes Ryan Neir for 6th in 6 games at his pace | ||||
| 8 | Josh Wilber2009 – 2010 · 22 games | 2,646 | 66 | 40.1 |
| 9 | Anthony Gallagher2004 · 12 games | 1,719 | 45 | 38.2 |
punting yards by decade
2020s
- Tom Foley2022 – 2024 · 38 games5,502
- Matt Ference2020 – 2021 · 19 games3,306
- › Jake Ference2025 – 2026 · 15 games2,835
2010s
- Matt Ference2017 – 2019 · 39 games9,686
- Jacob Ambrose2015 – 2016 · 26 games5,543
- Tyler Wedel2012 – 2014 · 29 games4,727
- Ryan Neir2011 – 2012 · 27 games3,905
- Josh Wilber2010 · 13 games1,512
2004–09
- Andy Dittbenner2005 – 2008 · 46 games8,337
- Anthony Gallagher2004 · 12 games1,719
- Josh Wilber2009 · 9 games1,134
Also at Northern Illinois: quarterbacks · running backs · wide receivers · tight ends · defenders · kickers · Northern Illinois record book
Method
- Every punter who played at Northern Illinois since 2004, ranked by punting yards over his games there. Bowl and playoff games count.
- The numbers here start in 2004, so a punter who played at Northern Illinois before then isn't here.
- A decade counts his punting yards at Northern Illinois in its seasons.