41, by the Nevada-Las Vegas’s Jason Davis in 1994
Since there might 35 total plays in a typical quarter, for one team to run 41 plays during a 15-minute quarter is stunning in and of itself. Against Idaho, Davis not only set the record for attempts, but also for completions (28) and passing yardage gained (347). In the same game, UNLV’s Randy Gatewood caught a single-game record 23 passes, a mark tied by Eastern Michigan’s Tyler Jones in 2008.
Davis, the backup quarterback, was sent into the game for the fourth quarter with UNLV trailing, 45-10, with instructions to throw on every play. The only nonpass in that quarter came on an 8-yard scramble by Davis. The Runnin' Rebels wound up with 635 passing yards for the game, but minus 21 on the ground, compared with Idaho's 423. The passing strategy certainly worked, even if employed too late, because UNLV outscored Idaho 28-3 in the fourth quarter and lost respectably, 48-38. However, UNLV went on to win the Big West Conference championship and the 1994 Las Vegas Bowl.
