Fordham linebacker Ryan Greenhagen tied the NCAA Division I record for tackles in a single game with 30 during a 52-7 loss to Nebraska on Saturday. No one else in the game had more than eight tackles as the Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year dominated for his unit.
The performance made Greenhagen the fourth FCS player to ever reach 30 tackles since NCAA defensive statistics became official in 2000. Others to achieve the feat include Chattanooga's Josh Cain (2001), Norfolk State's Kevin Talley (2004) and Stetson's Donald Payne (2014).
Greenhagen's 30 tackles were also the most by any player against an FBS opponent since the NCAA began keeping records. The record was previously held by former Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray, who had 28 tackles against Army. NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary notably recorded 35 tackles against Houston and 33 tackles against Arkansas in 1978 for Baylor, but both of those games occurred before stats were considered official.
Greenhagen, a senior from Sparta, New Jersey, was named a 2020-21 STATS FCS All-American and the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year with 22 tackles in just two games for Fordham. In his last full season, he led the team with 123 tackles and 18.5 tackles for loss in 2019. He entered the 2021 season second among all FCS player with 1.37 tackles for loss per game.
In addition to Greenhagen's record, Fordham made some history of its own. The Rams scored a touchdown against a Power Five opponent for the first time since 1969, according to the game broadcast.
