Willie Totten

Bio

In the late summer of 1984, under the sweltering summer sun, Mississippi Valley State head coach Archie Cooley made a suggestion to his young quarterback, Willie Totten that he start calling plays at the line. At the time he thought his coach’s no huddle offense was crazy, but the only thing that would turn out to be crazy would be MVSU’s passing offense led by Totten and his favorite target, Jerry Rice. With 139 career touchdown passes, “The Satellite” became Division I-AA’s (FCS) all-time leader and ranked second in career passing yards (13,240) and single-season passing yards (5,093 in 1984). He twice led the nation in passing efficiency. Five times in Totten’s career he passed for more than 530 yards in a single game, including a 599-yard performance in 1984 against Prairie View. Totten earned first-team All-America status in 1984 after leading the nation and setting the all-time single-season touchdown passes mark (56) for all divisions. Following a brief professional career in the Canadian and Arena Football Leagues, Totten earned his master’s degree from Grambling before becoming the head football coach at his alma mater in 2001.

Career Highlights

• 1985 All-Conference
• 1984 All-Conference
• 1984 Conference MVP
• 1984 First Team All-America (FCS)
• 1984 Led nation in passing
• 1984 Led nation in total offense
• 1983 All-Conference
• 1983 Led nation in passing
• 1982 All-Conference