PORTALES, N.M. – D2Football.com has announced the national players of the week for NCAA DII football and an Eastern New Mexico student-athlete is on the list.
Quarterback
Jarius Stewart earned national offensive player of the week after an incredible 32 carries for 382 total rushing yards in a rivalry game win over Western New Mexico this past Saturday.
"It takes a total team effort from the offensive line to the running backs and wide receivers providing blocks and selling their route," said head coach
Kelley Lee. "He's an outstanding man who works hard and has battled through injury this year."
Stewart helped the Greyhounds set several school, conference, and national records in the 59-35 Chile Bowl win.
Eastern New Mexico beat the previous NCAA DII record of 719 rushing yards set by Coe College (Iowa) in the early 1970's. ENMU finished with 722 total rushing yards to set the single game rushing record. Fun fact, Eastern New Mexico now holds the record for most passing yards in a single game (695 in 2009) and now rushing yards in a single game.
Jarius Stewart also set the all-time NCAA record for most rushing yards by a quarterback. The previous DII record was by Shawn Graves from Wofford who had 323 yards in a game in 1990. The all-time record was held by Matt Roe from Augustana (IL) for his 342-yard day in 2004.
ENMU also set the Lone Star Conference single game record for most rushing yards by a team and
Jarius Stewart set the single game record for rushing yards by a player in the conference. The previous individual record was made in 1998 when Carlton Booe ran for 342 yards against Southeastern Oklahoma State. The team record broken was nearly 50 years old as Southwest Texas State had 586 rushing yards in 1978 against Prairie View A&M.
In addition, several school records were set by Stewart and the team.
"He is a hard worker and has fought through a lot of adversity and to come and have a game like this is really special. He is not one to quit," said offensive lineman
Christian Griego when asked about Stewart.
The national recognition also comes without acknowledgement of the blocking units for the rushing records. Griego complimented the offensive line for their efforts in the game.
"Those guys come to work every day," said Griego. "We come to play every day and I am glad to be a leader of that group."
The most recent national organization recognition player of the week for a Greyhound came in 2014. E'lon Spight and Kevin Reaves earned USA Football player of the week honors during that season. Tillman Stevens was the last Eastern player to earn D2Football.com player of the week honors. Stevens earned the accolade during the 2010 season.
