Quarterback Jarius Stewart has been named the Lone Star Conference offensive player of the week following a record-breaking performance for Eastern New Mexico University. Stewart, from Port Lavaca, Texas, rushed 32 times for 382 yards and scored five touchdowns in a recent game. His touchdown runs were from distances of 8, 71, 5, 68, and 55 yards.
Head coach Kelley Lee commented on Stewart’s achievement: "An outstanding young man who works hard every day. He has responded by coming back from injuries with a record setting outing."
Stewart led an offense that gained a total of 760 yards against Western New Mexico University (WNMU), including an NCAA Division II record of 722 rushing yards. The team also recorded 35 first downs and converted four out of six third-down attempts. Additionally, Stewart completed one pass for 38 yards.
His individual rushing total set a new Lone Star Conference single-game record and was just short—by 43 yards—of the national mark. Stewart also now holds the NCAA Division II record for most rushing yards in a single game by a quarterback; the previous record was held by Shawn Graves of Wofford in 1990.
This is the first time Stewart has received player of the week honors from the conference.
