Eastern New Mexico University quarterback Jarius Stewart has been named the national offensive player of the week by D2Football.com. Stewart received the honor after recording 32 carries for a total of 382 rushing yards during a rivalry win over Western New Mexico last Saturday.
Head coach Kelley Lee commented on Stewart’s performance, saying, "It takes a total team effort from the offensive line to the running backs and wide receivers providing blocks and selling their route. He's an outstanding man who works hard and has battled through injury this year."
The Greyhounds' victory in the Chile Bowl, with a score of 59-35, saw the team break multiple records at the school, conference, and national levels. Eastern New Mexico surpassed the previous NCAA Division II single-game rushing record of 719 yards, which had been held by Coe College since the early 1970s. ENMU set a new mark with 722 rushing yards in one game. The university now holds both the single-game passing yards record (695 in 2009) and the single-game rushing yards record.
Stewart also broke the NCAA all-time record for most rushing yards by a quarterback. Previously, Matt Roe from Augustana (IL) held this record with 342 yards in a game in 2004. In Division II, Shawn Graves from Wofford had set the previous mark at 323 yards in 1990.
Within the Lone Star Conference, ENMU established a new team single-game rushing yardage record, while Stewart broke the individual single-game rushing yardage mark. Carlton Booe previously set that individual standard with a 342-yard performance in 1998, and Southwest Texas State's team total of 586 rushing yards in 1978 was surpassed as well.
Stewart and his teammates also achieved several school records during the contest.
Offensive lineman Christian Griego highlighted Stewart’s resilience: "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."
Griego also acknowledged the role of blocking units: "Those guys come to work every day. We come to play every day and I am glad to be a leader of that group."
This marks the first time since 2010 that an Eastern New Mexico player has earned D2Football.com player of the week honors. The last recipient was Tillman Stevens. In addition, E'lon Spight and Kevin Reaves were recognized by USA Football as players of the week during the 2014 season.
