Aaron Dawson Named STATS FCS National Offensive Player of the Week

Sophomore Aaron Dawson made some noise on Saturday in a 49-24 home victory over Wagner College.  Dawson's record-breaking day earned him a spot on ESPN's College Football Final late Saturday night, and on Monday, he was named the STATS FCS National Offensive Player of the Week.  

Dawson's numbers were jaw dropping, and helped the Blue Devils move to 3-1 in Northeast Conference play.

He set a CCSU and NEC record with 361 rushing yards on just 24 carries, breaking the old mark of 332 yards set during the 2006 season by Justise Hairston.  His 361 yards was the sixth-highest single-game output in FCS history. 

Dawson, who had nine carries for 53 yards at halftime, rushed 15 times for 308 yards in the second half, setting the Division I (FBS and FCS) mark for rushing yardage in a single half.  And, Dawson's 197 rushing yards in the fourth quarter are the most rushing yards in a quarter in FCS history.  He had eight rushes for 197 yards and three touchdowns in the quarter, averaging 24.6 yards per rush.

Dawson also matched a school-record with 5 touchdowns in the game.  His touchdown runs came from 23, 45, 57, 60 and 55, including four in the second half.  Dawson averaged 15 yards per rush in the game.