Howard Named NEC Offensive Player Of The Week
Also honorable mention for National Offensive Player of the Week
A career-day for Elijah Howard earned the Central Connecticut State football player Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors. He was also recognized as an NEC Prime Performer and honorable mention Fedex Ground FCS National Offensive Player of the Week.
Fellow backfield mate Malik Thomas and quarterback Ricky Ortega also earned NEC Prime Performer honors as the trio helped rush for a school-record 497 yards.
Howard led a high-power Blue Devil ground attack, finished the game with 257 yards rushing, on 23 carries, to average 11.2 yards per carry. For the second week in a row Howard had a touchdown run of 80 or more yards, scampering 80 yards for a score. Howard added a 20-yard reception, with 19 yards after catch, and had a 20-yard kickoff return to finish with 297 all-purpose yards, the first to eclipse 250 APY in a game since Andrew Dawson set a school-record with 361 (all rushing) in 2018.
Thomas combined with Howard to become the first Blue Devil pairing to rush for over 100 yards each in a game since 2018. He carried the ball 10 times for 113 yards, the first 100-yard effort of his career. He had a touchdown and a game-best 11.3 yards per carry. Ortega carried the ball 10 times for 78 yards and three rushing touchdowns. He also went 3-7 passing.
The Blue Devils return to NEC play this weekend, travelling to Duquesne on Saturday.
