September 23, 2007

Senior quarterback registers second best rushing output in ENMU history

Richardson, Texas— For the second straight week, Eastern New Mexico University senior quarterback Michael Benton (Everman, Texas/Everman Joe C. Bean HS) has been chosen as the Lone Star Conference South Division’s offensive player of the week. His performance in the Greyhounds (4-0; LSC 3-0) 21-7 victory over Central Oklahoma helped keep the team undefeated.

Against the Bronchos, Benton recorded the second best single-game rushing total in team history, finishing with 243 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. He also connected on a 32-yard touchdown pass to Juston Campos (Fr., WR, Lubbock, Texas/Coronado HS) to break a scoreless tie in the closing moments of the opening half.

The team record for rushing yards in a game is 294, and was set by Heath Ridenour on November 2, 2002, against Texas A&M-Kingsville.

The award marks the third consecutive week this season that an offensive or defensive player on the ENMU squad has been honored by the Lone Star Conference. Benton earned the Offensive Player of the Week awards the past two weeks, while Junior defensive end David Reed (Loomis, Calif./Sierra College) was selected as Defensive Player of the Week three weeks ago.

Benton and the Eastern New Mexico University football team will return to action on Saturday, when they travel to Abilene, Texas, to play 18^th ranked Abilene Christian. Game-time is set for 6 p.m. MST.