Jones Named NWC Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Dylan Jones (Sr., RB, Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) of Willamette University has been chosen as the Northwest Conference Football Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week after rushing for a school record 350 yards on 30 carries against Whitworth University on Saturday, Oct. 11. Jones rushed for 200 yards on 10 carries in the first half.

Willamette amassed 669 total yards, but lost to the Pirates in a high-scoring game, 61-45. Whitworth earned 556 yards, as the teams achieved a combined total of 1,225 yards.

Jones scored three touchdowns during the game on runs of 67, 75 and 4 yards. He scored the game's first touchdown on his 67-yard run. His second touchdown, the 75-yard scamper, tied the game at 28-28. His final touchdown, from 4 yards out, reduced a 41-28 halftime deficit to 47-45, but Whitworth added two scores to secure the win.

On his way to the school record, Jones had six carries for 10 or more yards. In addition to his two lengthy touchdown runs, he also had carries of 43, 32, 26 and 10 yards during the game.

With his record-setting performance, Jones became the NCAA Division III leader in rushing yards per game this season. He is averaging 194.0 yards per contest, while earning 5.3 yards per carry. He is sixth in the nation in scoring with 13.5 points per game, as he has scored nine rushing touchdowns for the Bearcats.

Jones has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the Willamette's four games this season. He has gained 776 yards on 110 carries this season, increasing his career rushing total to 2,034 yards. He has scored 25 rushing touchdowns and has scored twice on pass receptions during his career.

Willamette, 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the NWC, will play Lewis & Clark College this weekend at McCulloch Stadium. Game time on Saturday, Oct. 18 is set for 1:30 p.m. (PDT).