DaMarcus James wins OVC Player of the Week award

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Jacksonville State’s DaMarcus James has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced on Sunday.

James tied an Ohio Valley Conference record and set a school record after rushing for five touchdowns in JSU’s 42-10 win at Austin Peay on Saturday, while his 30 points scored also tied a school record. James had 19 carries for 102 yards, and scored on touchdown runs of 1, 3, 1, 2, 40 yards and he also had a pair of receptions for five yards.

James scored three rushing touchdowns during the second quarter to become the first Gamecock to have three rushing touchdowns in a quarter since Jamal Young at Eastern Illinois on Sept. 25, 2010 during the second quarter.

The junior runningback has scored a touchdown in six straight games and has 17 this season, which is the second most in a single-season in school history. He now has scored 102 points this season, which is also the second-most in school history behind Oscar Bonds’ total of 114 set in 2004, and he is currently ranked third in the NCAA in rushing touchdowns and sixth in scoring.

The Demopolis, Ala., native became just the fourth player in FCS to rush for five touchdowns this season, joining Cody Kirk (Montana State vs North Dakota on 9/28); Ben Dupree (Citadel vs Old Dominion on 9/21); and Terrance West (Townson vs Delaware State on 9/14). The five rushing touchdowns tied an OVC record held by Derek White, Tennessee Tech vs. Concordia (Ala.) (2007); Daniel Williams, Austin Peay vs. UT Martin (1996); and Paris Wicks, Youngstown State vs. Northern Iowa (1981).

Jacksonville State returns to action on Saturday by hosting second-place Eastern Kentucky. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium and tickets are available by calling the JSU Athletic Ticket Office at 256-782-8499 or online at JSUGamecockSports.com.