CHICAGO – Missouri State running back Celdon Manning (Allen, Texas) was named as the STATS Perform FCS National Freshman of the Week, the organization announced Tuesday.
Joining Manning on the list of STATS National Players of the Week were: VMI’s Jakob Herres (Offense), Holy Cross’ Jacob Dobbs (Defense) and Murray State’s Aaron Baum (Special Teams), while Monmouth was selected as the National Team of the Week.
Manning was instrumental in leading the Bears to a 30-27 comeback win over No. 10-ranked Southern Illinois last weekend at Robert W. Plaster Stadium in Springfield. The Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week scored all four of Missouri State’s touchdowns to help the Bears to their third straight win over a Top 25 foe. He racked up a game-high 117 yards on six pass receptions, including a 75-yard strike on the first play of the game. He also averaged 5.4 yards per carry on the ground with 12 touches for 65 yards.
He scored on rushes of 2, 3, and 23 yards in the second half, the last of which tied the game, 27-27, with 2:42 to play. He then ripped off a 13-yard pass reception, an 11-yard third-down rush and 35 total yards on MSU’s game-winning drive that culminated in a 33-yard, game-winning field goal by Jose Pizano as time expired.
Other national finalists for STATS Perform National Freshman of the Week were: DB Larry Elder (Long Island) RB Lance Jackson (Chattanooga), QB Seth Morgan (VMI), QB Tony Muskett (Monmouth), QB Matthew Sluka (Holy Cross), RB Devon Starling (Tennessee State), DB Kenyon Turner (Valparaiso), and QB Cameron Ward (Incarnate Word).
The Bears also earned MVFC weekly awards for Newcomer of the Week quarterback Matt Struck and Offensive Lineman of the Week Ian Fitzgerald.
Manning’s national distinction caps a busy week of honors for coach Bobby Petrino’s Bears who are now 4-1 in the MVFC and tied for first place headed into next week’s regular-season finale against Youngstown State at Plaster Stadium. Missouri State is ranked No. 19 in the STATS Perform FCS Top 25 – the team’s highest ranking 1996 — and No. 23 in the AFCA Top 25 poll.
Tickets for the April 10 game against YSU (2 p.m.) are available at MissouriStateBears.com or by visiting the Old Missouri Bank Box Office at JQH Arena, (417) 836-7678, during regular box office hours.
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