Northern Illinois University freshman running back Jay Ducker (Bellevue, Neb./Bellevue HS) was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Co-Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for a career and season high 210 yards on 33 carries Saturday in NIU's 34-26 win over Bowling Green.

Ducker entered the game on the Huskies' second offensive series in relief of starter Antario Brown and, on a windy day in DeKalb, accounted for the bulk of NIU's season-high 319 rushing yards on the afternoon. Playing in just his sixth career game, Ducker had carried the ball 24 times for 85 yards entering the contest.

His 210 yards were the most by a Huskie since Heisman finalist Jordan Lynch gained 321 yards versus Western Michigan on November 26, 2013 and the most by a NIU running back since Cameron Stingily's 266-yard day versus Kent State earlier that year (October 5).

Ducker's day is the best rushing game by a MAC player this year and his 210 yards rank as the 17th most by a FBS player this season, while his 33 carries are tied for the third highest total in a FBS game. He shared the MAC West Offensive Player of the Week award with Western Michigan quarterback Kaleb Eleby.

The Nebraska native is the second NIU running back to pick up MAC POTW honors as Harrison Waylee earned the award following the Georgia Tech and Wyoming games. His selection marks the eighth time a Huskie has been honored this season and the fourth award for an offensive player. In all, seven different NIU players have been named MAC players of the week this year.

NIU is 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the MAC following Saturday's home victory, its fourth straight. The Huskies next travel to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan to take on Central Michigan on Saturday, October 23. Kickoff from Kelly-Shorts Stadium is at 11 a.m. CT and the game will air on ESPNU.