LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University football running back DeMarcus McElroy was named a Northeast Conference Prime Performer after Saturday's home opener against CCSU, the conference announced on Monday.
 
McElroy, a redshirt sophomore, had a game-high 124 rushing yards on nine carries and added three catches for 16 yards against CCSU. He scored a 97-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter to account for Saint Francis' only offensive touchdown in the game.
 
His 97-yard rush is the second-longest in program history behind only Marques DeShields' 98-yard rushing touchdown against Bryant in 2021. It was the third play in program history of at least 95 yards and the eighth play of 90-plus yards.
 
The 97-yard rush is also the longest offensive play in the FCS this season. No other player has a rush or reception over 94 yards.
 
McElroy is third in the NEC with 274 rushing yards and his 91.3 rushing yards per game rank 27^th in the FCS.
 
DaMario Crawford was also named an honorable mention for Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week. He scored a 94-yard kick return touchdown, which tied the fourth-longest return in program history. He is one of eight players in the FCS with a kick return touchdown this season.
 
Saint Francis returns to the field against its second FBS opponent of the season, Eastern Michigan, on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m.