| LORETTO, Pa. (Sept. 5, 2006) - Saint Francis University senior running back Todd Harris (Duquesne, Pa. / Duquense) ran for 203 yards and a school record-tying three touchdowns last Saturday to lead the Red Flash football team to their first season-opening victory since 1996. On Tuesday, he was recognized as the Northeast Conference’s Offensive Player-of-the-Week for his efforts. Harris becomes the third different Saint Francis player to earn NEC offensive accolades the past two seasons, joining senior quarterback Anthony Doria (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Seton LaSalle) and senior wide receiver Luke Palko (Imperial, Pa. / West Allegeny).
Averaging 6.2 yards per carry, Harris carried the ball 33 times for 203 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-3 victory over Saint Peter’s. He gained 220 all-purpose yards, giving him 2,954 career all-purpose yards, breaking the school’s all-time record. The tailback broke a 10-year-old Saint Francis record (2,803), formerly held by Jeff Sotosky. Harris’ 203 rushing yards gave him 2,287 career yards, moving him to within 43 yards of the school’s career mark. He also moved into fourth place on the school’s all-time rushing attempts list with 464. Harris got the Red Flash on the board with a 28-yard touchdown run with 4:02 left in the first quarter. On SFU’s next series, the 2005 first team all-NEC selection carried the ball seven times for 40 yards to set up a field goal for a 10-0 lead. Harris then capped off his day on a three-yeard TD run to give the Red Flash a 31-3 lead with 10:47 remaining in the game. Harris’ trio of touchdowns gives him 12 for his career, moving him into third place on the school’s all-time rushing touchdowns list.
A 2006 preseason all-Northeast Conference selection, Harris is first in the Northeast Conference and second in the nation with 203 rushing yards. He is second in the conference and 26th in the nation with 203 yards of total offense.
Saint Francis is ranked No. 8 in this week’s The Sports Network Mid-Major Top 10 poll. The Red Flash will visit Delaware State for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Saturday night. The game against the Hornets will be the first in school history against a full scholarship Division I-AA opponent. It will also be the first-ever meeting between the schools.
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