NEWTON, Mass. -- Freshman running back Jaleel Battle (Buffalo, N.Y.) didn't take long to burst onto the scene in his first game as a member of the Mount Ida football program, and for his efforts was named the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) Rookie of the Week.
Battle scampered for 203 yards on 33 carries in Friday night's home opener against UMass Dartmouth at Alumni Field. He busted four rushes of 20-plus yards, including a 35-yard long, and also punched in a six-yard score for the first touchdown of his career.
A reception for ten yards gave Battle 213 all-purpose yards on the evening.
Battle becomes the second Mount Ida running back in as many years to earn ECFC Rookie of the Week honors, following EJ Isom (Cranston, R.I.), who gained 108 yards on just nine rushes in a conference win over Anna Maria last season.
Battle and the Mustangs will hit the road for their first away game of the year next Saturday, a 12:00 pm game at Plymouth State University.