DANBURY, Conn. -- Freshman running back Jaleel Battle (Buffalo, N.Y.) was already cited as the top rookie in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) in the first week of the 2014 season.
Now he is being recognized throughout New England for his breakout game.
Battle was tabbed by the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) as their Division III New England Rookie of the Week, announced on Tuesday evening by the conference office.
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 open the season with an ECAC award. Last year, defensive back Jovan Wilkins (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) earned ECAC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against the Corsairs in a 21-20 Mustangs win.
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.