HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison running back Wayne Knight has been named the Associated Press National Player of the Week after his play in last weekend’s Sun Belt Football Championship game.

This is Knight’s first career national player of the week honor.

In JMU’s 31-14 win against Troy last Friday, Knight had 21 carries for a career-high 212 rushing yards and a touchdown, averaging 10.1 yards per rush. His night was highlighted by a career-long 73-yard touchdown that gave JMU the lead for good.

He also had two receptions for 11 yards and added an 11-yard punt return to finish with 234 all-purpose yards, which set a Sun Belt Football Championship record.

Knight, a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, ranks third nationally in all-purpose yards (147.0), seventh in yards per carry (6.65), 17th in rushing yards per game (97.2) and 27th in punt return average (9.0).

JMU (12-1) earned the No. 12 seed and will face No. 5 Oregon in Eugene in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday, Dec. 20. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) and will be nationally televised on TNT, truTV and HBO Max.

— JMU Athletics —