WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Westfield State University sophomore running back R.J. Darby (Norwich Free Academy/ Norwich, Conn.) was named the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference offensive player of the week for the week ending September 2.
Darby was plugged into the starting lineup and responded with a 205-yard performance on 27 carries, and scored on first-half touchdown runs of 5 and 68 yards that staked the Owls to a 12-0 lead en route to a 25-14 win over Nichols College in the season opener.
Darby stepped in for senior Travon Holder, the Owls leading rusher in 2018 with more than 1,100 yards, who missed the game due to an injury.
Darby and the Owls will be back in action on Saturday, traveling to local rival Western New England University for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff at Golden Bear Stadium. The two teams will play for the Presidents' Cup, the annual trophy game between the two schools.