The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

Player of the Week

Junior tailback Maurice Murray rushed for 170 yards and three touchdowns Saturday, fueling a 24-14 comeback victory at Holy Cross.

The Northeastern News Player of the Week said he was unconcerned about his own accomplishments, focusing instead on the team’s play.

“I don’t really have any personal goals this season,” Murray said. “I just want to win games. We didn’t play very well last season considering our talent level, so I just want us to become more developed as a team.”

The 6-foot, 220-pound tailback alternated bruising up-the-gut runs and fancy outside dashes throughout the game. He scoring on runs of 36, 10 and 18 yards. Murray was the main weapon in the Huskies ball-control offense, which spent nearly 24 minutes on the field during the second half. His 170 yards were the second-highest single-game total during his career as a Husky, topped only by his 176-yard performance last season against William ‘ Mary.

Murray said he understood the team was relying on him after his second team All-Conference season a year ago.

“It’s basically the same system, but I know I have a bigger role this year,” he said. “I’m going to be more involved in the passing game this year, as well.”

Murray got the scoring started early, scampering 36 yards for a touchdown just two plays into a drive that began after a Crusader fumble was recovered by Northeastern in Holy Cross territory.

Down 14-7 in the second quarter, the Huskies drove 80 yards down the field on just three plays, capped by Murray’s 10-yard touchdown run.

The Huskies aimed to gain control of the clock in the second half, putting together a 20-play drive that took more than 10 minutes off the clock and netted them the go-ahead field goal. Then Northeastern iced the victory with a 17-play drive, where Murray scored an 18-yard touchdown.

The Mamaroneck, N.Y., native said he wasn’t overly enthusiastic about how Northeastern played.

“We did enough to win,” Murray said. “We woke up at halftime and realized that we were playing against Holy Cross, and that it wasn’t the hardest game on our schedule.”

The Huskies have already played the toughest game in their schedule, a 38-0 defeat at the hands of Virginia Tech last weekend. Murray described that game as “just another game,” saying there was little to take away from the loss.

– Matt Nielsen, News Staff

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