Sept. 24, 2012

AMHERST, Mass. - After rushing for a career-best 188 yards and two touchdowns at Miami on Saturday, UMass running back Michael Cox has been named as one of the College Football Performance Awards National Running Back of the Week honorable mention selections. Highlighting Cox's performance was a nine-yard touchdown run which culminated in an end-over-end front flip into the end zone which was picked as ESPN Sports Center's No. 5 Play of the Day.

Stefphon Jefferson of Nevada was picked as the CFPA's National Running Back of the Week. Other honorable mention selections were Mark Weisman (Iowa), Le'Veon Bell (Michigan State), Adam Muema (San Diego State), Silas Redd (USC), and Kerwynn Williams (Utah State).

Cox managed his 188 yards on 30 carries and rushed for 10-or-more yards eight times. He picked up 9 of UMass' 26 first downs in the game. The 188 yards were the most for a UMass running back since the 2008 season. Entering the weekend, Cox was UMass' leading rusher with 113 yards.

The Minutemen will return home to Gillette Stadium this Saturday for a 3:30 PM kick-off against undefeated Ohio (4-0).