SELINSGROVE, PA –Susquehanna University sophomore fullback Jason Eck and sophomore halfback Chris Ross are this week’s co-recipients of the team’s Gus Weber Crusader Player of the Week, sponsored by the Golden Corral Family Steak House along Routes 11 & 15 in Shamokin Dam.

Eck (Williamsport, PA/Loyalsock H.S.) and Ross (Johnstown, PA/Westmont Hilltop H.S.) both set career highs for rushing yards in the Crusaders’ 48-23 win over FDU-Florham in the first on-campus night football game in program history on Saturday night.

Eck was named to the Middle Atlantic Conference Honor Roll after he ran the ball 24 times for 141 yards and tied the school single-game record with four rushing touchdowns, while Ross established personal bests with 17 carries for 156 yards against the Devils.

The four rushing touchdowns by Eck equal the mark set in 1970 by Joe Palchak and tied by Matt Wichlinski in 1998 and by Eck against Lebanon Valley in last year’s season finale. Ross had gained a total of 58 yards on 18 carries in his career before breaking loose in his first career start.

For the season, Eck leads the Crusaders (3-3 overall, 3-2 MAC) with 299 yards on 64 carries (4.7 average) and is second in the conference with nine rushing touchdowns, while Ross has carried the ball 28 times for 207 yards (7.4 average).

The Golden Corral will donate a check for $50 apiece in the names of Eck and Ross to the charities of their choice. Now in their sixth year of sponsorship of the Gus Weber Player of the Week award, Golden Corral has donated $5,200 to charity in the names of Susquehanna players.

The Player of the Week award is named after former Susquehanna University president Gustave Weber, who served as president of Susquehanna for more than 18 years and was a former standout player at Wagner College. He was an avid booster of Crusader athletics, and in particular the football team, which he coached for the final two games of the 1965 season.

Eck and Ross will be the guest speakers at Friday’s Quarterback Club luncheon, which begins at noon in the Shearer-Weber Dining Room in the Degenstein Campus Center. They will also be the guests on the Coach’s Corner Show, which can be heard each Saturday beginning 30 minutes before kickoff.

Susquehanna will host Juniata (5-2 overall, 4-2 MAC) on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Lopardo Stadium.