Sept. 12, 2007

Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst College junior running back Richard Stokes was named the Division II National Performer of the Week by CollegeSportsReport.com after racking up 244 rushing yards and 361 all-purpose yards in the Lakers' 42-23 road win over Ferris State Saturday.

Stokes set a school-record in all-purpose yards and his rushing total was the second-best total in school history as Mercyhurst upset Ferris State. He also scored three touchdowns, carried the ball a school-record 37 times, and had 26 receiving yards and 91 kick returns yards.

With Mercyhurst trailing 3-0 early, Stokes scored on a 22-yard jaunt midway through the first quarter to put the Lakers ahead 7-3. He added a touchdown late in the second that put Mercyhurst on top 21-10 and put the final nail in the coffin on his third touchdown with just 1:20 left in the contest.

Stokes was also named the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.

Mercyhurst, now 2-1 on the year and 1-1 in GLIAC play, will host Wayne State Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Tullio Field in the team's home-opener.