APPLETON, Wis. -- Lawrence University football standout Justin Berrens was chosen as the Midwest Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
Berrens, a junior halfback from Waupaca, earned the honor after running 35 times for 164 yards in Lawrence's 19-14 win at Beloit College last Saturday.
Berrens, a first-team All-Midwest Conference selection last season, got the Vikings on the board on the game's opening possession. He capped a 12-play, 70-yard drive with a 21-yard touchdown run.
Perhaps just as critical as Berrens' touchdown run was his running down the stretch, as the Vikings were trying to kill the clock and protect their lead. He ran the ball eight consecutive plays and helped the Vikings get a pair of key first downs, running nearly five minutes off the clock in the process.
The 164 rushing yards upped Berrens' average to 124.8 yards per game on the season, and he is currently 23rd in the nation in rushing yards per game. He now has 13 100-yard rushing games for his career.
The Vikings are back in action Saturday against St. Norbert College. The game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. in the Banta Bowl.