ST. LOUIS — South Dakota State running back James Basinger was honored Monday as the Missouri Valley Football Conference Newcomer of the Week.
A freshman from Littleton, Colorado, Basinger tallied a team-high 53 rushing yards on 12 carries and scored two touchdowns in the second-ranked Jackrabbits' 51-7 home win over Mercyhurst on Sept. 27. He also caught three passes for 32 yards, giving him 85 all-purpose yards on the afternoon as SDSU extended its home winning streak to 32 games.
South Dakota State opens MVFC play Saturday at Youngstown State. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. Central) at Stambaugh Stadium in Youngstown, Ohio.