It was one for the record books. It also earned Armanti Edwards some conference and national recognition.

Edwards, the Appalachian State quarterback, was named co-Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week by the league Monday. He also was named Offensive Player of the Week by The Sports Network.

Edwards gained 291 yards on 21 carries and scored touchdown runs of 80 and 25 yards in the Mountaineers’ 45-24 victory over The Citadel Saturday. He averaged 13.9 yards per carry and his 80-yard run in the first quarter not only gave the Mountaineers a 10-0 lead, but it was Appalachian State’s longest play of the season.

“It was a sight to see,” receiver Dexter Jackson said of Edwards’ 80-yard run. “They didn’t look like they could catch him, so it was a sight to see.”

Jackson, one of the fastest players on the Appalachian State roster, raced downfield and threw a block on the run as Edwards was reaching the goal line. Edwards did not see the block, but was not surprised.

“It felt great,” Edwards said of his 80-yarder. “Our offensive line is quick and our receivers, when they see that we’re breaking a run, they go down and try to help us.”

Appalachian State’s offensive line, which is starting to get healthy again, was happy to be a part of Edwards’ record-breaking day. Edwards’ 291 yards broke the old record of 261 yards rushing held by Ritchie Melchor set in 1989 against Chattanooga.

“Yeah, Armanti, he went nuts there, didn’t he?” offensive guard Kerry Brown said. “He went a little crazy. We just kind of made up some plays as we went along and stuff that was working usually doesn’t work and the stuff that works didn’t work. It was really odd. Short-yardage plays were going for big yards.”

It’s the third time that an Appalachian State quarterback has been named the top offensive player by the Southern Conference. Edwards earned the honors in week one after the Mountaineers upset Michigan 34-32.

Trey Elder shared the award with Georgia Southern quarterback Jayson Foster the following week after the Mountaineers beat Lenoir-Rhyne 48-7. Edwards shares this week’s award with Foster, who ran for a career-high 279 yards on 28 carries and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ 38-35 win over Wofford.

Mountaineers coach Jerry Moore said Edwards and Foster are both capable of running 80 yards for a score.

“He and Armanti can,” Moore said. “They are running guys who can do it.”

Edwards’ passing numbers — 10-of-20 passes for 148 yards and an interception — did not match his rushing numbers. But Edwards also hit Josh Johnson for a 6-yard touchdown pass and Jackson for a 45-yarder that went for a score.

“It wasn’t a great day in passing, but we got it done,” Edwards said. “We had outstanding blocking by our offensive line and our receivers helped downfield.”

Other awards
Furman cornerback William Middleton was the Defensive Player of the Week after making six tackles and intercepting two passes in Furman’s 52-49 victory over Elon. His second pick, which was made in the end zone, stopped an Elon scoring drive in the fourth quarter.

Georgia Southern’s Jesse Hartley made five extra points and booted an eventual game-winning field goal to lift the Eagles past Wofford to earn Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Elon quarterback Scott Riddle was named the Freshman of the Week for passing for 534 yards and three touchdowns against Furman. He completed 38-of-52 passes.

Recent rankings
Appalachian Sate moved up to seventh in The Sports Network poll and the coaches poll this week.

The Mountainers (7-2) were ninth heading into last weekend’s game. Georgia Southern moved up to 11th from 17th, while Wofford moved down to 15th after being ranked No. 8 last week. Elon dropped to 19th from 14th.

Northern Iowa is still No. 1 in TSN poll, and North Dakota State is No. 1 in the coaches poll.

Footprints: Appalachian State has won 12 of its last 13 against The Citadel. ...The Mountaineers’ game with Western Carolina will be televised on ESPNU. The game begins at 3:30 p.m. ... According to the NCAA’s latest strength of schedule analysis, the Mountaineers have played the third-toughest slate in the FCS. Not counting Michigan, the Mountaineers’ FCS opponents have an overall record of 37-20.