By Steve Behr

sports@wataugademocrat.com

Kevin Richardson was named the Southern Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week after he rushed for 215 yards and three touchdowns in Appalachian State’s 79-35 victory Saturday over Western Carolina.

Richardson scored touchdown runs of 4, 42 and 4 yards against the Catamounts. The 743 yards and the 79 points were the most the Mountaineers have rolled up since a 115-0 win over Piedmont back in 1936.

Richardson also caught four passes for 15 yards, which helped him break John Settle’s school record for all-purpose yards. Richardson has 5,702 all-purpose yards.

Richardson is just 26 yards shy of Settle’s school record for career rushing yards. Settle gained 4,409 yards from 1983-86. Richardson, a senior from Elizabethtown, has 4,383 career rushing yards.

Richardson also got some good news Monday, when he was named a finalist for the 2007 Walter Payton Award. He averages 92.7 yards per game rushing with one game left. The Mountaineers host Chattanooga at Kidd Brewer Stadium Saturday.

Selection show
The FCS playoffs selection show will be broadcast on ESPNU Sunday at 3:30 p.m. The Mountaineers will host a viewing party that is open to the public at Legends, beginning at 3 p.m.

Food samples will be provided by Beef O’Brady’s and soft drinks will be available for purchase. The ASU bookstore will also be on hand with items for purchase.

Rankings
Appalachian State (8-2) moved up again in the FCS rankings. The Mountaineers are sixth, up one spot from last week, in both The Sports Network and the coaches polls. They are the highest ranked team that has two losses.

Northern Iowa (10-0) continues to stay No. 1 in TSN poll, while North Dakota State is still No. 1 in the coaches poll and No. 2 in TSN.