CJ Miller breaks free for a 68-yard touchdown run at Ball State.
CJ Miller Named MAC Offensive Player of the Week
10/5/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football
Toledo RB had career-high 196 yards at Ball State
TOLEDO, Ohio - Toledo running back CJ Miller has been named the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week following a career performance in the Rockets' 39-24 victory at Ball State, the MAC announced Monday.
Miller rushed for a career-high 196 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, breaking his previous mark of 172 yards set last season at Mercer. He ripped off runs of 68 and 50 yards, with the 68-yard touchdown coming late in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
Miller and fellow running back Connor Walendzak each eclipsed 100 yards, marking the first time Toledo has had two 100-yard rushers in the same game since Nov. 15, 2018. Walendzak carried 16 times for 103 yards and a touchdown, giving the Rockets 299 combined rushing yards from the duo.
This marks the third consecutive week that a different Toledo player has been named MAC Offensive Player of the Week, following John Alan Richter and Bryson Hammer.
The only previous instances of three different players from the same team earning MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors in three consecutive weeks came when the MAC recognized separate offensive players of the week for its East and West divisions (2002-2023).
In 2014, Western Michigan's Corey Davis, Jarvion Franklin and Zach Terrell were named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week in three consecutive weeks. Davis, however, shared the award with Toledo running back Kareem Hunt.
Toledo had three players accomplish the feat in 2015, when Hunt, Phillip Ely and Terry Swanson were named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week in successive weeks. In 2016, Western Michigan had four different players—Jamauri Bogan, Terrell, Davis and Franklin—earn the honor in four straight weeks, although Bogan and Davis each shared the award with another player.
The MAC began naming Players of the Week in 1976.
Miller ranks third in the MAC with 346 rushing yards and second with an average of 6.41 yards per carry. His four rushing touchdowns rank third in the conference.
The Rockets (4-1) return to the Glass Bowl on Saturday for Homecoming against Buffalo. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN plus and broadcast on the Rocket Radio Network. Tickets are available at UTRockets.com/tickets.
Miller rushed for a career-high 196 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, breaking his previous mark of 172 yards set last season at Mercer. He ripped off runs of 68 and 50 yards, with the 68-yard touchdown coming late in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
Miller and fellow running back Connor Walendzak each eclipsed 100 yards, marking the first time Toledo has had two 100-yard rushers in the same game since Nov. 15, 2018. Walendzak carried 16 times for 103 yards and a touchdown, giving the Rockets 299 combined rushing yards from the duo.
This marks the third consecutive week that a different Toledo player has been named MAC Offensive Player of the Week, following John Alan Richter and Bryson Hammer.
The only previous instances of three different players from the same team earning MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors in three consecutive weeks came when the MAC recognized separate offensive players of the week for its East and West divisions (2002-2023).
In 2014, Western Michigan's Corey Davis, Jarvion Franklin and Zach Terrell were named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week in three consecutive weeks. Davis, however, shared the award with Toledo running back Kareem Hunt.
Toledo had three players accomplish the feat in 2015, when Hunt, Phillip Ely and Terry Swanson were named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week in successive weeks. In 2016, Western Michigan had four different players—Jamauri Bogan, Terrell, Davis and Franklin—earn the honor in four straight weeks, although Bogan and Davis each shared the award with another player.
The MAC began naming Players of the Week in 1976.
Miller ranks third in the MAC with 346 rushing yards and second with an average of 6.41 yards per carry. His four rushing touchdowns rank third in the conference.
The Rockets (4-1) return to the Glass Bowl on Saturday for Homecoming against Buffalo. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN plus and broadcast on the Rocket Radio Network. Tickets are available at UTRockets.com/tickets.
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