ST. LOUIS - Indiana State sophomore running back Shakir Bell has been named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player Of The Week as announced today (Sept. 25) by the league office. Bell set a new school record for rushing yards in a game as ISU earned its first victory over Youngstown State in 12 tries at Memorial Stadium by the score of 37-35.

Bell enjoyed a record breaking performance for the Sycamores as they downed Youngstown State, earning a victory in their conference opener for the first time since 2004. Bell amassed 256 rushing yards in the contest on 21 attempts, averaging 12.2 yards per carry for the Trees. His 256 rushing yards are the most in a single-game by a Sycamore in the history of the program and marks his second consecutive 200-yard rushing performance. Bell is just the second-ever Sycamore to rush for over 200 yards in consecutive contests. Bell's 256 rushing yards broke the previous record of 253 held by Derrick Franklin against Murray State in 1990. Franklin is also the only other Sycamores to rush for 200 yards in back-to-back games back in 1991.

Additionally, Bell found the end zone on the ground a total of four times, all in the first half. His four rushing touchdowns in one half is also a new school record. Bell scored on the game's first play from scrimmage on a 62-yard scamper just 18 seconds into the contest. He gave ISU a 14-0 advantage on a 39-yard scoring run just four minutes into the game and tallied a 62-yard touchdown on the ground in the second quarter. He finished off his masterful first half with a 51-yard touchdown rush with 4:03 left in the first half. His 62-yard touchdown run on the first play of the game is the longest scoring play for the Sycamores this season.

Other league honors this week were Marcus Williams of North Dakota State on defense, Jackson MacLachlan of Southern Illinois on special teams and Mike Banks of Illinois State was the league's top newcomer.

The Sycamores return to action on Saturday, October 1 when they travel to South Dakota State for a 7:00 p.m. (ET) battle in Brookings, S.D. ISU will be looking to extend its winning streak to four games, which would be its longest since 2004.