From Purdue University —
Junior running back Markell Jones has been named the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week. Following Anthony Mahoungou’s weekly honor last Monday, it marks the first time Purdue has had back-to-back weeks with players recognized by the conference since 2011. Jones shared the weekly honor with Iowa’s Akrum Wadley.
Jones helped the Boilermakers snap a four-game skid to rival Indiana and regain possession of the Old Oaken Bucket with a career-day Saturday, rushing for 217 yards on 31 carries (7.0 yards per carry average). He paved the way for the Boilermakers to pull away in the second half, tallying 159 yards on 22 carries in the last 30 minutes of the contest.
Jones’ final yardage total was the fifth-most for a player from either school in the annual showdown and were the most in a Bucket Game by a Boilermaker since All-American Mike Alstott rushed for 264 yards in 1995. The effort was Jones’ first 200-yard game in his career at Purdue and the first by any Boilermaker since Ralph Bolden rushed for 234 yards against Toledo in 2009. Bolden’s day against the Rockets earned him Big Ten Player of the Week recognition, the last time a Purdue running back was feted with weekly offensive honors until Jones.
Jones’ big day against IU propelled him into the team lead with 480 yards on the ground on 92 carries with one touchdown for the season.
Purdue finished the regular season 6-6 overall and 4-5 in the Big Ten. The Boilermaker will learn of their bowl destination Sunday.
Markell Jones on #Purdue win: “Guys weren’t going to be denied, especially for our seniors going out like this. … We weren’t going to let these guys come in here and beat us in our home stadium. It wasn’t going to happen that way.”
— GoldandBlack.com (@GoldandBlackcom) November 25, 2017
Here's a drawing I did of Purdue running back Markell Jones @Merkjones28 #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/bUG5b7OiWP
— Howard M. Shum (@howardshum) November 27, 2017
#Purdue RB Markell Jones, with 217 yards rushing in the win, on beating the Hoosiers: "I don’t like those guys a whole lot, so to finally beat those guys, since I’ve been here, that’s a great feeling.”
— GoldandBlack.com (@GoldandBlackcom) November 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/ErinCouch/status/934513200502136832
On Friday, @EastOlympiansFB wins a state title. On Saturday, Markell Jones runs over Indiana in Purdue’s win. That’s some kind of program @bkgaddis has at @Col_East_Sports.
— News&Tribune Sports (@newstribscores) November 25, 2017
Entering today’s showdown with Indiana, #Purdue junior Markell Jones had rushed for 263 yards on 61 attempts this season.
Jones finished with 217 yards on 31 carries against IU to help the Boilermakers bring back the Old Oaken Bucket and claim bowl eligibility. pic.twitter.com/Ocd5mLJFlw
— Andrew Pogar (@AndrewPogar) November 25, 2017
I guess Markell Jones was inspired by Columbia East winning state last night. Boiler up!!! 🏈🚂
— Sarah Cotner (@Sarah_Smiled) November 25, 2017
Thanks for getting a picture with my son today. Great game!! #Boilerup pic.twitter.com/MWoehnnMQG
— Jamie Snyder (@jsnyder46060) November 26, 2017
Markell Jones’ 'outstanding’ day resulted in 217 yards rushing in #Purdue’s win: https://t.co/53WVGymPE3
— GoldandBlack.com (@GoldandBlackcom) November 25, 2017
Markell Jones is #Purdue’s first 200-yard rusher since Ralph Bolden (234) vs. Toledo in 2009. Jones has 217 today on 31 carries.
— GoldandBlack.com (@GoldandBlackcom) November 25, 2017
Who else is ready to get their Markell Jones tattoo? #BoilerUp #BeatIU #EverGrateful
— Heather Crabtree (@HCinVille) November 25, 2017
A few shots from Purdue vs IU. Markell Jones ran all over IU helping the Boilers to bring the Old Oaken Bucket back to West Lafayette. @PurdueSports pic.twitter.com/PjX7imeURg
— Rick McIntyre (@mcintyreimaging) November 26, 2017
Watching ESPN Goal Line, seeing today's leaders, oh look it's Markell Jones. (happy dance)
— Dave DuPlantis (@zlionsfan) November 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/ryanmcneill/status/934596565515362304
Three quarters done in West Lafayette: Purdue 24, IU 10. And Markell Jones refuses to be tackled. Terrific performance by Purdue.
— Bob Kravitz (@bkravitz) November 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/Col_East_Sports/status/934521952173219840
Man it feels great to be a Boilermaker‼️Sorry I cant make it home for the holidays momma. #BowlSZN
— Markell (@Merkjones28) November 26, 2017
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/XJvbHn4xYf
— Markell (@Merkjones28) November 26, 2017
