Russ carried Robert Morris to its eighth consecutive victory, which was arguably the most-meaningful in the program’s history. The senior halfback piled up 197 all-purpose yards in a 42-24 victory that dethroned defending NEC champion Central Connecticut and guaranteed the Colonials’ ownership of the conference’s inaugural bid to the Division I FCS championship bracket. One week after becoming Robert Morris’ all-time leading rusher, Russ piled up a 177 yards on 24 carries. He also made two receptions for 20 yards in the title-clinching triumph at Joe Walton Stadium. Russ set the tone in the second half, running 44 yards for a touchdown that made the score 35-17 in favor of the Colonials 4:25 after the break. The 5-foot-8 Floridian averaged 7.4 yards per rush on the way to his highest single-game total this season. The performance marked the third time Russ surpassed the 150-yard mark this season, the first of which came in a win over then-No.15 Liberty in September. He has rushed for at least 138 yards on five occasions this season.