WEEK 9 STATS: 361 rush yards, 24 rushes, 5 TD rushes, 15.0 ypc
Dawson produced an unprecedented second-half showing en-route to breaking the NEC’s single-game rushing record during a 49-24 victory over Wagner. Setting a NCAA Division I record for rush yards in one half, the burly CCSU running back carried 15 times for 308 yards over the final 30:00. For the game, Dawson averaged 15.0 yards per rush while totaling an all-time conference single-game high 361 yards and five touchdowns. The yardage total surpassed the prior NEC record (332) that was set by former CCSU All-American Justise Hairston in 2006. The five rushing touchdowns match the league’s single-game record. While accounting for the sixth-highest rushing total in Division I FCS annals, Dawson scored four touchdowns of at least 45 yards in length. Three of his scores (57, 60, 55 yards) came during the fourth quarter. He ran for 197 yards during the final period, setting the DI FCS mark for most rush yards in a single quarter. Dawson’s first touchdown of the game, a 23-yard burst, gave CCSU its first lead of the game (21-17) with 9:22 left in the opening half. After Wagner jumped back in front by a 24-21 margin early in the third quarter, Dawson answered by rushing 45 yards for a score on the very next play from scrimmage.