Introducing Jaleel McLaughlin Freshman on a collision course of record breaking season

What a way for Jaleel McLaughlin to introduce himself to South Euclid.

The freshman running back is breaking records already.

He introduced himself on the first game of the season as he ran for a Notre Dame Falcons’ freshman record 302 yards. He scored two times in their 35-33 victory over Shepherd University in the Mountain East Conference opener. He then took his work on the road with 176 yards and a touchdown in the victory over 27-17 Glenville State College.

The 5-foot-9, 173 pounds with world class sprinter speed from Marshville, North Carolina, has racked up 491 yards in a whopping 10.6 yards a carry. He won two state championships in track and field and one state title in basketball for Forest Hills High School.

“He has been good for us. He came into camp in great shape. He is an excellent athlete,” said head coach Mike Jacobs, who just could not stop in talking about this special player.

He might not be playing if it was not for the injury of another good back D.J. Greene. Greene had a great first four games campaign last year. The junior running back from Willoughby South, rushed for 567 yards and six touchdowns on a 6.4 yards per touch.

Ladennyawn Greene is still recovering from the injury. But now, McLaughlin has emerged, who have swiped the first two MEC Offensive Player-of-the-Week.

“When DJ gets healthy, I want to use them both. But, we are not going to rush him (DJ). He is going to take his time,” Jacobs said.

Great running back starts with great blocking, good quarterback and great receivers.

Austin Treneff leads the offensive line. The three-year starter from Grove City, Columbus, is a second team All-MEC.

Red-shirt freshman quarterback Chriss Brimm has four touchdown passes and no interceptions. Brimm, from Tallahassee, Fla., has thrown for 242 yards and a 131.69 rating.

Marvelle Ross, a junior wide receiver from VASJ, has 12 catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

However, you can see the Falcons’ bread and butter is their running game.

“We like to run the ball,” said Jacobs.

They have 631 yards on the ground on a 6.7 yards a clip.

The Falcons, who are 2-0 in the MEC, will try to keep their unbeaten record alive as they host West Virginia State Yellow Jackets. The Yellow Jackets won their first game of the season by beating MEC foe University of Virginia College at Wise 33-12.