Blanks

Football Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Blanks Named PSAC West Offensive Athlete of the Week

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Gannon University running back Melvin Blanks (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) has been named the PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league office this morning. Blanks' outstanding play was instrumental in Gannon's 21-18 win over Edinboro this past Saturday.

For the second straight week Blanks set career highs for carries (29) and rushing yards (239), leading Gannon to a second straight win. He scored twice on runs of 2 and 24 yards. After rushing for 88 yards on 16 carries in the first half, he exploded in the second half with 13 carries for 151 yards. The 239 yards ranks tenth in a game at Gannon.

The 6'1", 212 lb. junior becomes the first Gannon back to post back-to-back 200-yard rushing efforts since Marcus Jones did it against Seton Hill and Cal in 2018. A week ago, Blanks set then career-highs with 25 carries for 200 yards. Blanks has four 100-yard efforts this season and five in his career.

Gannon rushed for a season-high 316 yards rushing, eclipsing the high of 282 yards in last week's game at Seton Hill. That's the most yards rushing since Gannon ran for 453 yards vs. Lock Haven in the final game of the 2018 campaign.

Blanks now has 945 yards on the season as he looks to become the first Gannon ballcarrier since Jones in 2018 to rush for 1,000 yards. He would also become just the eighth back to reach 1,000 yards for the Golden Knights. The 945 yards ranks 11th in a season.

Now 4-4 overall and 3-2 in the PSAC West, Gannon returns to action on Saturday, October 30 hosting Slippery Rock. Kickoff at McConnell Family Stadium is set for 12 noon. SRU was ranked 17th a week ago.  
 
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Players Mentioned

Melvin Blanks

#2 Melvin Blanks

RB
6' 1"
Junior
Business

Players Mentioned

Melvin Blanks

#2 Melvin Blanks

6' 1"
Junior
Business
RB