At 5 feet 6 inches tall and 179 pounds, running back Marquis Terry is no giant, but that didn’t stop him from having a gigantic game this week in Southeast’s win against Eastern Kentucky.

Terry rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns Saturday, earning recognition as Ohio Valley Conference Co-Newcomer of the Week.

“Quis”, as he’s known among teammates and coaches, is a man of few words. On the field though, he’s relentless.

With unflinching eyes and a brutal cut on his right ear, the junior wears the look of a workhorse who’s grown used to absorbing and redirecting abuse as he crashes through the trenches of defensive lines.

On the playing field Terry is an aggressive blocker, and as a ball carrier he often seems un-phased by attempts to bring him down.

Head Coach Tom Matukewicz said Terry is a guy that gets every possible yard out of every run.

“You think he’s going to get five yards and he gets seven, you think it’s going to be a 12-yard run and he turns it into 40,” Matukewicz said.

He believes his resolute mindset is the best part of his game.

“I know I’m more determined than anybody who steps in front of me, always more determined,” Terry said. “You’re going to have to take me down, I’m not making it easy.”

The corporate communications major transferred in this year from Highland Community College, where he was voted first-team All-American for the National Junior College Athletic Association after leading the nation in rushing with 1,319 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2016.

Terry ranks fifth nationally this season in total rushing yards with 540, and eleventh in yards per game with a 108-yard average. He has also found the end zone five times this season.

“I gelled well with teammates coming in. I’m a quiet guy but I earned their respect with the way I play and the way I carry myself,” Terry said. “I love these guys. We’re a family. We’d fight for each other any day.”

The Atlanta native said being named OVC newcomer of the week was a great honor, but he just wants to keep building.

“I want to do as much as I can in my role to help my team win,” Terry said. “We’re getting better every week, we’re coming together and I think we can be unstoppable.”

The team has a bye this week which Matukewicz said is an opportunity for players to get fresh, relax a bit from the pressure of the season and get ahead academically.

With homecoming approaching Terry said he and his teammates are trying to block the outside noise and stay sharp.

“Iron sharpens iron,” the running back said. “We’re focused on the task at hand, we want to still be playing at Thanksgiving.”

Terry shared the title of OVC Newcomer of the Week with Eastern Illinois redshirt freshman Scott Gilkey. The quarterback ran for 104 yards on 25 carries and completed 11-of-26 passes for 46 yards with two touchdowns in a double overtime win over Tennessee State.