QUINCY, Ill. – Quincy University football junior running back Collin Parsons has been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career following a four-touchdown performance that helped lead the Hawks to a thrilling 34-31 comeback victory over Missouri S&T on Saturday in Rolla, Missouri.
Parsons becomes the second Hawk to earn the conference's weekly offensive recognition this season, joining quarterback Bradyn Little, who received the honor on September 8. The Saint Peters, Missouri, native is also the first Quincy running back to claim the award since Teon Dollard earned the distinction on November 4, 2024.
The junior turned in one of the most impressive performances of his collegiate career, accounting for 196 yards from scrimmage and a career-high four touchdowns as Quincy erased a 21-point second-half deficit to secure its third victory of the season.
Parsons carried the ball 25 times for 111 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 4.4 yards per attempt with a long rush of 21 yards. He also made his presence felt through the air, hauling in a career-high 13 receptions for a career-best 85 yards and a touchdown.
The performance marked Parsons' sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season and eighth of his career, while his four touchdowns established a new single-game career high.
With Quincy trailing 17-0 late in the second quarter, Parsons helped ignite the Hawks' offense, accounting for 39 yards on an 11-play, 53-yard scoring drive. He capped the possession with an eight-yard touchdown run to put Quincy on the board with 1:38 remaining in the opening half.
Missouri S&T eventually extended its lead to 31-10 midway through the third quarter, but Parsons played a pivotal role in the Hawks' remarkable comeback.
The junior hauled in a one-yard touchdown reception from Little with 1:25 remaining in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to 31-17 and beginning a stretch of 24 unanswered points for Quincy.
Following a blocked punt early in the fourth quarter, Parsons punched in another touchdown from one yard out to bring the Hawks within seven. He later capped an 11-play, 85-yard drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown with just 1:12 remaining in regulation, evening the score at 31-31 following the extra point.
Quincy completed the comeback when Joe Reif drilled a 36-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Hawks to a 34-31 victory.
Parsons' four-touchdown outing marked his fifth multi-touchdown game of the season and sixth of his career. He has now found the end zone in six consecutive contests, continuing a dominant junior campaign in the Quincy backfield.
Through eight games, Parsons leads the GLVC in rushing attempts (220), rushing yards (944), rushing touchdowns (12) and rushing yards per game (118.0). His 944 rushing yards rank eighth nationally in NCAA Division II, while his 12 rushing scores rank seventh and his 118.0 rushing yards per contest rank 10th.
The junior has also contributed 28 receptions for 228 yards and three receiving touchdowns, bringing his season totals to 1,172 yards from scrimmage and 15 total touchdowns.
Parsons and the Hawks return to action on Saturday, October 31, when they travel to Indianapolis for a GLVC matchup against the Greyhounds. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM CT from Key Stadium.
