LA GRANDE — The Eastern Oregon University Mountaineers may have found their new workhorse running back.

Redshirt-sophomore Jordan Eggers burst onto the scene in Week 1, tallying 148 net rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in Eastern Oregon University’s 26-24 victory over Montana Tech in the season opener on Aug. 28. The Mountaineers relied heavily on the run, totaling more than 250 rushing yards as a team.

“Our emphasis from the start of the game was to control the run game,” Eggers said.

The Mountaineers did just that, compiling 266 yards on the ground in comparison to 134 for the Orediggers.

Eggers scored the team’s first touchdown of the season on a 37-yard rush midway through the first quarter. The back went on to carry the ball 21 times in the victory, adding another touchdown on a six-yard run in the second quarter. Prior to this season, Eggers carried the ball only 27 times for 82 total yards and one touchdown across the 2019 and shortened 2020 seasons. Eggers in his first career start had a career-best performance.

“I just got into a good rhythm and it led to a heavier workload,” Eggers said. “Our offensive line played great.”