Kings Point's Rushing King

Kings Point has a new rushing king. 

Sophomore quarterback Matt McDaniels leads all of NCAA Division III in rushing yards four games into the season for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. More importantly, the Mariners are off to a 3-1 start and a factor in the Liberty League.

Leading the way has been McDaniels, a Malverne native and Kellenberg graduate. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound LIer has 633 yards – 58 yards better than anyone else in D-III – and seven touchdowns on 106 carries. 

The Mariners lost to Hobart Saturday, but USMMA is on track to surpass last season's 4-5 record. Its 3-0 start was the program's best in 15 seasons.

It's McDaniels, who played special teams as a freshman, who has the Merchant Marine on the fast track. He's a two-time conference offensive player of the week running the option offense.

And he's not just getting it done with his legs. McDaniels threw a 25-yard TD pass in a 7-6 win over Maritime two weeks ago. 

He also set a new Academy record by rushing for 199 yards in the second half of a win over Susquehanna.

It's nothing new. McDaniels led Kellenberg to the CHSFL Class AA finals appearance as a senior in 2011, running roughshod over the Catholic league. He had nearly 900 yards rushing in three playoff games, including 345 in a 22-21 loss to Fordham Prep.

A 24-8 loss to nationally-ranked Hobart brought USMMA back to earth. But another stiff test awaits. RPI, off to a 3-1 start, hosts USMMA Saturday in Troy.

Win or lose, there's no doubt whose hands the ball will be in.