Teammate: Greene ‘on a mission’

NDC running back from South putting up big numbers, but his goals are team-oriented

D.J. Greene doesn’t think much about individual success, and his reasoning makes perfect sense.

“I don’t set personal goals,” said Greene on Sept. 20 after a morning practice. “If I do spectacular things, that’s great for the team.

“I think if you’re setting goals, there’s a limit. And there’s no limit to trying to be great.”

So don’t expect the Willoughby South graduate to rest and enjoy his career-high college performance on Sept. 16.

Greene rushed for a staggering 286 yards on 26 carries — an 11yard average — and scored four touchdowns in Notre Dame College’s 47-35 win at West Virginia State on Sept. 16.

He was named Mountain East Conference Player of the Week on Sept. 18.

Greene won’t admit it, but the pregame chatter on social media — according to NDC quarterback Malik Grove — had the game a showdown of running backs between Greene and West Virginia State’s Calil Wilkins, who entered the game as the nation’s leading rusher in Division II.

The result was advantage Greene in a big way. Greene’s 286 yards and four TDs easily outdid Wilkins’ 49 yards on 14 carries.

“We knew who the best running back was, and (D.J.) proved that definitely last Saturday,” said Grove,

who only had to throw it nine times, completing six passes for 38 yards.

“He’s been on a mission. D.J. knows he’s good, but he’s playing so much better this season. In my opinion, he’s an elite-level talent.”

Wilkins and Greene now ranked Nos. 4 and 5 in the nation in D-II rushing.

In three games, Greene has 431 yards on 64 carries (6.7-yard average) with six touchdowns. He’s averaging 144 yards per game.

With eight games to play, Greene, a junior, could make a run at being the nation’s leading rusher and earning All-America honors, but he’s more concerned about team success. The Falcons are 2-1 this season and host Concord Sept.

23 at noon.

As Greene says, it’s about “coming to work every day.”

“That should be the way I got out there and perform, and I still have things I need to clean up,” said Greene, doing his best to down play his 286 yard and four touchdowns. “I could have blocked better, had better play fakes. I’m never satisfied. You gotta be humble. You can’t be satisfied. Each day, that’s the first thing on my mind. How am I getting better? How will I help my team?”

Second-year coach Mike Jacobs is old-school, so he might have framed the box score from Greene’s big day. The Falcons gained 471 yards of offense against West Virginia State, with

433 coming on the ground. Most of that came courtesy of Greene, but Grove chipped in 96 and two scores. Greene’s backup, Brian Walker, had 51 yards and a TD.

“To be physical and control the line of scrimmage, that’s what I want the culture and this team to be about,” said Jacobs. “Have a toughness and an edge.”

As for his star running back, Jacobs couldn’t be more proud of Greene’s development from an underclassman to an upperclassman and leader.

“You’re seeing a kid who’s really maturing and understanding the teamfirst mentality,” said the NDC coach. “It shows how much he’s grown.”

COURTESY NOTRE DAME COLLEGE In three games this season, D.J. Greene (Willoughby South) has rushed for 431 yards and six touchdowns.