In just the third game of the season, Rutgers running back Jawan Jamison put an impressive claim to BIG EAST football “play of the year.” His spin move to elude a USF tackler on his way to a 41-yard, game-clinching TD run last Thursday night made waves across the country.

The Twitter response was immediate and widespread; the move was more likely to be seen in a video game than on a college football field. Television analyst David Pollock called it the “circle button” play - anyone who has played a snap of Madden should know what that means. Even Baltimore Ravens running back – and former Rutgers great – Ray Rice got in, tweeting “JAWAN JAMISON I see you kid #RutgersPride”

“That’s cool. I’m trying to get where he’s at,” Jamison said about Rice, whom he is often compared to. “That’s all I can say. I’m trying to get where he’s at.”

But the move was only part of the story for Jamison, who is making a strong claim that he is among the best backs in the BIG EAST. Jamison leads the conference with 124.3 yards per game rushing, including a 5.4 yard average and two touchdowns and over 100 yards in all three games.

“It’s an awesome feeling to go out and get 100-yard games,” Jamison told New Jersey Press Media. “I'm just ready to keep it going because being consistent is my goal.”

First-year Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood ran Jamison a school-record 41 times in the 23-13 win over USF and figures to lean heavily on him all year.  

“I told him during the week to get ready for 35,” Flood told NorthJersey.com. “I did not anticipate 41, but he did an excellent job with it.”

Jamison will lead the Scarlet Knights as they travel to Arkansas Saturday night (7 p.m., ESPNU). The Razorbacks were a top team in the preseason poll but they have lost their last two games.