SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference crowned Elon University tailback Joe Baptiste (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes H.S.) as the league's Freshman of the Week Monday, following his performance in Elon's 10-7 loss to visiting SoCon foe Chattanooga over the weekend.

The 5-11, 191-pound Baptiste rushed for a career-high 148 net yards on 24 carries and his first career touchdown on Saturday. His touchdown run – a career-long 43-yard scampering – gave the Phoenix a 7-0 advantage early in the third quarter. He gained 149 yards and lost just one yard, averaging an impressive 6.2 yards per carry.

Baptiste and the rest of the Phoenix (3-4) travel to Greenville, S.C. this weekend to battle No. 2 Furman (6-1) in a Southern Conference clash at Paladin Stadium Saturday. The 2 p.m. contest represents Furman's 2005 Homecoming game.

– ELON –