Northwestern running back Venric Mark received All-American honors today from the Football Writers Association of America. The FWAA named the junior to the All-America team as a punt returner.

With the distinction, Mark becomes the 39th NU player to earn an All-American title in the program’s history. He is the only player from the Big Ten to make the team this season.

Mark led the nation with 20.1 yards per return on punts. Of his 14 returns, two yielded touchdowns — an 82-yard jaunt against Syracuse in the season opener and a 75-yard run back at Penn State.

Mark started every game this year at running back for the Wildcats. He finished with 1,310 rushing yards.

Mark can break the Cats’ single season record for all-purpose yards if he gains 148 more yards in NU’s bowl game on New Year’s Day.

— Rohan Nadkarni