photo by: Baker Athletics

Baker University running back JD Woods, a former Lawrence High School standout, is making his mark on the NAIA record books this season.

Former Lawrence High running back JD Woods became the NAIA record holder for rushing touchdowns scored in a career during Baker University’s 47-21 victory over William Penn University on Saturday.

Woods now owns the LHS career rushing record (3,909 yards), the Baker career rushing record (5,539 and counting) and the NAIA career TD record (76).

And he’s closing in on the NAIA’s all-time rushing yards record, as well.

Woods is now 199 yards away from surpassing the all-time NAIA mark of 5,738 yards set by Derek Besgrove of Walsh University from 2000-03.

During those same years, Dusty McGrorty, of Southern Oregon, ran for 75 TDs to set an NAIA record that lasted for 18 years.

Woods, a senior who started his career at Missouri Western, has topped 100 yards in both of Baker’s games this season. He was named both the Heart of America Conference and NAIA offensive player of the week after rushing for 140 yards and four TDs in Baker’s season opener. And he added four more TDs and 110 yards on 14 carries in Week 2.

More important to him, though, is the fact that the Wildcats won both games.

After breaking the BU record in 2020, Woods emphasized that his career has never been about individual honors. He wants the team to succeed first and believes his success has been a product of the quality of the teams and coaches he has played for throughout his Baker career.

“Those yards will come with winning,” Woods said in 2020 after breaking the BU record.

On Sunday, he took to Twitter to express his appreciation for his latest mark.

“Countless hours of film study, late night workouts, hot practices, etc.,” he wrote. “But most of all, I wouldn’t be in this position without my O-line and the rest of the team, along with my coaches, trainers and athletic staff. Coming back to Baker was the best decision I ever made.”

Seventh-ranked Baker (2-0) will take on No. 5 Grand View (2-0) at noon Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa.