RUSTON - Evidently, 257 is the magic number for Louisiana Tech junior running back Ryan Moats.

In each of the Bulldogs first two games of the season, wins over Nevada and UL-Lafayette, Moats has rushed for 257 yards, an amazing two-game total of 514 yards.

In this week's NCAA statistics, Moats ranks No. 1 in the country in rushing with the 257.0 yard per game average, edging Oklahoma State running back Vernand Morency who ranks No. 2 at 222.5 yards per game.

The Dallas, Texas, native rushed for 257 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries in the opener against Nevada before coming back five days later to rush for 257 yards and one touchdown on 34 carries.

The two-game total of 514 rushing yards also set a Louisiana Tech record, surpassing Jason Davis' 513 yards rushing in consecutive games against UL-Lafayette (302) and Arkansas State (211) in 1990.

Moats now owns three of the top five single game rushing performances in Louisiana Tech history. His 267 yards rushing against Hawaii last year ranks No. 2 while the pair of 257-yard performances this season rank No. 4.

Moats' four 200-plus yard rushing performances in his career is the most by any Tech running back.

As a team, the usual pass-happy Bulldogs rank No. 9 in the country with 294.5 yards per contest.