Northwestern running back/returner Venric Mark has been granted a fifth year of eligibility after missing most of the 2013 season because of injuries, the school announced Tuesday.
Mark was limited to just three games in his senior season because of hamstring and other physical problems, including a broken ankle he suffered on Oct. 12 at Wisconsin. He finished with just 97 rushing yards on the year, one season after compiling 1,366 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns for the Wildcats in 2012. Mark was also an All-American punt returner as a junior.
Mark ranks fourth in Northwestern history with 4,271 career all-purpose yards, exactly 1,000 yards behind all-time leader Damien Anderson.