Cajun’s Fenroy overtakes Mitchell
On the third play of Saturday’s game at Illinois, UL’s Tyrell Fenroy lowered his shoulder and pushed ahead, setting the program’s career rushing record with a nine-yard carry.
The LaPlace native, who entered the game needing nine yards to pass former Cajun great Brian Mitchell, put himself into the record books in typical Fenroy fashion.
It was nothing flashy.
No juke moves. No stutter steps. No leaping over a defender.
Fenroy took a handoff from quarterback Michael Desormeaux and ran straight up the middle.
By the time the senior was stopped by Illinois linebacker Brit Miller and safety Bo Flowers, Fenroy held the record.
The young man who had always dodged the spotlight could not avoid the glare after making history, even after being held to 20 yards on 14 carries in UL’s 20-17 loss to the Fighting Illini.
“It didn’t really hit me until after the game,” said Fenroy, who has rushed for 3,347 career yards. “Some guys came up and told me that I got the record. It would have meant a whole lot more if we came out with a win.
“I wanted to get the record on a win. It’s kind of disappointing. But in a way, it’s a plus for me.”
Mitchell, who played for the Cajuns from 1986-89, was proud he held UL’s career rushing mark for 19 years. After setting 13 records in the NFL in 13 seasons, Mitchell moved to Virginia.
On Saturday, Mitchell heard Fenroy broke his record while commuting to an autograph show in Washington, D.C.
“All the players and coaches I’ve talked to since he’s been there have had nothing but good things to say about him,” said Mitchell, who does radio for the Washington Redskins and television for Comcast. “He puts a lot of work into it.
“I feel good for him because he’s a good kid and a very good football player.”
UL coach Rickey Bustle was glad Fenroy finally got his record. He rushed for 56 yards in the season opener against Southern Miss but missed the second half with a head injury.
Fenroy returned to practice last week after being cleared by doctors.
“Our team will take pride that he got that, but he would trade that for a win in a heartbeat,” Bustle said. “That record is over with now. He would have our team share in that.”
Now Fenroy sits on the verge of another program record. He needs 37 to surpass Brandon Stokley’s career combined rushing and receiving mark of 3,761 yards.
Fenroy, who is the 16th player in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons, needs 704 yards to become the Sun Belt’s all-time leading rusher. Another 924 yards would give him 1,000 yards – which would make him the seventh NCAA player to ever hit that mark four times.
But in typical Fenroy fashion, he is focusing less than on personal goals and more on helping the Cajuns rebound from a 0-2 start to the season.
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September 14th, 2008 by Ragin Cajun /
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