Football: Fenroy in exclusive group

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • November 19, 2008

When Tyrell Fenroy heard the news, he savored the moment.

UL’s senior running back learned early last week that he was one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award. Every year, the award is given to the nation’s top running back.

Other semifinalists include UConn’s Donald Brown, Alabama’s Glen Coffee, Iowa’s Shonn Greene, Oklahoma State’s Kendall Hunter, Pitt’s LeSean McCoy, Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno, Michigan State’s Javon Ringer, Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers and Penn State’s Evan Royster.

Fenroy was the lone semifinalist from outside the six major BCS conferences.

"That was big," Fenroy said after Tuesday’s practice. "Just to see my name up there with guys from those big schools and big conferences was pretty unbelievable."

Break down the individual numbers, and you’ll see that Fenroy belongs in that select company.

The LaPlace native is the nation’s active leading rusher with 4,050 yards. He is one of only seven rushers in NCAA history with four 1,000-yard seasons. His 46 career rushing touchdowns are third among active players. Fenroy is the all-time leading rusher in school and Sun Belt history. He also holds the school and league single-game rushing mark with 297 yards against ULM on Oct. 4.

Fenroy needs 18 rushing yards to set the state’s career record currently held by ex-Carencro and LSU star Kevin Faulk. With another 241 rushing yards, he’ll finish among the top 25 rushers in NCAA history. He sits 143 yards behind former USC and NFL great Marcus Allen.

Part of Fenroy’s success can be credited to sharing the backfield with quarterback Mike Desormeaux, who ran for 1,141 yards last season and is third in school history in rushing. It also helps having good chemistry on the offensive front. Offensive linemen Kyle Pirtle, Brad Bustle, Chris Fisher, Ian Burks and Jonathan Decoster had started the first nine games of the season before Burks missed the start in last week’s 40-29 loss to Florida Atlantic with a bad back.

"Obviously, we’re very happy and proud of Fenroy," said UL wide receiver Caleb Rubin. "I couldn’t be happier for him. It says a lot about our program. It shows that we’re all working together. There are people that are put into position to elevate a guy like Fenroy. He’s handled it with the utmost humility.

"There isn’t a better guy for the job."

This season, Fenroy has saved his best for last. He is tied for second in the nation in rushing touchdowns (17), is fourth in points per game (10.2) and eighth in rushing yards per game (126.9).

Among the Doak Walker Award semifinalists, Fenroy is second in average yards per carry (6.61) on the third-fewest carries (192). His 1,269 rushing yards is fifth.

Think for a second. Doak Walker Award front-runner Michigan State’s Javon Ringer leads the nation with 353 rushing attempts and 20 scoring runs. Ringer averages 4.39 yards per rushing attempt – the lowest among the 10 semifinalists.

If Fenroy got the ball as much as Ringer, and maintained his average yards per carry, he would have more than 2,300 yards for the Cajuns (5-5 overall, 4-1 Sun Belt) going into Saturday against Troy (6-4, 4-1).

UL coach Rickey Bustle was proud when he heard Fenroy was named a semifinalist for the nation’s top running back honor.

"It’s a tremendous honor for our program and the team," Bustle said. "The recognition is at an elite level.

"Everyone on the team can say they helped him achieve this recognition."

Here’s some good news, Cajun fans: History shows that Fenroy is at his best down the stretch.

In the final two games of the past three seasons, Fenroy has rushed for 875 yards and 12 touchdowns on 147 carries. That’s an average of two touchdowns and almost 146 yards per game and nearly six yards a carry.

The Cajuns will need that production as they try to snap a two-game losing streak against Troy and clinch at least a share of the league title.

As a freshman, Fenroy helped UL win a share of the conference championship in 2005. Now he’s ready to do everything he can help the Cajuns secure their first outright league crown in 38 years.