Football: Fenroy proves he’s still No. 1 for the Cajuns

Bob Heist • bheist@theadvertiser.com • September 21, 2008

He’s Superman with a neckboard and clearly misrepresented in jersey No. 32.

Make no mistake. When it comes to Ragin’ Cajuns football, Tyrell Fenroy is No. 1.

No. 1 in career rushing yards (3,541) and combined rushing and receiving yards (3,987). Taking a step to the side was Brian Mitchell last week for career rushing; Brandon Stokley gave up the rushing-receiving title during the 44-27 win over Kent State in the home opener Saturday night.

"I don’t look forward to having a 100-yard game every game, or a breakout game every game," Fenroy said after setting career highs for rushing (194) and all-purpose (262) yards. "I just want to come out here and play hard and help get our offense going."

Which, of course, the 5-foot-10, 205-pound chisled stick of dynamite did against the Golden Flashes.

Fenroy tied a career-best with a 69-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that put UL up 23-14. Before that, he took a screen pass 65 yards to set up a Drew Edmiston field goal for the Cajuns’ first score. The reception also set a personal record.

But more than anything else, as UL was trying to eliminate "fluke" from the vocabulary following last week’s near-upset at Illinois, what Fenroy proved again is when he performs, the Cajuns win.

And truly, that’s the definition of a great player.

The career night against Kent State was 100-yard game No. 18 for Fenroy, building on the program record he already owned. More importantly, though, in his four years, UL is now 14-4 when the wrecking ball from LaPlace hits the century mark.

That’s not too shabby considering UL is 16-22 since he arrived on campus for the 2005 season.

"Don’t think we coach him to do that?" UL coach Rickey Bustle said with a chuckle.

Of course, Fenroy – who also tied a career-high with three TDs against Kent State – isn’t alone in the backfield for the Cajuns. This Michael Desormeaux kid isn’t too bad, either.

The top rushing quarterback in the country, Desormeaux fed off his tailback’s lead and shredded the Golden Flashes with 150 rushing yards and a score, plus 253 yards passing and a beautiful 55-yard TD pass to freshman tight end Ladarius Green.

They are the ying to the other’s yang. But it starts with Fenroy.

"He’s such a dynamic player. We put a lot of weight on his shoulders to make this thing go," Desormeaux said. "I know I depend heavily on him. I feel very comfortable with him back there with me. I really feed off him. Whenever he’s playing his game, he’s making cuts, making runs, running people over – it gets me going. I know it gets the offensive line going. I know they love to block for him.

"I couldn’t imagine playing without him."

And the Cajuns can’t, either.

The numbers don’t lie.

Bob Heist is sports editor of The Daily Advertiser. Reach him at (337) 289-6402 or bheist@theadvertiser.com.