UL Notebook: Tyrell Fenroy and Doak Walkter Award

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • November 25, 2008  

Tyrell Fenroy’s run for the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back finally came to an end. 

Two weeks ago, UL’s senior running back was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award.

But on Monday, Iowa’s Shonn Greene, Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno and Michigan State’s Javon Ringer were honored as the three finalists for the award.

Fenroy has become the leading rusher in UL, Sun Belt and state history this season. His 4,563 rushing yards are the most among active players. He is one of seven rushers in NCAA history with four 1,000-yard seasons.

This season, Fenroy is tied for third in the nation with 17 rushing touchdowns and is 10th in rushing yards per game (117.45).

Greene, a junior, is first in the country in rushing yards (1,729), is second in rushing yards per game (144.08) and tied for third in rushing touchdowns (17).

Moreno, a sophomore, has rushed for 1,244 yards and 15 touchdowns on 210 carries this season and is 13th in rushing yards per game (113.09).

Ringer, a senior, leads the nation in rushing touchdowns (21) and carries (370), is second in rushing yards (1,590) and third in rushing yards per game (132.5).

The Doak Walker Award winner will be announced on Dec. 11 during The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards.

Odds and Ends

For the second consecutive season, UL quarterback Mike Desormeaux and running back Tyrell Fenroy both rushed for at least 1,000 yards. No other quarterback and running back has done that in NCAA history in back-to-back seasons. Minnesota did it twice with running backs Marion Barber and Laurence Maroney in 2003 and ’04 and Maroney and Gary Russell in ’05. In 2006 and ’07, Arkansas got 1,000-yard seasons from Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. Desormeaux is also the first quarterback in UL history with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons … Fenroy needs 114 yards to finish among the top 30 career rushers in NCAA history. With 218 rushing yards, he will pass Nebraska’s Mike Rozier for 25th alltime in career rushing yards … Senior wide receiver Derrick Smith needs 14 receiving yards to reach 1,500 for his career. He is currently seventh in school history with 1,486 career receiving yards.