Nicholls names Roan new athletic director
October 19, 2016
Tigers still have goals in front of them
October 19, 2016
Elijah McGuire is officially the most successful statistical ball carrier in the history of the UL-Lafayette football program.
The Houma native and Vandebilt graduate broke the Ragin’ Cajuns’ school record for all-purpose yards last week in a nationally televised game against Appalachian State.
The senior halfback rushed for just 43 yards in the game – a 24-0 victory for the Mountaineers.
But it was still enough to push him past Tyrell Fenroy and into the top all-time position in the Ragin’ Cajuns record books.
McGuire has 5,236 all-purpose yards for his collegiate career. Fenroy’s record was 5,231 yards.
He moved past the mark on a 13-yard carry in the third quarter of the game.
“It’s a great honor,” McGuire said. “All power and glory goes to the most high power God. There is no challenge out there that He and I can’t get through together.”
For McGuire, the new record is a crowning achievement in a collegiate career that’s been highly successful since he stepped onto campus.
As a true freshman in 2013, McGuire rushed 103 carries for 863 yards and eight touchdowns – enough to win Sun Belt Conference Freshman Player of the Year.
He followed up that success with one of the best single seasons in UL-Lafayette history in 2014, winning First-Team All-Sun Belt and Conference Player of the Year after rushing 166 times for 1,264 yards and 14 scores. He also had 45 catches for 468 yards and two touchdowns on the season.
Last year, McGuire’s production dropped a touch, but he was still awfully good, rushing for 1,047 yards and 13 touchdowns – enough to make him think about leaving school early for the NFL Draft.
But McGuire opted against the pros and returned to school – in an effort to get bigger, faster and stronger before making the leap to the next level.
So far, the results have been hit or missed.
The Ragin’ Cajuns have struggled on the field and are just 2-4 on the young season.
To make matters worse, McGuire has been plagued by several nagging injuries throughout the season, which have slowed his production.
Through six games, the former Terrier has rushed 110 times for 560 yards and three touchdowns.
McGuire exploded in the third game of the season, rushing for 223 yards and a touchdown against South Alabama.
But since that game, it’s been tough sledding for the local, and he’s generated just 152 yards in the Ragin’ Cajuns’ past three games – a mark far below the pace he’s enjoyed in previous seasons.
Ragin’ Cajuns coach Mark Hudspeth said the team’s running woes have far more to do with some offensive line issues than they do with McGuire.
The Houma native said no matter what happens on the field, he’s going to keep working to try and allow his team to take the next level.
“We just want to keep getting better,” McGuire said earlier in the season. “That’s all we can do – just keep working and keep getting better. We know what we’re capable of, and we believe in ourselves. We just have to keep putting the work in and know that by doing that, the results will change.”
The Ragin’ Cajuns return to the field on Saturday at Texas State. The game will be televised on ESPN 3 and the WatchESPN app.
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