The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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November 25, 2009

Running back Buckram only positive for Miners

By Gary Fauber

There is a movement afoot to get Donald Buckram as many votes as possible in All-America and Doak Walker Award balloting.

There’s no arguing that the UTEP running back is deserving of any accolade he receives. With his 147 yards against the lowly Rice Owls, Buckram claimed the school record for rushing in a single season. He has 1,569 yards, breaking the previous record of 1,546 set by Fred Wendt in an All-America season in 1948.

Unfortunately, in setting the standard, Buckram could not lead the Miners to victory. In fact, he fumbled twice in the fourth quarter, including one into the end zone from the 3-yard line.

The fumbles won’t take away from what has been a spectacular season for the nation’s second-leading rusher. Still, the good didn’t erase the sting.

“Pretty down,” UTEP coach Mike Price said of Buckram. “For Buckram to break Fred Wendt’s record is a huge honor for him, and it’s an honor for our offensive linemen and the players in our program. To present him with the game ball would’ve been so much fun. And for him to fumble twice in the fourth quarter was shocking, and I feel for the kid.

“Donald Buckram is a fine, competitive person, an outstanding student-athlete. He is a high quality-character person. It’s too bad that things had to happen that way.”

Marshall (6-5, 4-3 Conference USA) will see Buckram up close Saturday when it makes the 1,636-mile trip to El Paso. Kickoff will be 3 p.m. Eastern time.

It remains to be seen if the Herd’s Darius Marshall will be able to play. He was a game-time decision in last week’s 34-31 win against SMU but did not play. Marshall has 1,054 yards and 11 touchdowns in nine games.

“Darius Marshall — they named the school after him, that’s how good he is,” Price joked. “I don’t know if he’s going to play on Saturday. I hope they’re saving him for their bowl game.”

The Herd is bowl-eligible for the first time since 2004, but needs a win over the Miners to solidify that standing.

UTEP, meanwhile, will be lowering the curtain on a disappointing season. The loss to Rice left the Miners 3-8 overall and 2-5 in the conference.

It appears Buckram will be the team’s biggest source of motivation Saturday, even on Senior Day.

“We’ve got another chance to do something good for him,” Price said. “He needs only seven more yards to gain 2,000 in his career and he can put a lot of distance on this record, so we’re hoping that can be a fine way to end his season.”

— E-mail: gfauber@

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