RAINEY ON A RAMPAGE
By Jeremy Brown - WKU Student WKU junior running back Bobby Rainey is truly turning in a season for the ages, and he still has one more game remaining. To add some perspective to just how dominant Rainey has been, take a look at how he measures up from a national standard. Rainey, a junior, leads the nation in rushing attempts with 313 and ranks second in rushing yards with 1,492 on the season, trailing Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson by just 46 yards. His 313 carries is a Sun Belt Conference single-season record while his rushing yards are good enough for third all-time. Rainey has set a new WKU record for percentage of the team’s total yards from scrimmage, racking up just over 48 percent of the Toppers offense by himself. WKU legend Dickey Moore held the previous record of 45 percent of yards from scrimmage during the 1967 season. Rainey may not appear as someone you would want baking your Thanksgiving pie on Thursday. However, after sitting through Saturday’s post-game press conference following a heartbreaking 27-26 loss to Middle Tennessee State, Rainey felt compelled to serve up a dose of humble pie. The taste of Rainey’s humble pie can be savored with his words following the Toppers fifth home loss of 2010. “When it comes down to being inches away, I have to make the play,” Rainey said. “That’s why I’m here — to make plays like that — and that didn’t happen.” That statement comes from a young man that has literally carried WKU on his back at times… 313 times to be exact. His stat line read something like this Saturday evening: 45 carries, 248 yards. Four receptions, 34 yards. Two touchdowns. But just as Rainey’s said all season, statistics don’t matter to him. “I’ll take a win over yards any day,” he said. Anybody who has watched Rainey all season wouldn’t fathom blaming the Topper running back for WKU’s troubles, but he’s the first to put the blame on his shoulders. If anything, the Hilltopper family should thank Rainey for the spark he’s helped instill in the WKU program. So in the spirit of Thanksgiving… we thank you Bobby Rainey. We thank you for the incredible heart and desire in which you play the game of football. Head Coach Willie Taggart does the same. “He’s a team player,” said Taggart. “He puts the team before himself. It’s much bigger than one individual, and Bobby understands that.” Rainey’s attitude on and off the field is the epitome of not only humility, but also the desire to win. “Bobby goes out and gives it 110 percent every play and I’m very appreciative of that,” Taggart said. “It’s what we need around here.” While many would credit themselves for such achievements as Rainey’s, Rainey cites God as his key to success. “The carries don’t bother me,” Rainey said. “People think it takes a burden on my body but it doesn’t. That’s thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Though Rainey deflects the personal praises thrown in his direction, the numbers don’t lie. Rainey enters Saturday’s season-ending matchup versus Troy needing 177 yards to break the single season rushing record for WKU. He also ranks fourth in the nation with 135.64 rushing yards per game. “Bobby would rather have wins but he’s got to feel great about his accomplishments,” Taggart said. “He’s what you call a true football player.” Rainey’s rushing rampage started with his 159 yard performance at Nebraska in the 2010 season opener, followed up by 184 yards at Kentucky and 105 against Indiana and has continued throughout the season. Rainey has been glorified for his accomplishments on the field this season, but he chooses to give that glory to God… on and off the field. “(Faith) is the number one thing in my book,” Rainey said. “You can’t do what I’ve experienced on your own. You need God to take that burden off your shoulders.” RAINEY ON A RAMPAGE NCAA Top 5 Rushing Yardage Leaders (NCAA ranks on yards per game) 1. 158.00 LaMichael James, Oregon (9 games) 2. 145.11 Jordan Todman, Connecticut (9 games) 3. 139.82 Denard Robinson, Michigan (11 games) 4. 135.64 Bobby Rainey, WKU (11 games) 5. 132.82 Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State (11 games) *Rainey’s 313 rushing attempts leads the nation, and his 1,492 rushing yards rank 2nd in the nation, trailing only Michigan’s Denard Robinson (1,538 yards).
