Oct. 24, 2007

Link To St. Tammany News Article

By Mike Pervel
St. Tammany News

Tulane University senior running back Matt Forté, a 2004 Slidell High graduate, continued to assault the record books Saturday as he rushed for 342 yards and four touchdowns in the Green Wave's 41-34 overtime victory over Southern Methodist University at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas.

Forté's 342 yards established a Tulane and Conference USA record on 38 carries, including a career long 77-yard TD gallop in the second quarter.

He averaged nine yards per carry, scoring on runs of 77, 9, 5, and 9 yards, producing a title wave to carry the Greenies to victory.

Forté's nine-yard TD run, capping off the Greenies' opening possession in overtime, proved to be the game-winner.

SMU had a chance to answer on their possession, first-and-10 from the 25-yard line, but junior defensive end Reggie Scott forced a game-clinching fumble when he sacked SMU quarterback Justin Willis. The ball was recovered by Green Wave senior defensive tackle Avery Williams to secure the overtime victory.

Tulane (2-5) snapped a three-game losing streak, and is 1-2 in Conference USA play.

Forté surpassed his previous school and C-USA rushing record of 303 yards that he established against Southeastern Louisiana University Sept. 22.

Forté has rushed for more than 200 yards in each of his last three games.

Forté is the NCAA Division 1-A individual leading rusher with 1,261 yards on 189 carries. He is averaging 6.7 yards per carry. His 13 rushing TDs, a Tulane school record, ties him for third in the nation. He averages 180.1 yards rushing per game.

Tulane head coach Bob Toledo praised Forté's record-breaking performance. "Matt had an unbelievable performance. The guy carries this football team on his shoulders. He had some long runs. He's physical. He scored four touchdowns, he had 342 yards rushing. What more can you say about the guy? He's a great, great football player," Toledo said.