Oct. 11, 2001

By Mike Strom, New Orleans Times Picayune staff writer.

This story originally appeared in the Times Picayune on October 11, 2001.
Reprinted by permission.

NEW ORLEANS -- In 107 seasons of Tulane football, one player has rushed for 1,000 yards in a season.

Until now, only Eddie Price in 1948 and '49 had rushed for 1,000 yards for the Green Wave. Barring injury, that will change, perhaps Saturday.

Enter Mewelde Jaem Cadere Moore, whose first three names as chosen by his mother, Sandra, come from the Swahili language and translate as "He who gets his wisdom (Mewelde), knowledge (Jaem) and strength (Cadere) from God."

Tulane's sophomore tailback certainly is playing like someone getting help from a higher power and is making a compelling case for consideration as the nation's top running back.

Moore leads NCAA Division I-A rushers with 932 yards through six games, and his average of 155.3 yards ranks second to Maryland tailback Bruce Perry's 164.2.

Moore also leads the nation in all-purpose yardage with 228.3 yards per game, almost 30 yards per game more than Perry's 198.8.

In his last two outings, Moore has become the first player this season to rush for 200 or more yards in consecutive games. With a school-record 249 yards against Cincinnati on Saturday and 201 against Southern, Moore is the first Tulane player to accomplish such a feat in the school's 998 games.

Cincinnati coach Rick Minter, who watched Moore gain 8.9 yards per carry while shredding his defense for a Tulane single-game rushing record, said Moore is emerging into college football's select circle of elite running backs.

"Yes, I think he is," said Minter. "I think he's a complete back. He can catch the football. He's a good, solid blocker when he needs to be in pass-pro(tection). He's a great runner. I don't see any weaknesses in this young man."

In addition to his rushing total against Cincinnati, Moore led Tulane in receiving with six receptions for 87 yards to establish Conference USA and Tulane records with 336 all-purpose yards.

"If you look at it from the University of Cincinnati defensive perspective, we just made an All-American out of him," Minter said. "But he was well deserved. He played extremely well. He's one of the better guys in our league right now."

Moore will get to test himself against one of the nation's top defenses Saturday when Tulane (1-5, 0-2) celebrates homecoming against C-USA foe Texas Christian (3-2, 1-0). TCU ranks No. 17 nationally in defense at 283.8 yards per game allowed and No. 24 in run defense at 107.6 allowed. Kickoff in the Superdome is at 2:30 p.m.

TCU coach Gary Patterson has been impressed by Moore's accomplishments, particularly because of the difficult season Tulane is experiencing. Patterson coached last year's NCAA rushing champion in LaDainian Tomlinson, the No. 5 pick in the NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers.

"I always appreciate any back that can get yards after getting hit the first time," Patterson said of Moore. "He has great bursts, great vision and he runs hard. He's probably the best back in the conference.

"When you go 4-1, it's easy to do what he's done. But when you're 1-4 and you do it every week, that's different. He comes out and gives a great effort every time."

Effort and dedication are what separate Moore from others, according to Tulane coach Chris Scelfo.

"In my opinion, he is the best running back in America," Scelfo said. "I know I wouldn't trade him for anybody because of everything he does. In the classroom, in practice, off the field and obviously on game day, he's everything he's made out to be.

"I say it week in and week out. He comes to work every day. He's focused. He's mature. He's a very fierce, competitive person. I'd like to see more guys on our team like him from a competitiveness standpoint."

At 6 feet, 203 pounds, Moore has the size and strength to run inside and the speed (6.39 seconds in the 60-yard dash) to go outside. This was evidenced on his first carry of the season, a simple run up the middle against BYU that Moore broke outside to the right and sprinted 75 yards to a touchdown.

"It seems like he's got more vision this season," said Tulane offensive coordinator Frank Scelfo said. "I don't know if he's any stronger or any faster. I just think he sees everything a little bit better. Things are clearer to him because of the experience factor."

Moore also is unusually adept as a receiver, both at catching the ball and running after the catch. He is tied with Roydell Williams for the team lead with five scoring catches, and his 34 receptions are one behind Williams.

So where does Moore see himself?

"That's not my place to say," he said, adding that he has tried to model his game after NFL backs like Eddie George, Warrick Dunn, Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James. "Right now the season is so young and we're just at the halfway point -- anything can happen. I'm just trying to have fun out there. I'm going to stay modest about it. That's for everyone else to decide (who's the best).

"I'm going to humble myself and tip my hat to the guys that are considered the elite guys. But that is where you want to be. That is where I want to be. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I'm just happy to be in a situation where I'm playing Division I college football."

Tulane should be just as happy that Moore is playing football in New Orleans rather than in Dallas. It was national signing day 2000 when an interesting twist of fate intervened in favor of the Wave. Chris Scelfo and his staff had just 11 scholarships to offer, and Moore basically was the No. 12 recruit.

On the morning of signing day, Tyler, Texas, defensive end Linnis Smith abruptly reneged on his commitment to Tulane and signed with Texas A&M. Moore was in class at Belaire High School in Baton Rouge, hedging a bit himself on a commitment to Southern Methodist, hoping that something would happen with Tulane, when his coach, Barry Amedee, brought the Wave's scholarship papers to him to sign.

"You know patience is a virtue, and the Lord works in mysterious ways," Moore said. "If (Smith) wouldn't have flipped, I would have been at Southern Methodist right now. You have to do what you have to do, and that was the opportunity that was held in front of me. I just took my time with it. I knew something was going to shake out, something was going to work out for me, and I was happy with what happened."

So Tulane got an unheralded running back prospect who has blossomed into a star while Smith, a national prospect, has been limited to reserve duty in two seasons at Texas A&M.

Moore is not surprised by his success.

"I feel like anything's possible, so I never set limitations on myself," Moore said. "I feel my capabilities are unlimited. Right now I still feel like I have some more points to prove, and I'm going to continue to do that."