LOUISIANA La. -- As a former 3,000-yard rusher, defensive end Eugene Kwarteng knows something about the running game.
That might be of assistance tonight when Kwarteng plays a role in helping the University of Louisiana at Lafayette stop the nation's rushing leader.
North Texas freshman Jamario Thomas has gained 1,215 yards and scored 11 touchdowns to lead the Mean Green toward a third consecutive Sun Belt Conference title.
Thomas wasn't even ticketed to start at running back until former starter Patrick Cobbs suffered a season-ending knee injury for North Texas (4-4, 4-0 SBC).
UNT's rushing attack will be featured at 9 p.m. today at Cajun Field on ESPN2.
Kwarteng, computer animation major and a Ghana native who acquired his U.S. citizenship this year, said the Cajuns (4-4, 2-2) can't afford to have the defensive lapses they've experienced at times this season.
"If we can keep the mistakes down, we can prevent the critical plays which have sometimes hurt us," said Kwarteng, who played at Mabank's Eustace High in the Dallas metro area. "Everyone has to be out there working on the same page."
Kwarteng played running back, safety and middle linebacker at Eustace and ended his career rushing for 3,190 yards.
ULL defensive line coach Shawn Quinn said Kwarteng, who now weighs 240 pounds, has grown into an effective defensive end.
"Eugene is the type of guy who has made himself into a good player. He has great speed and strength and will outwork anyone," Quinn said. "He's a starter now even though he suffered a painful chest injury in the first game. That is something that he's played through and he has continuously improved."
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By BOBBY ARDOIN
Special to The Advocate