July 23, 2009
Cullowhee, N.C. -
Former Western Carolina Catamount football players Darius Fudge and Lamont Reid were recently honored by the Indoor Football League (IFL) for their performances with the Wichita Wild, the league's 2009 Franchise of the Year.
In addition to being a first-team running back, Fudge was the IFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, while Reid claimed first team All-IFL as a linebacker.
Fudge (2003-06), who was unanimously selected as the First Team running back, led the IFL with 936 yards rushing and scored 30 touchdowns on the ground. He became only the sixth player in Indoor Football history to rush for over 900 yards and score 30 touchdowns in a season, doing so in his rookie campaign in earning the first-year player top honor. His average of 67 yards rushing per game was also best in the league.
Fudge rushed for four touchdowns in last weekend's opening round playoff win for the Wild over the Bloomington Extreme.
Fudge's former WCU teammate and current Wild roster member, Reid (2002-05), was selected to the First Team All-IFL at linebacker. Reid finished the season tied for seventh in the IFL in tackles with 68.5. Reid helped lead the Wild to the sixth-best defense in the league allowing only 36.6 points per game.
The Wichita Wild travel to Nebraska to face the Omaha Beef in the second round of the Indoor Football League playoffs this Saturday.
