Madu Returns Running Game To Pullman -- As The Fourth-Leading Runner In The Pac-10, The Once-Anonymous Frank Madu Has Brought Respectability Back To WSU's Rushing Game.

Frank Madu is used to making up for lost time.

Born in Nigeria, he came to the United States at the age of 6 faced with learning a new language and a new culture.

Culture shock?

"Yes indeed," said Madu, using one of his favorite phrases. "It was a big culture shock. Just trying to learn the language . . . it was really hard. And it was difficult trying to associate myself to American ways."

Football is no different for Madu. A late start and some early struggles haven't been able to hold him back.

Washington State's 5-foot-9, 180-pounder has yet to be mentioned in the same breath with some of the Cougars' great running backs, but he's leading a running renaissance in the Palouse. An early 87-yard run at Nebraska last week, the longest run against the Cornhuskers since a 99-yarder by Gale Sayers in 1963, underlined the improvement in both Madu and the Cougar rushing attack.

The senior from San Francisco is the focal point of rekindled respect for a WSU running game that hasn't been the same since Shaumbe Wright-Fair's final season in 1992. Madu, who is averaging 96.5 yards per game, ranks fourth in the Pac-10 behind UCLA's Karim Abdul-Jabbar (133.4), Oregon's Ricky Whittle (97.8) and Washington's Leon Neal (96.8).

The Cougars rushed for an average of 80 yards a game last year; they are up to 139.5 this season.

"Yes indeed," Madu said, "I feel I can compete with those big-name guys. It's a matter of time. They got a jump-start on me."

Several factors were involved in Madu blossoming as a senior, including the fact he is only in essentially his second year of college football. Under Proposition 48, Madu played no football as a WSU freshman in 1992. He had to sit out because his Scholastic Assessment Test score did not meet NCAA requirements.

In 1993, Madu's sophomore season was wasted by inactivity. He had just 24 carries.

"He probably should have been redshirted," said Buzz Preston, Cougar running-back coach. "He played that year, but not much."

Madu's development last year was hindered by injuries and a three-back rotation Preston now regards as a failure.

"I don't think I'll ever do that again," Preston said of the system that involved Madu, Derek Sparks and Kevin Hicks. "It never allowed for anyone to develop a rhythm."

After rushing for 133 yards at Tennessee, Madu was designated No. 1, Preston said, "but he wound up banged up and hurt."

Madu is bitter about the Prop 48 circumstances that prevented him from playing in 1992.

"Yes indeed," Madu said, "it was a big setback for me because it gave everyone else a chance to get ahead of me in terms of learning the game. When I did start playing (in 1993) I didn't know football. I knew high-school football, but I didn't know football at this level."

Now he knows. And it shows.

An improved offensive line, the use of more two-back sets and giving the running back more time to see holes develop by lining him up a yard deeper also have contributed to Madu's improvement.

But Madu's determination might have been the biggest factor of all.

"He's a tough guy who's willing to dish out punishment and take it," Preston said. "I think the key for him has been his work ethic. He practices hard. He's learned to look at film and study it more."

Madu, less fragile at 180 pounds this year than when he played at 170 last year, said working out in Pullman all summer was the "prime factor" in his improvement.

"I dedicated myself to football this summer," Madu said.

He hopes that dedication allows him a chance to play in the NFL.

"Yes indeed," Madu said. "Yes indeed."

Note

-- Practice time missed by WSU defensive starters Dwayne Sanders, Johnny Nansen, Greg Burns and Gary Holmes will result in lineup changes, Coach Mike Price said, even though all four players have been medically cleared to play. Robert Booth will start in place of Sanders (foot injury) at end, Todd Nelson is expected to start at outside linebacker in place of Nansen (concussion), Shad Hinchen is likely at cornerback in place of Burns (shoulder) and Delmar Morais is ticketed for tackle in place of Holmes (concussion).