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Oct. 6, 2007

By Sal Interdonato
Hudson Valley (N.Y.) Times Herald-Record

Tulane running back Matt Forté is bringing it tonight.

Army defensive end Brandon Thompson is ready.

"Right now, I really want to stop their running back," said Thompson on Tuesday.

Forté's been a Knightmare to defend. Forté made Army his coming-out party as a freshman, rushing for 216 yards and four touchdowns. He followed with 124 yards and two scores last year.

Forté, Division I-A's No. 8 rusher, doesn't just rack up big numbers against Army. He put up 303 yards and five touchdowns on Southeastern Louisiana two weeks ago.

What's it about Army that brings out the best in you?

"It's always been a good game against Army. They play hard no matter what. It makes our team know we have to get it going. Going into the game, I know they never quit on a play. That makes me run even tougher."

How tough was the sledding against LSU last week?

"They were the No. 1 defense in the nation. It was tough at first. I had 73 yards and that's the most rushing yards they've given up all year. I had 16 carries and I don't think I really got it started. It felt like I didn't have enough carries. But they were big and fast."

What are you thinking when you cross the goal-line?

"It's pretty much the same thing. I point up and thank God for allowing me to do it and I hug my teammates because without them I couldn't do it."

Your best highlight run?

"There's a lot of them. One from this year when I dove at the end into the end zone against Southeastern Louisiana. I broke a lot of tackles and another guy was coming. He got close and I dove."

Who's the NFL running back you try to emulate?

"I don't try to emulate one. I have my own style. There's a lot of running backs that I really like and admire. Larry Johnson, LaDainian Tomlinson and Edgerrin James."

Describe yourself as a runner.

"I'm a tough runner. A lot of guys, they get tired as the game goes on. The second half is where I play my best."

What's something that people might not know about you?

"I'm a quiet guy. I don't like to speak much. I'm not charismatic, I guess. I'm not going to spike the ball or beat my chest. I'm gracious but not satisfied. I'm not the No. 1 rusher in school history (his 2,646 yards are third all-time; Mewelde Moore is No. 1 with 4,364 yards). There's still records to break and a lot of things to do."