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Nov. 5, 2003

NEW ORLEANS - The broken left hand sustained by Tulane running back Mewelde Moore versus Navy last week will force the senior to miss the final three games of the 2003 regular season, Moore announced Wednesday following re-evaluation by team doctors and a specialist. The Baton Rouge product, who owns 23 Tulane and seven Conference USA records and is the school and league all-time leading rusher, will undergo surgery on Tuesday.

According to Moore, he sustained a spiral fracture of the second metacarpal on his left hand while attempting to catch a pass in the fourth quarter of the Navy game.

"Right now, to ensure that it heals properly, the safest option is surgery," he said. "After that, it will take 4-5 weeks to heal. This is definitely not a career-ending injury. It's just something you have to recover from, regroup and move on."

"It's definitely been a great ride for me at Tulane. I want to thank all of the fans for their support and especially my family and friends," Moore continued. "I believe in Jovon (Jackson) and know he is capable of playing great football and his knowledge of the game and preparation will help him do well."

Jackson, a sophomore from St. Petersburg, Fla., moves into the starter's role at running back. The 5-11, 205-pound back has rushed 21 times for 69 yards in 2003 after carrying 38 times for 168 yards last season.

"I'm disapppointed for Mewelde," said Head Coach Chris Scelfo. "He's worked hard and given a lot to Tulane during his career. He is by far the most complete back to ever come through Tulane University. It's a blow to our football team, but it's an opportunity for Jovon Jackson. He's prepared and he'll be up for the challenge."

Moore's career totals include 6,505 all-purpose yards, which ranks him 11th on the NCAA Division I-A all-time chart. He has rushed for 4,364 yards on 909 attempts with 22 career 100-yard rushing games, all school and C-USA records, and averaged 4.8 yards per carry with 21 touchdowns. His rushing total is 34th all-time in Division I-A.

During his 44-game career, Moore has caught 189 passes for 2,059 yards to rank fourth in passes caught and eighth in receiving yardage at Tulane, making him one of only two players all-time in Division I-A to rush for 4,000 yards and receive for 2,000. His 36 career touchdowns, 21 rushing and 15 receiving, are second in Green Wave history.

His 2003 totals include 915 rushing yards on 185 carries and five touchdowns for an average of 4.9 yards per carry and 101.7 yards per game. He ranks second on the Tulane team in receiving with 39 catches for 408 yards and four scores. He ranks 24th in the NCAA in rushing average and 13th in all-purpose yards per game this season.

Moore will be honored along with his fellow Tulane seniors at the Green Wave's last home game of the year versus East Carolina on November 22nd. The game will kickoff at 1:30 p.m. in the Superdome and tickets are available by calling 504-861-WAVE.

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