April 30, 2008

NACOGDOCHES - Former Lumberjack running back Louie Runnels has received an invite to Green Bay Packers mini-camp. The two-time All-Southland Conference selection will report to Green Bay Thursday for the beginning of camp.

A four-year letterwinner at SFA, Runnels started 16 games during his time in Nacogdoches. A punishing back with the ability to take a hit, as well as dish one out, Runnels finished his career sixth all-time in school history 2,145 yards rushing. He also finished 10th all-time at SFA with 2,576 all-purpose yards.

Runnels earned second-team All-SLC honors after a sophomore campaign that saw him carry the ball 168 times for 779 yards and seven touchdowns. He followed that up with a junior campaign that saw him record 145 carries for 709 yards and six touchdowns. Following his junior season Runnels was named to the 2006 First-Team All-SLC squad.

Runnels recorded a career night at Southeastern Louisiana in 2006 when he punished the Lions' defense for 205 yards, and a touchdown, on 22 carries. The effort tied the Bellville, Texas, native for the eighth-best single-game performance in school history, and it was only the 11th time that a Lumberjack had rushed for 200 yards in a game.

-SFA-