Homecoming For 600-Yard Man

More than four years have passed, but Ronney Jenkins still finds himself answering questions about “that night.”

Most inquiries are prefaced in disbelief.

You rushed for 619 yards? In one game?

Jenkins, a junior running back for Northern Arizona, responds the same way he did the night he pulled off the unheard-of accomplishment--with a shy shrug.

“It just happened,” Jenkins said.

It’s still hard to believe. On Nov. 10, 1995, Jenkins, a senior for Hueneme High, rushed for 619 yards in 30 carries in a 53-24 victory over Rio Mesa. The total remains a national high school single-game record.

Jenkins scored seven touchdowns, four on runs of 79 yards or longer, while breaking the record of 608 yards by John Bunch of Elkins, Ariz., in 1974.

More amazing, Jenkins had touchdown runs of 65 and 45 yards nullified by penalties. He even kicked a field goal and an extra point to account for 46 points.

Tales of such feats don’t die easily. And Jenkins’ story figures to grow taller as years pass.

“People still ask about it,” Jenkins said. “I just remember being in a zone that night. It wasn’t like I was trying to do it or anything.”

Jenkins’ accomplishment will come to mind again today when Northern Arizona plays Cal State Northridge in a Big Sky Conference finale at North Campus Stadium at 3:05.

Jenkins, who grew up in Port Hueneme, has come a long way, heading from Hueneme to Brigham Young, then transferring after being expelled last December for a second violation of the school’s strict honor code. He will come full-circle today for his first college game in Southern California.

Jenkins, 5 feet 11 and 175 pounds, leads Northern Arizona (7-3, 5-2 in conference play) with 982 yards rushing and six touchdowns. After rushing for 2,040 yards in two seasons at Brigham Young, Jenkins was a welcome addition to the Lumberjacks, who remain in contention for an at-large berth in the Division I-AA playoffs.

A Northern Arizona victory will create a three-way tie for second in the Big Sky between the Lumberjacks, Eastern Washington and Portland State. The Lumberjacks and Portland State would finish with 8-3 overall records, while Eastern Washington is 7-4. Northern Arizona defeated Portland State, 40-24, last week.

Of course, Northern Arizona first must defeat the Matadors (5-5, 4-3), who are playing for pride.

Jenkins is playing for pride, too. He expects about 50 friends and family members to be in attendance.

“All my family, a lot of people,” Jenkins said. “My grandparents are coming. I want to produce for them. I just want to have a good game.”

Jenkins was married in March before transferring to Northern Arizona. Suspended for one season at Brigham Young in 1997 for having sexual relations while unmarried, Jenkins was disciplined a second time for the same reason last season.

Jenkins has found a better fit in the less-rigid lifestyle of Flagstaff. Although he said he is uncertain if he will return to Northern Arizona for his senior year.

“I like Northern Arizona,” Jenkins said. “I just don’t know yet. But I’m not thinking of transferring or anything. I think it’s a good fit.

“Brigham Young was a place I wanted to be, but I couldn’t adopt to their rules. But it was great for football.”