One on One with Toddrick Pendland

By Garrett Lumpkin

In 2008 McNeese State running back Toddrick Pendland took full advantage of the opportunity that he received. Given the chance to start for the first time in his collegiate career, Pendland did not disappoint. The Newton, TX native ran for a school record 1,431 yards, and scored a team leading 15 touchdowns. Pendland was named the 2008 Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and he’s been tabbed a preseason All-American pick in 2009.

Lumpkin: Do you go by Toddrick or can I call you Todd?
Pendland: It really doesn’t matter. Toddrick is cool or you can call me Todd.

Lumpkin: Alright Todd. Last season you set the MSU single season rushing record after rushing for a total of just 647 yards during your first two years combined. How did it all come together for you?
Pendland: It was just a blessing really. My offensive line was doing their thing, and I’m just glad that Coach Viator gave me an opportunity to run the ball. I told coach for two years that I was ready, and I guess I just had to wait for my turn.

Lumpkin: Every college football player was a star on his high school team. What’s it like coming to college, where a lot of guys just like you, have to wait for their turn to play?
Pendland: Sitting on the bench, it hurts you know. I got here my freshman year and sat down for the first game. I hadn’t sat down like that since pee wee. I wanted to quit. I wanted to transfer, but I’m glad I stayed here. I talked to my coaches and they helped me out. They asked me before last season if I was going to be ready. I told them that I was going to be good. They put their faith in me and it all worked out.

Lumpkin: I’ll say! But instead of telling your coaches you were going to be good, you should have told them that you were going to set the single season rushing record!
Pendland: (Laughs) I tell my coaches all the time, I told you so!

Lumpkin: If you could single out one characteristic that makes you a special runner, what would it be?
Pendland: I work hard, that’s the main thing. At practice my coaches tell me all the time, it doesn’t matter if you get tackled or not. Get up and run and finish the play. That helps out in the games. I don’t take my helmet off at practice even if it is hot. I just spray a little water through the helmet. Those are little things, but they all add up.

Lumpkin: No offense, but your not a very big guy. (Todd is 5’9’’, 175 lbs)
Pendland: That’s alright.

Lumpkin: What has it been like having to overcome the “small back” stereotype?
Pendland: Man, I’ve heard that ever since I first started playing football. I’m tough you know. I come from a small school, and I feel like I have something to prove every time I step on the field.

Lumpkin: You ran for all of those yards last year behind an offensive line that returns only one of five starters. How has it been running behind a new group of linemen?
Pendland: Those guys have come a long way. At the beginning of the spring they were a little shaky, but by the time spring practice ended we were running the ball really well. They’ve gotten off to a good start here in August, and I think they’ll be ready by the time we kick off that first game.

Lumpkin: Can you turn in another record breaking season running behind these guys?
Pendland: I’m not worried about stats or records. All I care about is winning conference and making it to the playoffs. I haven’t been to the playoffs since I’ve been here, so I got to get my feet up in there.

Lumpkin: Wait. Weren’t you on the 2007 team that went undefeated during the regular season and made it to the playoffs?
Pendland: Oh yeah. We lost in the first round, but I didn’t get to play in the playoff game because I pulled my hamstring the week before.

Lumpkin: Maybe that’s why the Cowboys lost in the first round, because you were injured.
Pendland: (Laughs) I don’t know about that!

Lumpkin: Last year the Cowboys finished 7-4 and missed the playoffs. What is it going to take for this team to get back to the playoffs?
Pendland: Hard work, dedication and sacrificing. We have plenty of talent on this team. If we all stay committed, then we’ll be fine.