ORONO – Royston English hasn’t taken the path of least resistance on his way to status as one of the most productive tailbacks in University of Maine football history. But like a good back, he has avoided being dragged down and has sidestepped obstacles to find ample running room.

The talented senior tailback is the focal point of UMaine’s running game. And even after having his playing time reduced last season for failing to meet a team preseason conditioning standard, he has persevered.

English goes into Saturday night’s home game against James Madison needing 151 yards to become only the eighth 2,000-yard rusher in school history.

“He loves football, there’s no question about it,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove, who recruited English out of Waltham High School and Cushing Academy in Massachusetts.

English has played in 31 games for the Bears, carrying the ball 421 times for 1,849 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and 23 touchdowns. Provided he remains healthy and productive, English could climb to as high as third place on UMaine’s all-time rushing list, where Bob Jameson (1993-96) sits with 2,756 yards.

“He’s one of those kids who can do whatever he wants to do when he puts his mind to it,” Cosgrove said. “When we put him in a game, we really think he is going to produce for us.”

As a sophomore in 1999, English was slowed by a nagging ankle injury. Early last season, he was moved down on the depth chart because during preseason he didn’t run 16, 110-yard sprints in the required time.

The 5-foot-9, 219-pounder led the Bears in rushing yards both years, despite being a part-time starter.

“Conditioning-wise, if you didn’t pass the standards, you’re not a player until you pass them,” English said. “I just kept going for it and trying not to let people affect me. It worked out in the end.”

Last fall, English was held out of the opener and got only 40 carries in the next six games. Rather than get discouraged, he finished with a flourish, rushing for 455 yards and nine TDs in the final four contests, three of which were UMaine wins.

“Football gets me excited once I step on the field,” English said, showing off his infectious smile. “I try to go day by day and see what happens.”

While English at times takes a somewhat more laid-back approach to football than his coach would like, he is a team favorite.

“The bottom line is, he’s a great kid,” Cosgrove said. “The guys on the team like him and he’s never been a moment’s trouble.”

English is a prototypical I-formation tailback, one who possesses the combination of speed, power and field vision that can make every carry a potential touchdown play. His presence in the backfield gives the offense an aura of power and toughness.

“He’s physical in nature, which is inspirational to our players, to our offensive linemen in particular,” Cosgrove said. “He’s able to raise their spirits, their hopes, their performance level.”

English has a hard-nosed approach to running the football. He isn’t afraid to run defenders over or drag them to gain extra yards.

“I’m always thinking to myself, ‘keep my legs running, just go,’ ” English said.

“He gives you somebody that can wear defenses down,” Cosgrove said. “They flat-out get sick and tired of tackling him.”

English is off to a strong start this season, despite missing a week of training camp with severe migraine headaches. He still has them on occasion.

“Some days people can see it hurting me and some days they can’t,” said English, who has rushed for 164 yards and two TDs on 32 carries in two games. “I have good days and bad days.”

English was what Cosgrove termed a high-risk recruit in terms of his academic credentials. However, English has flourished while studying child development and family relations.

“I love kids and I definitely want to work with kids,” said English, who posted the highest grade point average last spring among returning players.”That’s the thing I’m most proud of, how well he’s achieved in the classroom,” Cosgrove said. “He’s worked hard at it. He wants to work with kids and he’s going to be tremendous with that.”

English is proud of all he has accomplished at UMaine so far and likes the way the 2001 football season has begun.

“I think I’ve made benefits up here, made a statement, had an effect on people,” English said. “I hope it keeps going like this.”