Kelvin Anderson's professional football career didn't exactly start out like he had hoped.

But ever since, it's been extremely smooth sailing for Southeast Missouri State University's all-time rushing leader.

The former New Madrid County Central High School standout, who gained the nickname "Earthquake" during a dazzling career at Southeast, has been one of the Canadian Football League's top players for the past three seasons with the Calgary Stampeders.

The 5-foot-8, 205-pound Anderson is currently second in the CFL in rushing with 722 yards; he's averaging 5.3 yards per carry. He leads the league in touchdowns with 11 and in points scored with 66 and he's also caught 40 passes for an additional 390 yards.

And he's totally enjoying himself as one of the most recognizable athletes in Calgary as a starring member of the Stampeders.

"Things have been going real well for me here," said Anderson over the telephone from Calgary. "I'm having another good year and the team is doing real well again.

"I really like the city and the fans here treat me really well. I get recognized when I go out sometimes, especially with little kids at the mall who come up and ask for autographs. I don't mind it at all."

Anderson has certainly rebounded well from his first attempt at pro football in 1995. As an undrafted free agent following his brilliant Southeast career, it looked for a while that he would make the roster of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks -- only to be among the squad's final cuts.

"That was very disappointing at the time, but my whole football career, I've always had to battle back," he said. "I was able to make a good situation out of it."

After saying that, Anderson recalled his early days at Southeast -- when he also demonstrated his bounce-back abilities.

After rushing for more than 2,000 yards as a senior at New Madrid County Central, Anderson would have probably been a major-college recruit had it not been for the fact he was a Proposition 48 athlete, meaning he would not qualify academically to play as a freshman.

Landing Anderson was a big-time coup for Southeast. After sitting out his first season, Anderson was all set to play his first collegiate game the following year -- but he never got to because of an academic mixup.

"I was fully dressed and ready to play, then I was told I couldn't," he said. "There was a mixup and they said I was an hour short (of credits) my freshmen year. So I couldn't play the whole season."

Which only motivated the already highly-motivated Anderson even more. He used a redshirt during that second ill-fated season at Southeast, meaning he would have three years of eligibility remaining.

"After that, I felt I had something to prove," he said with a laugh.

Did he ever prove it. Anderson had one of the all-time great college football debuts on any level. Finally getting to play in 1992 after sitting out two seasons, Anderson lit up Murray State for 222 yards rushing, including a dazzling, school-record 96-yard touchdown gallop that will go down as one of the most brilliant runs in school history.

Anderson wound up rushing for a school-record 1,371 yards and earning Division I-AA All-American honors during his initial collegiate season. He gained 1,016 yards as a junior and then had to bounce back once again.

Despite suffering a serious knee injury that required major surgery in the spring prior to his senior season, Anderson recovered well enough to close out his Southeast career with 1,005 yards in 1994.

All told, Anderson gained 3,392 yards at Southeast, which broke Walt Smallwood's old record of 3,006 career yards.

Anderson said he recalls his Southeast days fondly. And that first game he ever played particularly stands out.

"Every year was great there, but my first game I ever played, after not playing for two years, was really special," he said. "I still keep in touch with some of the guys I played with and I'd like to say hello to the coaching staff at SEMO. I watch CNN headline news and try to catch all their scores."

After signing with Calgary as a free agent in 1996, Anderson made a major splash on the CFL scene -- much like he did at Southeast. Anderson was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie as he rushed for 1,068 yards, third-best in the league, and finished second in the league in touchdowns with 14.

Last season, Anderson again cracked the 1,000-yard mark, gaining 1,088 yards, which ranked him fourth in the CFL.

While not sounding cocky, Anderson said he always believed he could do what he's doing right now.

"I've always had confidence," he said. "I never have lost that, even during times when things didn't go that well for me."

Anderson, who has helped lead the Stampeders to an 8-3 record -- good for first place in the eight-team CFL's Western Division -- appears a virtual lock for yet another 1,000-yard campaign. But he's not sure if he'll be around next year to try and make it four in a row.

Like most players who star in the CFL, Anderson would dearly love to prove himself on an NFL field. He's in the option year of his contract, meaning he can explore other opportunities once the season is over.

Anderson hasn't ruled out returning to Calgary. After all, he's one of the CFL's best players and he is able to make a nice living for himself in Canada. But he would like to give the NFL a shot.

"This is a big year for me," he said. "I've got a lot of possibilities. I can still go back to Calgary and I might do that. But I'm thinking about the NFL for sure. I'm going to get a tape together and talk to some teams.

"I'm happy here. But I want to prove myself in the NFL. That's where people can see you. People back home can't see what I'm doing here."

Anderson gets noticeably excited when he mentions "back home" -- meaning the New Madrid area. He still lives there each offseason.

"It's still home to me," he said. "I love it back there."

But "Earthquake" has also made quite a home for himself in the CFL.