Sometimes things happen for a reason and that type of thinking is about the only way Britt Mirgaux can keep his sanity these days.

Mirgaux is the kind of guy who just looks like he was born to play football. At 6-feet-1 and a rugged 235 pounds, you get the idea that if you looked up the word fullback in the dictionary, you'd see a picture of the former Scott City High School standout. There isn't much finesse about him. He's rarely going to run around a defender, but he certainly will punish him.

But Mirgaux can do no punishing these days. The Southeast Missouri State University senior -- who was the Indians' leading rusher the last two years with more than 1,150 yards -- is through for the season after it barely started and there is a good chance his college playing days are over.

Mirgaux was off to a good start in the season opener against Truman State, with 50 yards on 10 carries.

Then, early in the first half, he went down with a knee injury. It was at first believed to be only a sprain but has turned out to be much worse than that. Mirgaux hasn't played since and will likely need major surgery. His season is definitely over.

And what makes it all the more frustrating is that Mirgaux was already coming off a serious injury this season -- to his other knee. He had major surgery in the spring but rehabilitated well enough to get back on the field in time for the season opener.

But then the other knee goes out.

Who said life was fair?

"It's really frustrating," he said. "I'm taking it hard, but I know things happen for a reason. That's the only thing I can say to make myself feel better."

Anybody who has watched Mirgaux since his days at Scott City had to appreciate his style, which hinted of old-time, smash-mouth football, the kind you see on those old NFL Films that ESPN airs late at night.

He turned in one of the top seasons in area prep history in 1993, rushing for 2,357 yards for the Rams. After a stint at a junior college in Illinois, he returned to the area and has flourished as the Indians' bruising fullback the past two years.

SEMO coaches probably didn't go into those seasons with the idea that Mirgaux would lead the team in rushing -- he doesn't, after all, have breakaway speed -- but when push came to shove, he was simply the Indians' most consistent, effective ball carrier.

But now he can't carry the ball. He still has a shot -- albeit a slim one -- of playing next year, if the NCAA will grant him an extra year of eligibility because of an injury hardship. But Mirgaux is already in his fifth year of college and an injury hardship sixth year is generally only granted to players who have been hurt in two of those seasons.

So Mirgaux is hopeful -- but not counting on it. He'll continue to watch his teammates play this season -- he says that's the hardest part, the watching -- while continuing to work toward his degree in recreation.

As somebody who truly appreciates Mirgaux's rugged style -- and genuinely likes the young man -- here's hoping the NCAA says this tough `Britt' can play one more season.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian