`QUAKE RATTLES CFL

Former Southeast Missouri State University standout Kelvin "Earthquake" Anderson began the 1996 Canadian Football League season simply wanting to establish himself as a solid player for the Calgary Stampeders.

Little did Anderson realize then that he would be one of the hottest items in the CFL through one-third of the league's 18-game regular season.

The Stampeders, following Monday's 38-11 romp past Saskatchewan, are 5-1 and in first place in the Western Division of the eight-team CFL.

The team played at British Columbia late Saturday night.

Anderson has been a huge part of Calgary's early success. The tailback is second in the CFL in rushing, with 462 yards on 105 carries (4.4 average). He leads the league in rushing touchdowns with six. And he's also been a valuable weapon catching passes out of the backfield, with 15 receptions for 122 yards (8.1 average) and an additional touchdown.

"I'd say he's been a real surprise, one of the surprises of the league," said Calgary spokesman Ron Rooke. "He's played very well. He was named CFL player of the week earlier in the season."

Anderson, when reached prior to a mid-week practice in Calgary, said he's simply trying to take things in stride.

"I'm very pleased with the way things are going," he said. "I have a really good offensive line and that's a big help."

As far as Anderson's thoughts when the season started, he said, "I was just trying to establish myself as a running back. I never really thought about being one of the top players in the league. But it's nice I'm putting up some good numbers."

Along with Anderson's success on the field has come plenty of recognition off the field. He's been hounded for numerous television, radio and newspaper interviews from media outlets in cities around the league.

"I'm getting a lot of recognition and that's very exciting," he said. "And the fans are really good here. They seem to really like the way I run."

Anderson, 5-feet-10 and about 200 pounds, rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons at Southeast from 1992-94 to finish as the school's career rushing leader. He gained more than 2,000 yards in earning all-state honors his senior season at New Madrid County Central High School.

Last summer, Anderson signed a free-agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League but failed to make the roster. Now, however, things couldn't be going better.

"The team is doing real well and everything is great," he said. "Hopefully I can keep having a lot of success."

Making things even sweeter for Anderson is that two of his former Southeast teammates, Frank Russell and Dione Tyler, are on the Calgary practice squad. They haven't yet been activated for a game but practice regularly with the Stampeders.

"Me and Frank room together and Dione is in the same apartment complex," Anderson said. "We do just about everything together."

As for his goals for the rest of the season, Anderson doesn't want to get too far ahead of himself.

"I originally set my goal for 1,000 yards, so I'd be pleased with that," he said. "At the pace I'm going, I'll be satisfied."