In their first meeting, the Wildcat ran wild. Miami's star running back and New England's head coach tackle the unorthodox formation. Plus, news and notes from Wednesday's practice.
The Patriots head into Sunday's game at Miami tied with the Dolphins for second place in a highly competitive AFC East. The winner of the contest will answer a few questions heading down the stretch toward the postseason. For all the other questions surrounding the Patriots we bring another wide-ranging edition of Ask PFW.
After seeing the Dolphins' Wildcat formation rip it to shreds in Week 3, New England is doing everything it can to prevent a repeat performance this weekend.
Joey Porter's running his mouth again. Read all about that and the other news and notes leading up to this weekend's Patriots-Dolphins game in today's Patriots.com News Blitz.
Kevin Troy Faulk was born the son of Gerald and Vivian Faulk on June 5, 1976 in Lafayette, La. … Named Class 5A Offensive Most Valuable Player two years in row, making him the first player to capture that honor in back-to-back seasons in 20 years … All-American pick by Parade and USA Today … Rushed for 4,877 yards on 603 carries and 62 touchdowns during his career at Carencro (La.) High … Totaled 7,612 all-purpose yards and scored 89 touchdowns during his high school career … Set 17 career and school records … Won the 1992 Class 5A State Championship at Carencro with 259 rushing yards and four touchdowns … Kevin and his wife Latisha have three children, Tanasha, Kevin III and Kevione.
Career Transactions
Kevin Faulk was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 1999 NFL draft (46th overall) … The pick was acquired in a trade with the Tennessee Titans in exchange for the Patriots second-round pick (52nd overall – John Thornton) and fourth-round pick (117th overall – Donald Mitchell) … Signed a five-year contract with the Patriots (07/28/99) ... Placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury (12/19/99).
Faulk entered the 2006 season as the Patriots' all-time kickoff return leader with 154 returns for 3,507 yards and two touchdowns. He became the all-time leader on Oct. 13, 2002, surpassing David Meggett's career total of 2,561 yards.
Faulk ranks second all-time in receptions among Patriots running backs, entering the 2006 season with 233 career catches. Faulk, who has averaged 33 receptions per season since joining the Patriots in 1999, needs 29 catches in 2006 to pass Tony Collins (260) and become the Patriots' leader in receptions by a running back.
Faulk has recorded at least 40 rushes and 25 receptions in each of the last six seasons (2000-05).
Faulk has recorded at least 40 rushes and 25 receptions in each of the last six seasons (2000-05).
Over his seven-year career (1999-2005), Faulk has recorded 233 career receptions, ranking second on the team over that span (Troy Brown, 413).
Faulk led the Patriots with a career high 20 punt returns in 2004, gaining a total of 133 yards.
In the 2004 playoffs, Faulk participated in all three games and recorded 133 rushing yards on 22 carries (5.2 avg).
Faulk registered his 200th career reception in the Patriots' 29- 6 victory over Buffalo (11/14/04).
Faulk led the Patriots with a career- high 1,078 yards from scrimmage in 2003. He finished second on the team in both carries (178) and receptions (48), gaining a career- high 638 yards on the ground and catching 440 yards worth of passes.
Faulk finished second in the NFL in 2002 with a career-high 27.9-yard kickoff return average in 2002 (26 att. - 725 yds).
Faulk returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2002 (86 yds at Oakland 11/17 and 87 yds vs. N.Y. Jets 12/22) and became just the second Patriot to return multiple kickoffs for touchdowns in one season, joining Raymond Clayborn, who returned three in 1977.
Faulk was the first player in Patriots history and the only NFL player in 2002 to score multiple touchdowns rushing (2), receiving (3) and via kickoff return (2).
Faulk has two 100-yard receiving games to his credit, one each in 2002 and 2003. He amassed a careerhigh 109 receiving yards on seven catches at Chicago (11/10/02), becoming the first Patriots running back to eclipse the 100-yard receiving mark since Tony Collins gained 109 yards on six catches at Tampa Bay (10/27/85). In 2003, Faulk came within a whisker of his career-high with an eight-catch, 108-yard effort at Houston (11/23/03).
Completed his first career pass attempt when he took a direct snap from center and found quarterback Tom Brady for a 23-yard gain vs. Miami (12/22/01).
Faulk set a career high with 11 catches vs. Tampa Bay (9/3/00) and is tied for sixth in franchise history.
Earned Miller Lite Player of the Game honors after contributing in nearly every facet of the game vs. Minnesota (9/17/00), gaining 80 yards rushing, 31 yards receiving, 56 kickoff return yards and 22 punt return yards for 189 all-purpose yards.
Set a career-high with a 95-yard kickoff return vs. N.Y. Jets (11/15/99). It was the eighth longest return – and the longest non-scoring return – in franchise history.
2006 Season
2006 (15/1/0/1): Tied for the team lead in receptions four times in 2006 (vs. DEN, vs. IND, vs. CHI, vs. DET) ... Led the team in receiving yards once in 2006 (vs. HOU) ... Holds the Patriots all-time record for receptions by a running back with 276 catches ... Set the Patriots' career record for receptions by a running back, passing Tony Collins, with his 262nd catch on a 9-yard grab in the fourth quarter of the Patriots' 17-13 victory over the Bears (11/26/06) ... Has caught at least one pass in 17 straight contests and 61 of the last 67 games in which he has appeared, including the playoffs ... Ranks as the Patriots' all-time kickoff return leader with 3,871 yards.
Buffalo (9/10): Saw action in a reserve role at running back and as a punt returner in the Patriots' 19-17 victory over the Bills ... Rushed the ball three times for 21 yards ... Returned a punt 14 yards in the second quarter ... Lined up at wide receiver and made a diving catch in the corner of the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown to cut Buffalo's lead to 17-14 in the third quarter. at N.Y. Jets (9/17): Played in a reserve role at running back ... Collected two receptions for 16 yards in the Patriots' 24-17 win over the N.Y. Jets ... Drew a key pass interference penalty on a third-and-five play that extended a Patriots' scoring drive in the third quarter ... Notched a 6-yard reception on a third-and-five play in the fourth quarter ... Returned one kickoff for 26 yards. Denver (9/24): Saw action in a reserve role at running back and tied for the team lead with six receptions for 34 yards ... Carried the ball once for six yards. at Cincinnati (10/1): Saw action in a reserve role at running back and as a return specialist in the Patriots' commanding 38-13 victory over the Bengals ... Returned three punts for 55 yards ... Returned three kickoffs for 62 yards ... Hauled in 18-yard pass over the middle in the first quarter ... Gave the Patriots excellent field position with a career-high 43-yard punt return to the Cincinnati 42-yard line in the second quarter ... It was New England's longest punt return since Troy Brown returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown in the 2001 regular-season finale at Carolina on Jan. 6, 2002. vs. Miami (10/8): Saw action in a reserve role at running back and as a return specialist in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Dolphins ... Hauled in a 15-yard reception on the first play of the fourth quarter ... Returned two punts for 28 yards ... Returned one kickoff for 15 yards. at Buffalo (10/22): Played in a reserve role at running back and as a return specialist in the Patriots' 28-6 road victory over the Bills ... Grabbed one reception for 11 yards ... Acted as a decoy in the flat, allowing Doug Gabriel to get open on a go-route along the sideline for a 31-yard gain down to the Buffalo 18-yard line. at Minnesota (10/30): Saw action as a reserve at running back and as a return specialist in the Patriots' commanding 31-7 road win against the Vikings ... Scampered 29 yards on a fourth-quarter punt return. Indianapolis (11/5): Played in a reserve role at running back ... Tied for the team lead with five receptions for 31 yards ... Rushed the ball four times for 24 yards ... Extended the Patriots' first touchdown drive with a 14-yard reception on fourth-and-three in the first quarter. vs. N.Y. Jets (11/12): Saw action in a reserve role at running back and as a return specialist ... Grabbed three receptions for 23 yards out of the backfield. at Green Bay (11/19): Played in a reserve role at running back ... Got open over the middle and snared a 13-yard reception in the first quarter ... Returned seven punts for 55 yards in the win ... Set up the Patriots' final touchdown with a 36-yard punt return to the Packers' 23-yard line in fourth quarter. vs. Chicago (11/26): Saw action in a reserve role at running back ... Tied for the team lead with six receptions for 37 yards in the Patriots' 17-13 victory over the Bears ... Kept the Patriots' first scoring drive alive with a 7-yard reception on third-and-four in the second quarter ... Set the Patriots career record for receptions by a running back with a 9-yard grab in the fourth quarter. vs. Detroit (12/3): Played in a reserve role at running back ... Tied for the team lead with eight receptions for 59 yards in the Patriots' 28-21 comeback victory over the Lions ... Returned five kickoffs for 105 yards ... Caught a 20-yard screen pass, which helped set up a Stephen Gostkowski field goal just before halftime. at Miami (12/10): Started at running back ... Carried the ball five times for 29 yards ... Grabbed two receptions for 12 yards ... Hauled in a 7-yard catch on third-and-five in the first quarter ... Scampered for 11 yards on a third-and-seven rush near the end of the third quarter ... Returned a punt 18 yards in the fourth quarter. vs. Houston (12/17): Played in a reserve role at running back and tied a career high with two touchdowns in the Patriots' commanding 40-7 victory over the Texans ... Rushed the ball four times for 22 yards and a touchdown ... Snared two receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown in the win ... Gave the Patriots a 7-0 lead with an 11-yard touchdown run off left guard with 8:06 remaining in the first quarter ... Hauled in a 43-yard touchdown reception on a screen pass in the first quarter. at Jacksonville (12/24): Saw action in a reserve role at running back and as a punt returner in the Patriots' 24-21 division-clinching win over the Jaguars ... Carried the ball twice for eight yards and snared two receptions for 12 yards in the victory ... Returned one punt for 12 yards. at Tennessee (12/31): Inactive.
2006 Postseason (3/1/0/0): vs. N.Y. Jets (1/7): Played in a reserve role at running back ... Rushed the ball six times for 23 yards in the Patriots' 37-16 AFC Wild Card victory over the N.Y. Jets ... Caught one pass for seven yards and a touchdown ... Carried the ball three straight times for 24 yards, including an 8- yard run on third-and-three during the Patriots' touchdown drive just before halftime ... Gave the Patriots a 30-16 lead with a 7-yard touchdown reception on third-and-goal with 5:16 remaining in the fourth quarter. at San Diego (1/14): Started at running back ... Led the team with 25 rushing yards on six carries in the Patriots' 24-21 AFC Divisional playoff victory over the Chargers ... Snared two receptions for 11 yards ... Extended the Patriots' first scoring drive with a 5-yard scamper on third-and-four in the first quarter ... Tied the game at 21-21 by taking a direct snap and rumbling in for the two-point conversion with less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. at Indianapolis (1/21): Saw significant action in a reserve role at running back ... Rushed the ball four times for 27 yards ... Grabbed one reception for five yards ... Gained eight yards on a third-and-six rush in the first quarter ... Took a delayed handoff and scampered for eight yards on a third-and-nine rush during the Patriots' opening scoring drive.
2005 Season
2005 (8/2/0/8): Ranks as the Patriots all-time kickoff return leader with 3,507 yards … Has caught at least one pass in 44 of the last 50 games in which he has appeared, including the playoffs.
Oakland (9/8): Hauled in three receptions for 18 yards in the Patriots’ 30-20 victory over the Raiders on opening night … Rushed five times for 11 yards in the victory. at Carolina (9/18): Grabbed three receptions for 27 yards … Kept the Patriots’ second scoring drive alive with a 22-yard reception on third-and-10 in the third quarter. at Pittsburgh (9/25): Finished second on the team with seven receptions for 71 yards in the Patriots’ 23-20 victory over the Steelers … Rushed the ball seven times for 13 yards in the victory … Snared in a 23-yard screen pass in the second quarter … Grabbed a 17-yard reception and got out of bounds on the Patriots winning drive in the fourth quarter … His first reception of the game, an 8-yard grab near the end of the first quarter, was the 211th reception of his career, moving him into second place all-time among Patriots running backs. San Diego (10/2): Inactive. at Atlanta (10/9): Inactive. at Denver (10/16): Inactive. Buffalo (10/30): Inactive. Indianapolis (11/7): Inactive. at Miami (11/13): Inactive. New Orleans (11/20): Inactive. at Kansas City (11/27): Inactive. N.Y. Jets (12/4): Returned to the lineup and rushed the ball 10 times for 35 yards in the Patriots’ 16-3 victory over the Jets … Caught four passes for 46 yards in the victory, including three third-down receptions that gained first down yardage … Extended a Patriots’ scoring drive with an 18-yard grab on third-and-10 in the second quarter … Converted a key third down with a 13-yard catch on third-and-11 during the Patriots’ first touchdown drive of the afternoon … Extended the Patriots’ final scoring drive with a 6-yard reception on third-and-four late in the third quarter. at Buffalo (12/11): Led the team with six receptions for 71 yards in the Patriots’ commanding 35-7 road victory over the Bills … Rushed the ball five times for 14 yards … Hauled in a screen pass and scampered for 19 yards in the second quarter … Kept the Patriots third touchdown drive alive with a 15-yard reception on third-andseven in the third quarter … Kept the Patriots’ fourth touchdown drive alive with a 13-yard catch on third-and-six in the fourth quarter. Tampa Bay (12/17): Started at running back and rushed the ball six times for 18 yards in the Patriots’ 28-0 shutout victory over the Buccaneers … Grabbed two receptions for eight yards in the win … Hauled in a 13-yard reception out of the backfield during the Patriots’ first touchdown drive in the opening stanza. at N.Y. Jets (12/26): Carried the ball 10 times for 38 yards in the Patriots’ 31-21 victory over the Jets … Tied for the team lead with four receptions for 19 yards in the victory. Miami (1/1): Started at running back and rushed the ball six times for 12 yards.
2005 Postseason (2/1/0/0):Jacksonville (1/7): Started at running back and led the team with 51 rushing yards on just six carries in the Patriots' 28-3 AFC Wild Card victory over the Jaguars ... Finished second on the team with four receptions for 45 yards ... Scampered for 19 yards on a rush off left guard in the first quarter ... Kept the Patriots' first touchdown drive alive with an 18-yard run on third-and-six in the second quarter ... Hauled in a 21-yard reception in the second quarter. at Denver (1/14): Played in a reserve role at running back ... Rushed seven times for 23 yards ... Grabbed two receptions for 20 yards.
2004 season
2004 (11/1, 3/0): Carried the ball 54 times for 255 yards and two rushing touchdowns ... Grabbed 26 receptions for 248 receiving yards and a touchdown out of the backfield ... Led the team with a career-high 20 punt returns for 133 yards ... Recorded at least 50 rushes and 25 receptions for the third consecutive season ... Led the team in receptions in back-to-back games (10/24 and 10/31). Seattle (10/17): Snared four receptions for 37 yards ... Extended the Patriots' second scoring drive of the afternoon with a 14-yard catch on thirdand- four. N.Y. Jets (10/24): Led the team with six receptions for 44 yards ... Carried the ball four times for 21 yards ... Extended the Patriots' opening scoring drive of the game with a 6-yard jaunt off left guard on third-and-four ... Got open over the middle and hauled in a 24-yard grab with time running down in the first half. Pittsburgh (10/31): Started at running back and tied for the team lead with a season-high eight receptions for 72 yards against the Steelers. St. Louis (11/7): Extended the Patriots' first touchdown drive with a 12-yard grab on third-and-10. Buffalo (11/14): Rushed 13 times for 61 yards, his second highest rushing total of the season. Cleveland (12/5): Carried the ball 13 times for a season-high 87 yards and a touchdown ... Rumbled for a season-long 20-yard gain the third quarter ... Scored his first touchdown of the season with a 10- yard run. Cincinnati (12/12): Scored his second rushing touchdown in as many weeks with a 4-yard scamper off left tackle. Miami (12/20): Gave the Patriots an early 7- 0 lead with a season-long 31-yard touchdown reception down the middle of the field ... Set up the Patriots' final touchdown of the evening with a 16-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.
2004 Postseason (3/0/0/0): Indianapolis (1/16): Rushed for 56 yards on just 11 carries in the Patriots' 20-3 victory over the Colts ... Grabbed one reception for 11 yards out of the backfield ... Extended the Patriots' second touchdown drive of the game with an 11-yard reception on third-and-10 in the fourth quarter. at Pittsburgh (1/23): Logged three rushes for 20 yards in the Patriots' 41-27 AFC Championship victory over the Steelers ... Drew a key defensive holding penalty on a third-and-17 play in the third quarter, which allowed the Patriots scoring drive to continue ... Scampered for a 17-yard gain on a rush off left end in the fourth quarter ... Converted a key fourth-and-one with a 1-yard plunge in the fourth quarter. Philadelphia (2/6): Carried the ball eight times for 38 yards in the Patriots' 24-21 victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX ... Set up the Patriots' third touchdown off the game with a 12-yard reception down to the Eagles 2-yard line.
2003 Season
2003 (15/8, 3/0): Led the team with 1,078 yards from scrimmage … Ranked second on the team with 638 rushing yards … Finished second on the team with 48 receptions … Set career-highs with 23 rushes for 96 yards (10/26) … Registered 188 yards from scrimmage at Houston (11/23), marking the most yards from scrimmage by a Patriot since Terry Glenn amassed 214 receiving yards at Cleveland (10/03/99) … Started in games 2-4, 7, 8, 11, 12 and 14. Buffalo (9/7): Led the team in rushing with 62 yards on 10 carries … Tied for the team lead with four receptions. Philadelphia (9/14): Caught four passes out of the backfield for 59 yards, including passes of 25 and 27 yards. N.Y. Jets (9/21): Started for the second consecutive week and led the Patriots ground attack with 79 yards rushing on 17 carries (4.6 avg.). N.Y. Giants (10/12): Registered a then career-high 87 rushing yards on 14 carries … Carried the ball five times for 40 yards on the Patriots’ initial drive of the second half that ended with an Adam Vinatieri 28-yard field goal and a 10-3 New England lead. Miami (10/19): Hauled in five catches for 31 yards … Grabbed a key seven-yard reception on third-and-six in the first quarter, keeping the drive alive which eventually ended with an Adam Vinatieri 26-yard field goal. Cleveland (10/26): Set career-highs with 23 rushes for 96 yards in the Patriots’ 9-3 win over the Browns … Also caught six passes for 58 yards … Grabbed a screen pass for 26 yards on the opening play of the second half … Compiled nearly half of the Patriots’ yards on their eight-play, 70-yard scoring drive in the third quarter, amassing 32 yards from scrimmage. Denver (11/3): Snared a game-high five catches for 52 yards … Registered three catches for 40 yards in the Patriots’ game-winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Dallas (11/16): Tied for the team-lead with three receptions. Houston (11/23): Started at running back and registered 188 yards from scrimmage … Recorded game-highs with eight receptions and 108 yards receiving … Tied a career-high with 23 rushes for 80 yards … Extended the Patriots’ initial touchdown drive with nine-yard catch after fighting off a tackler on third-and-six in the first quarter … Converted a fourth down with a four-yard run on fourth-and-two in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis (11/30): Started at running back and amassed 78 yards from scrimmage … Caught a 16-yard pass on third-and-five in the first quarter, extending the Patriots first touchdown drive of the afternoon … Extended the Patriots’ first scoring drive of the second half with three-yard run on third-and-two in the third quarter. Tennessee (1/10): Grabbed three receptions for 33 yards and averaged 4.4 yards on eight rushes in the Patriots’ 17-14 divisional playoff victory over the Titans … Hauled in a key 19-yard reception on third-and-five to extend the Patriots first scoring drive. Carolina (2/1): Rushed six times for 42 yards and caught four passes for 19 yards in the Patriots’ 32-29 Super Bowl XXXVIII victory over the Panthers … Scampered for a 23-yard gain on a rush off right tackle in the fourth quarter … Gave the Patriots a seven-point lead by converting a two-point conversion on a direct snap from center with 2:51 remaining in the fourth quarter.
2002 Season
2002 (15/0): Faulk amassed 1,440 all-purpose yards while playing in 15 games … Tied for second on the team with seven touchdowns (three receiving, two rushing, two kick returns) … Became the first player in franchise history and was the only player in the NFL during the 2002 season to record multiple touchdowns in three categories (rushing, receiving and kick returns) … Ranked second on the team with 271 yards rushing on 52 attempts (5.2 avg.) and two touchdowns … Finished fourth on the team with 37 receptions for 379 yards (10.2 avg.) and three touchdowns … Chalked up a career-high 109 receiving yards on seven catches at Chicago (11/10), the first time a Patriots running back had over 100 yards receiving since Tony Collins gained 109 yards on six catches at Tampa Bay (10/27/85) … Also totaled a career-high two receiving touchdowns at Chicago (11/10) … Led the team in receiving twice with 109 yards at Chicago (11/10) and 70 yards vs. Miami (12/29) … Led the Patriots and finished second in the NFL with a kickoff return average of 27.9 yards … Became the Patriots all-time leading kickoff returner against Green Bay (10/13) … Returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, 86 yards at Oakland (11/17), and 87 yards vs. N.Y. Jets (12/22) and was just the second Patriot to return multiple kickoffs for touchdowns since Raymond Clayborn returned three for scores in 1977 … Set a franchise record for kickoff return yardage by recording 220 yards vs. N.Y. Jets (12/22) … Added eight punt returns for 65 yards (8.1 avg.). Kansas City (9/22): Hauled in a 23-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady in the second quarter for the Patriots first points of the afternoon in New England’s 41-38 overtime win over the Chiefs. Green Bay (10/13): Became the Patriots all-time leading kickoff returner with a 27-yard return in the fourth quarter … Increased his career total to 2,582 yards, passing David Meggett’s previous record (2,561 yards). Buffalo (11/3): Tore off a career-long, 45-yard touchdown run on the Patriots first possession of the third quarter in a 38-7 win over the Bills. Chicago (11/10): Recorded a breakout day, setting career highs in receiving yards (109) and touchdowns (2) … Chewed up a total of 36 yards on three straight plays late in the third quarter, ending with a 15-yard touchdown reception from Brady that gave the Patriots their first touchdown of the day and kick-started their comeback … Grabbed a screen pass from Brady and rumbled for a 36-yard touchdown to pull the Patriots to within five points late in the fourth quarter. Oakland (11/17): Returned a kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter for the first kickoff return for a score of his career … Returned the 15th kickoff for a touchdown in Patriots history and became the first Patriot to accomplish the feat since Derrick Cullors (11/09/97) … Scored a touchdown for the third consecutive game. N.Y. Jets (12/22): Returned a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, the second time he accomplished the feat in 2002 and the 16th time the trick has been turned in Patriots history … Became the first Patriot to record two kickoff returns for touchdowns in a single season since Raymond Clayborn in 1977 (3) … Set a club record with 220 kickoff return yards … Finished tied for the team lead with 38 receiving yards on four receptions. Miami (12/29): Gained 232 all-purpose yards and 123 total yards from scrimmage in the Patriots 27-24, come-from-behind overtime victory over the Dolphins … Led the team with a season-high nine receptions and added a team-high 70 receiving yards … Ran the ball eight times for 53 yards, good for 6.6 yards per carry … Appeared in four different statistical categories (rushing, receiving, punt return and kick return) for the fourth time in 2002 and the 10th time in his career.
2001 Season
2001 (15/1, 3/0): Played in 15 games, including one start and led the team for third consecutive season with 33 kickoff returns and 662 kickoff return yards (20.1 avg.) … Finished second on the team with 169 yards rushing on 41 carries (4.1 avg.) and one touchdown … Completed the first pass of his career when he took a direct snap and hooked up with Tom Brady on a 23-yard pass play vs. Miami (12/22). Indianapolis (9/30): Accomplished season-highs with nine carries and 48 yards rushing (4.8 avg.), including an 8-yard touchdown in 44-13 victory over the Colts … Added two receptions for a season-high 38 yards receiving. San Diego (10/14): Returned the opening kickoff 32 yards, the third longest of the season for the Patriots. Denver (10/28): Recorded a Patriots season-long 42-yard kickoff return in the second quarter. Atlanta (11/4): Recorded his first receiving touchdown of the season on a four-yard pass from Tom Brady … Tied with Troy Brown for team lead with five receptions. Buffalo (11/11): Snared a season-high seven catches, including an acrobatic six-yard touchdown reception in the Patriots 21-11 victory over the Bills. New Orleans (11/25): Recorded season-high 24-yard run on a direct-snap play out of a shotgun formation on third-and-six. N.Y. Jets (12/2): Gained 23 yards on three rushes in a 17-16 victory over the Jets … All three rushes for 23 yards came on a nine-play, 82-yard drive in the third quarter that culminated in a four-yard touchdown run by Marc Edwards. Miami (12/22): Completed the first pass of his career when he took a direct snap from center and then found Brady for a 23-yard gain in the first quarter. Oakland (1/19): Caught three passes for 22 yards (7.3 avg.) in 16-13 overtime victory over the Raiders. St. Louis (2/3): Rushed for eight yards on third-and-two, late in the second quarter extending a drive that ended in a Brady to David Patten eight-yard touchdown pass.
2000 Season
2000 (16/9): Started nine of the 16 games at running back and was also utilized as a kickoff and punt returner … Led the Patriots and ranked 15th in AFC with 570 yards rushing … Finished third on the team with 51 receptions for 465 yards ... Led the Patriots for the second year in a row with 38 kickoff returns for 816 yards (21.5 avg.). Tampa Bay (9/3): Set a career-high with 11 catches for 62 yards ... Faulk’s 11 receptions tied him for the fourth highest in receptions in a game in franchise history behind Terry Glenn (13), Troy Brown (12) and Ben Coates (12) ... Tied with Brown, Coates, Glenn, Leroy Thompson, Tony Collins and Art Graham in fourth place with 11 catches ... Rushed for 21 yards on 10 carries (2.1 avg.) ... Contributed three kickoff returns for 85 yards (28.3 avg.). N.Y. Jets (9/11): Established a career-high with 82 yards rushing on 21 carries (3.9 avg.) … Rushed for 12 yards on two carries on the Patriots opening possession resulting in Adam Vinatieri’s 32-yard field goal … Carried five times for 24 yards on the Patriots second drive of the game, including an 11-yard run on second-and-10 sustaining the drive, which culminated with Vinatieri’s 35-yard field goal. Minnesota (9/17): Accumulated 189 all-purpose yards to earn his first Patriots Miller Lite Player of the Game … Faulk contributed in nearly every facet of the game, gaining 80 yards rushing (13 carries), 31 yards receiving (three receptions), 56 kickoff returns yards (two returns) and 22 punt return yards (three returns) ... Scored on a 2-yard touchdown run and knotted score at seven in first quarter … It was first Patriots touchdown on an opening drive since October 12, 1997 vs. Buffalo when Drew Bledsoe connected with Coates on a 20-yard touchdown. Miami (9/24): Matched a career-high with 21 carries, for 46 yards, which he set vs. N.Y. Jets (9/11). Denver (10/1): Caught a 26-yard reception in the second quarter which put Bledsoe atop the Patriots all-time passing yards list, passing Steve Grogan (26,886) … Gained 40 yards on nine carries (4.4 avg.) ... Ran three times for 26 yards on final drive of first half, resulting in 12-yard touchdown pass from Bledsoe to J.R. Redmond. Indianapolis (10/8): Ran four times for 36 yards (9.0 avg.) and caught four passes for 25 yards in the Patriots 24-16 win ... He recorded a season-high carry for 18 yards, on a drive culminating in 2-yard touchdown pass from Bledsoe to Eric Bjornson. N.Y. Jets (10/15): Tied with Brown for team-high five receptions (27 yards) … Gained 26 yards on nine carries, including a 9-yard touchdown run … Amassed 105 yards on five kickoff returns. Indianapolis (10/22): Gained 41 yards on 12 carries (3.4 avg.) as the Patriots accumulated their second highest rushing total of the season, 155 yards. Cleveland (11/12): Accumulated 231 all-purpose yards (109 kickoff return yards, 96 receiving and 26 rushing) … Led all receivers with eight catches ... Amassed 49 total yards (46 receiving, 3 rushing) on the Patriots fourth quarter touchdown drive and added the two-point conversion - the Patriots first successful two-point conversion since Nov. 29, 1998 against Buffalo. Detroit (11/23): Recorded season-highs with six kickoff returns and 111 kickoff return yards. Kansas City (12/4): Gained 52 yards on a season-high 22 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown run … Returned punt for career-high 35 yards to Kansas City 32-yard line setting up Bledsoe’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Brown. Buffalo (12/17): Contributed 52 rushing yards to team’s season-high 189 rushing yards … Scored game-tying 13-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter when he negotiated on snow-slicked field. Miami (12/24): Caught a career-long 52-yard touchdown pass from Bledsoe … Gained 34 yards rushing on 12 carries.
1999 Season
1999 (11/2): Played in 11 games for the Patriots as a rookie… Started the first two games of the season, but an ankle injury caused him to miss the next two games… Returned in a reserve role behind Terry Allen and filled in as a third-down back for the next nine games… Finished his rookie campaign second on the team with 227 yards on 67 carries and scored a touchdown… He also had 12 receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown … Sprained an ankle at Indianapolis (12/12) and missed the rest of the season after being placed on injured reserve (12/14). N.Y. Jets (9/12): One of three rookie starters for the Patriots (along with Damien Woody and Andy Katzenmoyer), the most in a season opener since 1993 … Rushed for 17 yards on 10 carries in his NFL debut. Indianapolis (9/19): Started, but left the game with a sprained right ankle and missed the next two games while rehabilitating the ankle. Denver (10/24): Established a personal best with 238 all-purpose yards and scored his first career touchdown on a 15-yard run over right tackle vs. the defending Super Bowl Champion Broncos … Handled the punt return responsibilities for the third consecutive game, replacing the injured Troy Brown, and gained 70 yards on four returns (17.5 avg.), including a season-long 20-yard return in the first quarter … His touchdown gave the the Patriots a 7-0 lead in the game, a lead which was never relinquished as the Patriots defeated the Broncos for the first time since 1980. Arizona (10/31): Had a season-high with 17 carries in the Patriots 27-3 victory over the Cardinals … Provided 42 of the 142 rushing yards in the game, the second-highest total of the season. N.Y. Jets (11/15): Earned Miller Lite Player of the Game honors for his performance against the Jets … Returned a kickoff 95 yards to the Jets 5-yard line … The return was the eighth longest return, and the longest non-scoring return, in franchise history … It was the longest return by a Patriot since Jon Vaughn returned a kickoff 100 yards (12/20/92 vs. Cincinnati) … Finished the night with four kick returns for 170 yards … Recorded his first career receiving touchdown on a 13-yard pass from Bledsoe in the fourth quarter. Miami (11/21): Named special teams co-captain for the game … Provided 182 all-purpose yards, including a season-high 61 yards rushing on just five carries (12.2 avg.) … His 61 yards was a team high … Burst through the Dolphins defense for a 43-yard run from scrimmage for the Patriots in 1999 … Returned six kicks for 115 yards (19.2 avg.) which dropped his season average to 24.5. Dallas (12/5): Gained 36 yards on nine carries and 43 yards on three receptions … His 79 yards from scrimmage was his highest offensive output of the season … Added 50 yards on a pair of kickoff returns … Had a 19-yard reception in the fourth quarter, his longest reception of the season. Indianapolis (12/12): Sustained a first quarter ankle injury which sidelined him for the season when the Patriots placed him on injured reserve two days later.
College
Faulk finished his collegiate career ranked fifth in NCAA history with 6,833 career all-purpose yards and 53 total touchdowns … Trails only Georgia running back Herschel Walker in SEC history in rushing yards (4,557) and rushing touchdowns (46) … Holds school records with 4,557 rushing yards, 6, 833 all-purpose yards, 53 total touchdowns, 46 rushing touchdowns and 318 total points … Ranks second in school history with 856 carries … Holds the second- and third-highest single-season rushing totals in school history … He is the only player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season, three times in his career. 1998 (Senior): Earned All-Southeastern Conference honors … Started all 11 games and led the SEC with 116.3 rushing yards per game, gaining 1,279 yards on 229 carries (5.6 avg.) … Ranked second in the Southeastern Conference with 102 total points (12 rushing touchdowns, three receiving and two returning) … Led the Tigers with 2,109 all-purpose yards, an average of 191.7 yards per game … Caught 22 passes for 287 yards (13.0 avg.) and three touchdowns … Returned 23 punts for 265 yards (11.5 avg.) and a touchdown … Added 278 yards and a touchdown on nine kickoff returns (30.9 avg.) … Gained a season-high 201 yards rushing on 30 attempts (6.7 avg.) and one touchdown vs. Alabama. 1997 (Junior): Selected Associated Press All-America third-team and was first-team All-SEC … Started eight of nine games and led the team with 1,646 all-purpose yards, including 1,144 rushing yards on 205 carries (5.6 avg.) … Ranked third in the country with an average of 182.9 all-purpose yards per game … Led the conference and ranked seventh in the nation with an average of 127.1 rushing yards per game … Scored 15 rushing touchdowns, the second-highest single-season total in school history … Recorded season-high 212 yards rushing on 28 attempts (7.6 avg.) and set an LSU single-game record with five touchdowns at Kentucky. 1996 (Sophomore): Voted first-team AP All American … Consensus first-team All SEC selection … Recipient of the Charles McClendon Award given to the team MVP … Gained 1,282 yards rushing on 248 carries (5.2 avg.) and scored 13 touchdowns … His 1,282 yards rushing are the second highest in school history … Led the conference and ranked fourth in the nation with an average of 191.3 all-purpose yards per game ... Named SEC Player of the Week in season opener with a school-record and a personal best 246 yards rushing on 21 carries (11.7 avg.) and two scores vs. Houston … Added a 78-yard punt return for a touchdown and finished with 376 all-purpose yards, the most ever in school history and second in SEC history vs. Houston. 1995 (Freshman): Named Freshman Offensive Player of the Year in the SEC by the Knoxville News-Sentinel … Led the team with 852 yards on 174 carries (4.9 avg.) with six touchdowns.
Extra Points
In September 2005, Kevin organized two trips for Patriots players to visit families displaced by Hurricane Katrina at Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod. Kevin, a Louisiana native, spent several hours with the evacuees and delivered clothing items to the families.
Kevin returned to the city where he was born as the king of Mardi Gras in Lafayette, La. in 2004.
Kevin resisted the temptation of turning pro following his junior season at LSU, and stayed in school to earn his degree in Kinesiology in just three and a half years
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Kevin Troy Faulk was born the son of Gerald and Vivian Faulk on June 5, 1976 in Lafayette, La. … Named Class 5A Offensive Most Valuable Player two years in row, making him the first player to capture that honor in back-to-back seasons in 20 years … All-American pick by Parade and USA Today … Rushed for 4,877 yards on 603 carries and 62 touchdowns during his career at Carencro (La.) High … Totaled 7,612 all-purpose yards and scored 89 touchdowns during his high school career … Set 17 career and school records … Won the 1992 Class 5A State Championship at Carencro with 259 rushing yards and four touchdowns … Kevin and his wife Latisha have three children, Tanasha, Kevin III and Kevione. 
2005 (8/2/0/8): Ranks as the Patriots all-time kickoff return leader with 3,507 yards … Has caught at least one pass in 44 of the last 50 games in which he has appeared, including the playoffs.