Donald Buckram finds a running lane duing the 2009 matchup against Houston. UTEP went on to snag the victory from the Cougars during the nationally televised ESPN game. (Image: Jeff Taylor)

EL PASO, Texas – With the Conference USA media day this Sunday and camp Socorro in two weeks, preseason all-conference running back Donald Buckram is ready to lead this year’s team on and off the field for the 2010 season.

Coach Mike Price and the Miners star running back will be representing the Miners at the conference’s media day this weekend in Memphis, Tennessee.

“I get to see Case Keenum and a lot of other top players in the conference.” Donald Buckram said. “Kind of excited to meet them to see how they act outside of football because I never really get to talk to them after the game.”

After leading the conference in rushing a year ago with his single season school record 1,594 yards Buckram is fully aware he will be defenses main focus.

“Yeah, I think there will be a lot more attention on me,” Buckram said. “I think I’ll be the main focus.”

The 5’ 10” Senior from Copperas Cove, Texas is looking to lead the Miners after a surprise 2009 campaign and capitalize on the school record and preseason accolades.

“It makes me feel good just to know that I’m still noticed and everybody is respecting,” Buckram said. “That I played good rather then thinking it’s a fluke.”

Buckram averaged 6.2 yards a carry and was the only player besides Stanford’s Toby Gerhart to rush for over 200 yards in three different games last season.

Leadership and more focus was the theme at today’s press conference as both coach and player get ready for the media on Sunday and camp on August 7.

“A lot of people are focused,” Buckram said. “We’re tired of losing close games so I think we’ll be a lot more focused coming down to the fourth quarter.”

The team has a solid core on offense and with a 2009 Doak Walker semi-finalist on the team who knows what could be in store for Buckram in 2010.

“When you look at Donald Buckram he reminds you of what an All-American is supposed to look like and act like.” Head Coach Mike Price said. “He’s a wonderful person, great father, great husband, great student, just a really, really good man.”

The Conference USA media day kicks off on July 25 with the coaches press conference starting at 2 p.m. MT and the players press conference starting at 3 p.m. MT.

You can catch all the media coverage of Mike Price and Donald Buckram as the events will be streamed live on http://conferenceusa.cstv.com.

Adam Díaz is a staff writer for Miner Illustrated. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments or story ideas at agdiaz@miners.utep.edu