Brynn Harvey solidifes starting role as running back

Now, he's back.

Sure, Knights running back Brynn Harvey has appeared in all four of UCF's games prior to Saturday's 16-6 win over the visiting Marshall Thundering Herd. After sitting out a year to rehab a torn ACL, Harvey had to come back and earn his playing time.

Not an easy task in the Knights' deep running back pool, but Harvey got his share of carries early on.

But the redshirt junior, who rushed for 1,109 yards and 14 touchdowns two seasons ago, wasn't truly back yet. That is, he wasn't back until the first play from scrimmage Saturday night. That's when Harvey took off 50 yards, the first 50 of what would eventually be 180.

"It felt real good. I just got behind the line and let them do the blocking," Harvey said. "I do the running. That's what I'm supposed to do."

It was a long road back for Harvey.

Following the 2009 campaign, he was widely regarded as the future of the Knights' offense. But the injury meant Harvey never played a down in 2010. He rehabbed and returned, but his spot on the depth chart had to be earned.

Still, Harvey never doubted himself.

"People always say you come back stronger after an ACL injury, and that's what I feel," Harvey said. "I feel stronger than what I used to feel beforehand. I feel like I hadn't [ever been] injured."

The Knights started the season seemingly committed to rotating their talented backfield trio of Harvey, Latavius Murray and Ronnie Weaver. Through two games it seemed to be working, with a fresh set of legs always ready on the sideline.

But the UCF rushing attack bogged down in the third and fourth contests of the season, both losses, and suddenly there were a lot of questions about where the potent ground game had gone.

That's when Harvey took advantage of the bye week and earned his starting spot back.

Following Saturday's victory, Harvey got the title officially from UCF coach George O'Leary.

"It's Brynn," O'Leary said. "Brynn is the running back. [Harvey] I think has the most North-South speed."

It's an understandable move by O'Leary following what everyone saw on the field. Harvey hit the holes quickly and, despite the weather conditions, showcased his ability to accelerate once he found open field.

It was a sight that brought back memories of 2009 for UCF fans.

"[It felt like] back to my sophomore year," Harvey said. "I'm back at it again."

Harvey wasn't perfect, though.

The redshirt junior fumbled in the third quarter, a fumble which was recovered and returned for a Marshall touchdown. Luckily, it was the Herd's only touchdown. Still, Harvey was seen getting a tongue-lashing from O'Leary on the sideline and sat out for a few possessions.

Harvey would re-enter, though. In a game where the Knights couldn't adequately put the Herd away, Harvey came back into the huddle late and picked up another 37 yards as part of UCF's effort to run out the clock, sealing a badly needed victory.

It's a talented depth chart, but finally Harvey is back on top of it.

"I'm just going to come out each and every week at practice and just put in hard work," Harvey said. "If the coaches say I'm starting, I'm just going to take it to the head and work hard every day."