Nov. 22, 2001

Coming out of Chicago's Dunbar High School, Rocky Harvey, the record-setting prep tailback, was eager to continue his career on the collegiate level. But Harvey, the lightning in the Illini offense's thunder-and-lightning running attack, was more heavily recruited as a Division I receiver rather than a running back. Many coaches doubted Harvey's ability to be an every down halfback in the traditionally run-oriented Big Ten, but he used his doubters as motivation and quickly quieted the critics.

The 5-foot, 9-inch, 183-pound Harvey exploded onto the college football scene, making one of the greatest debuts in Illinois football history with a freshman-record 215 yards and three touchdowns versus Middle Tennessee State in the team's second game of the season. Since then, the speedy tailback has kept on running. As a four-year starter, Harvey has established himself year-in and year-out as one of the better running backs in the Big Ten, even though the Illini have featured a two-back offense for much of his career.

In his freshman year, Harvey led the Illini in both rushing yards (634) and touchdowns (6). He followed that up his sophomore year by helping to lead the team to a berth in the Micronpc.com bowl, where he rushed for a school and bowl game record of 122 yards as well as two touchdowns. In his junior campaign, Harvey earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors, averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

That brings us to his senior season where Harvey has been an integral part of Illinois' 10-1 "start," its best in over 10 years. Harvey has become a cornerstone in the Illini's rise to the top of the Big Ten, a feeling that for him is irreplaceable. "It feels great. This is the top school in the state, a Big Ten school, and to be given the opportunity to be a part of the rebuilding process is great," said Harvey. "This is something that I can tell my kids about, come back and show them the bowl pictures and have them see that I was a part of history and a part of something special here."

After spending New Year's at home last year, Harvey is confident the Illini will return to the form of 1999. He sees many of the same qualities in this year's team that they had his sophomore season. "This year we have shown the leadership and the teamwork we had back then. We trust each other and we are there for each other and everyone knows that everyone else is going out and giving all he's got."

"We have a different mind set this year compared to last year. We are mentally strong, sounder, and more focused," Harvey said. "Last year after we lost to Michigan, that kind of determined our season, whereas this year we lost to them, but we bounced back, did some good things and got some more wins."

A main ingredient in the the players' success and unity can be attributed to how close they are this year. One of the main factors in the team's unity can be traced back to a summer softball league exclusively for members of the team. Illinois' seniors, who decided to divide the team by going down the roster and randomly assign players to six different teams, came up with the idea. Selecting the teams this way was to ensure that players from different positions and classes would be broken up and given an opportunity to work together in a competitive, fun environment.

Harvey served as team captain, center fielder and backbone for the eventual champions, the 7-0 Huff City Riders. "As far as helping out the team, the softball league helped build unity and helped us come together because it wasn't like all your friends were necessarily on your team," Harvey said. "You had players from all positions coming together to help each other and work with each other to try and win."

These experiences have helped to transform the Illini from a 5-6 team from a year ago into a bowl team as well as a Big Ten champion this year. Harvey is excited at the thought of finishing his Illinois career with a bowl game and a bowl victory.

"The season is going well right now, but it is not over yet. We have more games left that we are going to try and take it one game at a time and win those. We know we are going to a bowl, but now it's a matter of what type of bowl. We are trying to win these games and go to a big bowl."

Harvey continued, "As far as football-wise, I did some good things and helped out the team, I was part of one bowl team and knowing that we are going to a bowl this year, it will be a great way for the seniors to finish their careers, especially with a bowl win. It would be nice to go out on top."

Rocky Harvey has had to show some people how good of a player he, his teammates and his coaches have always known him to be, but he should not have to show them any longer. Harvey has continuously silenced his critics, leaving little doubt that he will realize his goal of leaving Illinois on top as a winner.