Name: #23 Rausell Harvey* Ht./Wt./Class/Pos.: 5-9, 170, So., HB Hometown: Chicago, Ill. School: (Dunbar)

Harvey Fact: Led Illini in rushing and touchdowns as a true freshman last fall. Earned Bresee Award as outstanding Special Teams Player last spring.

At Illinois

1999: Expected to contend for starting halfback job and post-season honors . . . Named as Bresee Award winner for special teams, given to most outstanding spring player. 1998 Highlight: Ran for 215 yards and three touchdowns in debut vs. MTSU. 1998: Exploded on national scene, named one of “Top 10 Rookies” by Sports Illustrated as he blazed his way to team-leading 634 yards on 134 carries (4.7 average) with team-high six touchdowns … Also caught 10 passes for 24 yards, including clinching TD reception in victory at Northwestern . . . Made one of greatest debuts in Illinois football history, rushing for freshman record 215 yards and three touchdowns, including a 48-yarder, on 24 carries in 48-20 win over Middle Tennessee … Gained 86 yards on 17 carries vs. Louisville and 65 yards with one TD (25-yard dash) on 11 carries vs. Iowa … Single-handedly led victory at Northwestern, carrying the ball 40 times for 132 yards and one touchdown and catching six-yard clinching TD pass from Kurt Kittner … Led team with 48 yards on seven carries with 26-yard TD in finale at Michigan State. . . Most rushing yards and touchdowns by an Illini true freshman since Buddy Young in 1944 … Also an electrifying kick returner, leading Illini with 16 kickoff returns for 406 yards (25.4 average) and 12 punt returns for 52 yards (4.3 avg.) … Also recorded first career interception vs. Northwestern, catching fake punt pass on goal line to save touchdown. . . . Returned kickoff 77 yards vs. Louisville, 47 yards vs. Iowa, 36 yards at Northwestern and opening kickoff 53 yards at Penn State … Also made two tackles. High School: One of the most decorated running backs in Illinois prep history, breaking state prep records with 2,500 yards rushing and 40 touchdowns in 1997, leading state in rushing and TD’s as Dunbar posted 12-3 mark for Head Coach Glen Johnson … Averaged an incredible 15 yards per carry … A two-time all-state selection, the Chicago “Player of the Year” pick by the Chicago Sun-Times . . . A three-time all-Public League selection. . . Led Dunbar to Illini South Conference title, Public League and City Championship . . . Earned eight varsity letters at Dunbar, four in football and four in track … The defending Public League 100-meter dash champion Personal: Full given name is Rausell Harvey … Nickname is Rocky . . . Born December 2, 1979 in Chicago, Illinois . . .Worked on the school yearbook, newspaper and acted in school play . . . Lists most memorable sports moments as scoring two touchdowns in Little League championship game and breaking state records for rushing and touchdowns . . . Parents are Relton and Carolyn Harvey . . . Intends to pursue major and career in television production and would one day like to work for WMAQ-TV in Chicago . . . Favorite athlete is Dallas Cowboys superstar Emmitt Smith . . . Past summer jobs include working at Dunbar as part of Mayor Daley’s Summer Job Program. Career Highs
Yards: 215 vs. Middle Tennessee, 9/12/98
Attempts: 40 at Northwestern, 10/3/98
Long run: 48 vs. Middle Tennessee, 9/12/98
Receptions: 4 vs. Northwestern, 10/3/98
Receiving yards: 12 vs. Wisconsin, 10/17/98
Long catch: 12 vs.Wisconsin, 10/17/98
Touchdowns: 3 vs. MTSU, 9/12/98

Rushing Statistics	

YEAR   G    ATT   YDS   AVG   Y/PG  TD   LP

1998   11   134   634   4.7   57.6   6   48



Receiving Statistics

YEAR   G   NO   YDS   AVG   Y/PG   TD   LP

1998   11   10   24   2.4    2.2    1   12



Kickoff Return Statistics

YEAR   G   NO   YDS   AVG   TD   LP

1998   11  16   406   25.4   0   77



Punt Return Statistics

YEAR   G    NO   YDS  AVG   TD   LP

1998   11   12   52   4.3    0   18