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Start your day with BYU football: Harvey Unga’s steam-rolling career

By Nathan Cunningham

Nov 6, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; The Brigham Young Cougars mascot Cosmo performs during the game against San Jose State Spartans in the 2nd quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports.
Nov 6, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; The Brigham Young Cougars mascot Cosmo performs during the game against San Jose State Spartans in the 2nd quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports. /
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Harvey Unga is one of the best runners in BYU football history. Relive his bruising, powerful running style today.

Before there was Jamaal Williams, Harvey Unga was plowing over defenders for BYU football. Stiff arms, truck sticks and shoulder lowering was abundant during the Unga era, and he became the Cougars’ all-time leading rusher.

Let’s relive some of his greatness.

Unga came to BYU football from Timpview High School (UT), where he won the state title in 2004.

In 2006 he took four carries for nine yards and scored one touchdown. He didn’t catch a pass. Certainly nothing to make one think he’d become the Cougars’ all-time leading rusher.

In 2007, Unga exploded. He ran for 1,227 yards, averaged five yards per carry and scored 13 touchdowns. He was also a good receiver, catching 44 passes for 655 yards and a touchdown.

Arguably his best game of the 2007 season came in a 24-14 victory at UNLV. Unga posted a combined 221 yards and scored once.

In 2008 he ran for 1,132 yards and 11 touchdowns. He added 42 receptions for 309 yards and four touchdowns. Unga averaged six yards per carry in BYU football’s 28-27 upset of Washington in week two.

As a junior in 2009 Unga continued to dominate opposing defenses. His role as a pass catcher diminished, but he ran for 1,087 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Next: Predicting BYU's Defensive Depth Chart

Unga left BYU after the 2009 season, due to a violation of the Honor Code. He entered the NFL’s supplemental draft and was the seventh round pick of the Chicago Bears.

He had on-again-off-again signings with the Bears until 2013. In 2014 he signed with the Carolina Panthers, but lasted just one week.

Currently, Unga is back working with BYU football as a graduate assistant. He had the opportunity to work with Jamaal Williams, ultimately seeing Williams take his rushing title.

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