If you're looking for a key to victory today against Rutgers, look to the little fella in the UConn backfield.

Lyle McCombs leads the Big East in rushing at 101.4 yards per game and is the only back in the league with over 1,000 yards (1,014). Not bad for a 5-foot-8, 170-pound redshirt freshman. It's the fourth striaght season UConn has produced a 1,000-yard rusher, but he might not be the one people would have thought.

When the season started, McCombs was ticketed to spell D.J. Shoemate, providing the proverbial lightning in a 'thunder and lightning' backfield.

Shoemate played in just one game before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury and is applying for a sixth year via medical redshirt.

While 13 seniors will get theor rightful due prior to UConn's final home game of the season, McCombs has been UConn's best offensive player, with 234 carries over 10 games. Jonathan Jean-Louis, his primary backup, has just 12 carries all season and McCombs has proven himself able to shoulder the load.

"I'm thankful for the opportunity," said McCombs, a Staten Island native. "It's something every running back aims for, 100-yard games and 1,000-yard seasons. I don't know exactly when I knew (I'd be the feature back).  I just rolled with it. It's all about toughness. You can't look to the sideline and get out with every bruise, every nick."

McCombs became the second freshman in program history to reach the 1,000-yard mark after Terry Caulley in 2002.