Since his New London High School glory days, former all-state running back Kyle McKinnon has carried with him and followed some valuable advice.

"Never quit," McKinnon said. "That's the most important thing that I got out of New London. No matter the situation that you're in, you should never quit. You should just tough it out because every situation you're going to be in is not always going to be a good one. You've got to know how to manage yourself."

That advice has come in handy during McKinnon's long, winding and sometimes bumpy journey. He's in a happy place right now, thoroughly enjoying school and playing football at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.

McKinnon, The Day's 2011 All-Area Football Player of the Year, is making a significant impact in his first season at Western. He's rushed for over 100 yards in four straight games, helping the Colonials reverse directions, going 3-1 in the last four after a 1-4 start.

His passion for the sport comes across on the field.

"Without a question, the thing I like about Kyle is that he really loves football," Western coach Joe Loth said. "But also he's got his academics in order and personal life in order. He's a kid heading in the right direction."

McKinnon graduated from New London in 2012, leaving school as one of the football program's all-time great running backs. At the time, he was the only Whaler to ever rush for at least 1,000 yards in three straight seasons, including 1,809 yards as a senior, and scored a school record 63 career touchdowns.

After attending prep school at Kent School, McKinnon went to Husson University, a small Division III school in Bangor, Maine where he played two seasons (2013, 2014) and piled up 509 yards and six touchdowns in 18 games.

But McKinnon missed his family and friends, so he decided to leave Husson.

After departing from Husson in 2014 and before arriving at Western Connecticut, he moved to Massachusetts and helped manage a fitness store and also earned an associate's degree in business administration at Southern New Hampshire University.

The time away from the football field increased McKinnon's desire to return to the football field.

"It was terrible," McKinnon said of his break from football. "But I knew in the long run, it was going to be worth it. I was just looking toward the future, not for the moment."

McKinnon knew all along that he would eventually play football again. Football really keeps him sane, he said.

An opportunity arose at Western.

A former Husson teammate and Hillhouse graduate, Mike Washington, recommended that McKinnon check out Western. Washington also plays football there.

McKinnon liked what he saw. He had been on the Western coaching staff's radar for awhile. It also gave him a chance to play closer to home.

"I've come a long way," McKinnon said. "My main goal is to get my degree. I can't quit that. ... I feel like so much happened within one year. There was definitely a lot of moving around just to make sure I stayed in school. It's worth it, trust me. I love school."

A junior at Western, McKinnon saw little action at first this fall, taking time to learn the system. He got the attention of the coaching staff during Sunday Night Lights, a weekly team scrimmage for reserves.

"We knew Kyle was a kid that needed to get on field," Loth said. "He really opened our eyes."

A week after seeing his first substantial action on Oct. 1, McKinnon turned in a dazzling break-out performance in week six, rushing for a season-best 246 yards on 32 carries in a 37-35 win over Massachusetts Maritime on Oct. 8.

"It felt like I was back in high school," McKinnon said.

It was the first of four straight 100-yard plus rushing performances for McKinnon, who had 31 carries per game during that span. He's averaging a team-best 116.3 yards in six games and scored four touchdowns overall.

The 5-foot-11, 225-pound McKinnon is part of a deep backfield that also features Khalil Patterson (Hartford Public) and Michael Nicol (Wolcott).

"Kyle has played well the last four games," Loth said. "He's a powerful kid. He'll run through some guys. He's just that consistent guy that gets you four or five yards a carry every time you put the ball in his hands."

McKinnon is far from satisfied. He continually sets goals, on and off the field. One day, he wants to run his own business.

He's still a Whaler at heart. He worked with the high school football team last summer. He looks forward to the day his six young nephews play for New London.

Football will likely continue to be a part of his life long after his playing days end. He has one more year of eligibility left at Western.

He plans to enjoy every minute of it.

"It's like a different feeling when you're playing a sport you love," McKinnon said. "A crazy feeling."

g.keefe@theday.com