高三时，“洛基”哈维跑了2500码，达阵了40次，在他的第二场伊利诺斯州橄榄球比赛中，他跑了215码，达阵了3次。但是直到上个赛季与密歇根大学的第17次大学生比赛，这位身高5英尺9英寸、体重215磅的球员才赢得了批评者的尊重。在纳特邓巴高中，哈维轻松地击败了他的竞争对手，在他的高三，平均一次背扛15码。但由于他在“以篮球而非足球闻名的芝加哥公共联盟”(Chicago Public League)打球，人们认为中卫之所以占据主导地位，只是因为他的竞争能力弱。哈维在伊利诺斯大学的大一赛季让一些怀疑者大开眼界。但是在他的大二赛季开始的时候，哈维发现他的优势在逐渐减少。在与密歇根队比赛的前一周，哈维在与明尼苏达队的比赛中带了一次无码球。在对Michigan队的比赛中，伊利诺斯队在半场结束时以20比7落后，因此教练罗恩·特纳换下哈维以增加球场上的速度。这一动作在第四节得到了回报，哈维接住了伊里尼的一记短传，使他在59码处触地得分，以28-27领先。不久之后，哈维在54码的终端线地带击败了当时的no。9狼獾。“对Michigan队的比赛来了，他们给了我机会，我成功了，表现出色，成为了冠军，”哈维说。 "People were saying I was too small and that I couldn't play Division I football, so I just wanted to get out there and prove them wrong, by showing them that it's not how big your are, but how big your heart is."\n The win not only gave Harvey extra confidence as he went on to rush for an average of 98.6 yards for the rest of the season, but also started a positive snowball effect for the Illini program. The end result was a 63-21 victory against Virginia in the Micronpc.com Bowl, which was Illinois' first bowl in five years.\n This season, Harvey and Illinois are not underdogs anymore as the stakes have been raised, but Turner said winning has its perks.\n"We're winning, and everything seems a lot nicer, and things start to taste better," Turner said. \"When I went through towns a couple years ago, people would look away in grocery stores hoping I didn't say anything to him. Now, things are easier. I'd go walking through the streets and the farm and even the horses, cows and pigs looked away, but now they come up to the fence as I walk by."\nExpectations are high because Illinois returns nine of its offensive starters from a year ago. Led by junior quarterback Kurt Kittner, Illinois' offense became the highest scoring offense in school history, recording 388 points in 12 games. With 2,702 yards passing, 24 touchdowns and only five interceptions, Kittner ranked second in all three categories in the Big Ten. \nSophomore Brandon Lloyd, who is also a track star, was expected to be Kittner's No. 1 receiver as he caught 30 passes for 511 yards last season. But Lloyd suffered a broken femur in the offseason and will miss the entire 2000 season. Sophomore Walter Young, sophomore Aaron Moorehead and freshman Eric McGoey will need to improve for Kittner to have another stellar season. \nGiving Kittner time to pass the ball and room for Harvey to run will be an experienced offensive line, led by left tackle Marques Sullivan, who is a preseason All-American. Returnees include right guard Ray Redziniak, center Luke Butkus, left guard Jay Kulaga and right tackle Tony Pashos.\nOn the other side of the ball, Illinois has only four returning starters, but Turner is not worried. Most of the new starters did see some playing time over the last few years.\nReturning will be defensive end Fred Wakefield, defensive tackle Brandon Moore, safety Muhammad Abdullah and linebacker Michael Young. Returning nonstarters who have experience will be defensive tackle Jason Eberhart, cornerback Trayvon Waller, safety Bobby Jackson, senior linebacker Mondrian Long, senior defensive end Terrell Washington and senior linebacker Robert Franklin. Sophomore cornerback Eugene Wilson, who returned punts last season for the Illini, is also expected to start on defense.\n"The expectations on football right now are very high and we're looking for some big things," Turner said. "The guys are feeling good where we are right now and the steps that are being taken. We're focusing and progressing this year and that's all we talk about"
