Running Back | Letters 1985-88

Al McKinney was the last of a great stretch of Bearcats Running Backs in the late 70's through the 80's UC saw Allen Harvin, James Bettis, Reggie Taylor and McKinney in succession. Those are, by my reckoning, four of the six* best backs in Bearcats history.

*DeMarco McKleskey and Isaiah Pead being the other two.

From a historical prospective McKinney had the misfortune of coming on the heels of Reggie Taylor, still the career leader in rushing yards at UC. But he still put up big numbers as a back ( 2,223 rushing yards ) and as a return man as well ( 985 yards ) and as a receiver ( 828 yards ). McKinney did not have the indivigual seasons that some of his contemporaries did, but he was a great all around player and one of just four backs to compile 4,000 all purpose yards** in his career.

** 1) Taylor 5,322 2) McCleskey 4,113 3) Pead 4,104 4) McKinney 4,036

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