RJ Harvey on how UCF can have more Big 12 success: ‘You’ve got to finish’

After an up-and-down first season in the Big 12, UCF certainly has a better understanding of what life is really like in a major conference.

The Knights looked terrific in non-conference play, reeling off two blowout wins over Kent State and Villanova while scoring a victory at Boise State. But when Big 12 play officially began, UCF faltered mightily, losing five in a row, three by two scores or more, all while giving up more than 40 points per contest.

But that losing streak didn’t get the Knights down and they would rally for a spirited 3-1 end in the back half of Big 12 play, winning at Cincinnati and at home vs. Houston and a ranked Oklahoma State club to qualify for a bowl game, which they lost to Georgia Tech.

With that season now several months in the rearview window, UCF running back RJ Harvey spoke to Andy Staples this week about what the program learned in year one in the Big 12 and what the team needs to improve to get off to a better start in conference play this coming fall.

Here was Harvey answering Staples’ question about whether UCF learned a lot through one year playing a Big 12 schedule:

“Definitely. You got to finish,” he responded. “That was what we lacked last year, finishing, and that’s our main focus this year and throughout the offseason. Make sure we finish.”

The Knights just couldn’t hang on against many of their conference foes, and fell in close contests several times. They lost to Baylor and Texas Tech each by one point and nearly upset Oklahoma but lost by two, but only won one close game of their own against Cincinnati.

Obviously, performing better at the tail-end of games is an important next step, but as for the actual talent vs. talent for UCF against these Big 12 teams, Harvey admitted there are differences, but he didn’t feel the gap between competition in the AAC and Big 12 was too drastic.

“Honestly, to me, I didn’t feel like it was a difference, except probably bigger guys on the line of scrimmage,” he said. “But other than that, skill positions probably about the same. They’re fast though.”

Harvey himself is no slow poke and UCF has a history of producing some elite skill position guys on offense, some of whom even found their way to the NFL. Through one season, UCF is learning the tough way how to compete in the. Big 12, but Harvey is noticing that guys like him from the AAC have plenty to offer in a bigger conference.

In 2023, RJ Harvey put together a terrific season with UCF, rushing for more than 1,400 yards, over six yards per carry, while scoring 17 total touchdowns — good for third in the Big 12 in rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns.