Harrison Bey-Buie welcomed challenges when he transferred to UNI, and his hard work is paying off

CEDAR FALLS — The path of least resistance is not one that Northern Iowa running back Harrison Bey-Buie prefers.

The Bettendorf native has had to prove himself since he began playing football as a youngster, never being the biggest or fastest among his peers.

So, when he knew he needed to transfer elsewhere after spending his first two years at Eastern Illinois, Bey-Buie said yes to an opportunity that came with yet another bargain to prove himself.

“(UNI) was a hard-working atmosphere,” Bey-Buie said of his recruiting visit impressions. “I had full scholarships to other schools and I got a partial scholarship here, but the reason why I took it here was because coach Farley told me ‘I don’t know how much playing time you’re going to get here, but it’s all up to you and the work you put in.’ That motivated me to see how hard I can push myself.”

Betting on himself paid off once again for the redshirt sophomore. Bey-Buie ran for a career-high 137 yards and three touchdowns in the Panthers’ 27-20 win at Indiana State last Saturday after starter Tye Edwards was lost for the game after the second play with an injury.

Bey-Buie said continuing to practice like he’s the starter led to the success he enjoyed against the Sycamores. However, while he achieved career-highs in yards and touchdowns, his self-scout told him he could have had more.

“I think I left a lot of yards out there on the field. Even though I had a good game, I feel like I could have had a better game,” Bey-Buie said. “I haven’t really played a full game in the last two years. So getting the game experience back again, getting the vibe and realizing I’m still capable of doing what I was able to do (helps).”

UNI coach Mark Farley complimented Bey-Buie’s ability as a power runner upon the back’s arrival in Cedar Falls last season. On Monday, the Panthers coach pointed out how the hard work Bey-Buie signed up for with his commitment had begun to pay off.

“It takes time to become a complete back,” Farley acknowledged. “He’s always been great in (pass) protection and great with the power runs, but he needs to make the cut to make somebody miss to make a 5-yard (run) into a 15 (yard run) and that’s what he did the other night.”

That hard work has led to early mornings and late nights, as well as travel across the country.

Former Youngstown State All-America running back Jaleel McLaughlin — who’s currently with the Denver Broncos — trained with Bey-Buie this past summer as the two are longtime friends from when their parents both lived in South Carolina when they were younger.

“I went to train down in Florida after (last) season,” Bey-Buie said. “(McLaughlin’s) always been fast so I was hitting him up trying to (learn) things he did to get faster and see the workouts he did.”

Next up for Bey-Buie and UNI is a road trip to Brookings, S.D., at 2 p.m. Saturday (ESPN+) to take on top-ranked South Dakota State, a team the Panthers took down to the wire a season ago before the then No. 1 Jackrabbits went on to win the FCS Championship.

“Just (can’t) have mental errors, because they’re a real disciplined, good team,” Bey-Buie said. “If we can limit our mistakes and play hard, I think we’ll have a really successful day on Saturday.”