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UCF RB Taevion Swint Happy To Return for College Debut
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- UCF RB Taevion Swint Happy To Return for College Debut
(Ernst Peters/The Ledger)
Taevion Swint dove into the end zone for his first touchdown as a UCF Knight , capping off his long journey back to the field from an injury.
Swint went down in last year's fall camp, which sidelined him for the entirety of his true freshman season. He slowly worked his way back to the field, wanting to prove himself to the team and his community.
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The Kissimmee, Florida, native had a stellar outing with limited carries in Thursday's blowout victory over the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats . Swint tallied 48 yards and a touchdown on four carries, 18 yards on one reception and 57 yards on one kickoff return.
He opened the second half with an explosive 57-yard return and said it wouldn't be possible without his teammates blocking ahead of him.
"I'll say I can't do it without the guys," Swint said during the post-game conference . "You know what I'm saying? If them guys ain't make that block for me, I'll still be at the one yard line on our side of the half."
Swint put UCF at the Bethune-Cookman 37-yard line en route to his 27-yard touchdown. He burst through an open gap past the Wildcat defenders for the Knights' sixth touchdown of the night.
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There were no nerves heading into his debut, as he recalled the advice running backs coach Jimmy Beal told the position group.
"Like Coach Beal tells us, just breathe," Swint said. "Once you breathe, let it out. Hold it in for three seconds. Whatever you got to do to get your mind right to make that play, just it's no pressure."
Coach Scott Frost said Swint is an X-factor for UCF with his speed and potential to make big plays. His high school days playing for the Osceola Kowboys -- 45 minutes away from campus -- support Frost's comments on the young running back.
The former Kowboy recorded 1,778 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns in his senior season, leading his team to the state championship game. Swint rushed for over 100 yards 23 times in his high school career.
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Frost also said Swint is at the top of the running back depth chart, sharing reps with Louisville transfer Duke Watson. It's an impressive rise for the redshirt freshman, who was once a four-star recruit, to be a crucial part of UCF's run game.
Analysts belive he is set for a breakout season , and his performance against Bethune-Cookman is the start of a career year for Swint.
