Little ignored doubts for post-injury breakout

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Rafael Little had doubts plenty of them, but he wasn&#39;t about to let his coaches or teammates know.<br> <br> Had they known, chances are he would have never had the opportunity to put on that dazzling show last week against Vanderbilt with 132 rushing and 114 receiving yards.<br> <br> The game plan was to ease him back, limit the touches. Otherwise, he could risk aggravating a knee that had undergone arthroscopic surgery just a month ago.<br> <br> But, every time Little touched the ball in his return, he made electric things happen. One big play led to others, and that&#39;s how game plans get tossed.<br> <br> When asked in recent weeks, Little would tell everyone he was fine. But, as recently as early last week, he acknowledges he had doubts.<br> <br> ``I thought I wasn&#39;t going to play again,&#39;&#39; Little said. ``They said it was going to be like a month, but I thought it was going to be a lot more than that the way it was feeling.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Even a light jog would cause some pain in the knee, until one day last week when he jogged pain-free. That&#39;s when he knew he&#39;d be able to play, although even he was surprised at how much the coaches let him.<br> <br> Little&#39;s doubts were news to offensive coordinator Joker Phillips and teammate Michael Aitcheson, who say the running back was pushing to return shortly after the injury.<br> <br> ``He was really anxious to get back,&#39;&#39; Phillips said. ``After about three weeks, he thought he could play.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Aitcheson, an offensive guard, says he has seen few players with more determination.<br> <br> ``He&#39;s just a stud,&#39;&#39; Aitcheson said. ``During the process of his rehab, he was trying to get out there when he wasn&#39;t even ready. He&#39;s just a competitor.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Although Little says fluke injuries can always happen, he puts on his own shoulders the need to become more durable. He&#39;s no good to his team from the sideline, Little said.<br> <br> ``I didn&#39;t start getting injured until I got here,&#39;&#39; he said. ``That&#39;s a big thing in college getting hurt. I need to stay off that list. Nobody else is hurting me. I think I&#39;m just hurting myself.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Little, a junior from Anderson, S.C., says his second knee injury in college certainly has made him realize that football can be a cruel game sometimes. One bad turn can all of a sudden dash a promising career and a potential big payoff on the next level.<br> <br> Kentucky enjoys immense depth at tailback, and it&#39;s a good thing considering how it&#39;s been plagued by injuries. Little, Tony Dixon and Alfonso Smith have all been limited, at different times.<br> <br> The three are finally healthy, albeit nicked up, and Little has resumed his role of feature back. Last year, he made the Southeastern Conference first team as an all-purpose player and second-team as a running back.<br> <br> Little had been one of the lone bright spots on that Kentucky team, but he says this year has been far more rewarding even the games when he was confined to the bench. Kentucky, which has all but locked up a bowl trip, faces Louisiana-Monroe Saturday.<br> <br> ``It was frustrating, but at least they were winning,&#39;&#39; Little said. ``We knew our time was going to come. We just didn&#39;t know when.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Kentucky&#39;s players figure few teams can match them offensively if the running game clicks like it did last week and quarterback Andre Woodson keeps up his breakout season. Last week, Woodson threw for 450 yards and four touchdowns two to Keenan Burton as he won SEC offensive player of the year honors for the second time.<br> <br> ``Keenan and Rafael and Andre are making a very big impact on the record books,&#39;&#39; coach Rich Brooks said. ``The good news is they have another year left. By the time they leave here, hopefully they&#39;ll get the credit they deserve.&#39;&#39;