Byrnes set Cardinal Ritter records for career rushing, after accumulating more than 4600 yards, and career touchdowns, scoring 92 times in his four years.

“I was the first person to get a Division 1-A scholarship in my high school in about ten years,” Byrnes said.

He has so far this season presented a quadruple threat to opposing teams, and currently ranks first on the team in kickoff return yardage, second in receptions and receiving yardage, third in passing and fourth in attempted rushes and rushing yards.

“That [credit] goes to the coaches,” Byrnes said. “They told me they wanted to give me the ball more, and at first I was reluctant, but they’ve done a great job.”

Thus far it has been rather hard for teams to prevent Byrnes from burning them.

And it has not only been the sheer quantity of Byrnes’ gains but their timeliness which has made him such a devastating force.

Two weekends ago, Byrnes returned a kickoff for a touchdown and in so doing quashed Cornell’s momentum and placed the game squarely back in Harvard’s possession.

In a losing effort this weekend against Northeastern, Byrnes’ 41-yard rush set up a vital Crimson touchdown which ultimately allowed Harvard to make its final, unsuccessful push.

Murphy has sought to diversify the offensive attack in order to free up primary offensive weapon Morris, with Byrnes reaping the benefits.

“There are certain formations that the athleticism is a necessity with some teams double covering Carl,” Murphy said.

Byrnes certainly has athleticism to spare.

“I’ve played football since I was seven or eight,” Byrnes said. “I’ve always been doing a little bit of everything for as long as I can remember.”

The way he has played, Byrnes and his ability to thrive all around the field will be remembered for a long time.