Huckleby started 30 games for Bo Schembechler's consecutive Big Ten Conference champion Michigan Wolverines from the 1976 through 1978 seasons.[3][4][5] During his Michigan Wolverines Career he accumulated a total of 2624 yards rushing, including twenty-five touchdowns and nine 100-yard games.[6] He saw limited action in his three Rose Bowls.[7] When the Wolverines beat Northwestern Wildcats, 69–0, in week six of the 1975 season it was the first time in Michigan history that the Wolverines had three backs who each rushed for at least 100 yards. Harlan Huckleby gained 157 yards, and Michigan tied the modern Big Ten record of 573 rushing yards in the game.[8][9] Huckleby was the leading rusher for Michigan in both of the games in which Michigan had three rushers accumulate 100 yards.[10][11][12]
In track, Huckleby was a member of the 1976 Men's track team. The Men won the Big Ten Conference titles in both indoor and outdoor track that season. Huckleby's 4x400m relay team won the indoor Big Ten Championship race and placed third at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships.[13] Huckleby earned All-American honors for this. Although the team won both Big Ten track titles in 1978 Huckleby was not a member of the team.
Professional career
He was drafted in the fifth round of the 1979 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints.[14] He did not play for the Saints during the 1979 NFL season, but instead played for the CFL'sSaskatchewan Roughriders for eight games in 1979.[15] He played for the Green Bay Packers during the 1980-1985 NFL seasons. During 84 games over the course of six seasons, Huckleby accumulated ten touchdowns and 779 yards rushing on 242 carries, three touchdowns and 411 yards on 53 receptions, and 1300 kickoff return yards.[16] Although he only totaled 13 career NFL touchdowns in his 84 games, he scored multiple touchdowns a few times,[17] including three in one game once.[18] During the 1981 NFL season, his 5 rushing touchdowns led the Packers and his 8 total touchdowns tied for the team lead with James Lofton.[19] During his first four seasons with Bart Starr as coach the team reached the playoffs once. The team did not reach the playoffs either of his final two seasons with Forrest Gregg as coach. During the 1982 NFL season the Packers reached the second round of the 1982-83 NFL Playoffs.[20]
^"Michigan's Bowl History"(PDF). University of Michigan & Host Interactive. Archived from the original(PDF) on May 30, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2007.
^Palladino, Larry (October 24, 1974). "Hoosiers could have long day in Michigan". Kokomo Tribune.
^Minnesota rushed for 832 against Northwestern in 1905 before the advent of the forward pass.
^"Record Book"(PDF). University of Michigan & Host Interactive. 2007. Archived from the original(PDF) on February 29, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2007.
