4-Foot-9 Rice Running Back Gets Carry in Team's Hawaii Bowl Win

Most of us know the beating-the-odds true story of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger who was accepted into the prestigious University of Notre Dame, made the football team as a walk-on for two seasons, and then finally got a chance to dress — and play — during the team's final home game. It all was made legendary after "Rudy" hit the silver screen in the 1990s.

While Jayson Carter may never see his name splashed across a movie marquee, his story is no less inspirational.

Jayson Carter (Image source: YouTube)

The 4-foot-9-inch, 140-pound running back survived three years as a walk-on member of Rice University's football squad and carried the ball in a real game only one time. Rice's Hawaii Bowl contest against Fresno State on Wednesday was Carter's last chance to play.

With Rice leading by a comfortable 30-6 margin with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Owls faced a third down with eight yards to go. If Rice doesn't end up gaining those eight yards on the next play, the ball would go to Fresno State — and the Rice offense probably wouldn't see the ball again.

So Carter — who had walked into his coach's office much like a scene from "Rudy" and asked to get into a game — trotted out to the line of scrimmage.

Carter, left, lines up for his last chance to carry the ball for Rice. (Image source: YouTube)

Not that Fresno State cared about the heart-thumping moment. As Carter grabbed the handoff and buzzed around right end, he got a bone-rattling introduction to the Bulldogs’ strong safety Charles Washington, who outweighs Carter by nearly 60 pounds and stands over a foot taller.

Image source: YouTube

Boom! Washington stopped Carter cold after the gusty back gained two yards.

Image source: YouTube

But you wouldn't have guessed how hard he got hit by the way Carter immediately jumped up and trotted back to his squad's sideline to high-fives and hugs.

Image source: YouTube

Carter — who was born with a genetic disorder that stunted his growth, Bleacher Report said — had one carry for one yard in the 2013 season. He did play four years with his high school team, gaining over 1,000 yards and registering many a tackle, too.

He's graduating in May 2015 with a computer science degree.

Check out Carter's final run:

(H/T: The Daily Dot)