Rick Neuheisel wanted only to get Rich Alexis on the field so that the running back's family and friends watching on TV in South Florida would know he was all right.

But for that to happen, Neuheisel figured Alexis had to carry the ball so the announcers would have to say his name.

So early in the third quarter of Washington's game with Miami last Sept. 9, Neuheisel put Alexis -- who had yet to carry the ball for the Huskies in a game -- in the backfield and called for an option.

UW quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo pitched the ball to Alexis ... and 50 yards and a touchdown later, the freshman runner had not only said hello to his family back home, but been introduced to the nation as a budding superstar.

A relatively unheralded member of UW's Class of 2000 after playing only one full season of high school football at Pope John Paul II High in Boynton Beach, Fla., he emerged as Washington's leading rusher last season, gaining 726 yards.

Alexis, whose parents are Haitian immigrants, had never lived anywhere other than Florida before landing in Seattle last August. Within a few days, Alexis was dreadfully homesick.

"I was to a point where I wanted to leave," Alexis said. "I was thinking this wasn't the place for me."

UW coaches figured they needed to get him on the field as quickly as possible, hoping some success might ease his transition.

"I think he would have merited playing anyway," Neuheisel said. "But I wanted to get him in the game so his parents could see him play."

Alexis should feel more at home this season because his high school teammate and best friend, Charles Frederick, will join the Huskies this fall. Frederick was rated as one of the top receivers in the nation last season.

"I was used to sunshine every day," Alexis said.

"This is a learning thing for me. But now I know that this is just four years out of my life and after this I can go back to Florida if I want. This is just four years I have to deal with."

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