Mountain West Conference defenses will have to deal with Brigham Young running back Harvey Unga for one more season.

BYU's all-time leading rusher stated Thursday that he will remain a Cougar and not declare for the 2010 NFL Draft.

"I am staying in school and looking forward to playing my final season of college football," Unga said in a statement released by BYU. "I want to finish my college education, and I hope to play well and do my best as a senior to help our team."

Not only was Unga the MWC's leading ball carrier in 2009 with 1,087 yards, but this season marked the third consecutive that the 6-foot, 237-pound back bettered the 1,000-yard mark. Unga, if he remains healthy in 2010, will likely approach 4,500 career yards and become the ninth player in NCAA history to have four 1,000-yard seasons.

Unga was projected to be a late pick in the NFL draft or a free agent.

"I fully support Harvey in his decision to continue with school and finish out his eligibility," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "Harvey is a phenomenal football player and a fine person. I feel fortunate as a coach to continue working with him for another season."

Unga scored 11 touchdowns in 2009 and averaged 5.2 yards a carry. His highest single-game output was at UNLV, where Unga shredded the Rebels' defense for 149 yards rushing, 52 on one carry, and three touchdowns.

Unga gained 71 yards and scored BYU's first touchdown as the Cougars defeated Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl. BYU finished the season 11-2.

The Provo native was a first-team All-MWC selection in 2009, a year after earning second-team honors. Unga was also the conference's top freshman in 2007.

The players who have rushed for more than 1,000 yards four times are Tony Dorsett (Pittsburgh, 1973-76), Cedric Benson (Texas, 2002-05), Don Trell Moore (New Mexico, 2002-05) and Damion Fletcher (Southern Mississippi, 2006-09).