In the score book, it was recorded as a 3-yard rush in the final minute of Saturday’s football game at Aloha Stadium.

For Hawaii running back Melvin Davis, his lone carry was a two-year gain of hard work and perseverance.

“It was a great feeling to get back out there, to be out there with the guys, and just the atmosphere in general,” said Davis, whose participation on Saturday was his first since the 2015 season.

Entering the 2016 season, his second at UH after transferring from Santa Monica College, Davis incurred a severe flu that required hospitalization. He said he lost about 15 pounds in two weeks. It was then decided he would redshirt that season.

But on the first day of the ensuing spring training, Davis suffered dual injuries to his right knee. He was diagnosed with damage to his ACL and LCL.

“It was pretty bad,” Davis said, noting the usual recovery period for an ACL injury is nine months. “Because I also messed up the outer part of my knee, it took a little bit longer.”

He missed the entire 2017 season.

As senior night — and the accompanying senior walk — approached, Davis had to make a decision. Walk or run? “They weren’t sure if I would come back because the injury was so significant,” Davis said.

He chose to continue his physical therapy while also applying for an NCAA waiver that would allow him to compete in 2018 as a sixth-year senior.

There were stretches where he underwent treatment at Pro Sports Institute, a facility in Huntington Beach, Calif.

“They spent a lot of time on me, a lot of hard work,” Davis said. “It paid off.”

The NCAA granted Davis’ petition for an extra season.

“Last season was supposed to be my official last year,” Davis said. “But by the grace of God, I got a medical hardship because I was out for two seasons.”

This summer, he received medical clearance to participate in the Rainbow Warriors’ practices.

”I was able to stay focused, continue my rehab, and be cleared for football again,” Davis said.

But while his knee was deemed healthy, Davis had not immediately recaptured his burst, the skill that was unique to a running back with a 6-foot-2, 235-pound build.

Davis put in extra work before and after practices. To get live reps, he played on the scout team, which went against the top-of-the-depth-chart defenders every practice.

Two weeks ago, he was put on the 70-player travel roster for the road game against Brigham Young. He did not play in that game. But this past weekend, on the penultimate play of what would be a 40-22 loss to Nevada, Davis took a handoff from backup quarterback Chevan Cordeiro.

“I know it meant a lot to him,” UH coach Nick Rolovich said.

Davis said: “It took a while for the coaches to gain, I guess you could say, trust. It took me a while to get back into my actual football-playing shape. I’m here now, and it’s a great feeling.”

Davis acknowledged he refused to pout or be frustrated on his path back onto the field.

“When it’s done raining, the sun comes out,” Davis said. “That was my perspective on the whole thing. It’s me moving forward and smiling and thanking God for the second chance he’s given me. I’m counting my blessings. I have to keep moving forward. If I got mad or found myself stuck in the same spot, I’m not progressing.”

Davis is on track to earn a bachelor’s degree in December.

“There aren’t a lot of people in this world who would have gone through what he went through to get back and be a part of this team,” Rolovich said. “He’s going to be an incredible success in life, not just because of this, but because of his determination. That’s going to carry over in all aspects of life. He’s a great person.”