South Florida running back Mo Plancher received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA on Wednesday afternoon. He led all Bulls running backs with 581 yards in 2009.

USF applied for a medical hardship waiver for Plancher, who entered college in the fall of 2005 with an injury that required a shoulder reconstruction. It seemed like he had a strong case, but you can never be quite sure what the NCAA will decide.

Plancher, who has rushed for 946 career yards and 11 touchdowns in his career, was the starting tailback much of last year. The news of his return is a boost for South Florida, especially after Mike Ford was dismissed from the team for disciplinary reasons late last month.

Plancher is not guaranteed to be the starter this year as the team has six other scholarship backs returning -- Bradley Battles, Richard Kelly, Lindsey Lamar, Demetris Murray, Aston Samuels and Jamar Taylor. And three signees from this year's recruiting class -- Marcus Shaw, Michael Hayes and Tiger Powell -- will join the team in the summer. But Plancher is the most experienced back the Bulls have.