Bowling Green State University Athletics
Harris A Work In Progress
October 08, 2003 | Football
Oct. 8, 2003
By JACK CARLE, Sentinel Sports Editor - Josh Harris is still a work in progress.
Granted, Bowling Green's senior quarterback has made great strides in improving his play, from last year to this season. The Falcons are 3-1 overall heading into their Mid-American Conference opener Saturday against Central Michigan. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. for BG's Homecoming contest.
Harris is still working to make the Falcons a better team while preparing himself for a chance at the National Football League. Harris' father, M.L. Harris played 10 years in the NFL as a tight end, including six seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.
"Josh has taken his game to the next level, improving his completion percentage, making good decisions, running the show," said BG's Gregg Brandon. "When he gets his pro shot, he'll really mature."
Brandon has watched Harris' development first-hand, the previous two seasons as BG's offensive coordinator and this fall as the head coach.
"He's become a more complete player in that he leads well and he's become a better manager of our offense," Brandon said. "Just seeing things under pressure, in battle, he's become a better student of the game."
Listed at 6-foot-3, 238 pounds, Harris had a breakout season in 2002. He was among the national leaders in several categories, including second in the country in points responsible for, averaging 21.09 per game. He led the MAC in most plays in a season (539) and most touchdowns scored or passed for in a season (41).
Still, late in the 2002 season, if receiver Robert Redd wasn't open, Harris ran the ball.
Brandon and the BG coaching staff have been working with Harris since last spring to stay patient in the pocket. Through BG's first four games, Harris has averaged 10 carries and 32.5 pass attempts per game.
Harris has been a quick learner because he realizes NFL quarterbacks aren't going to rush for 20 touchdowns as he did in 2002.
"At the next level ... you are going to have to be more of a quarterback and not just an athlete," Harris said. "I wanted coach Brandon and the offensive staff to develop more confidence in me to call pass plays on third down.
"I wanted to develop my accuracy and just be more poised and not in such a hurry to make plays with my feet."
So far, Harris has spread the ball around. Five different receivers each have over 10 receptions this season. Harris is 81-of-130 for 1,076 yards with eight scores and five interceptions.
"He has to use the whole concept of the play and not just look at one guy and then take off," Brandon said. "This year ... he has been using everybody. He has a better understanding of the concept of the play."
Harris's development as a quarterback got national attention earlier this season when he engineered a 27-26 upset at Purdue, which was ranked in the Top 20.
"He used the field; he kept his poise in the pocket against a great pass rush and he stepped up big time," Brandon said about Harris' play in the Purdue game.
Against the Boilermakers, Harris was 22-of-40 passing for 357 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He connected with Charles Sharon for the game-winning score on a fourth-down play with 2:08 left in the game.
It's not the only game in which Harris has shown a flair for the dramatic.
He accounted for five touchdowns, including rushing for the game-winner in overtime, and 350 yards in total offense in a 48-45 victory over Western Michigan last season.
In 2001, against Northwestern, Harris had 498 yards in total offense, throwing for over 400 yards and three scores while rushing for two TDs and catching a scoring pass as BG posted a 43-42 win.
He's 5-1 as a starter against Bowl Championship Series-affiliated schools and some of the BCS schools in the region might be wondering why they missed out on recruiting Harris.
An option quarterback at Westerville North High School near Columbus, Harris said he was being recruited by the bigger name schools as an athlete. The meaning was "come here to school and we'll find a spot for you," probably on defense.
"I was never offered by Ohio State or anyone else in the Big Ten," Harris said. "I was very adamant about playing quarterback. I didn't have very much flexibility. I think that kind of turned some people off."
BG provided the opportunity for Harris to play quarterback and it's proven to be a great decision by both parties.
"Everything else happens for a reason. I'm supposed to be here," Harris said. "I don't have any regrets."
