Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling (Green) over opponents
August 25, 2003 | Football
By: Kelley King, CNN Sports Illustrated
(originally published November 5, 2002)
Gifted with natural throwing velocity and able to make effortless moves on the run, Bowling Green's Josh Harris is the best quarterback you don't know about. While his MAC-mate, Marshall's Byron Leftwich, entered the fall as the small-program poster boy, Harris has quietly surpassed his rival in MVP status -- at 22.75 points per game, he scores a higher percentage than any other player. The result: Bowling Green is 8-0 and ranked No. 19 in the nation. Anonymity hasn't bothered the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Columbus, Ohio, native, for whom football has always been more of a diversion than a fixation. However, as more fans and newspapers have begun to notice the "other" undefeated team in Ohio, the spotlight has shined brighter: CNNSI.com was only able to chat with the serious, softspoken junior for just 10 minutes before he was whisked away to another interview.
Kelley King: What was it like growing up with a dad [former Cincinnati Bengals tight end M.L. Harris] who played in the NFL?
Josh Harris: I was really young when he was playing, so I don't remember too much. My biggest memory was hanging out with the Mu-ozes, Anthony and Michael. It was definitely glamorous, but since I was so little it had more to do with the families we hung around with.
King: What did you learn about the pro football lifestyle?
Harris: To be honest, my dad didn't talk much about the NL. That was his job and then it wasn't, and we all went on like normal. His big thing with my brothers and I was that we should maximize our potential in everything we did. He was out in the backyard playing with us, but our best training came from playing on the street in Columbus. We played kind of rough, with no pads, and the neighborhood kids we played against were kind of rough, too.
King: If you had a Heisman vote and had to make a selection tomorrow, who would be your pick?
Harris: Whew, there are so many players doing well this year, it's tough to say who's stood out the most. Willis McGahee has been great for Miami. Seneca Wallace was a leading candidate, but I haven't seen him play in a while. And Andy Byron Leftwich was doing some big things, but I think he's hurt now. Who knows?
King: What would you say is your biggest accomplishment, on or off the field?
Harris: It was pretty wild being national player of the week [as named by ESPN.com last November]. I've never expected anything like that to happen to me.
King: Your coach, Urban Meyer, had questions about your devotion to the game before this year. Has your passion for football evolved this season?
Harris: Over the past year I definitely changed my attitude about football. It used to be something I just did because I always have. But playing better each week has made me want to work harder each week.
King: But there are things in your life that are jut as important to you as football?
Harris: Definitely. I've always been very into music, first of all. I don't know how to play an instrument but I'm set on learning -- I was going to take piano lessons this semester but I was told I couldn't because I wasn't a music major. I always listen to music before the games, mostly R&B. Soft stuff sometimes gets me in the mood to play for some reason. Then there's academics, which I've always been serious about. That might have come from my mom, who was a very good student [she attended Ohio State] in her day. Being an interpersonal communications major allows me a broad range of career options, but my latest interest is sports marketing.
King: Although football hasn't been a lifelong passion for you. I have to imagine that a pro career wouldn't be a total drag.
Harris: Not a bit! As long as I can continue making an impact and enjoy myself, the NFL will definitely be a goal. I'm just glad I have some things to fall back on.
