Injured Tech star determined to be in I-Bowl
, buddy@rustonleader.com
12-16-2008
Quin Harris is doing a “Joe Namath” on the Independence Bowl.Oh, he’s not guaranteeing a Louisiana Tech University victory over Northern Illinois University as former New York Jets’ quarterback Namath did in the …… Super Bowl.
But he is vowing to be playing in the Dec. 28 I-Bowl matchup set for Independence Stadium in Shreveport.
Considering what he’s had to persevere through during the stretch run of the Bulldogs’ march into postseason play, that’s a “guarantee” that would push Broadway Joe for notoriety.
A broken right wrist has made the second half of this season frustrating for the 6-3 and 232-pounder who was the Bulldogs’ second leader tackler in 2007 with 102.
But it hasn’t kept him from being determined to be wearing his number “37” jersey against the Huskies later this month.
“I can guarantee you I’ll be out there,” said Harris. “I was going to play in the Nevada game, but I felt like I better not risk it. But at this point, with one more game left here in my career, it’s all or nothing.”
Missing that game against Nevada had to be more unsettling for the Visalia, Calif., native than allowing a running back to gain a few extra yards.
“It was the final home game of the year and it was ‘Senior Day’, so that made it really tough to deal with,” he said. “It would have been my last time to have played at Joe Aillet Stadium.
“But while we won’t have another home game this year, we do have another game and an opportunity get a win. All of us are grateful to have the opportunity now to come back from the loss against Nevada and get a win in a bowl game.”
The 35-31 defeat to the Wolf Pack was a bummer for Harris and the Bulldogs for several reasons. It prevented Tech from finishing out a rare perfect season record at “The Joe” and dropped them into a share of second place in the Western Athletic Conference with Hawaii and Nevada.
But even with the loss, there was a silver lining. It helped boost the ‘Dogs into major contention for an Independence Bowl berth, one that was better suited to fans and alumni because of the close proximity.
Sure enough, the invite was offered by the I-Bowl and Tech accepted.
And while Harris wouldn’t have had any problem with the team heading to, say, the San Diego-located Poinsettia Bowl — family and friends in his native state would been a part of the Tech support group — he is excited about the short drive to Shreveport.
“It’s great for our fans,” he said. “Really, it’s about them because of what they’ve meant to our team this year and the support they’ve shown. It’s an reward for them, too. So it’s great that we’re playing this close to Ruston.”
Because of the injury factor that has kept him out of three of the Bulldogs’ dozen games, Harris labels his final season as “bittersweet.
“It’s made it tough because I love the game so much and want to be out there helping the team,” he said. “But at the same time, this is all about team. We’ve had success and we’re going to a bowl game. And being in a bowl game, now we have another chance to finish out this tremendous year with a win. That makes whatever I’ve had to go through worth it.”
If Harris didn’t have to listen to doctors’ orders and all, he would have probably played every single minute and every down with that cumbersome cast that was part of his black-tie outfit at last week’s National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame awards’ banquet held at the ritzy Waldorf-Astoria in New York (where he was one of the 15 finalists for the Draddy Trophy given to college football’s top scholar-athlete).
“He had to be on the sidelines in street clothes when we played Fresno State and it was driving him crazy,” said senior defensive back Weldon Brown. “I thought one time he was going to out on the field and play even though he didn’t have a uniform on. Every time we huddled up with the coaches, Quin was in there listening like everybody else.
A few times he was even offering some suggestions. But that’s Quin. He loves Tech and football so much, he can’t help but be involved in some way.”
That’s why teammates, coaches and friends alike envision Harris having a future in the coaching profession, even though he’s majoring in exercise physiology and sports performance.
“I really having though about maybe being a graduate assistant here and all, but it’s starting to work on me a little because I love the program and the people here so much,”
he said. “Maybe there’s some options there that could be explore. We’ll just have to see.”
Right now, Harris is more focused on the Bulldogs being in a bowl game.
“We’re all happy and excited about being in a bowl game,” he said. “We all get another chance with the Independence Bowl. There’s no way I won’t be playing in that game.”
He guarantees it, too.
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