Q&A with Montel Harris

#2 was unstoppable at the NC State Game, but less effective against ND.

The Observer Your hometown is Jacksonville, Florida. How was it having snow in Boston in the middle of October?

Montel Harris Yeah, it was crazy. The worst part was having to practice in the snow.

The Observer The team is undefeated at home this year. Do you feel like the SuperFans have been helping you at all?

Mr. Harris Yes, tremendously. Whenever there is a down time in the game, I can always turn to the student section for encouragement. Also, it’s always fun having people cheer you on.

The Observer BC is 5-3 overall, 3-2 in the conference. What do you attribute the Eagles’ success to?

Mr. Harris Our team’s hard work, dedication and determination.

The Observer You had a record-breaking performance in the game against North Carolina State. You set the new Boston College single-game record with 264 rushing yards, which broke a 47-year-old record set by Phil Bennet with 253 yards against Temple. You set the new Boston College single-game record for rushing touchdowns with 5 touchdowns, which broke a 16-year-old record set by Darnell Campbell with 4 rushing touchdowns. Why do you think you had such an impressive game against NC State?

Mr. Harris Well, I have to give most of my credit to the offensive line. They did a wonderful job the whole game by blocking and opening up some of the biggest holes I’ve seen this year. Without the blocking, I wouldn’t have had the night I had.

The Observer Your outstanding playing has received national recognition. You were named the ACC Offensive Back of the Week. You were named the Football College Performance Awards National Player of the Week. You were named the Walter Casmp Football Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week. How does it feel to receive so many honors?

Mr. Harris I felt great. It’s nice to see your hard work pay off.

The Observer How do you think you’ve improved from last season?

Mr. Harris The biggest improvement from last season is just me being around the game meaning knowing what to expect because I’ve been there before. And of course, you strive to improve each season so I also think that I have improved on basic skills.

The Observer Do you think because of the Holy War rivalry that playing against Notre Dame is any more intense than other games or is every game played with the same intensity?

Mr. Harris I wouldn’t say that there is more intensity, as Coach Spaz would say, “As you get deeper into the season, each game means a little bit more.” So, Notre Dame being the 7th game weighed more than the team being Notre Dame.

The Observer How does it affect you and the team to have Mark Herzlich as an “assistant-assistant coach?”

Mr. Harris It’s great to have a person like Mark around. He’s a wonderful person who you can talk to about anything not just football.

The Observer You have four games left, three of which are conference games. You have Central Michigan and North Carolina at home and away games at Virginia and Maryland. With three conference games left, do you feel more pressure to win those games for ACC standings?

Mr. Harris I don’t necessarily feel more pressure because I feel that if we prepare and play at the level that we are capable of playing, we should be on top of the ACC and going back to Tampa.

The Observer What will have to happen for the team to consider 2009 a successful season/what is the ultimate team goal?

Mr. Harris We would have to win the ACC championship and win a BCS football championship.

The Observer What record will the Eagles finish the 2009 season with?

Mr. Harris 9-3.

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