The puzzle that was Miami football has its missing piece in the form of a 6-foot-4, 190-pound local legend named Jacory Harris.
What has happened to Miami football since Larry Coker’s 11-2 Orange Bowl champions from the 2003 season? Name the Hurricanes’ starting quarterbacks since then. If Brock Berlin, Kyle Wright, Kirby Freeman and Robert Marve don’t immediately come to mind, don’t feel bad.
Hurricane fans are trying to forget them. Miami’s passing average dropped every year from 2004 (234 yards per game) to 2007 (170). Harris waited his turn last year, filling in for Marve during suspensions and coming on the national scene in the Emerald Bowl when the freshman hit 25-of-41 passes for 194 yards against California.
The other quarterbacks must now wait three years. Harris has lifted Miami from unranked to No. 9 with wins over Florida State on the road and Georgia Tech, both ranked at the time. Passing often on first down, Harris is third nationally in pass efficiency at 184.07, throwing for 656 yards and five TDs.
Both games came on national TV with no competition other than the likes of “Grey’s Anatomy.” Saturday at 1:30 p.m. MDT, he gets to do it again at 11th-ranked Virginia Tech (2-1).
“That’s Jacory,” Miami coach Randy Shannon said on Wednesday’s Atlantic Coast Conference call. “He’s been like that even in high school. He’s always been a poised guy. He stays calm. He never gets excited. He likes players around him to feel that way.”
Shannon figured it wouldn’t take long for Harris to crack the lineup. At Miami’s legendary Northwestern High School, he led the Bulls to a 30-0 record, throwing for 49 TDs, 3,445 yards and only six interceptions as a senior.
Miami, however, may attack the Hokies in another way. Virginia Tech is only 107th nationally in rush defense, giving up 200.3 yards a game. Three opposing tailbacks have topped the 100-yard mark.
John Henderson: 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com
Players to watch
Tim Tebow, Florida
Mr. Everything may be coming off a so-so performance against Tennessee, but he has toyed with Kentucky during his career. He threw for four TDs in a shootout win in Lexington two years ago, then passed for two and ran for two more last season. 4 p.m., ESPN2
Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
Last week, threw for 408 yards and five TDs against Georgia, which has the league’s worst defense. Now he faces perhaps the best in Alabama. 1:30 p.m., KCNC-4
Jahvid Best, Cal
Tied the Pac-10’s single-game record with five rushing TDs last week. A good showing at Oregon today will secure his name on the Heisman watch lists. 1:30 p.m., KMGH-7
Quarterback Who, USC
Today against Washington State, it’s going to be either Matt Barkley or Aaron Corp. After Barkley (bruised shoulder) missed last week’s loss to Washington, coach Pete Carroll hopes his prized freshman is back.
8:15 p.m., FSN
