Big plays cut both ways for Virginia Tech's Harris

BLACKSBURG — When Virginia Tech defensive backs coach Torrian Gray met after last season with cornerback Victor "Macho" Harris, he knew Harris was physically capable of skipping his senior season and heading for the NFL.

But Gray also knew Harris had not reached his full potential as a college player. He told Harris that if he returned this fall, he could prepare himself to become a productive pro player earlier in his career.

Harris heeded the suggestion. He initially declared for the NFL draft but changed his mind two days later. He returned to Blacksburg this fall with increased expectations -- from fans and especially from Gray, a former Tech safety and second-round NFL pick.

Gray moved Harris, a Highland Springs High graduate, from the field corner position to the boundary spot, where the Hokies' best corner plays. Last season, junior Brandon Flowers shined there, then left early for the NFL — a decision Gray endorsed. The Kansas City Chiefs picked Flowers in the second round. He already has two interceptions, one of which he returned 91 yards for a touchdown.

Through eight games this season, Harris has not been as consistent as Flowers was last year. At some points, Harris has looked like the best player on the field. After missing the season opener with a sprained foot, he intercepted a pass in four consecutive games -- something no Tech player had done since 1985. At other points, Harris has lost his focus and allowed big plays. In Tech's past two games, wide receivers have beaten Harris for completions of 39, 48 and 48 yards -- each of which set up touchdowns.

"As good as he's been, you'd like to have more consistency," Gray said. "I expected him to be the playmaker like he has been. What I didn't expect was for him to give up as many big plays as he's given up. I expected for him to be better in that aspect of it."

Harris will face another big-play threat in Tech's Thursday night game against Maryland. Junior receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey averages 50.5 receiving yards a game and has four touchdown catches. He also has a 76-yard run and an 80-yard catch, making him one of just 10 players in Division I-A with two plays of 75 yards or longer this season. All told, Heyward-Bey averages 18.4 yards every time he touches the ball.

The nature of the cornerback position requires a short memory. A corner is one of the most exposed positions on the field, and a long pass over his head is easy highlight fodder. Gray also believes Harris would be well served to learn from the passes completed against him in the past two games.

Harris thinks this boils down to one broad goal: "I've just got to get better at just staying focused all game."

A lack of focus bit him Oct. 18 at Boston College. Harris had just returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown with 1:39 left in the first half, cutting Boston College's lead to 21-17. On the third play of the Eagles' next drive, they faced third down and 11 at their own 24-yard line. The Hokies seemed poised to enter halftime down by only four points.

But as quarterback Chris Crane scrambled in the backfield, Harris crept toward the middle of the field, outside his area of responsibility for that coverage. He lost track of receiver Brandon Robinson and Crane lofted the ball over Harris' head for a 48-yard completion that set up a touchdown with 27 seconds left in the half. Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster called it "as bad a play as you can make."

Both of Florida State's long passes against Harris were caught by receiver Greg Carr, but neither stemmed from a galling mistake by Harris. On the first, a 48-yarder, Harris made a slight technique error by looking back at the pass too early, which let Carr create separation. On the second, a 39-yarder on the next drive, Harris thought the pass was going to sail past Carr, so he went for the interception, rather than batting the ball down. Carr, using his six-inch height advantage, hauled the ball in with his right hand.

"I thought Macho was gonna pick it," Gray said. "The kid made a spectacular catch on that one, and sometimes guys are gonna make plays." But Gray said the other two catches "are the ones you hate to see, because you had something you could do about that."

Darryl Slater is a staff writer at Media General's Richmond Times-Dispatch.