Ex-Leesburg star Tory Harrison contributes to Southern Miss as a rusher and returner.
The images of the GMAC Bowl last year in Mobile, Ala., still dance in Tory Harrison's head.
First,
Harrison broke free on a 43-yard touchdown run for the first of three
second-quarter touchdowns by Southern Miss, starting the Golden Eagles
on their way to a 28-7 victory against Ohio.
Harrison, a backup tailback to Damion Fletcher, was the leading rusher for Southern Miss with 68 yards on nine carries.
"That
was definitely one of the highlights of my season last year," Harrison
said by phone after Tuesday afternoon's practice in Hattiesburg, Miss.
"The bowl game,
and I really think my game against Memphis [when he rushed for a
career-best 138 yards on 12 carries], were the two games that stand
out."
Harrison, 20, the former star running back at Leesburg and a
sophomore for Southern Miss, only can hope for a similar effort
Saturday afternoon when the Golden Eagles (7-5) take on Cincinnati (9-3)
in the Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.
Harrison, who was ranked among the top 100 high school
recruits in the state (78th overall) by the Orlando Sentinel in 2005,
signed with Southern Miss following a senior season that included
rushing for 1,869 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns.
Coincidentally,
Cincinnati was one of the finalists for Harrison before he signed with
the Golden Eagles. Despite the fact that the Bearcats were in the
running for Harrison until the end, he has no thoughts of wanting to
prove anything to Cincinnati.
"All I know about Cincinnati is that
they are a pretty good team," said Harrison, who is majoring in
marketing and carrying a 2.3 grade-point average. "I know they have been
ranked in the Top 25 [currently 20th]. My thoughts on playing them is
that I just want to play hard."
Harrison is second on the team in rushing, starting two games,
with 386 yards on 93 carries. He leads the team in kick returns with 37
returns for 846 yards -- a 22.9 yards per return average. He also is
second on the team in all-purpose yards with 1,274.
While the
majority of snaps in the offensive backfield has gone to Fletcher, who
has rushed for 1,431 yards and scored 15 touchdowns, Harrison said he is
trying to take advantage of the playing time that he gets -- whether it
is as a tailback or in the kicking game.
"I want to be used more,
to get more opportunities, you know," Harrison said. "I think by using
me as a kick returner this year, it has given the coach more time to get
me on the field and to use me as well as Damion. I have really enjoyed
being a kick returner this year, and I think I have had a pretty good
year returning kicks.
"Obviously, I want to make big plays every
week. It would be great to make a couple of big plays in the bowl game
and hopefully end the season on a good note."
The game will have special meaning for Harrison and the rest of his teammates.
It
will be Coach Jeff Bower's last game for Southern Miss. A former
quarterback at Southern Miss, Bower has been associated with the Golden
Eagles for 29 years -- the last 17 as its coach (119-82-1). Bower is
being replaced by Larry Fedora, the former offensive coordinator at
Oklahoma State, for next season.
Listen live on my790am or www.my790am.com Saturday April 21 2012.
Tory Harrison, Leesburg High School
senior linebacker Jordan Tucker, Florida State University and NFL player
Greg Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Colts, Tampa Bay
Buccaneers), and, Wayne Hamilton (former Leesburg High School,
University of Alabama, San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Football Standout) will be the featured guests along with the show host
Billy Matthews (The Voice Of The Leesburg Yellow Jackets), Sonny Bronson
(Belton Bail Bonds Scoreboard Show Host), Allison Crawford (Belton Bail
Bonds Scoreboard Show Co-host) and Gerald Lacey (Carver Heights
Quarterback Club Staff Writer).
Here is a short list of some of Harrison's accomplishments:
-2012 Omaha Beef (Indoor Football League)
-2007 University of Southern Mississippi Signee
-Varsity Basketball Letters 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
-Varsity Football Letters 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
READ MORE CLICK BELOWHere is a short list of some of Harrison's accomplishments:
-2012 Omaha Beef (Indoor Football League)
-2007 University of Southern Mississippi Signee
-Varsity Basketball Letters 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
-Varsity Football Letters 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
 |
| Gerald Lacey (Carver Heights Quarterback Club Staff Writer), Allison Crawford (Belton Bail Bonds Scoreboard Show Co-host), Sonny Bronson (Belton Bail Bonds Scoreboard Show Host), Lake County Sports Show Host Billy Matthews (The Voice Of The Leesburg Yellow Jackets). |
Tory Harrison On The Lake County Sports Show
 |
| Former Leesburg High School Standout #11 Tory Harrison at the University of Southern Mississippi. |
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