ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

Boston College running back Montel Harris is a walking advertisement for BC football. He was recruited by Ball State and Duke until BC swept in a week before signing day and lured him away from his commitment to the Blue Devils. Now, Harris is the No. 2 leading rusher in the ACC with 99.2 yards per game, he had a record-setting day against NC State, and his role has just become even more important now that backup Josh Haden has decided to transfer. Haden, though, was also one of Harris’ best friends and roommates, along with backup quarterback Justin Tuggle, who also decided to transfer, so the decision hit him hard while it also left the Eagles thin at running back.

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	Montel Harris is the No. 2 leading rusher in the ACC with 99.2 yards per game.

Haden was the team's second-leading rusher. Now, freshman Rolandan Finch is listed as the No. 2 running back heading into Saturday's game against Central Michigan, but the Boston Globe reported Finch has been out all week with a virus. That leaves Jeff Smith, who has minus-1 yard rushing on six carries this year, and fullback James McCluskey, who has 15 yards on four carries.

In light of the recent news this week in Chestnut Hill, here’s a bonus edition Q&A for you, with the regular one coming tomorrow.

What do you think needs to happen in order for you to become more consistent?

Montel Harris: For us to execute as an offense. If all of us do our jobs one-on-one, we should be able to be successful in the pass and run game.

Where do you think you’ve made the most progress this year?

MH: I would say just being more comfortable than last year. If you’ve been there one time, you look at smaller things and smaller details. I think that’s helped me.

Do you feel more pressure now because there’s nobody behind you with much experience?

MH: A little bit. Every time you go out there, you don’t want to think about getting hurt, but now if you get hurt, who’s going to fill your shoes? You have to be more cognizant. I feel like it’s going to make me work harder since I’m the only running back that really has any experience.

Is it difficult to not play scared, though?

MH: Not for me. The more you think about something, the more it might happen. I’m just going to play like I always play on Saturdays, and if I get hurt, then I guess it was meant to happen. I’m really not worried about it.

How tough was it for you to hear the news, and how soon did you find out about it?

MH: It was real tough, even when Josh used to mention it sometimes. I used to always try and talk him out of it and tell him to think about it. When I found out it was official, it was pretty bad. I really didn’t know it was going to be official until my uncle saw it on ESPN. I was pretty down that whole day, even at practice. I can only be happy for Josh and Tuggs and wish them the best wherever they go.

Did they give you any indication as to why? I’m assuming with Josh it was playing time, but you’d think it has to be more than that.

MH: Actually it was more off the field things that were going on with Josh. He made the best decision for himself.

Second part coming up shortly ...