Brian: As part of the ACC Media Day player interviews, Anthony Castonzo was particularly excited about the strength of this year’s BC offensive line. With four of five starters returning, Castonzo, believe it or not, thinks that the line might be even stronger than it was last year. When asked about how Montel Harris will perform this year, Castonzo said that the O-line has sat down with Montel and they’ve made it their goal to get Harris over the 2,000 yard mark this season. Herzlich backed up what Castonzo said, saying that the offensive line takes pride in getting Montel yards.
Last season, Harris finished with 1,457 yards on 308 carries in 13 games.
No BC running back has rushed for over 2,000 yards in a season. In fact, no one has really gotten even close. Mike Cloud holds the school single season rushing record with 1,726 yards in just 11 games in 1998. Derrick Knight came within 5 yards of matching that mark in 2003, finishing with 1,721 in 2003 in 13 games.
Similar story for the ACC, where no player has ever rushed for over 2,000 yards in the conference. Virginia’s Thomas Jones holds the record for single-season rushing yardage, rushing for 1,798 yards in 11 games in 1999. In that record breaking season, Jones averaged 163.5 yards per game.
Unfortunately for Harris and BC, the Eagles’ don’t face the N.C. State rushing defense 12 times this season. In order to eclipse the 2,000 yard mark this season, Montel would have to average ...
-- 166.6 yards per game (12 regular season games)
-- 153.8 yards per game (12 regular season games + bowl), or
-- 142.8 yards per game (12 regular season games + ACC Championship Game + bowl)
2,000 yards. A nice thought, but it just can’t be done, right? Chances Harris eclipses the 2,000 yard mark this season?
Jeff: At first, if you hear that the O-Line and Harris both have their eyes set on 2,000 yards this season, it seems like a realistic and attainable number since we hear about 2,000 yard running backs every season. But then when you give us all the facts about 2,000 yard rushers in the ACC and at BC, it seems highly unlikely.
I like to hear this type of talk but I also like to hear this type of talk backed up. If I had to pick a side I'm certainly going to say that Harris won't get to 2,000 yards this season. But if he were to have a chance, it would mean we'd see a lot of the Bazooka formation and we'd see Harris really pile on the yards during some of our non-conference games. This will be an exciting mark to keep our eyes on as I think if nothing else, it will at least be within reach half way through the season even though I do not believe he will ultimately accomplish it.