Two-Headed Monster in Pokes' Backfield Comes to Life

LARAMIE -- Someone's burst is back.

That was more than apparent on a number of occasions Saturday inside a sun-splashed War Memorial Stadium.

Samuel Harris, with 13:39 remaining in the second quarter, approached the line of scrimmage to take a simple handoff. It appeared the play was destined to go left.

"Tote's" eyes told him differently.

The speedy sophomore planted his left foot into the turf and darted quickly to his right. That patient move allowed his linemen to move the pile in the opposite direction. Harris shot right up the middle for a 31-yard gain.

It was his longest run from scrimmage this fall -- by far.

Markell Holman was his typical bruising self in this 27-10 victory over visiting Hawaii. He also showed off his wheels in the open field. The 214-pound running back seemed to be caught dead to rights near the original line of scrimmage early in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Wynden Ho'ohuli read the play perfectly and had a chance to make a play in the hole.

That didn't happen.

Holman sidestepped the would-be tackler, even pushing him by with his left hand before following his blocks into the secondary. From there, the Philadelphia native bolted toward the sideline before cruising untouched into the end zone.

Though Ho'ohuli snagged a chunk of Holman's white undershirt, he could only watch from the backrow as the senior crossed the white stripe from 18 yards out.

"He is a really good football player," Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel said, referring to Holman, who capped his day with 87 rushing yards and two scores. "The best thing about this whole thing is, when Markell had the 18-yard run in the fourth quarter, the guy who went craziest on the sideline, Sam Harris. OK, again, that's what this was all about. I mean, they're excited. We came to play."

Harris has been hampered throughout the first month of the season with a nagging hamstring, Sawvel said on Saturday. He has said before it was "cramping." Turns out, it was a strain, sustained in fall camp.

Still, the 202-pound Texan attempted to work it out in real time.

He rushed for 63 yards on 16 attempts in the season opener at Colorado State. He took a number of punishing hits in that setback in Fort Collins. The following Saturday against Northern Colorado, an FCS program in Greeley, Harris was caught from behind on what looked like was about to be an explosive play. He picked up a 12-yard gain. That came on a 3rd-and-13.

He didn't look right. Turns out, he wasn't.

That's not the case any longer, he added.

"I mean you've seen it on the field," Harris said from behind the podium after rushing for a season-best 94 yards on just 11 attempts. That's an astonishing 8.5 yards per carry. "It's just easier to get into that next gear and kind of head into that second level. So, yes, I'm feeling pretty good."

Sawvel compared Harris to a Major League pitcher. While he typically features a "98 mile per hour fastball," over the previous three outings he's hovered in the "high 80s."

"You're not as effective," he continued. "You're not as good."

Harris was really good in the Mountain West opener.

Along with that big day on the ground, he also led all receivers with 36 yards on only four grabs. One of those, he again showed off that break-neck speed. A simple throw out to the flat turned into a 17-yard gainer down the east sideline. Harris dusted the linebacker and Wyoming found itself near midfield with a chance to put this game on ice.

Though that didn't happen on that particular possession, it did on the following drive. It was No. 1 that finished the job himself this time.

One jump cut to his right and Harris methodically split the two safeties and coasted into the Tetons from 18 yards out, untouched. He spread his arms out after crossing the goal line and blew kisses to the fans crammed into the north end zone. He even stopped a shook some hands before his teammates joined him in that celebration.

Wyoming's backfield duo combined for 181 yards and all three touchdowns in the win. Though they have some youngsters up front to thank for the big day, these two showed a blend of speed, power and vision.

Tyler Hughes wasn't surprised one bit.

"Those those guys are studs," said the quarterback, who connected on 17-of-23 throws for 204 yards on the afternoon. "Those guys are two really good football players. They love it, and they give the team their best. They showed up in a huge way today, and we really needed them.

"That's the standard for those guys."

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* A Cell-Phone Ban, Player-Only Meeting and One Embarrassment Later ...

* Cowboys Down Hawaii 27-10 in Conference Opener

* Rants and Raves: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Edition

* Turning Point, Unsung Hero and What's Next for UW Football

* LIVE FILE: Wyoming 27, Hawaii 10

* Gear Up For Game Day: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

* Boogie Williams Ready for Challenge in Shorthanded Secondary

* Wyoming Head Coach 'Not Worried' About Outside Noise

* Know Wyoming's Foe: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

* Pokes, 'Bows Set To Hook Up Saturday For 30th Time