UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO FOOTBALL MEDIA CONFERENCE

November 12, 2022

Frank Harris

Press Conference

UTSA - 51, Louisiana Tech - 7

Q. Frank, after all the tense finishes you guys have had this year, what did it mean to build a lead and hold it throughout the game?

FRANK HARRIS: It was great for the offense to go out there and finally -- we still have a lot to improve on. We got a lot of MAs and stuff like that. Finally to go out and have a complete game, I think they told me nine out of the ten drives were points. So that's just a great testimony for us.

Coach and the play calling and just how we practiced this week was very, very good. We went out there and executed, and all the prep we did this week, we went out there and showed it today.

Q. It was especially strong early on to score touchdowns on your first four drives. Was there something clicking immediately for you guys to have that success right away?

FRANK HARRIS: Defense. We got momentum from defense. They got us the ball on the short-side of the field. So we went out there and executed. I think the play calling went very well. Everybody just did their one-eleventh, and as a result, went out there and scored.

Q. Frank, the rushing performance today was a season high. What does that say about your offense and your running backs to be able to produce?

FRANK HARRIS: That's just our end of the triangle. As an offense, we got to run the football. I think we did that today. Brady did a great job. Kevorian did a great job, and even J. Rod. So just a testimony to those guys and G. Book, getting those guys ready throughout the whole week.

We're happy for those guys, and the O-line gets a lot of credit as well.

Q. You were pretty sharp passing the ball too. Do you feel like you're in the zone at this point of the season and all the reps you've gotten and all the time you've played so far?

FRANK HARRIS: I think Coach Stein does a great job with the play calling, getting me warmed up, calling the plays that I'm comfortable with. And letting me go out there and playing free so I don't have to look over my shoulder or overthing stuff second guess myself. He just lets me go out there and play free, so I give all the credit to Coach Stein.

Q. Coach Traylor told us a few times through the year he felt your best game was still out there. Do you feel like you hit that today, played your highest level as a team?

FRANK HARRIS: No, we didn't. Still out there for us. We're getting closer for sure, but still not clean on offense for sure. Like I said, we had a couple of MAs, even myself. You've got to clean those things up. Our dream is still in front of us.

Q. To that point, you guys are getting very close to securing home-field advantage in the Conference USA championship game and a return trip there. What does it mean to already be at that precipice at this point of the year?

FRANK HARRIS: We just try to take each game. We've got to watch film on this game and get ready for Rice on the next game. When the opportunity comes for conference championship or however that works, we'll be ready for it. Like I said, just take it game by game. When the opportunity is here, we'll look at it then.

Q. How much does it help you and some other guys on the offense to get out of this game early and maybe get a little extra rest as you look at the stretch run?

FRANK HARRIS: It's just a great thing to go out there and cheer those guys on. They always cheer us on, so it's good for us to be selfless. Just return a favor to them. It's good to see those guys. They bust their tails every day at practice just like us, but they don't get the opportunity to go out there and play.

So those guys going out there and playing just meant a lot. It was pretty cool to see all those guys go out there. It was pretty unique.

Q. How did you feel about the offensive line performance overall? That group has been banged up through the year, but it seemed like they opened some pretty good rushing lanes tonight.

FRANK HARRIS: They did really well, even in the passing game. I had a lot of time. Running game as well. Those guys just keep getting better and better. They're calling out the right people and not overthinking stuff. They keep getting better and better each and every game.

Q. Kevorian Barnes hit a couple of long runs on the ground. How much does it help the offense to have that home run threat out of the the backfield?

FRANK HARRIS: Key, like you said, he's very fast, one of the fastest on the team. When he hits a hole and he's not touched, it's pretty scary because he can go for a very long time. Just glad to have him on our team.

When his number was called early in the year, he answered, and he just keeps growing.

Q. We saw Tykee step up this week into some more reps with J.T. out. How did you feel about how he handled that opportunity and what he brought to the table for you guys?

FRANK HARRIS: Tykee, I have a lot of faith in him. I actually hosted him on his visit. Me and Tykee go way back. I love him. That's my brother. I'm just happy for him to finally get an opportunity.

It sucks, the way he's getting an opportunity because of J.T. going down, but he made some great catches out there. Just keep getting better. Just happy to see him out there, going out there and playing a game that he loves.

Q. Did you talk to him this week or today or even during the game about how to handle that opportunity or any sort of advice you're able to give him as he steps into that role?

FRANK HARRIS: Tykee knows. He's a playmaker. He loves the game of football. Just tell him to go out there, have fun, and play football like you've been doing your whole life. He went out there and did that and made big plays for us.