Heisman gone, Wyoming star concentrates on BYU

Steve Carp

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Before the season, they were calling him "Heisman Marcus." But with the voting for the Heisman Trophy to conclude a week from Thursday, Marcus Harris' chances of taking home the coveted award have gone the way of balmy weather in Wyo ming.

Despite put ting up record numbers and establishing himself as the NCAA's career receiving leader, Harris knows he won't get a chance to break the trophy through airport security, like Eddie George did last year.

Despite the school's sports information department spending over $6,000 on the promotional campaign, Harris has fallen from the Heisman watch.

"I don't even think about it," Harris said of his Heisman snub. "It was an honor to be considered. But right now, I'm just focusing my efforts on Saturday."

Wyoming (10-1), meets Brigham Young Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium for the Western Athletic Conference championship. Harris would like nothing better than to cap off his senior season with a victory over the No. 6 Cougars.

"We're looking forward to playing BYU," he said. "It's going to be a great game."

And Harris will receive a lot of attention, especially from the Cougar defense. He has 103 receptions for 1,532 yards and has scored 13 touchdowns this year. BYU coach LaVell Edwards is well aware of what Harris is capable.

"He doesn't have sprinter's speed, but he has sneaky speed," Edwards said. "He's so fluid at what he does and he's a tremendous receiver."

The last time Harris was in Las Vegas, he struggled. He was fighting off the flu when the Cowboys came to town in late September to meet UNLV. It had snowed in Laramie during the week and when Wyoming arrived it was in the low 90s.

Still, despite being limited to just three receptions, Harris scored on two and helped Wyoming defeat the Rebels 33-21. But that game killed Harris' Heisman momentum. That and a lack of TV exposure probably did him in.

But Harris hopes it will be a different story Saturday.

"I think we'll play better as a team," he said. "Last time, we got caught up in the glitz and the bright lights of Las Vegas. We'll handle it much better this time."

Staying outside

After getting dusted with snow over the weekend, BYU will prepare for Saturday outside before leaving for Las Vegas Thursday.

"We don't have an indoor facility," said Edwards. "I wish we did. But as long as it doesn't snow, we'll be all right."

The field at Cougar Stadium was covered, so the footing should be OK for practice. The temperature is expected to be in the mid-40s in Provo this week. BYU will work out at Sam Boyd Stadium Thursday and Friday.

Wyoming can work out indoors at the War Memorial Fieldhouse if the weather turns nasty. The Cowboys, who have been outside so far, will practice in Laramie through Thursday and arrive in Las Vegas that evening.

"We want to keep the dis tractions to a minimum," said Wyoming coach Joe Tiller.

Tickets almost gone

If you're hoping for a shot at some last-minute returns on tickets from the schools, forget it.

BYU has more than 14,000 tickets and Wyoming's allotment of 7,000 is virtually gone. Only a handful of Wyoming tickets were turned back in.

Some $100 VIP seats remain along with some scattered end zone and corner seats. But it appears the game will sell out 40,000-seat Sam Boyd Stadium.

Extra points

* STREAKING COUGARS: BYU has won the last five meetings with Wyoming, the most recent coming in 1995 when the Cougars prevailed 23-20 at Provo. Wyoming's last win came in 1988, a 24-14 victory at Laramie. Saturday will be the first time the schools have met on a neutral site. BYU leads the series 33-28 and there have been three ties.

* THEY'RE TOPS: BYU's Steve Sarkisian leads the nation in passing with a rating of 177.3 while Wyoming's Josh Wallwork tops the NCAA chart in total offense with 355 yards per game. Cowboys WR Marcus Harris leads the nation in receiving yards per game at 139.2 and is second in receiving with 9.3 catches per game. Wyoming safety Brian Lee is second in the nation in interceptions with eight and BYU's James Dye is third in punt returns, averaging 17.6 yards per return.