Memorable Moments: It's Not Always the Plays Which Stick

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Years later, the plays themselves seem to fade.

For instance, Ron Harris knows he set a record at Colorado State. He doesn't recall the play.

Not one iota. Not the situation. Down and distance evades him. Not even how the 94-yard scoring pass he was on the receiving end of unfolded. He knew it came at home, and the opponent was Northern Colorado.

He has no idea what the score of the game was at the time, or even the final score by the end of a fall autumn afternoon at Hughes Stadium.

"I really couldn't tell you anything about it," Harris said. "I don't remember if it was a screen play or what. I can't tell you what it was at all. I really don't remember. Actually, I'd like to see it. I'd like to see all of it."

The play in question is the longest scoring pass play in Colorado State history. On Sept. 24, 1977, the Rams were tucked back deep in their own territory and trailed the Bears 10-3 early in the second quarter. Rams' quarterback Dan Graham had already thrown one touchdown pass that day – to the Bears on a 4-yard return.

The series after UNC took a 10-3 lead on a field goal, CSU was called for roughing on the kickoff, pinning them at their own 10. On first down, Graham threw a deep ball down the right sideline which fell incomplete. Running the option on second down, he was thrown for a 4-yard loss.

On the next play, he threw a short pass over the middle. What Harris doesn't remember is he blazed up the field for a 94-yard score, and he'd add a rushing touchdowns in what would become a 48-10 victory.

There's a lot which makes the play really interesting. It was Harris' only reception in the game. Graham completed just four of his 12 attempts, throwing for 158 yards. Harris was not a huge target in the passing game in those days, but he would leave as the school's all-time leading rusher with 3,118 yards, a total which now places him fourth in the record book.

As for Graham, he was known more as a running quarterback, but he did have his moments. Later that year, he threw five touchdown passes in a 35-14 road win at Arizona.

"Oh Danny. Good ol' Danny," Harris said. "He was a good little athlete. He wasn't a perfect passer or anything, but he was a good athlete, and that's what we needed back then. We had a lot of good athletes back then. We weren't perfect or nothing, but we weren't bad for a group of guys coming together."

Which the Rams did in 1977. Coach Sark Arslanian's group posted a 9-2-1 record, which included a late-season 25-14 upset over 12^th-ranked Arizona State, which led to the Rams receiving votes in the polls. It was the first nine-win season for the program since 1949.

In a way, even Harris admits they are a bit of an odd couple to hold that particular record for the Rams. One of the best running backs in program history at the receiving end from one of the best running quarterbacks the program had known.

Colorado State has had a run of receivers in the NFL lately – Rashard Higgins, Michael Gallup, Bisi Johnson and Preston Williams. Higgins and Gallup were Biletnikoff Award finalists. And Warren Jackson seems poised to join them. They've had quarterbacks like Garrett Grayson and Nick Stevens throwing to them – both who covered more than 8,000 yards in their career. Yet the only appearance any of them make on the top 10 longest scoring plays in school history is Jackson, who connected with Patrick O'Brien last year for an 87-yarder –tied for second.

The plays, they all seem to run together when you rush for more than 3,000 yards in your career. What Harris does remember are his teammates. His coaches. The good times he had while playing running back at Colorado State. Now somewhat retired as a firefighter back home in Sioux Falls, S.D., Harris spends his time doing maintenance work at an apartment complex where he sets his own schedule for the week. Those 24 hours a week keep him active and get him out of the house.

"There you go. You can tell me a game I played, and I remember when I took a kickoff back against somebody, against whoever it was," Harris said. "I don't remember who it was. But I remember the players. I remember some big moments, but anything else, I couldn't tell you.

"It's the people who mean the most to me. It was a game. I just had fun. I was out there having a good time, and I knew it would end someday, but the good friendships would stay the same. I have a couple of guys I continue to stay in touch with. It's because of the people."

For the record, Harris holds a share of the kickoff return record, too. It was the first 100-yard scoring return in school history in a loss to BYU in that same season. But if anybody has a copy of the film from either play, Harris would love to see it. He may not remember the details, but he sure as heck would love to relive the moments.

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