The play seemed simple enough. A simple pitch to the right, with some broken tackles. The run continued up the right sideline and seemed to be good for a first down. Then disaster struck.
A late hit that was not flagged by the referee sent sophomore running back Arlen Harris out of bounds and, later in the day, out of the lineup. Players from Brigham Young hit his leg as he hit the ground, and he heard a "click" as his knee twisted. Unbeknownst to all, Harris tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee.
What appeared to be a terrific beginning to the season, and a starting position on the football team, quickly went downhill as Harris later heard the injury would sideline him for most of the 2000 season.
Unfortunately for Harris, that was only the beginning. What started out as a relatively simple recovery turned into infections in his knee, then arthritis.
As Harris struggled to get through rehabilitation, making it to every class was tough, especially on crutches. He said some professors understood and others did not. Harris soon found himself on academic probation.
But he didn't give up. He worked long days in rehabilitation and became stronger through the spring and summer, not only to improve his strength, but also his grades and work ethic.
"I really attacked my rehabilitation so I could make it to 100 percent," he said. "I started doing running in the summer, and I actually think I got faster than I was when I came" to Virginia.
But Harris still had to prove himself to new Virginia coach Al Groh. He started fall practice as the number two running back, behind the ACC's leading rusher in 2000, Antwoine Womack.
Not content with being the number two man, Harris stayed ready, hoping he could sneak into a few plays.
Then, another sprain hurt the Cavaliers. Only this time, it was Womack, who suffered a severe high ankle sprain in the Cavaliers' season opener at Wisconsin. It was time for Harris to step up into the top spot.
Although it came in the worst of circumstances, Harris received what he wanted - a second chance.
This time however, he said he plans to show people he can be the go-to guy and he can thrive as a starting running back in the ACC.
"I didn't know [Womack's] injury was so severe," he said. "But when I did find out he wouldn't be coming back, I had to take it upon my self to get really prepared for the game.
"Right now I'm really hungry, I got a chip on my shoulder just trying to prove to people that I do still have the talent and I can run the ball."
The time has never been better to show everyone watching that he is a fighter.
A 5-foot-11, Parade All-American high school back from Exton, Pa., Harris has gained 178 yards at a 4.6-yard-per-carry average so far in 2001. Against Wisconsin he racked up 79 yards on 15 carries, and against Richmond, he had 99 yards on 29 carries.
Harris was recruited heavily out of high school by Penn State. He said there was a lot of pressure for him to go there because it is close to home, and where his brother went to school. But next Thursday when the Cavaliers take on Penn State, Harris will have the opportunity to show the Nittany Lions why he wanted to come to Virginia.
"He came in the huddle ready to go" against Wisconsin said Evan Routzahn, senior guard. "Looking at him, he had the biggest smile and was ready to get the ball, ready to go."
"I thought he did a good job" against Richmond, Groh said. "He had around 100 yards, and that's about the average that his predecessor had last year to lead the league.
"He's strong - very strong in the lower body - compact. He's thick and strong in the areas of his body where most men and women don't like to be thick, and that's what makes him a great back."
Strong he is, but it's not only from his rigorous off-season work. Harris can go back to punishing his opponents the way he used to. He has his head on right, he's rejuvenated after a few disappointing seasons, and he's ready to let everyone know.
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