UTSA quarterback Frank Harris (0) is sacked by Tulane defender Keith Cooper Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)Gerald Herbert/Associated PressUTSA quarterback Frank Harris (0) plays against Tulane safety Kam Pedescleaux (8) on a goalie in the first half of an NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Gerald Herbert/Associated Press
UTSA quarterback Frank Harris will not play in the Frisco Bowl due to injury, marking a surprising end to a record-setting career.
The team announced less than an hour before Tuesday's 8 p.m. kickoff against Marshall that Harris would be unavailable due to a shoulder injury he suffered in UTSA's regular-season finale against Tulane on Nov. 24.
“I would do anything to be out there with my teammates, but unfortunately I can’t,” Harris said in the UTSA press release. “God has something bigger in store for me. Thank you to the fans for all the love and support over the last seven seasons. I really appreciate it and don't take it for granted. It is something I will remember for the rest of my life. I won’t be able to play tonight, but I will be right on the sidelines supporting and cheering on my teammates for what I hope is our first bowl win.”
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Owen McCown, a redshirt freshman who joined the program this year as a transfer from Colorado, is expected to start in Harris' place.
“It breaks all of our hearts that Frank will not be able to play against Marshall tonight in what would have been his final game as a Roadrunner,” coach Jeff Traylor said in the UTSA statement. “He’s one of the toughest players I’ve ever coached, and if he could be out there under center tonight, he would be.”
Rumors about Harris' status began circulating on social media Tuesday morning, with the betting line dropping from 12.5 points in favor of UTSA to 7.5 by early afternoon.
When the Roadrunners arrived at Toyota Stadium, Harris, wearing a black tracksuit, watched the first round of quarterback warmups before returning to the locker room. When the team showed up for the final walkthrough before kickoff, Harris wasn't wearing the same uniform as the rest of his teammates.
He showed no obvious signs of injury leading up to the game and spoke at Monday morning's final press conference about the emotions surrounding his final appearance as a Roadrunner.
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“It hasn't really impressed me yet, but tomorrow night, win or lose, I'll probably have a few tears streaming down my eyes because it's the last time I'll play in a UTSA jersey,” Harris said. “Just being here for so long, the hardships we've been through and the success we've had the last few seasons. It definitely means a lot, so I will definitely cherish this moment.”
Harris set 38 program records during his seven-year tenure and led UTSA to the Conference USA championships the last two years while starting nearly every game since the start of the 2020 season.
He suffered multiple injuries during his time with the Roadrunners, sitting out 2017 and 2018 due to torn ACLs and playing in just four games in 2019 before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
He dealt with minor bumps and bruises in every game from 2020 to 2022, then experienced what he calls the darkest days of his life this past offseason and contemplated the end of his football career after undergoing a knee cleanup led to an infection.
“I told coach I was done,” Harris said Monday. “I just didn’t think I would play this season. I didn’t know if I could walk again.”
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Although a final procedure by a new doctor put Harris' knee on the road to recovery in time for the 2023 season, a shoulder injury during fall camp hampered his preparation. He also suffered a turf toe injury in the second game of the season against Texas State, forcing him to miss the next two weeks.
UTSA's depth chart lists McCown or Eddie Lee Marburger as the No. 2 option behind Harris. McCown was forced to play in four late-season away games during the American Athletic Conference season, while Marburger has not been on the field since September.