| Final Season Extra |
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| Written by Sam Finley | ||||||||||
| Wednesday, 31 October 2007 | ||||||||||
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Matthew Harper: Making Things Happen He’s got three interceptions this season, getting two of them in the 24-17 win over USC. It’s the kind of performance one would expect from the son of a former 11-year NFL defensive end Willie Harper, a man whose footsteps Matthew Harper admits he wants to follow in. But did you know there was a time when the Division I schools weren’t exactly kicking down Matthew’s door to recruit him? In fact, the 6’0, 181-pound free safety from Union City, California had to play two years at the junior college level at City College of San Francisco just to keep his dream alive. Still, he persisted and was considered one of the nation’s top junior college transfers when he was recruited by Ore
MORE HEAD GAMES: WHAT IS MATTHEW HARPER THINKING? DI: Let’s get into it. What are you thinking just before the ball is snapped? I mean, what are you looking at looking for that the opposing offense is doing? MH: “Reading my keys, when I was playing J-C ball, I never had to read any keys, but once I came here, secondary coach John Neal helped me learn to read my keys and that made me the type of player that I am. Reading keys like watching the tight end and watching the way he blocks and stuff like that.” DI: What were you thinking before the play that led to the game deciding interception against USC?
MH: “I was just thinking that somebody on the defense has got to make a play. I knew that somebody was going to come up with a play, but luckily he (USC quarterback Mark Sanchez) threw the ball my way and I just made the play.” DI: What about the pass you intercepted in the 39-7 win at Michigan. When did you know you had a play on the ball, and what were you thinking when you ran it back 55 yards? MH: “Once I saw the ball in the air, I was thinking ‘Catch It.’ Once I got it, I was thinking ‘Touchdown’, because every time us defensive backs pick one off we’re looking to score and when I didn’t, I was little bit frustrated, because I felt I should’ve scored…(laughs)… DI: But of the interceptions you’ve had, the second one against USC has to be the most memorable? MH: “Yes, I would say that because it sealed the deal to win against a great team like USC, so it was definitely a greater interception than the Michigan game.” DI: We’ve talked a bit about some of the more successful plays you've made this season, but how frustrating is it for you on that occasional play when the receiver beats you for a big play like in the Washington game? MH: “If a receiver beats a defensive back player for a big play, you will have to bounce back and go to the next play, otherwise you will lose your focus and it could happen again. So if I do get beat, I’ll think about it and just go to the next play and think about making up for that play.” For more of the Matthew Harper interview, pick up your free Ducks Illustrated today!!
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 31 October 2007 ) | ||||||||||
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