N’Keal Harry’s TD garnered PFF notice, but it wasn’t Edwards’ play of the game

TEMPE, Ariz. — The problem with being a star: excellence becomes expected.

Wide receiver N’Keal Harry broke tackles and juked just about every University of Texas at San Antonio defender in his Madden-like 31-yard touchdown in which he went sideline to sideline.

It garnered recognition from head coach Herm Edwards in front of the team.

“You win a game, you bring the team back, there’s always a play of the day,” he said in a press conference Monday. “I showed that and everybody was excited.”

MAN. AMONGST. BOYS. 😤 @NkealHarry15 #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/VpuSHePxT2

— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) September 2, 2018

But Edwards got the players’ attention.

“I said, ‘Not so fast. The interception by our defensive lineman was the play of the day.'”

Shannon Forman, listed at 299 pounds, jumped in front of a pass in the first quarter, picked it off and ran into the end zone for a Piesman touchdown.

“So N’Keal was up there shaking his head, ‘No, Coach,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, N’Keal, this the play of the day, not yours,'” Edwards said. “‘We expect you to do that, but a defensive lineman dropping into the slant zone and intercepting, running for a touchdown? That’s pretty impressive, big fella like that.'”

.@ShannonFormanJr for Piesman!! 🥧@piesmantrophy @SBNationCFB pic.twitter.com/QQIsX30Yfv

— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) September 2, 2018

It’s not that Harry’s touchdown wasn’t impressive. It’s just not out of the ordinary.

“That doesn’t surprise me with N’Keal, though,” Edwards said. “All the work that he puts in after practice … It’s important to him to play well. He loves the competition, loves the spotlight, loves the lights. He doesn’t run to the shade. He wants the light on him. He likes to perform in big-time situations.”

Harry finished the first week with six receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

He made Pro Football Focus’ Team of the Week for his performance, which PFF rated 90.7.

The only receivers above Harry were also in the Pac-12: Colorado’s Laviska Shenault Jr., who had 11 receptions for 211 yards, and Stanford’s JJ Arcega-Whiteside, who had 226 receiving yards, three touchdowns and six first downs, according to PFF.

Harry had 114 yards after the catch, according to PFF, and the athleticism and quickness he used to gain them is particularly impressive for a receiver of his size.

The ASU roster lists him at 6-foot-4, 213 pounds.

“It’s rare, but here again, he’s a talented player, and I saw that when he was in high school when I had him in the Under Armour game,” Edwards said. “He’s different and you can tell he’s a guy that’s going to have an opportunity to extend his career beyond college.”

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