Harris moves himself and Calgary's Cornish into CFL history books | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Harris moves himself and Calgary's Cornish into CFL history books

B.C. Lions' Andrew Harris runs the ball during second half CFL football action versus the B.C. Lions in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday October 19, 2012. The B.C. Lions won 39-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Howe

VANCOUVER - Andrew Harris earned a place in CFL history Friday night as he surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the first time in his career.

The B.C. running back reached the mark on a five-yard gain 1:26 into the fourth quarter as the Lions hosted the Edmonton Eskimos at B.C. Place Stadium.

In the process, Harris and and Calgary counterpart Jon Cornish became the first Canadians in 56 years to rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.

Normie Kwong of the Edmonton Eskimos and Gerry James of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were the last Canadians to accomplish the feat together back in 1956.

Cornish, whose team was idle Friday, surpassed 1,000 yards earlier in the season. Harris, a 25-year-old Winnipeg native, became just the ninth Canadian to rush for 1,000 yards.

The last Canadian to do so was Edmonton's Jerome Messam last season. No Lion had rushed for 1,000 yards since Sean Millington in 2000.

Harris entered the game needing only 17 yards to reach quadruple digits, but he had gains negated by a penalty and tackles for losses until he finally broke the barrier on a hand-off from B.C. quarterback Mike Reilly, who is usually the backup quarterback but started in place of injured starter Travis Lulay.

Lulay, nursing a shoulder injury, was in the lineup, but watched the game from the sidelines.

Harris has emerged as a star the past two seasons after reaching the CFL via the Canadian junior ranks rather than the more traditional and easier university route.

He was never drafted, but became Lions property when they listed him as a territorial protection while he was playing for the Vancouver Island.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2012
The Canadian Press

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