NORMAN — Mention the name of Oklahoma defensive back Nic Harris to any Sooner fan and it won't be long before the conversation is guided to the Oregon game.
Harris, the starting nickelback, was the OU player running about 10 yards behind Oregon's Brian Paysinger as Paysinger caught the winning touchdown pass in the Ducks' 34-33 victory.
While the officials responsible for the infamous botched onside kick call were shielded from postgame questions, Harris didn't hide. Asked about Paysinger's TD, Harris teared up and told reporters "I didn't think they were going to throw it to that guy."
To say he still thinks about that play would be an understatement.
"I think about it and I think about it and I think about it," Harris said.
But he's also learned from it.
"The greatest teacher is failure," he said.
Since then, Harris has been at the heart of the OU defense's improvement.
A true sophomore, Harris stepped in for an injured Reggie Smith at strong safety last Saturday, a position he hadn't practiced since August.
He caused an interception, played consistently in pass coverage and made three tackles against Colorado, one of his best games of the season. Maybe his best since that fateful day in Eugene, Ore.
"He had a great game and a bad moment," OU secondary coach Bobby Jack Wright said of Harris' performance at Oregon.
That day, Harris had eight tackles, including one for a loss of five yards, and two interceptions — the Sooners' first two of the season.
But his great game isn't what's remembered. His bad moment is.
"No one's gonna talk about the two picks. Everybody's gonna talk about the negative things. It's a mistake I made.
"You can't make mistakes, because they'll find you. And they found me."
That attitude is the key to Harris moving past the Oregon game and continuing to become a better player.
"You've got to be able to own up to it," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said of making mistakes. "When you can do that, from a maturity stand-point and a mental stand-point, you can grow from it and keep getting over it."
At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Harris' size is a valuable asset. He gives Venables' secondary a tool it hasn't had since Roy Williams left.
Venables tried to find someone to fill
