Lately, Jacory Harris' emotions have fluctuated almost as much as the score in last weekend's Clemson game.

On Saturday, the Hurricanes lost to the Tigers 40-37 in overtime.

On Monday, Miami's sophomore quarterback was named a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, the oldest prize that honors the top college quarterback.

On Tuesday, Harris was reminded during the Hurricanes' weekly news conference that he leads the Atlantic Coast Conference in interceptions with 10 -- three against Clemson.

On Wednesday, an ACC teleconference moderator told reporters Harris was ranked 10th nationally in passing efficiency.

``People always come up to me and say, `I know you must have a lot of pressure on your back, and you must worry about this and worry about that,' '' Harris said. ``I'll be like, `It's part of the game. There are quarterbacks who have done worse and quarterbacks who have done better. It's just how you bounce back.' ''

Harris seems to be handling the recent loss, and any related criticism, the same way he handles his offense: with a calm, steely resolve to overcome and look toward the next challenge. For the No. 18 Canes (5-2, 2-2 ACC), that challenge will begin at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Wake Forest (4-4, 2-2).

Harris said his interception lapses have been somewhat of a surprise, though he vows to keep progressing from his mistakes. The Demon Deacons, ranked 47th in pass defense, have five interceptions.

Before the three picks against Clemson (one of the passes deflected off receiver Leonard Hankerson's hands) Harris had an interception-free game at UCF -- after throwing five the previous three games. He has completed 122 of 189 passes (64.6 percent) for 1,774 yards and 13 touchdowns. Being sacked 18 times hasn't helped.

UM coach Randy Shannon said the interceptions are all part of Harris' growing pains. But Shannon was not as tolerant after the loss to Clemson.

THREE TOO MANY

``Sometimes when you start getting in a [bad] rhythm you start going and going and going,'' Shannon said. ``No matter how you call it, the three interceptions he had is three too many.''

Harris said he studies his game film, evaluates himself and then adjusts.

``There's a lot to learn,'' he said. ``There are a lot of things to look at when you're on the field; a lot of stuff to look at while you have the rush of the defensive linemen.

``It's not random. I know in the [Clemson] game there were some interceptions I was trying to take a chance on. Sometimes the ball doesn't fall the right way. Some can be tipped. Some are Hail Marys before halftime. The other one was a missed read by me.''

Harris said the Clemson loss was particularly hard to get past.

``It was tough,'' he said. ``Almost like losing your dog. I was standing up at the time when I saw Kyle Parker throw the [winning] crossing route and when he caught it and he scored, I was like, `Come on! The offense has got to be on the field. I know we have one more drive.' Then I just sat down and was like, `I can't believe this.' ''

STILL COMFORTABLE

He said he takes full responsibility for the interceptions, but he's still going to approach the game the same way.

``I don't want to change,'' Harris said. ``We're 5-2. We're still in a comfortable situation, but we're not where we want to be at. If being aggressive and making correct reads but sometimes slipping up got us at 5-2, I have to keep doing it but just try to lower my mistakes. The confidence level is still high and that's what keeps me confident, because I know my team still believes in me, and I still believe in my team. Mistakes happen. That's a part of football.''