If there are any doubts that Scott Harding has achieved cult status, please cue the music.
"You’re my hero …" Jake Ingram, a UH student manager and former NFL player, will croon to Harding each time they cross paths.
Harding is an ambidextrous punter as well as a punt returner and receiver. And after a remarkable double-pump, left-footed punt against Fresno State, he now has his own theme song.
"He’s funny," Harding said of Ingram.
Ingram said Harding’s initials — SH — are an acronym for "sure hands."
Even the stare master, UH coach Norm Chow, will break into a rare grin when discussing Harding.
"He does a great job for us," Chow said. "He’s a terrific asset to our football team."
Harding’s personality is set to auto detailing.
"I think that’s what helped me learn this game," Harding said. "I pay attention to detail."
The compulsion apparently is hereditary. The other night, Harding and his father, Russell, who was visiting from Australia, were reviewing problems from a calculus class. Harding wanted to use a calculator. His father insisted on using only a pencil and paper. They did it his father’s way.
"I’ve always been a good learner," Harding said. I’ve always been ‘coachable.’ I guess that’s the right word."
Harding played professional Australian rules football for six years before joining UH in July 2011. The differences between the sports are the shape of the ball, the requirement of helmets and pads, the scoring … well, pretty much everything.
"I didn’t know much about this game," Harding admitted. "When I first got here, I didn’t know what to put on first, whether it was my pads or my helmet."
He decided to study everything. Last year, Chow made each player write the lyrics to "Co-Ed," the school’s fight song, complete with exclamation points. Harding was one of two players to turn in a perfect paper.
Harding was equally prepared when he volunteered to punt last year while Alex Dunnachie served a three-game suspension. Harding and Dunnachie used to play catch by kicking footballs at each other.
"I’m definitely more accurate kicking," Harding said. "I’m a terrible thrower."
Harding is skilled at kicking with both legs. His father, who is an Aussie rules coach, once made his naturally right-footed son kick only with his left foot for a summer.
Last Saturday, Fresno State had enough of Harding’s rugby-styled punts. When Harding rolled to his left, the Bulldogs sent a blitzer. Harding was about to make contact with the football, when he pulled back his leg, eluded the blitzer, then punted. The ball went 46 yards and was not returned.
"In Australian football, we do it all the time," Harding said. "We almost do it on purpose. You can fake a kick, and pull it, and step inside, and get past him."
To be sure, Harding is more than a finesse player. Early in Tuesday’s practice, Chow called for the Oklahoma drill, which matches an offensive and defensive player in a one-on-one battle. Harding and cornerback Ne’Quan Phillips were summoned. Harding won the drill.
