For Andrew Harris, his fifth Labour Day Classic is also a first.

Harris, who starred in four Classics with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, will be part of the opposing team on Sunday when the Saskatchewan Roughriders meet the visitors from Manitoba.

The Roughriders’ first-year running backs coach rushed for 362 yards on 57 carries over four Classics as a member of the Blue Bombers in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021. He also caught 16 passes for 131 yards.

“There were so many years playing here —just walking out, hearing the roar,” the Winnipeg-born Harris reflects.

“My favourite part was when Saskatchewan would come out. I would always run down to (the north) end zone and people would be swearing at you and throwing things at you.

“The fans are so passionate. It’s exactly what you want and it’s a great environment to play in.”

And play he did, rushing 15 times for 158 yards against a Saskatchewan side that won 31-23 on Sept. 2, 2018. The victorious quarterback, Zach Collaros, now calls signals for the Blue Bombers.

Harris also put up big numbers against the Roughriders on Sept. 3, 2017, catching 10 passes for 72 yards and one TD.

Overall, he amassed 495 yards from scrimmage — an average of 123.8 per game — in four early-September visits to Mosaic Stadium.

“The hardest part is realizing that I can’t go out there and actually go hit somebody and make some plays,” Harris says. “That has been an adjustment, for sure.

“There’s the anxiety and the pressure that the players have. As a coach, you still feel that, but you don’t have the same effect because you can’t actually go and execute it.

“But as long as you prepare the guys and make sure that you slow the game down for them and just let them be themselves, that’s the whole goal as a coach.”

The passion Harris demonstrated as a player is also evident as he embraces his new responsibilities.

During practice sessions, he performs the running backs’ drills in a fashion that rivals that of an active player.

“That’s the only time I get active,” he says with a smile.

“The biggest thing is, ‘How can we get the most out of every run?’ It’s not just good enough to get a five-yard gain with a good hole. How can we get two or three more yards out of that? How can we get the highest run efficiency out of every play possible?’ ”

The approach elicits plaudits from the Roughriders’ Head Coach.

“From playing experience and getting into the detail of how to attack a hole and how to attack defenders, he’s got all that and more,” Corey Mace says.

“Certainly, I’m very pleased with where he’s at schematically and he’s continuing to grow. He’s an excellent coach and he’s only going to get better, too.

“He has been excellent, man — a great addition. We’re very happy with him.”

Harris is delighted to be here as he prepares to experience the Classic from a different perspective and with a new allegiance.

“The biggest thing from the other side is try to get on Saskatchewan early to get the crowd out of it,” he says. “If the crowd’s rockin’ and it’s loud in here, it makes it difficult to operate on offence.

“For us, defensively and offensively, we’ve got to start fast and we’ve got to be physical and be up for the task. I’m really excited to be on this side of it now.

“Just seeing the energy that this building brings, it’s crucial and pivotal to the success of the team.”