But Kiwi-bred first five-eighth Harris, ably filling in for the injured Quade Cooper, killed off the uprising by kicking three more clutch penalties to equal John Eales' 1996 mark of nine goals.
"We're pleased to win but we're not pleased how we got it," said Reds skipper James Horwill, who lamented poor ball control and defensive lapses.
"They were pretty soft tries ... us just missing one on one tackles and that's not good enough."
The Reds built their 20-point lead through a Samo intercept before the break when he recreated his memorable IRB Try of the Year against New Zealand.
In in his first match at Suncorp Stadium since last August's Tri Nations win over the All Blacks, the wild-haired No 8 again sprinted 60 metres to the delight of the 33,563-strong Brisbane crowd after steaming on to a Stannard inside ball from a scrum move.
Queensland were simply more clinical, kicked better and were far smarter in their option-taking than their winless western rivals.
While the visitors' pack held their own and constantly pressured at the breakdown and set-piece, their attack fumbled and bumbled its way into errors throughout the first half whenever they worked themselves into try-scoring positions.
Reds 35 (R. Samo, B. Tapuai tries; M. Harris 2 cons 7 pens) Force 20 (D. Pocock, J. Stannard tries; Stannard 2 cons 2 pens).
