'Canes Eagerly Await Eagles Arrival At The Orange Bowl
Sept. 16, 2002
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Miami Hurricanes (3-0) (#1 AP/#1 ESPN/USA Today)
vs. Boston College eagles (2-0)
When: Saturday, September 21, 2002, at 7:45 p.m. EST
Where: Orange Bowl Stadium (72,319/Natural Grass) in Miami, Florida.
TV: ESPN will televise the game live nationally with the telecast team of Ron Franklin (play-by-play), Mike Gottfried (analysis) and Dave Ryan (sideline reports).
Fox Sports Net Florida (Tape Delay, Sunday, Sept. 22, 5 p.m Eastern Time) will produce coverage of all Miami Hurricanes football games this season with Frank Forte (play-by-play) and former UM offensive lineman Dave Heffernan (analysis) describing the action.
Radio: The Hurricanes Radio Network (WQAM-AM [560 AM]) will carry the game live with Joe Zagacki (play-by-play), former Hurricane offensive lineman Don Bailey, Jr. (analysis), and Brian London (sideline reports) describing the action. Josh Darrow is the studio host. The BC game also can be heard on UM’s student radio station WVUM-FM (90.5 FM) with Kyle Berger (play-by-play) and Jesse Agler (analysis).
Westwood One Radio Network will carry the game live to a national audience with John Tautges (play-by-play) and former UM coach Fran Curci (analysis) describing the action.
En Espanol: Radio Unica (WNMA-AM [1210 AM]) will broadcast the game in Spanish with Roly Martin (play-by-play) and Jose Martinez (analysis) describing the action.
Student Station WVUM 90.5 FM (WVUM-FM [90.5 fM]) will broadcast the game in with Jeremy Marks-Peltz (play-by-play) and Jesse Agler (analysis) describing the action.
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com), Boston College (www.bceagles.com).
Miami head coach Larry Coker
Second-year head coach Larry Coker has a 15-0 (1.000) record at Miami. His 15-0 record includes an 8-0 mark in BIG EAST play, along with a 7-0 mark at the Orange Bowl and 8-0 record on the road. Coker’s start at Miami is the best of any first-time head coach in the “modern era” of college football (post-1950) for wins without a tie or loss. Oklahoma’s Barry Switzer started out 21-0-1 in 1973-74, but suffered a tie in his second game as head coach. Coker’s unbeaten/untied start is the best by a first-time Division I-A head coach since Walter Camp of Yale led the Bulldogs to 28 consecutive victories before a loss in the 1888-89 seasons. Coker led Miami to an undefeated season in his first year as a collegiate head coach with the 2001 Hurricanes. Coker was named Miami’s 19th head football coach on February 3, 2001. Coker was named National Coach of the Year for 2001 by the American Football Coaches Association (an honor shared with Maryland’s Ralph Friedgen) and was recipient of the 2001 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. The 2002 season marks Coker’s eighth overall at Miami, after serving as the Hurricanes’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 1995-2000. Prior to 1995, Coker was an assistant coach at Ohio State (1993-94), Oklahoma (1990-92), Oklahoma State (1983-89) and Tulsa (1979-82).
The MIAMI-BOSTON COLLEGE series
The Miami/Boston College series began in 1955 with this year’s match-up being the 24th meeting between the two programs.Miami holds a 20-3 series advantage, including a 12-game win streak dating back to 1985.The Eagles last victory in the series came in the “Hail Flutie” game (47-45) at the Orange Bowl in 1984.The 20-3 record against BC includes a 13-1 record at the Orange Bowl and a 7-2 mark on the road.The 1985 victory over the Eagles took place at Foxboro Stadium.Prior to arriving at Boston College at the start of the 1997 season, BC Head Coach Tom O’Brien served as offensive coordinator at Virginia, which was defeated by the Hurricanes (31-21) in the 1996 Carquest Bowl at Pro Player Stadium in Miami.
Series Record: Miami leads, 20-3
Record at the Orange Bowl: Miami leads, 12-1
Record at Boston College: Miami leads, 8-2
UM STANDS TALL IN THE BIG EAST
In its 12th season of competition in the BIG EAST, Miami has forged a league-best 60-10 (.857) overall conference record. The Hurricanes’ seven BIG EAST titles are also a league-best, ahead of Syracuse (3), Virginia Tech (3) and West Virginia (1).
BIG EAST-RECORD 18-GAME CONFERENCE WIN STREAK ON THE LINE AGAINST BOSTON COLLEGE
The 44-21 win at Temple marked Miami’s 18th consecutive BIG EAST conference victory since beginning with a 55-0 defeat over Rutgers on Nov. 20, 1999. The current streak is ahead of the Hokies’ 14-game string from 1998-00. Additionally, UM has also won 21 of its last 22 BIG EAST games, including a 1999 loss to Virginia Tech. Miami has also recorded conference win streaks of 12 games (1991-93), 10 games (1995-96) and seven games (1994).
BOSTON COLLEGE, TEMPLE AND RUTGERS
Boston College, along with Temple and Rutgers, is one of three schools in the BIG EAST to have never defeat the Hurricanes during conference affiliation (1991-present). Miami stands at 10-0 against Boston College since the 1991 season. Last weekend, UM defeated Temple 00-00, to move to 11-0 against the Owls since 1992. Miami stands at 9-0 vs. Rutgers since 1993 and will face the Scarlet Knights in Piscataway, NJ on Nov. 2.
THE LAST TIME THEY MET
MIAMI 18, BOSTON COLLEGE 7 (NOV. 19, 2001 – ALUMNI STADIUM, CHESTNUT HILL, MA)
Kicker Todd Sievers tied his school-record with four field goals to boost Miami past an upset-minded Boston College, 18-7, at a sold-out Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill. Along with the four field goals, the Hurricane defense scored a touchdown with 13 seconds left to seal the BIG EAST victory for the top-ranked Hurricanes.
With Miami clinging to a 12-7, Boston College took over the football with 2:09 left to play and no timeouts. BC quarterback Brian St. Pierre led the Eagles down the field to the Miami nine, following a fourth-and-10 first-down completion of 21 yards to Derrick DeWalt with just under 40 seconds to go. On the very next play, St. Pierre’s pass ricocheted off Mike Rumph’s knee and was snatched out of the air by Matt Walters for the interception. Edward Reed proceeded to take the ball from Walters 10 yards down field and race the final 80 yards for the score.
The Hurricanes opened game scoring in the second quarter when Sievers was perfect on all three field goal attempts, including one of 46 yards. In the third, BC scored the game’s lone offensive score on Sean Ryan’s nine-yard catch in the corner of the endzone following a 10-play drive that took 4:19. Sievers would then open the fourth quarter with a career-best 47-yarder.
Ken Dorsey threw a career-high four interceptions and failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time as a starter. Clinton Portis ran for his fifth 100-yard game of the season, with 160 yards on a career-high 36 carries.
MARGIN OF VICTORY VS. BC MUCH BETTER AT THE OB, THAN ON THE ROAD
Since the two teams began BIG EAST play in the 1991 season, six games have been played at Boston College while four have been at the Orange Bowl. In those four games at the OB UM has outscored the Eagles 153-56 (38.3-14.0), a 24.3-point margin of victory. At Boston College, UM has outscored the Eagles 153 to 114 in six contests (25.5-19.0), a 6.5-point UM margin of victory. The margin of victory difference between the two sites is 17.8 points.
TOTAL OFFENSE VS. BC MUCH HIGHER AT THE OB, THAN ON THE ROAD
Since 1991, Miami is averaging 90.5 more yards of total offense in games vs. Boston College at the Orange Bowl, then on the road vs. the Eagles. UM has accumulated 2,068 yards of total offense in the four games at the Orange Bowl (517 avg.), while totaling 2,559 yards in the six games on the road (426.5 avg.). For Boston College, the Eagles are averaging 82.5 yards less in games at the Orange Bowl then at home. BC has totaled 1,192 yards at the Orange Bowl (298 avg.) and 2,283 yards at home (380.5 avg.).
PASSING AND RUSHING YARDS VS. BC ALSO HIGHER AT THE OB, THAN ON THE ROAD
Miami is averaging 21.2 more yards passing at home than on the road vs. Boston College (264-242.8), while gaining 69.3 more yards on the ground (253-183.7). Boston College is passing for 37.2 yards less at the Orange Bowl then at home (163-200.2) and rushing for 45.3 yards less at the OB (135-180.3).
MIAMI/BOSTON COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL CONNECTIONS
Miami freshman defensive lineman John Wood and BC freshman strong safety Larry Anam both played at Miami’s American High School. UM freshman defensive back Greg Threat and BC sophomore defensive end Myran Hunter played at Tallahassee’s Lincoln High School. Overall, BC has seven players from the state of Florida, while UM currently has no players from Massachusetts. The last UM letterman from the state of Massachusetts was linebacker Marc Carbone (1995-96), who was a five-year walk-on that lettered in his final two seasons.
MIAMI IN ITS BIG EAST OPENER
With its 44-21 win at Temple last Saturday, Miami is now 10-3 in its BIG EAST Conference opener since starting the league in 1991, while going 8-3 since league play began in 1993. UM has now won its last four conference openers. On the road in league openers, UM is now 7-2, including wins in three straight.
NATION’S LONGEST WIN STREAK NOW AT 25
With the 44-21 win at Temple, Miami has extended its national leading win streak to 25 games. The current win streak, including bowl games, is the most for the Hurricanes since the team won a school-record 29 straight from 1990-93. In the regular season, UM has won 23 consecutive regular season games dating back to a 47-10 victory at West Virginia on Sept. 23, 2000. The longest win streak in the regular season for Miami is 36 games, accomplished from a 48-20 win at Rice on Sept. 14, 1985, to a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame on Oct. 15, 1988.
ORANGE BOWL WIN STREAK AT 17 GAMES
Miami’s victory in its 2002 home opener against Florida A&M extended the Hurricanes’ Orange Bowl win streak to 23 games, dating back to a 28-20 win over West Virginia on Oct. 30, 1999. The current home win streak, currently the nation’s second longest, is UM’s longest since its NCAA-record 58-game win streak from 1985-94.
Active Division I-A Home Win Streaks
1. 23 Nebraska
2. 17 Miami
3. 14 Washington
LAST TWO HOME GAMES GO DOWN IN THE RECORD BOOKS
The Hurricanes last two home games, the 2001 season finale win over Washington (65-7) and the 2002 season opening victory over Florida A&M (63-17) marked the most points scored by the Hurricanes in a two-game span at the Orange Bowl (128-24) all-time.
HURRICANES OFF TO SCHOOL-RECORD SCORING
The 2002 squad has established a new school-record for points scored over the first three games of the season with 148. The second-most points scored by a UM team over the first three games was 139 by the 1933 squad. The 2001 and 2000 clubs recorded the third-highest point total over three games with 137, respectively.
CURRENT ROAD WIN STREAK AT 13 GAMES
Miami has won 13 straight games away from the Orange Bowl, including the 2002 Rose Bowl and 2001 Sugar Bowl, since defeating West Virginia in Morgantown, 47-10, on Sept. 23, 2000. Regular season only, Miami has a current 11-game road win streak since that win over the Mountaineers. The regular season win streak is the longest at UM since the Hurricanes won 14-straight road contests from 1990-93. Including the bowls, UM last won 14 straight from 1990-92. The longest road winning streak in UM history is 20 games, stretching from a 28-17 win at Purdue on Sept. 15, 1984, to a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame on Oct. 15, 1988.
ROAD WARRIORS
Since 1983, Miami has constructed the nation’s best record in road games (not including neutral sites). The Hurricanes’ road record in the 19 seasons beginning with 1983 is the best among all NCAA Division 1A football institutions. Miami has a record of 80-19-0 (.808) in road games at the opponent’s home stadium. During that span, Miami has gone unbeaten in road games in eight seasons (1985, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996 and 2001). Of interest is the fact that Miami played three of the top seven best road teams during the 2001 season (Nebraska, Florida State and Penn State) and will take on three in 2002 (Florida State, Tennessee and Florida).
THE CONSENSUS NO. 1
The Hurricanes opened the 2002 season ranked No. 1 in both major preseason polls and have kept the top position through their third victory at Temple. Last season, UM was the consensus No. 1 in both major polls 12 times out of a possible 17 polls during the 2001 season. On three separate occassions, the Hurricanes were able to regain the consensus status after slipping to No. 2 in one of the polls the week before. The most recent time Associated Press No. 1 Miami regained the top spot in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll after spending a week at No. 2 with its 59-0 shutout over Syracuse. The big victory pushed UM past an idle Nebraska. The second time Miami regained the consensus No. 1 ranking in both polls was following the 49-27 victory at Florida State on Oct. 13. Coaches’ No. 1 Miami regained the AP with the momentus win at Doak Campbell Stadium, coupled with Florida’s loss at Auburn. The first time UM was named consensus in both during the 2001 season was following the Hurricanes 61-0 shutout over Rutgers at the Orange Bowl on Sept. 8. The consensus No. 1 ranking first received on Sept. 9 ended a string of 3,200 days (458 weeks) since Miami was last the nation’s consensus No. 1. Prior to 2001, the last time both polls had Miami at No. 1 was on Dec. 6, 1992.
BEING NO. 1
UM opened up the 2002 season ranked No. 1 in both major preseason polls and host Boston College with the top ranking through game three of the season. Miami ended the 2001 season having been ranked No. 1 by the Associated Press for the last 9 weeks and 13 of 16 polls during the season. UM was No. 1 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll for the last five weeks and 12 out of 16 pollings. Miami began that season ranked No. 2 by the AP and remained at that position until the Sept. 2 poll. UM dropped to No. 2 on Oct. 7 after a 38-7 win over Troy State, coupled with a Florida win at LSU. The USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll dropped UM to No. 2 on Nov. 11 after an 18-7 win at Boston College, coupled with a Nebraska win over Kansas State. Since the AP poll began in 1936, the weekly rankings have been published 868 times. Miami has been ranked No. 1 54 times.
MIAMI AS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NO. 1
The Hurricanes have played in 39 games all-time while holding the AP’s No. 1 ranking and have forged a 34-5 record in those contests. Prior to the Alabama loss (34-13) in the 1993 Sugar Bowl, UM had won 11 straight games when it held the top spot in the polls dating back to the 1991 season. In the regular season, UM has been ranked No. 1 by the AP in 35 games and has recorded a 32-3 mark. UM last lost a regular season game while holding the No. 1 ranking in the 1990 season opener at BYU, 28-21 on Sept. 8.
Miami’s record according to AP Rank
UM is 201-40-2 all-time in games while holding an AP national ranking. Since 1983, Miami is 136-20 as a top 10 team and 108-12 as a top five team. The Hurricanes are 34-5 as the nation’s No.1-ranked team. Miami has won 24 of its last 25 while ranked No. 1.
PRIMED TO ASCEND
Entering game four of the 2002 season atop the AP rankings for the 15th consecutive week, Miami joined an elite list of schools with the longest consecutive weekly AP No. 1 appearances.
Miami vs. AP-ranked teams
Miami is 70-98-1 vs. AP-ranked teams since its first game against a ranked opponent against No. 18 Alabama in 1941, is 34-52 vs. AP top-10 teams since playing No. 6 Alabama in 1947, is 19-31 against AP top-5 teams since playing No. 3 Maryland in 1953, and is 9-7 against No. 1-ranked teams. Miami has won nine consecutive games against ranked opponents beginning with a 27-24 victory over No. 1 Florida State on Oct. 7, 2000. That streak includes five straight wins on the road or at neutral sites against ranked opponents and four victories at the Orange Bowl against ranked foes.
Miami vs. Ranked Opponents
Streak: Won 9
Streak on the Road/Neutral: Won 5
Streak at Home: Won 4
VS. RANKED/UNRANKED OPPONENTS
Since 1990, Miami has registered a 31-22 mark against Associated Press ranked teams and an 87-6 record against unranked opponents.
QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE
The average drive time on UM’s 19 offensive touchdowns in 2002 is 1:22. At Temple, the six offensive touchdowns averaged 1:42 in drive time. At Florida, the four offensive touchdowns averaged 1:52 in drive time. In the season opener against FAMU, Miami scored its nine touchdowns with a :56 average. Overall 16 of the 19 touchdowns were scored under two minutes of drive time. Additionally, seven touchdowns have come in under a minute.
SCORING OFF TURNOVERS
Miami has recorded six turnovers for the season, all six of which led to Hurricane touchdowns. At Temple, UM recovered two fumbles that resulted in UM scores. At Florida, UM snagged two interceptions, including a 97-yard TD return by Maurice Sikes.
IF MIAMI SCORES FIRST
When Miami scores first it is nearly a lock to win. Beginning with the 1983 season, the Hurricanes have gone 157-14 (.918) when scoring first.
THE HURRICANES WHEN SCORING 30 OR 31 POINTS
Miami has won 104 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points since a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame in 1988. Miami has won 125 consecutive games when scoring 31 or more points since falling 39-37 to UCLA in the 1985 Fiesta Bowl. Excluding bowl games, Miami has won 136 consecutive regular season games when scoring 31 or more since a 34-31 loss to Mississippi State in 1980.
4TH QUARTER DOMINANCE
Over the last 16 seasons, Miami has been almost unbeatable when leading after three quarters. Since 1985, Miami has won 154 of 156 (.987) regular season games in which it entered the fourth quarter with a lead. The two losses in this span occurred at East Carolina (1999) and West Virginia (1997). Prior to these two losses, UM last lost when leading after three quarters in 1984 against Maryland (42-40) after leading 34-21 heading into the fourth quarter.
TURNOVERS = POINTS
The Miami defense of 2002 hopes to build on a recent trend of opportunism established by recent Hurricanes defenses. The Hurricanes have produced six turnovers for the season, two in each of the first three contests. At Temple, the defense recovered two fumbles. At Florida, the defense recorded two interceptions after snagging one INT and one fumble vs. FAMU. All six turnovers have resulted in touchdowns. In 2001, Miami continued a decade-long trend of being one of the most opportunistic offenses in college football by cashing in opponent turnovers into points with alarming consistency. Miami’s defense recorded 45 turnovers, six of which were to end halves. Of those 39 remaining turnovers, the Hurricanes offense produced 172 points (24 touchdowns and two field goals) on the ensuing drive.
NON-OFFENSIVE SCORING
Maurice Sikes’ 97-yard INT return for a touchdown at Florida was the first non-offensive points scored by Miami in the 2002 season. The 2001 season marked the second straight season that Miami led the nation in non-offensive scoring with 10 touchdowns and one safety. The 11 scores and one safety gave UM 70 points. The Hurricanes also led in 2000 with 13 touchdowns and 89 points coming from defense and special teams.
Miami on ESPN Gameday
Miami has played in 10 contests from an ESPN GameDay location and has a record of 8-2 in those games.
UM PLAYERS SWEEP BIG EAST WEEKLY AWARDS FOLLOWING THE FLORIDA GAME
Miami swept all three BIG EAST weekly honors after Willis McGahee (offense), Maurice Sikes (defense) and Todd Sievers (special teams) were selected after the Hurricanes defeated Florida 41-16 last Saturday. McGahee, a first-time selection, rushed 24 times for 204 yards against the Gators, both career highs. The sophomore averaged 8.5 yards, with a long run of 39 yards. It was the fourth-best rushing total in Miami history and the fourth time a UM player has surpassed the 200-yard mark. The total was the first 200-yard effort for a Hurricane running back since 1998 (Edgerrin James). McGahee also added one reception for 10 yards. Sikes, another first-time honoree, recorded the game’s key defensive play when he intercepted a Rex Grossman pass at the 3-yard line with Miami ahead, 27-16, in the third quarter. He returned the INT 97 yards for a touchdown. It tied for the fourth-longest INT return in BIG EAST history and fifth-best in Hurricane annals. Sikes also had a second interception in the fourth quarter and added four tackles and two pass break-ups. Sievers scored 11 of the Hurricanes’ points in the Florida victory. The senior placekicker connected on two field goals, including a 53-yarder to open the scoring. That kick tied for the second-longest in BIG EAST history and was the fourth-best at UM. He also had eight kickoffs. Five were touchbacks, with none returned further than the 30-yard line. It is the third time in his career that Sievers has won weekly honors.
MIAMI AGAINST SUNSHINE STATE OPPONENTS
Miami holds a 2-0 record vs. teams from the state of Florida in 2002, including a 41-16 win over Florida last Saturday and a 63-17 win over Florida A&M in the season opener. The Hurricanes have also won 18 of its last 26 games against Sunshine State opponent since the 1985 season. UM still has Florida State on the 2002 schedule slated for Oct. 12.
ON THE ROAD VS. TOP 10 OPPONENTS SINCE 1980
With its 41-16 win over No. 6 Florida, Miami has forged a 33-20 record in 53 games since 1980 against Associated Press top-10 ranked teams.
MIAMI IN ITS ROAD OPENER
The Hurricanes opened their 2002 road schedule with a 41-16 win over the Florida Gators at the Swamp in Gainesville. Miami now has a 38-37-2 in road openers all-time, including 15-8 since 1980.
MIAMI VS. FIRST-YEAR COACHES
With the win over Florida and first-year head coach Ron Zook UM now holds a seven game win streak against rookie head coaches and is 8-1 since 1995. Overall, Miami has won 30 of its last 31 games vs. teams under the helm of a first-year coach.
Miami WINS VS. the SEC
Miami now holds a 61-80-3 all-time record against schools currently in the Southeastern Conference. Prior to last Saturday, the Hurricanes last SEC match-up was a 37-20 victory over Florida in the 2001 Sugar Bowl. Prior to that 2000 season finale against the Gators, Miami had not met up with an SEC team since its 34-13 loss to Alabama in the 1993 Sugar Bowl. UM’s last regular season affair against a current SEC team was a 31-3 season-opening victory at Arkansas in 1991 (back when the Hogs were members of the Southwest Conference). Miami commonly faced the SEC in the past, having met at least one member each season from 1944-1989. UM’s first SEC meeting was a 14-0 loss to Mississippi in 1936. Additionally, the Hurricanes have fielded games against each opponent currently in the 12-member conference.
BIG EAST WINS vs. the SEC
Since the formation of the BIG EAST football conference in 1991, the league has gone 12-10 vs. the SEC. The BIG EAST has faced every school in the SEC, but Mississippi State. All-time, BIG EAST schools are a combined 139-179-16 against the SEC. Additionally, the BIG EAST has won seven of its last eight games vs. SEC opponents.
SENIOR QB KEN DORSEY
Senior quarterback Ken Dorsey led the Hurricanes to the 2001 national championship by leading the nation’s most balanced and explosive offense. This season, Dorsey has passed for 626 yards and 9 touchdowns in three games as he continues a mercurial climb up the Miami records list. He already has risen to the top of the UM career touchdown passes list with 67 – surpassing former Miami greats Steve Walsh and Vinny Testaverde further cementing Dorsey’s name among the pantheon of outstanding Miami quarterbacks. Dorsey is completing 55 percent of his passes in 2002 and leads the BIG EAST in Passing Efficiency with a rating of 147.85.
DORSEY IN THE BIG EAST RECORD BOOK
Ken Dorsey enters the Boston College game with 67 touchdowns passing for his career after throwing two at Temple last week. His four touchdown passes at Florida two weeks ago marked the fourth time in his career he has thrown that many. The 67 career touchdowns keeps him second place on the BIG EAST career list behind Donovan McNabb of Syracuse (77 from 1995-98). Dorsey recently moved ahead of Boston College’s Glenn Foley (61 from 1991-93) with his four TD tosses at Florida. His 6,822 passing yards lands him at No. 5 on the career list. With his effort at Temple, Dorsey passed Rutgers Mike McMahon (6,608, 1997-00) and Syracuse’ Marvin Graves (6,755, 1991-93). Dorsey’s 58.3% completion percentage (490 of 840) lands him at No. 5 all-time behind Syracuse’s Marvin Graves (60.3, 1991-93). Dorsey’s 23 touchdown passes thrown in 2001 were the fourth-best in a season. His 25 in 2000 tied for third-best.
DORSEY: AT HIS BEST IN BIG GAMES
Several of quarterback Ken Dorsey’s greatest performances have been turned in against some of the nation’s top-ranked teams. Miami is 10-1 against ranked opponents with Dorsey as a starter including 5-0 against teams ranked in the top 10.
DORSEY’S CAREER TOUCHDOWNS
In his Miami career, Ken Dorsey has connected with 19 different players for a school-record 67 passing touchdowns. Jason Geathers was the most recent player to join the heralded list with his two touchdown receptions at Florida. Split end Andre Johnson lead all current players with 12 Dorsey touchdowns. Johnson’s TD catch at Florida tied him with Reggie Wayne (1999-2000) as Dorsey’s top scoring target.
DORSEY: A WINNER
By any measure, Ken Dorsey is primed to set a new standard for quarterback success at Quarterback U. He enters the Boston College game with the best winning percentage ever established by a Miami starting quarterback, in addition to taking over the all-time mark in winning starts as the starter earlier this season.
DORSEY AS A STARTER
Ken Dorsey has been the Hurricanes starter since the final three games of the 1999 season and, in those 30 starts, has passed for 300 yards five times, including a regular season best of 344 in the 2001 season opener at Penn State (eclipsed only by his career-best 362 yards against Nebraska in the 2002 Rose Bowl game). He has also thrown for at least 200 yards 23 times and has had multiple touchdowns in 24 games. His statistics as a starter read: 480-of-811 for 6,733 yards with 67 touchdown passes, one touchdown rush, and 19 interceptions thrown.
BACKFIELD NOTES
The unit rushed for a season-low 112 yards at Temple after gaining 306 a week earlier at Florida. The Florida total was the most since gaining 331 yards vs. Syracuse on Nov. 17, 2001. Despite the low team total, Willis McGahee rushed for 134 yards breaking the 100-yard plateau for the second straight game, as well as gaining 33 yards additional yards on three catches. McGahee also tied a school-record with four rushing touchdowns equalling the total set by Melvin Bratton vs. Boston College on Nov. 23, 1984. McGahee now has five rushing scores for the season. Two weeks earlier vs. the Gators, McGahee rushed for 204 yards on 24 carries (8.5 ypc), earning BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week honors. Jarrett Payton continued his comeback with 18 yards on six carries. Fullback Quadtrine Hill had a 17-yard reception in the third quarter, the longest of his career.
RECEIVER NOTES
A season-high 10 players caught passes at Temple for a season-high 365 yards with two touchdowns. Kevin Beard caught a career-high six passes for 67 yards, including a nine-yard TD in the first quarter – his first of the season. Freshman Roscoe Parrish continued to impress with four catches for a team-high 76 yards, along with 42 yards on punt returns – 118 yards of total offense. Ethenic Sands had 64 yards on two catches, including a team-season-high 53-yard reception. Kellen Winslow had the other TD reception, a three-yard pass in the fourth quarter, while gaining 43 yards on three catches. True freshmen Akieem Jolla, Sinorice Moss and Eric Winston combined for four catches for 51 yards. Andre Johnson did not make the road trip due to minor shoulder surgery.
OFFENSIVE LINE NOTES
Temple put together two sacks on the Hurricanes, on Ken Dorsey and Derrick Crudup. Although, the offensive line gave Dorsey and Crudup enough time to pass for a season-high 365 yards. The line also assisted Willis McGahee in getting his second straight 100-yard effort. Vernon Carey (RT) and Carlos Joseph (LT) and Chris Myers (RG) each made their third straight starts after the career first in the season-opener against FAMU. Brett Romberg made his 27th career start at center at Temple, while senior Sherko Haji-Rasouli (LT) made his 10th career start. Romberg is the anchor of Miami’s offensive line and a legitimate candidate for the Dave Rimington Award, presented annually to the finest center in college football. Romberg joins fellow Canadian Haji-Rasouli on the Outland Trophy preseason Watch List for college football’s top interior lineman.
DEFENSIVE LINE NOTES
The defensive line recorded two sacks at Temple, one each by Jamaal Green and William Joseph, while totaling five tackles for loss. The pass rush assisted Miami in holding the Owls to a season-low 101 yards passing, including just 36 by starter Mike McGann. The line was also a force in holding the Owls to 121 yards rushing, including 68 by honors candidate Tanardo Sharps. Following the Florida game, Head Coach Larry Coker announced that Santonio Thomas will miss the remainder of the season with a torn muscle in his right biceps. Redshirt freshman Orien Harris was added to the line rotation in Thomas’ absence. William Joseph heads the list of returnees, a Playboy magazine All-American, who many project to be among the top defensive players in college football this season. McDougle is considered a first-team All-American by several preseason publications and is a member of the Lombardi Award Watch List (along with Joseph).
LINEBACKER NOTES
Jonathan Vilma led the linebackers at Temple with six tackles, second-most for the defense. Vilma also forced and recovered a fumble. Both Vilma and D.J. Williams are named to the Butkus Award’s Preseason Watch List of outstanding linebackers.
SECONDARY NOTES
The secondary continued their growth at Temple limiting the Owls to 121 yards passing, with just one touchdown reception scored late in the fourth quarter. Maurice Sikes led the team in tackles with seven, along with a blocked punt. Antrel Rolle was second on the team in tackles with six. Both Sikes and Rolle also had a team-high five solo tackles each in the game. True freshman cornerback Glenn Sharpe made the start at left cornerback and had a memorable game. In addition to his defensive duties, Sharpe also played on the kickoff coverage team and recovered a fumble on a kickoff following Miami’s first touchdown of the game. Sharpe’s fumble recovery at Temple’s 10-yard line set up a Ken Dorsey 9-yard touchdown pass to wideout Kevin Beard to give Miami at 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
PLACEKICKERS/TODD SIEVERS
10 of Todd Sievers’ 21 kickoffs in 2002 have gone for touchbacks. On the turf at Franklin Field for the Temple game, just one of his kickoffs were for a touchback, while three others landed inside the five. Sievers went 1-for-3 on field goal attempts and missed his first extra point of the season. He totaled eight points in the game to give him 232 for his career, keeping him in sixth place all-time at Miami. His field goal was the 35th of his career. Two weeks earlier at Florida, Sievers connected on a 53-yard field goal the longest of his career and fourth-longest in school history. His 11-point effort vs. Florida earned him BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week, the third weekly honor of his career. Sievers, a native of Ankeny, Iowa, lettered in his true freshman season in 1998, becoming the first player from the state of Iowa to letter at Miami since fullback Tom Smith (Waterloo) in 1971-72. Smith and Sievers are the only two players from Iowa ever to letter at Miami. Joe Carlstrom, a defensive tackle from Iowa City, played in limited action on the 1951 team after serving in the armed forces, but did not letter. Redshirt freshman place kicker Mark Gent kicked off for the first time in his collegiate career and saw furth action in the season-opener vs. FAMU.
PUNTERS/FREDDIE CAPSHAW
Freddie Capshaw recorded just three punts for 98 yards at Temple for a 32.7 average. His long was for 45 yards and placed two within the 20-yard line. Of his nine punts on the season, five have been placed inside the 20. In his first action of the season at Florida, Capshaw had six punts for a 42.2 average with three inside the 20. He missed the FAMU game with a bruised right ankle. True freshman punter/kicker Jon Peattie punted for the first time in his collegiate career vs. FAMU. Capshaw, a senior from Rock Springs, Wyoming, already has established himself among Miami’s best ever. The leading punter in the BIG EAST Conference the last two seasons, Capshaw is a solid contender for the Ray Guy Award, recognizing college football’s outstanding punter. Capshaw is a hard-nosed player who prides himself on his excellent physical condition. Twice an All-BIG EAST selection, Capshaw has earned BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week four times during his career. In 2001, he was one of three Ray Guy Award finalists as he averaged 41.8 yards per punt in his junior season.
THE RETURN MEN
Punt returns highlighted the return unit as six were returned for 105 yards with a long of 44 yards by Ethenic Sands. Sands returned three for 57 yards, while Roscoe Parrish returned two for 42 yards with a long of 28 yards. Mo Sikes also had one return for six yards to save a potential lenghthy roll deep into UM territory. Jason Geather returned all three kickoffs for 51 yards and a long of 15 yards.
MIAMI REMAINS NO.1 IN THE NFL DRAFT
During the last 20 years, National Football League teams have turned to the University of Miami more than any other college or university when it comes to premium picks in the annual draft. The following chart illustrates college programs that have produced the most players selected in the first three rounds from 1983 to 2002.
HURRICANE ROSTER HAS NFL GENES
Six Hurricanes on the 2002 roster have relations to players that have been in the NFL.
TOUGH SCHEDULE IN 2002
The 2002 Hurricanes face one of the toughest schedules in the nation, including games with seven teams that played in bowl games in the 2001 season and two games with teams that ended the season ranked in the top 10 nationally in 2001. One of college football’s top television ratings draws, Miami also has several games penciled in for national telecasts. It’s a 12-game regular season slate for UM in 2002, with six home games, including contests with bowl winners Florida State, Boston College and Pittsburgh. The seven 2001 bowl teams on Miami’s schedule are: Florida (Orange Bowl winner), Boston College (Music City Bowl winner), Florida State (Gator Bowl winner), Tennessee (Citrus Bowl winner), Pittsburgh (Tangerine Bowl winner), Syracuse (Insight.com Bowl winner), and Virginia Tech (Gator Bowl). Florida (third) and Tennessee (fourth) finished the 2001 season ranked among the nation’s top 10 teams by the Associated Press.
