No. 1 Miami at Florida State
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Oct. 8, 2001
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Game #5
Florida State Seminoles
Doak Campbell Stadium
Oct. 13, 2001 – 12:00 p.m.
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — Miami (4-0, 2-0 BIG EAST), ranked No. 1 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll and second by the Associated Press, travels to in-state rival Florida State (3-1, 2-1 ACC) to take on the Seminoles, ranked 13th/14th, at Doak Campbell Stadium. No team has won against FSU at home since the Hurricanes did so, 17-16, in 1991 – an unbeaten string of 53 games.
In its last game, Miami notched a 38-7 win over Troy State at the Orange Bowl. In the game, UM was led by Ken Dorsey, who passed for 299 yards and two touchdowns. He found eight different receivers in the game. UM erupted for 21 third quarter points to put the game away. The defense turned the game around in the third quarter, led by Edward Reed’s 27-yard interception return for a touchdown. The defense also totaled a season-high five sacks in the game.
Miami enters the Florida State match-up on a 14-game win streak, second nationally to Oklahoma’s 18, and has won 19 of 20 dating back to 1999. UM’s last loss came in week No. 2 of the 2000 season to Washington, 34-29.
Florida State was on a bye last weekend, after defeating Wake Forest, 48-24, on Sept. 29. The Seminoles started the season defeating Duke, 55-13, in Durham, NC. FSU followed up winning its home opener over UAB 29-7. For the first time since FSU joined the ACC in 1993, the Seminoles fell to North Carolina, 41-9, in Chapel Hill.
Miami/Florida State Series — Miami and Florida State face for the 45th time since the 1951 season with the Hurricanes holding a 24-20 advantage in the series. Last season, Miami ended FSU’s five-game win streak over UM with a thrilling 27-24 victory at the Orange Bowl. Miami is 10-6 all-time on the road at Doak Campbell Stadium, including a 31-21 loss in 1999. Miami’s last victory at FSU was 17-16 in 1991 – the Seminoles last home loss overall.
HEAD COACH LARRY COKER – Is four games into his first season as a collegiate head coach with the Hurricanes and has a 4-0 overall record and 2-0 mark in BIG EAST play. His record includes a 2-0 mark at the Orange Bowl and a 2-0 record on the road.
Prior to becoming Miami’s 19th head coach, Coker served under Butch Davis as UM’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach since 1995. Coker’s hiring marked the first time in 25 years that the University of Miami elevated a current assistant to head coach. While the offensive coordinator, UM went 51-20 overall and 33-9 in BIG EAST play. At the Orange Bowl, UM was 27-9 with Coker and 19-11 on the road. Additionally, the Hurricanes won all four Bowl games since 1995.
Prior to his arrival in 1995, Coker spent the previous two seasons at Ohio State (1993-94) coaching the defensive backfield. The Buckeyes participated in two bowl games during his tenure and were Big Ten Co-Champions in 1993. From 1990-92, Coker was offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, assisting the Sooners to two bowl game victories.
Before heading to Norman, Coker spent seven seasons as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State in Stillwater. In his seven seasons with the Cowboys, he coached 1988 Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders while the team went on to win four bowl games. Coker first made the jump to division I with Tulsa from 1979-82, as the offensive backfield coach. Tulsa went on to win three Missouri Valley Conference championships during his four seasons.
A PERFECT COACHING DEBUT – Currently Head Coach Larry Coker stands at 4-0 in his first season as head coach at Miami. Coker now joins Howard Buck (1926) and Dennis Erickson (1989) as the only UM head coaches to remain undefeated after the fourth game of their inaugural seasons. Buck, who coached 1926-28, went 8-0 in UM’s first season of varsity football. Erickson, 1989-94, would guide the Hurricanes to a 6-0 record, before falling 24-10 to Florida State in Tallahassee in game seven. Additionally, Erickson’s 1989 Hurricanes finished 11-1 on the season, including UM’s third National Championship with a 33-25 win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
Coker became the 13th UM head football coach to win his debut game in the Hurricanes’ 33-7 triumph at Penn State on Sept. 1. Overall, UM’s 19 head football coaches are 13-6 (.684) in debut games. At home, Coker became the 14th UM head football coach to win his home debut with a 61-0 shutout over Rutgers on Sept. 8. Overall, UM’s 19 head football coaches are 14-5 (.737). Additionally, no other UM head football coach had such a decisive debut home win.
HURRICANES AT NO. 1 – Following the Troy State game, Miami remained No. 1 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll, but fell to No. 2 in the Associated Press poll. Prior to last weekend, Miami was the consensus No. 1 ranked team in both polls since Sept. 9. The consensus ranking marked a string of 3,200 days and 458 weeks since the Hurricanes last were the consensus No. 1. The last time both polls had UM at No. 1 was on Dec. 6, 1992 prior to the bowl games.
The Hurricanes have played in 28 games all-time while holding the AP’s No. 1 ranking and have forged a 24-5 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 26 games and have recorded a 23-3 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 AND FLORIDA STATE ARE A MADE FOR TV MATCH-UP – Oct. 13th’s ABC-televised meeting at Florida State will mark the 17th consecutive season and the 21st time in 45 meetings that the UM/FSU clash will be shown on network television. The Hurricanes are making their 58th appearance on ABC since 1961 and hold a 36-21 (.632) record on that network. All-time, Miami is 107-49 (.686) on network television and 87-36 (.707) in nationally televised games.
UM HOLDS SECOND LONGEST WIN STREAK – Miami enters the Florida State game with the nation’s second-longest winning streak, having won 14 games in a row dating back to a Sept. 23 win over West Virginia (47-10). Oklahoma owns the longest current win streak at 18 games dating back to last season.
Additionally, UM has won 12 straight at the Orange Bowl and six on the road, including the Nokia Sugar Bowl. It is the longest OB streak since winning 12 games from 1994-96.
The Hurricanes have won 12 straight BIG EAST games dating back to 1999 to tie its own conference record set from 1991-93. Virginia Tech holds the conference mark with 14 in a row from 1998-2000, ahead of the 12 by UM. UM has won 15 of its last 16 BIG EAST games, including the 1999 loss to the Hokies.
Additionally, the Hurricanes are 19-1 in their last 20 games played, including bowls. The lone loss was at Washington, 34-29, in the second week of 2000. Additionally, UM has won 22 of its last 24 games dating back to its 31-21 loss at Florida State in 1999.
HIGH OCTANE SCORING – Miami has scored 175 points over its first four games, which is the second most all-time to start a season at UM. The 1933 Hurricanes recorded 172 points over their first four contests. Last year’s record scoring UM team compiled 201 points in its first four games.
Miami has scored 104 points in its first two BIG EAST games this season (61 vs. Rutgers and 43 at Pittsburgh), which places second all-time at UM to the 2000 team’s 111 points vs. West Virginia (47) and Rutgers (64).
Last season, Miami established a new school and BIG EAST record with its 469 regular season points. UM went on to score 506 overall points following its 37-20 Sugar Bowl victory over Florida. The total surpassed the 1986 squad’s previous high of 420 points and Syracuse’ former league-high of 468 points in 1998.
QUARTERLY PRESSURE – Over the first three games of 2001, Miami has outscored opponents 97-14 in the first half, as compared to 78-21 in the second half. UM has outscored opponents 54-14 in the first quarter, 43-0 in the second, 51-0 in the third and 27-21 in the fourth.
QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE – In 2001, 13 of UM’s 18 offensive touchdowns were under 2:30 minutes in drive time. The average drive time on UM’s 18 offensive touchdowns is under two minutes at 1:57.
Against Troy State, UM scored four offensive touchdown all 1:25 less in drive time.
100-YARD GAMES IN 2001 – Miami players have recorded three 100-yard games on the season, one rushing and two receiving.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TURNOVERS – On the season, Miami has recorded 14 turnovers, three of which were to close out a half. Of those 11 remaining turnovers, UM has converted 55 points off eight touchdowns.
STUFFING THE DRIVE – The Hurricane defense has held opponents scoreless in 52 of 56 (.929) offensive drives this season.
STARTING DEFENSE HARD TO SCORE ON – Over the last seven regular season games, UM’s defense has given up just seven touchdowns, four by the starting defense and three by the reserves. Most recently, Troy State scored on its second possession against the primary UM defense on Oct. 6 in a 38-7 UM win. Pittsburgh scored a TD on its first drive of the game then added two late fourth quarter scores on the reserves. Penn State scored late in the fourth quarter in UM’s 2001 season opening 33-7 win at State College.
Over the final three regular season games last season, Boston College mustered one first quarter score against the starters, while Pittsburgh added a second quarter score on the starters.
4TH QUARTER DOMINANCE – Over the last 16 seasons, Miami has been almost unbeatable when leading after three quarters. Since 1985, Miami has won 143 of 145 (.986) 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 final stanza.
INSIDE/OUTSIDE THE REDZONE – On the 2001 season, Miami has driven into the redzone 23 times and scored 21 times. Troy State scored on its lone trip into the UM redzone. Pittsburgh was the first UM opponent on the season to enter the redzone scoring three touchdowns on three trips. UM has scored 14 of its 17 offensive touchdowns from inside the redzone this season.
Outside the redzone, UM has totaled four touchdowns and three field goals.
VS. RANKED/UNRANKED OPPONENTS – Since 1990, Miami has registered a 26-21 (.553) mark against nationally ranked teams and a 79-7 (.919) record against unranked opponents.
IF MIAMI SCORES FIRST – When Miami scores first it is nearly a lock to win. Beginning with the 1983 season, the Hurricanes have gone 146-14 (.913) when scoring first.
MIAMI WHEN SCORING 30+ POINTS – Miami has won 86 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points, since dropping a 31-30 decision at Notre Dame in 1988. Additionally, UM has won 107 consecutive games when scoring 31 or more points since falling 39-37 to UCLA in the 1985 Fiesta Bowl.
NON-OFFENSIVE SCORING – The Hurricanes led the nation in 2000 with 13 touchdowns and 89 points coming from the defense and special teams. This season UM has scored three touchdowns for 20 overall points by non-offensive players.
Against Troy State, Edward Reed returned an interception for 27 yards for a touchdown. In the Rutgers game, UM scored two touchdowns and 13 overall points off Phillip Buchanon’s 56-yard punt return and John Square’s 5-yard fumble return.
Reed’s TD marked his fourth all-time. Buchanon’s TD marked his third all-time, including an INT and fumble return in 2000. In addition, the two TD’s against Rutgers pushed UM’s total to five in the last two meetings with the Scarlet Knights.
DORSEY AS A STARTER – Ken Dorsey has been the Hurricanes starter since the final three games of the 1999 season and has recorded an 18-1 overall record, not including bowl games. In those 19 regular season starts, Dorsey has passed for 300 yards three times, including a career-high 344 in the 2001 season-opener at Penn State. He has also thrown for at least 200 yards 15 times and has had multiple touchdowns in 14 games. His statistics as a starter reads 322-of-527 for 4,621 yards with 42 touchdown passes, one touchdown rush and eight interceptions.
DORSEY LEADS ESPN’S HEISMAN WATCH – Ken Dorsey leads a group of 11 players receiving votes in ESPN.com’s 2001 Heisman Watch. Dorsey received 32 points to stay ahead of Fresno State QB David Carr (30). The Heisman Poll features nine ESPN coaches, analysts and writers, and will appear weekly during the season. Panelists are asked to vote for their top five and players are awarded five points for a first-place vote, four for second and so on. Voters for the Heisman Poll are Lee Corso, Todd Christensen, Bill Curry, Rece Davis, Rod Gilmore, Mike Gottfried, Kirk Herbstreit, Mel Kiper, Jr. and Gene Wojciechowski.
DORSEY CONTINUES TOUCHDOWN STREAK AGAINST TROY STATE – Ken Dorsey’s two touchdown passes against Troy State extended his school-record streak to 20 straight games, including bowls.
In fact, Dorsey has thrown a touchdown in each of his 19 all-time starts. His lone appearance without a start was off the bench at Virginia Tech in 1999.
DORSEY CAREER TOUCHDOWNS – In his three seasons at Miami, Ken Dorsey has connected with 17 different players for 43 passing touchdowns. Junior tight end Jeremy Shockey leads the current players with five touchdown passes from Dorsey. Overall, Dorsey’s top all-time touchdown targets were Reggie Wayne (12) and Santana Moss (6).
DORSEY HAS “THE DRIVE” TO BEAT FLORIDA STATE IN 2000 – The Hurricanes led Florida State nearly the entire game (58:23) until FSU’s Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke put the Seminoles ahead for the first time, 24-20, on a 29-yard TD pass to Atrews Bell with 1:37 remaining.
Ken Dorsey, a first-time starter against FSU, then proceeded to lead the Hurricanes down field in 51 seconds to regain the lead, 27-24, on a 13-yard scoring pass to Jeremy Shockey with 46 ticks left. FSU kicker Matt Munyon missed a distant 49-yard field goal as time expired to secure Dorsey’s drive as one of the most memorable at UM.
AGAINST THE SUNSHINE STATE – Miami has won 15 of its last 23 games against teams from the state of Florida since the 1985 season. Most recently, UM defeated Florida State (27-24) and Florida (37-20) during the 2000 season.
THORN IN FSU’S SIDE – Seven of Florida State’s last 18 losses, dating back to 1987, have been delivered by the Hurricanes. The seven wins are the most by any team in the nation versus Florida State over the last 14 seasons. Miami is one of only two schools to defeat the Seminoles more than once since 1987 (4 – Florida). In addition, FSU has had eight one-loss seasons since 1987 with five of the losses at the hands of the Hurricanes.
FIRST TO SCORE – When Miami and Florida State play the team that has scored first has won the last eight meetings and 13 of the last 14. The lone exception was 1992 when FSU scored first in a 19-16 Miami victory at the Orange Bowl.
TEAMMATE TO RIVALS – A combined 19 players from the Miami and Florida State rosters attended high school together. Seven of the eight mutual high schools are located in the Dade/Broward/Palm Beach area, while Miami Carol City leads the way with five players from UM and FSU.
MIAMI VS. THE ACC – Miami is 52-45-1 record against teams currently in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Additionally, UM is 27-15-1 against ACC schools during their conference affiliation (1953 – present).
SHUTTING OUT THE SEMINOLES – Since Bobby Bowden took over the coaching reigns at Florida State 26 years ago only one team has managed to shutout the Seminoles. Miami has blanked the Tribe twice during the Bowden era. The Hurricanes shut out FSU, 47-0, in the Orange Bowl in Bowden’s inaugural season at Florida State (1976) and then blanked his pre-season No. 1-ranked Seminoles, 31-0, in the Orange Bowl to start the 1988 season.
HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT – If the Miami and Florida State final score is close, history has favored the Hurricanes. Since 1973, the Hurricanes are 8-0 against FSU in games decided by four points or less.
UM HAS BEEN THE FIRST LOSS FOR COACH BOWDEN – In Head Coach Bobby Bowden’s 26 seasons at Florida State, the Hurricanes have delivered the Seminoles their first loss of the season nine times.
IMPRESSIVE FSU STREAKS COME TO AN END – With the Hurricanes 27-24 win over No. 1 Florida State last season, UM ended three significant national streaks held by the Seminoles:
FSU SCORELESS AT THE HALF – The Miami defense held FSU scoreless in the first half in 2000, marking the first time in 151 games the Seminoles were scoreless going into halftime. Additionally, Miami was the last team to record the same feat in a 31-0 victory over FSU in 1988.
ANNUAL RIVALS – The Seminoles have played each other every season since 1969.
SCORING MARGINS – Of the 44 meetings between these two teams, 12 (UM 9-3) have been decided by five or less points, eight (UM 5-3) have been decided by 6-10 points and 24 (FSU 14-10) have been decided by 11 or more points.
YET ANOTHER FOURTH QUARTER COMEBACK IN THE UM/FSU SERIES – Since 1983, FSU has either taken a lead into or jumped ahead of the Hurricanes in the fourth quarter in 14 of 17 games. However, Miami has come from behind to win in seven of those 14 games. In the seven comeback victories, UM has outscored FSU in the fourth quarter by a total of 78-26. In the last 18 Miami-FSU contests, the Hurricanes have outscored Florida State in the fourth quarter 115-109.
QUARTERBACK SECOND STARTS IN FSU/UM SERIES – Ken Dorsey will be making his second start against the Seminoles on Oct. 6, while FSU freshman Chris Rix will make his first against the Hurricanes. Here is a look at how both teams’ quarterbacks have fared in their first and second start.
RUSHING LEADS TO VICTORY – Since 1988, the team that rushes for more yards in the Miami and Florida State series has won the game 11 of 12 times. The lone exception was when FSU narrowly out-gained Miami on the ground 67 to 65, but lost 19-16 in 1992.
PITTSBURGH’S BILETNIKOFF WINNER HELD IN CHECK FOR THIRD STRAIGHT SEASON – Pittsburgh’s All-American receiver and 2000 Biletnikoff Award winner junior Antonio Bryant has totaled nine catches for 90 yards in three all-time appearances against Miami since 1999. Bryant entered the 2001 season averaging 102 yards a game and 18 yards a catch.
Most recently, Bryant was held to 39 yards on three catches in UM’s 43-21 win on Sept. 27. A Miami-Northwestern graduate, Bryant also had four catches for 31 yards as a sophomore in 2000 and two catches for 20 yards as a freshman in 1999.
UM SURVIVES COLD WEATHER – The Hurricanes have played 40 games all-time in temperature below 55 degrees, holding a 22-18 record in such games. The temperature at kickoff for the Pittsburgh game was 48 degrees.
ANOTHER THURSDAY NIGHT VICTORY – With its 43-21 win at Pittsburgh, Miami moved to 5-1 all-time in games played on Thursdays. Additionally, UM is now 4-1 in ESPN Thursday night games. UM will play one more Thursday night game on Oct. 25 vs. West Virginia, on ESPN.
PORTIS REACHING THE 2,000-YARD MARK – Clinton Portis stands 313 yards from breaking the 2,000-yard career rushing mark. If he does so, Portis will become the fifth Hurricane all-time to achieve the status. Only one alum, Ottis Anderson (1975-78, 3,331) has reached 3,000-yard plateau.
Portis has 1,687 career yards in 22 games played. The quickest a Hurricane has reached 2,000 yards rushing is Edgerrin James (1996-98), who hit 2,121 yards in his 23rd career game.
SHOCKEY MOVING UP THE TIGHT END CHARTS – Just four games into his second season with the Hurricanes, tight end Jeremy Shockey has become one of the more prolific players at that position since the 1979 season.
His five career touchdowns ties him for fifth with Glenn Dennison (81-83) and Syii Tucker (92-95).
Shockey also lands at No. 8 with 554 career receiving yards, passing Tucker (495) and Randy Bethel (87-90, 541) against Troy State.
His 38 receptions places him at No. 10, moving ahead of Charles Henry (36, 84-87).
HURRICANES WIN HOME/BIG EAST OPENER – Following its 61-0 win over Rutgers, UM is 54-21-1 (.717) in 76 season openers. Additionally, UM has now won 15 of its last 16 home openers, including four straight.
In BIG EAST Conference openers, UM is now 9-3 since 1991 and 7-3 since league play began in 1993. UM has also won its last three conference openers.
MIAMI DEFEATS A FIRST-YEAR COACH – With the 61-0 win over Rutgers and first-year head coach Greg Schiano, UM has now won 28 of its last 29 games vs. teams under the helm of a first-year coach. In addition, UM holds a five-game win streak in these games. Miami had its 23-game win streak vs. first-year coaches snapped at Pittsburgh Sept. 18, 1997, with Walt Harris.
WHEN THE OPPONENT’S HEAD COACH USED TO BE AT MIAMI – With the 61-0 win over Rutgers and Greg Schiano, UM’s former defensive coordinator, Miami has won all three meetings when a former UM coach returns as the head coach of another program.
In 1988, the Hurricanes defeated Mike Archer and LSU, 44-3, in Baton Rouge. Archer was an assistant at UM from 1978-83. In 1985, UM defeated Howard Schnellenburger’s Louisville Cardinals 45-7 at the Orange Bowl. Schnellenburger was head coach at UM from 1979-83.
MIAMI IN SEASON OPENERS – With its 33-7 win at Penn State, Miami now holds a 51-24-1 (.678) all-time record in 76 season-openers, including a six-game win streak. Additionally, Miami has won 14 of its last 16 season openers since 1986.
On the road, Miami is 14-11 (.560) in 25 season-opening games with a three-game win streak dating back to 1996. Additionally, UM has a four-game win streak in openers away from the Orange Bowl, including a 23-12 win over Ohio State at the 1999 Kickoff Classic.
SEASON OPENERS AT THE HALF – In the last 11 season openers, Miami has outscored the opposition 214-32 (19.5-2.9 avg.) in the first half, allowing just three TD’s. UM shutout Penn State 30-0 in the first half of the 2001 opener.
GONZALEZ NAMED TO AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM – Joaquin Gonzalez was one of 11 D-1 players to be selected for the 2001 AFCA Good Works Team, chosen by the American Football Coaches Association in recognition of outstanding community service to the area in which they live. A First-Team All-American in 2000, Gonzalez is the fourth Hurricane to be named to the Good Works Team (Nate Brooks, 1998, Ryan Clement, 1997, Tony Coley, 1996). He works with First Mentors, a partnership with Big Brothers/Big Sisters that pairs student-athletes with a child to serve as a mentor. He also is involved in the Read To Win program, showing elementary school students the relationship between good learning skills and success as an athlete. A student in Miami’s graduate MBA program, Gonzalez received a bachelor’s degree in business marketing in December of 2000.
UNIT RANKINGS AMONG NATION’S BEST – According to Athlon’s preseason magazine, the Hurricanes offensive line and defensive backs were ranked as the nation’s No. 1 units. In Lindy’s preseason annual, the offensive backfield and offensive line were each ranked No. 1, while the defensive backs were No. 2. The Sporting News rated the offensive line and offensive backfield No. 1 and the defensive backs No. 7.
LONE STAR STATE SHINES AT MIAMI – When freshman Charles Pharms, a resident of Houston, recorded his first start in the 1988 season’s sixth game against Cincinnati it would begin a streak of 154 consecutive games that at least one player from the state of Texas has started for the Hurricanes. The 2001 Hurricane roster boasts nine players from Texas, including linebacker Chris Campbell (Mt. Pleasant), wide receiver Daryl Jones (Dallas), defensive end Cornelius Green (Houston) and tight end Robert Williams (Dallas) who are expected to contend for a job in the starting line-up. UM also added two players from Texas to the 2001 roster, defensive back Marcus Maxey (Navasota) and offensive lineman Tony Tella (Houston).
PENNSYLVANIA HAS ITS OWN STREAK – Then-sophomore center Tirrell Greene started every game during the 1992 season. From that first game of the 1992 season, Greene (Pittsburgh) helped begin a current streak of 111 consecutive games that a player from Pennsylvania has started for the Hurricanes.
Entering 2001, Martin Bibla (Moutaintop) is slated to start at right guard. In between Greene and Bibla have been many standout starters from the Keystone State, including QB Frank Costa (91-94), defensive lineman Denny Fortney (94-97) and offensive lineman Damond Neely (95-98).
LOUISIANA, NEW JERSEY AND CANADA – Other than Texas (154) and Pennsylvania (111), Louisiana (60), New Jersey (42) and Canada (41) have current streaks of having a player from that region start heading into the 2001 season. Louisiana saw offensive lineman J Ina (93-96) begin a streak in 1996 followed by defensive back Eugene Ridgley (94-97), wide receiver Reggie Wayne (97-00) and now safety Edward Reed.
New Jersey has the fourth-longest current streak that began with defensive lineman Matt Sweeney (96-99) at the end of 1997 through 1998 and now resides with linebacker Howard Clark, defensive end Jamaal Green and defensive back James Lewis. From offensive guard Richard Mercier (95-99) in 1998, Canada has the fifth-longest streak which features current center Bret Romberg.
HURRICANE ROSTER HAS NFL GENES – Seven Hurricanes on the 2001 roster have relation to players that have been in the NFL.
UM SENDS 10 MORE TO THE NFL – At the 2001 NFL Draft, Miami had seven players drafted and three more later signed as free agents. Of UM’s seven draft picks, four were in the first round (Damione Lewis, #11, St. Louis, Dan Morgan, #12, Carolina, Santana Moss, #16, NY Jets, Reggie Wayne, #30, Indianapolis) and one in the third (James Jackson, Cleveland), sixth (Leonard Myers, New England) and seventh (Andre King, Cleveland) rounds. In addition, Ivan Mercer (Washington), Delvin Brown (Jacksonville) and Al Blades (San Francisco) signed as free agents after the draft.
UM STAYS NO. 1 AT THE NFL DRAFT – During the last 15 years, Miami has produced more NFL first-round draft picks that any other college. Since 1987, the Hurricanes have had 24 first round draft picks, ahead of Ohio State (18), Florida and Florida State (17). Additionally, UM has had the most players selected in the first three rounds combined of the NFL draft (49) since 1987, five more than Florida State (44).
DORSEY NAMED TO O’BRIEN AWARD “WATCH LIST” – Ken Dorsey has been named to the preseason “Watch List” for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award given annually to the nation’s top college quarterback. The Davey O’Brien Award Advisory Committee of sportswriters and commentators will select eight semifinalists for the award during the first week of November, followed by another vote during the week of Thanksgiving to determine the winner. The winner of the 2001 Davey O’Brien Award will be announced Dec. 6 during ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show in Orlando.
DEFENSIVE TRIO NAMED TO THORPE AWARD “WATCH LIST” – Edward Reed, Mike Rumph and Phillip Buchanon have been named to the preseason “Watch List” for the Jim Thorpe Award given annually to the nation’s top defensive back. The winner of the award, given since 1986, will be announced Dec. 6 at the ESPN College Football Awards Show at Disney World. A screening committee will narrow the field to 10 semifinalists, which will be announced during the first week of November. The three finalists will be announced Nov. 19. Reed and Rumph are members of the Award’s Preseason Top 10.
REED SELECTED TO NAGURSKI AWARD “WATCH LIST” – Senior safety Edward Reed has been named to the preseason “Watch List” of top candidates for the 2001 Bronko Nagurski Award, presented annually by the Charlotte Touchdown Club to the nation’s top defensive player.
McKINNIE AND GONZALEZ NAMED TO OUTLAND TROPHY AWARD “WATCH LIST” – Offensive tackles Bryant McKinnie and Joaquin Gonzalez have been named to the preseason “Watch List” for the 2001 Outland Trophy Award given annually to the nation’s top interior lineman. The Outland Trophy, presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), will be announced Dec. 6 on the ESPN College Football Awards Show. Three finalists will be selected by the FWAA All-America Committee in late November and will appear in Orlando at the television show. The winner of the 2001 Outland Trophy will receive his trophy during a banquet on Jan.10, 2002, in Omaha, Neb. Tackles, guards and centers are eligible for the Outland Trophy, which is named after the late John Outland, an All-America lineman and halfback at Penn.
ROMBERG NAMED TO RIMINGTON TROPHY “WATCH LIST” – The Boomer Esiason Foundation has named junior Brett Romberg to the list of 21 offensive centers named to the preseason “watch list” for the 2001 Dave Rimington Trophy. The award is named for Dave Rimington, a two-time consensus All-American center and Outland Trophy winner at Nebraska. He and Esiason were teammates on the Cincinnati Bengals from 1984-87. The Rimington Trophy, established in 2000, was first awarded to Detroit Lions’ Dominic Raiola and will be presented in Lincoln, Neb. on Dec. 15. Romberg last season earned First-Team All-BIG EAST recognition by The Sporting News. He is a key contributor to an offensive line that last year allowed only three quarterback sacks in 340 passing plans and helped pave the way for a 1,006-yard rushing season by Hurricanes tailback James Jackson.
PORTIS NAMED TO WALKER AWARD “WATCH LIST” – Clinton Portis has been named to the preseason “Watch List” for the 2001 Doak Walker Award given annually to the nation’s top college running back. The SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will select eight semifinalists on Nov. 8, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will vote on the winner in late November. The National Selection Committee consists of former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, print and electronic media members and selected special representatives. The winner of the 2001 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show. The Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held at The Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, TX, on Jan. 29, 2002.
SIEVERS NAMED TO GROZA AWARD “WATCH LIST” – Junior Todd Sievers is one of 30 placekickers named to the preseason “watch list” for the 2001 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award. The FedEx Orange Bowl, in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, will present the award at a banquet on Tuesday, December 4, at the Sheraton at City Place in West Palm Beach, Florida. The 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award will be announced in late October, followed several weeks later by the naming of the three Lou Groza Award finalists. The award, now in its 10th year, is named for NFL Hall-of-Fame kicker Lou Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954.
