No. 1 Hurricanes Visit West Virginia Saturday
Oct. 21, 2002
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Miami Hurricanes (6-0, 2-0 BIG EAST) (#1 AP/#1 ESPN/USA Today)
vs. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS (5-2, 2-0 BIG EAST)
When: Saturday, October 26, 2002, at Noon EST.
Where: Mountaineer Field (63,500/AstroPlay) in Morgantown, West Virginia.
TV: ESPN2 will televise the game live with the telecast team of Pam Ward (play-by-play), Chris Spielman (analysis) and Rob Stone (sideline).
Fox Sports Net Florida (Tape Delay, Sunday, Oct. 27, 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 [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.
Online: Live audio and live stats are available on hurricanesports.com.
En Espanol: Radio Unica (WNMA [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 [90.5 FM]) will broadcast the game in with Kyle Berger (play-by-play) describing the action.
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com), West Virginia (www.msnsportsnet.com).
MIAMI HEAD COACH LARRY COKER
Second-year head coach Larry Coker has a 18-0 (1.000) record at Miami. His 18-0 record includes a 9-0 mark in BIG EAST play, along with a 10-0 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).
MIAMI-WEST VIRGINIA SERIES HIGHLIGHTS
Miami and West Virginia have played 17 times since the 1942 season with the Hurricanes holding the 14-3 series advantage over the Mountaineers.Additionally, Miami is 9-2 against West Virginia since the start of BIG EAST Conference play in 1991 and 7-2 against the Mountaineers since full league play began in 1993.The 14-3 record against the Mountaineers includes a 6-1 mark on the road in Morgantown and a 8-2 mark at the Orange Bowl in Miami.The November 9, 1991, meeting with West Virginia marked the Hurricanes first official BIG EAST Conference football game. Prior to the start of full league play in 1993, the Hurricanes played the Mountaineers and Boston College in that inaugural 1991 season.Miami enters the 2002 game with West Virginia riding a four-game win streak in the series dating back to the 1998 season. Additionally, UM has won seven of the last eight meetings with the Mountaineers since 1994.The current four-game win streak against West Virginia is the second-longest in the series behind the five-game UM win streak set from 1974-1992. The Hurricanes have also put together win streaks of three games (1994-96) and two games (1942-56). West Virginia’s three wins came in 1973, 1993 and 1997.In the current four-game win streak over West Virginia, Miami has outscored the Mountaineers 154-64 (38.5-16, UM +22.5). In the seven games played at Mountaineer Field, UM has outscored the home team 222-105 (31.7-15.0, UM +16.7).West Virginia is 0-8 all-time against No. 1-ranked teams, including losses to No. 1 Miami in 2001 (45-3 at the Orange Bowl), 1992 (35-23 at the Orange Bowl) and 1986 (58-14 in Morgantown).Other than long snapper Chris Harvey (Accoville), several former Hurricane lettermen have called West Virginia home. Prior to Harvey, the last UM letterman from West Virginia was John Canei (1979-82, Weirton). Other UM lettermen from West Virginia include Dennis Harrah (OT, 72-74, Charleston), Bill Lanham (LB, 73-74, Summerville), John Barnett (LB, 66-68, Charleston), Gene Trosch (DT, 64-66, Weirton), Norm Blanchard (C, 64-65, Weirton), Sam Fernandez (FB, 60-61, Anmoore), George Vasu (LT, 54, Weirton), Ted Bouyoucas (RB, 49, Weirton), Alvin Cohen (T, 38, Tunnelton), Mark Borek (G, 38-40, Weirton) and John Douglas (HB, 37-38, 40, Beckley).
NATION’S LONGEST WIN STREAK NOW AT 28 GAMES
With the 28-27 win over Florida State on Oct. 5, Miami extended its national leading win streak to 28 games. The current 28-game win streak, including bowl games, is one shy of the Hurricanes’ school-record 29-game streak set from 1990-92.
In the regular season, UM has won 26 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.
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).
BIG EAST-RECORD 19-GAME CONFERENCE WIN STREAK ON THE LINE AT WEST VIRGINIA
Miami will be bringing its BIG EAST-record 19-game conference win streak into the contest with West Virginia October 26. The Hurricanes extended their streak with a 38-6 win over Boston College at the Orange Bowl on September 21. Additionally, UM has also won 22 of its last 23 BIG EAST games, including a 1999 loss to Virginia Tech. The streak began 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. Miami has also recorded conference win streaks of 12 games (1991-93), 10 games (1995-96) and seven games (1994).
UM STANDS TALL IN THE BIG EAST
In its 12th season of competition in the BIG EAST, Miami has forged a league-best 61-10 (.859) 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).
THE CONSENSUS NO. 1
Miami is currently riding a 15-week streak as the nation’s consensus No. 1 team in the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches polls. UM finished off the 2001 season as consensus No. 1 the last five weeks and has been at the same spot each of the 10 polls this season. In 2001, UM was the consensus No. 1 in 12 of 17 total polls.
HAVING THE NO. 1 RANKING
The Hurricanes enter the West Virginia game ranked No. 1 for the 10th straight poll this season. Coupled with the 2001 season, Miami has been ranked at the top spot in the either the Associated Press or USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll for the past 25 weekly polls.
Miami ended the 2001 season having been ranked No. 1 by the AP 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 polls.Since the AP poll began in 1936, the weekly rankings have been published 872 times. Miami has been ranked No. 1 59 times.
The 10 teams ranked No. 1 most often are:
1. Notre Dame 95
2. Oklahoma 78
3. Ohio State 72
4. Nebraska 62
5. MIAMI 59
6. Florida State 57
7. Southern California 47
8. Texas 40
9. Michigan 33
10. Alabama 31
PRIMED TO ASCEND
With its 28-27 win over Florida State on Oct. 5 and the following bye week, Miami remained atop the Associated Press weekly poll for the 21st consecutive week since Oct. 21, 2001. The 21 straight weeks extends UM’s new AP record surpassing Southern California’s mark of 18 consecutive weeks in 1972-73.
MIAMI AS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NO. 1
The Hurricanes have played in 42 games all-time while holding the AP’s No. 1 ranking and have forged a 37-5 record in those contests. Miami has won 13 straight as the nation’s top-ranked team. Prior to the Alabama loss (34-13) in the 1993 Sugar Bowl, UM had won 12 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 38 games and has recorded a 35-3 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 204-40-2 all-time in games while holding an AP national ranking. Since 1983, Miami is 139-20 as a top 10 team and 111-12 as a top five team. The Hurricanes are 37-5 as the nation’s No.1-ranked team. Miami has won 27 of its last 28 while ranked No. 1.
Miami vs. AP-ranked teams
Miami is 71-98-1 vs. AP-ranked teams since its first game against a ranked opponent against No. 18 Alabama in 1941, is 35-52 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 10 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 five victories at the Orange Bowl against ranked foes.
Miami vs. Ranked Opponents
Streak: Won 10
Streak on the Road/Neutral: Won 5
Streak at Home: Won 5
VS. RANKED/UNRANKED OPPONENTS
Since 1990, Miami has registered a 32-22 mark against Associated Press ranked teams and a 89-6 record against unranked opponents.
MIAMI/WEST VIRGINIA: TEAMMATES TO RIVALS
West Virginia has 11 players on its roster from the state of Florida, including seven from South Florida. Miami has one player on its roster from the state of West Virginia (long snapper Chris Harvey, Accoville/Man HS).
Three members of the Mountaineers roster went to the same high school as current Hurricanes, including WVU’s Danny Embick and UM’s Rashad Butler (Palm Beach/Dwyer), WVU’s Lance Frazier and UM’s Jason Geathers (Boca Raton/Spanish River) and WVU’s Jamil Tyson and UM’s Jamaal Green (New Jersey/Woodrow Wilson).
MIAMI KEEPS HOLD ON “STATE” CHAMPIONSHIP
There has been 28 seasons between 1958 and 2002 where Miami, Florida State and Florida all played each other in the same year. Of those 28 seasons, UM has won seven “state” championships (62-80-81-86-87-00-02), including the last four in 2002, 2000, 1987 and 1986. Florida leads the three schools with 14 “state” titles (58-59-60-63-69-71-72-73-74-75-76-82-83-85), while FSU has three “state” titles (64-78-79). Miami and Florida State play annually, as do the Seminoles with Florida. The annual Miami/Florida series was discontinued after 1987, with three meetings in 2000, 2002 and upcoming in 2003 at the Orange Bowl.
2002 scoring OFFENSE AMONG THE BEST ALL-TIME
The 2002 squad has amassed 262 points through the first six games of the season, marking the third-most points scored by a UM team after six games played. The 2000 Hurricanes sit atop the list with 273 points after six games, followed by 2001 (269) and 2002 (262). The Hurricanes current 262 points after six games is already more than the single-season totals accumulated during the schools’ first 57 seasons of football, or up until 1983.
2002 attendance hits record mark
The attendance for the first four home games of the season was a combined 276,228 (Florida A&M 68,548; Boston College 73,622; Connecticut 52,131; Florida State 81,927). The combined attendance is the most in four consecutive home games at Miami all-time, surpassing the 255,439 that came to watch Iowa, FSU, Kansas and Pittsburgh in 1990. The third-most attendance in a four-game stretch was 252,506 that came to see McNeese State, FSU, Louisiana Tech and Virginia Tech in 2000.
HURRICANES WIN ON HOMECOMING
The 28-27 win over Florida State game marked the Hurricanes’ 69th homecoming game since the 1933 season, with the Hurricanes now going 45-22-2 (.667) in these contests, including a current six-game win streak. Since 1978, Miami has won 23 of its last 25 homecoming games. The 2002 game against FSU marked the first time since the Hurricanes joined the BIG EAST Conference that UM did not face a league opponent in its homecoming contest.
PLAYING BEFORE AND AFTER A BYE WEEK
Since 1990, Miami is 24-7 in games before a bye week, while going 21-9 in games following a bye week. Additionally, UM has won its past seven games following a bye week since the 1999 season.
THREE CONSECUTIVE ROAD GAMES
The Hurricanes game at West Virginia marks the first of three straight contests on the road, including dates at Rutgers and Tennessee. The three consecutive road games in 2002 marks the ninth time in school history the Hurricanes will do so. UM played three straight road games in 2000 (2-1), 1999 (1-2), 1985 (3-0), 1979 (1-2), 1978 (2-1), 1976 (0-3), 1936 (2-0-1) and 1931 (0-3).
JON VILMA, D.J. WILLIAMS MAKE SHORT LIST FOR BUTKUS AWARD
Starting linebackers Jon Vilma and D.J. Williams were listed among the 11 semi-finalists for the 2002 Butkus Award, presented by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando (DACO), Inc. to the top linebacker.
Vilma leads the Hurricanes in tackles with 55 through six games, including 29 unassisted stops. The junior from Coral Gables, Fla., also has forced two fumbles and recovered one fumble which he returned for a touchdown in Miami’s 38-6 victory over Boston College.Williams ranks second on the team in tackles with 47, including 21 solos stops. The junior from Pittsburg, Calif., has made seven tackles for losses, has one quarterback sack and has forced one fumble. Williams’s forced fumble led directly to Vilma’s touchdown in the Boston College game.Miami is the only school in the nation to place two players among the 11 semi-finalists. Traditionally, 10 semi-finalists are named, but there was a tie for 10th place in the voting. This is the third time in four years that there have been more than 10 semi-finalists. The Butkus Award has been presented since 1985. The list was determined by confidential balloting of the 29-member Butkus Award Selection Committee, comprised of the nation’s foremost media members. The Selection Committee made their selections from the initial Butkus Award Watch List of 67 college linebackers, which was announced back on August 22, 2002.On Thursday, November 14, 2002, DACO will announce the three finalists for this year’s Butkus Award at a national teleconference. The three Butkus Award finalists and their coaches will participate in the announcement. The 2001 Butkus Award winner will be announced at the Butkus Award Presentation Ceremony on Friday, December 13, 2002, by the award’s namesake Dick Butkus.
MIDSEASON AWARDS FOR THE HURRICANES
Willis McGahee, RB – CNNSI Midseason All-America, CollegeFootballNews.com
Brett Romberg, C – CNNSI MIdseason All-America, CollegeFootballNews.com
Kellen Winslow, TE – CollegeFootballNews.com
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 15 of 18 games. However, Miami has come from behind to win in eight of those 15 games. In the eight comeback victories, UM has outscored FSU in the fourth quarter by a total of 92-33. In the last 19 Miami-FSU contests, the Hurricanes have outscored Florida State in the fourth quarter 129-116.
DORSEY THE LONE QUARTERBACK TO WIN THREE TIMES IN THE UM/FSU SERIES
Ken Dorsey made his third consecutive start against Florida State on Oct. 12, while his FSU counterpart Chris Rix got his second start. Dorsey was just the fifth quarterback from either school to get a third start in the series, joining UM’s Ryan Clement (95-97), Gino Torretta (89, 91-92) and Kary Baker (72-74) and FSU’s Chris Weinke (98-00). Dorsey also became the first starting quarterback in the series to have a 3-0 record. Torretta and Weinke each went 2-1 in their three starts, while Baker went 1-2 and Clement 0-3. Rix was the 28th quarterback in the series to be getting a second start, and the 15th Seminole. In the series, UM quarterbacks went 17-14 in their first starts, 7-4 in their second and 2-2 in the third. FSU quarterbacks have gone 13-17 in first starts, 8-7 in second starts and 0-1 in third starts.
ORANGE BOWL WIN STREAK AT 20 GAMES
Miami’s 28-27 win over Florida State extended the Hurricanes’ Orange Bowl win streak to 20 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.
Nebraska currently holds the nation’s longest home win streak at 26 games.
Active Division I-A Home Win Streaks
1. 26 Nebraska
2. 20 MIAMI
MORE ON THE HURRICANES’ 20-GAME ORANGE BOWL WIN STREAK
Miami will enter the Pittsburgh game on November 21 riding a 20-game home win streak at the Orange Bowl that dates back to a 28-20 win over West Virginia on Oct. 30, 1999. Miami’s last loss at home was to No. 2 Penn State, 27-23, at Sept. 18, 1999. During the 20-game streak Miami has outscored its opponents 924-217 (46.2-10.9 per game – 35.3 UM margin of victory). In non-conference games during the streak, Miami has outscored eight opponents 372-141 (46.5-17.6 per game – 28.9 UM margin of victory). Against the BIG EAST, Miami has outscored the league 552-76 (46.0-6.3 per game – 39.7 UM margin of victory) in 12 home contests. Against the five ranked teams defeated at the Orange Bowl during the streak, Miami outscored the opposition 220-79 (44.0-15.8 per game – 28.2 UM margin of victory).
During the streak Miami’s lowest point total is 27 points in a 27-24 thrilling win over No. 1 Florida State on Oct. 7, 2000. Scoring has also been high during the streak with the Hurricanes surpassing 30 points 17 times, 40 points 13 times, 50 points eight times and 60 points four times. The most points UM has scored during the streak is 65 points in a 65-7 win over No. 12 Washington on Nov. 24, 2001.The UM defense has posted five shutouts during the 20-game streak and another six games where the opponent scored seven or less points. The most points allowed by UM were 31 vs. Louisiana Tech on Oct. 28, 2000. Opponents have achieved double-digit scoring just nine times during the 20-game streak. FAMU totaled 17 points in the 2002 season opener at the Orange Bowl, marking the first time in a nine-game home span the opponent scored more than seven points.Of interesting note, the last touchdown recorded by a BIG EAST opponent at the Orange Bowl was in the first quarter vs. Boston College on Nov. 25, 2000 – 23 straight quarters over six league games.Over the last 12 home games since defeating Pittsburgh, 35-7, on Nov. 11, 2000, the Hurricanes have outscored home opponents 570-94 (47.5-7.8 per game – 39.7 UM margin of victory).Including the home loss to Penn State in 1999, Miami has won 24 of 25 home contests since a 26-14 loss to FSU on Oct. 10, 1998.
MIAMI AGAINST SUNSHINE STATE OPPONENTS
Miami holds a 3-0 record vs. teams from the state of Florida in 2002, including a 28-27 win over Florida State on Oct. 5, a 41-16 win over Florida on Sept. 7 and a 63-17 win over Florida A&M in the season opener on Aug. 31. The Hurricanes have also won 19 of their last 27 games against Sunshine State opponent since the 1985 season. Miami is currently riding a six-game win streak over state teams since the 2000 season.
QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE
The average drive time on UM’s 33 offensive touchdowns in 2002 is 1:47. Overall, 22 of the 33 touchdowns were scored under two minutes of drive time. Additionally, 11 touchdowns have come in under a minute.
EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE
Miami’s offense is one that can strike quickly. In six games the Hurricanes have recorded 106 plays of 10 or more yards, or 26% of its total offensive plays for the season. The Hurricanes strike for 10 or more yards once every 3.9 plays from scrimmage.
IF MIAMI SCORES FIRST
When Miami scores first it is nearly a lock to win. Beginning with the 1983 season, the Hurricanes have gone 159-14 (.919) when scoring first.
SCORING OFF TURNOVERS
Miami has recorded 11 turnovers for the season, nine of which led to UM touchdowns, while one interception ended the first half vs. Boston College. The lone turnover for Miami in the FSU game was a fumble that immediately led to a UM fumble. Against UConn, Andrew Williams picked up a fumble and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown. The other two recorded turnovers vs. the Eagles were fumbles in the fourth quarter that led to Miami’s last two scores of the game. 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.
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.
THE HURRICANES WHEN SCORING 30 OR 31 POINTS
Miami has won 106 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points since a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame in 1988. Miami has won 127 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 138 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 156 of 158 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 those 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.
NON-OFFENSIVE SCORING
Andrew Williams’ 56-yard fumble return in the second quarter vs. Connecticut marked the Hurricanes’ third non-offensive touchdown of the season and 21st overall point scored.Jonathan Vilma’s two-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown vs. Boston College was the second non-offensive touchdown scored. The Vilma touchdown was the second of his career after returning an interception for a score last season at FSU.The first non-offensive touchdown this season was Maurice Sikes’ 97-yard INT return for a touchdown at Florida that closed the door on the Gators.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.
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.
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 1,406 yards and 16 touchdowns in six 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 74 – surpassing former Miami greats Steve Walsh and Vinny Testaverde further cementing Dorsey’s name among the pantheon of outstanding Miami quarterbacks. Dorsey is completing 54.2 percent of his passes in 2002. For his career, Dorsey is 542-of-937 (57.8%) for 7,602 yards with 74 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.
DORSEY IN THE BIG EAST RECORD BOOK
Ken Dorsey enters the West Virginia game with 74 touchdowns passing for his career after throwing two vs. FSU on Oct. 5. The 74 career touchdowns keeps him second place on the BIG EAST career list behind Donovan McNabb of Syracuse (77 from 1995-98). His 7,602 passing yards lands him at No. 3 on the career list. 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 11-1 against ranked opponents with Dorsey as a starter including 6-0 against teams ranked in the top 10.
DORSEY AS A STARTER
Ken Dorsey has been the Hurricanes starter since the final three games of the 1999 season and, in those 33 starts, has passed for 300 yards six times, including a regular season best of 362 against FSU on Oct. 5. His effort vs. FSU tied his career-high set against Nebraska in the Rose Bowl and surpassed his regular season high of 344 yards in the 2001 season opener at Penn State. He has also thrown for at least 200 yards 26 times and has had multiple touchdowns in 27 games. His statistics as a starter read: 532-of-908 for 7,513 yards with 73 touchdown passes, one touchdown rush, and 22 interceptions thrown.
DORSEY’S CAREER TOUCHDOWNS
In his Miami career, Ken Dorsey has connected with 19 different players for a school-record 74 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 leads all current players with 13 Dorsey touchdowns. The Dorsey to Johnson connection ranks as the fourth-most prolific scoring tandem in school history behind Vinny Testaverde/Michael Irvin (19), Gino Torretta/Lamar Thomas (16) and Bernie Kosar/Eddie Brown (14).
DORSEY SET TO BREAK MIAMI PASSING YARDS RECORD
Ken Dorsey is about to break the UM career passing yards record. The current record is 7,690 yards by Gino Torretta (1989-92). Dorsey is at 7,602 entering the West Virginia game. Also, Dorsey needs 14 completions to pass Torretta’s UM record for completions of 555. Dorsey is at 542. Also, he needs 156 yards of total offense to pass Torretta’s UM record for total offense which is 7,722.
Dorsey on the records charts:
TD Passes – 1st (74)
Passing yards – 2nd with 7,602 (record is 7,690 by Torretta, 1989-92)
Pass completions – 2nd with 542 (record is 55 by Torretta, 1989-92)
Pass attempts – 2nd, 937 (record is 991 by Torretta, 1989-92)
Total offense – 2nd, 7,567 (record is 7,722 by Torretta, 1989-92)
DORSEY: A WINNER
By any measure, Ken Dorsey is primed to set a new standard for quarterback success at Quarterback U. He enters the West Virginia 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.
MCGAHEE 100 YARD GAMES
Willis McGahee posted four consecutive 100-yard games this season. The four games were consecutive from Florida through Temple, Boston College and Connecticut. He was held to 95 yards vs. FSU, but had 78 yards receiving for 173 total yards against the Seminoles.
McGAHEE IS A BIG PLAY BACK
Willis McGahee has established him as one of the nation’s top big play running backs. McGahee is averaging 8.1 yards every time he touches the football (117 touches for 952 total yards). He has carried 105 times for 735 yards (7.0 avg) and recorded 12 catches for 217 yards (18.1 avg).
He has recorded 32 plays of 10 or more yards, including eight of 20 or more yards and six of 30 or more yards. Of the 117 times he touched the football 46 (39%) have gone for first downs or touchdowns. McGahee has accounted for 35% of Miami’s 132 first downs this season.
BACKFIELD NOTES
The unit nearly posted a season-low in rushing attempts and yards, totaling 115 yards on 30 carries against FSU…highlights came from Willis McGahee who had 95 yards rushing on 26 carries, three catches for 78 yards and the game’s first touchdown…Jason Geathers put together 21 yards on three carries (7.0 avg), including the eventual winning 11-yard touchdown run in the fourth quartter…UM’s team season lows were 29 rushing attempts vs. UConn and 112 rushing yards at Temple…McGahee snapped his four-game streak of 100-yard games with his 95 vs. the Seminoles…McGahee’s touchdown was his BIG EAST leading 11th on the season and good for No. 7 on the single-season list…McGahee has rushed for 10 touchdowns in the last four games
McGahee is the BIG EAST’s second leading rusher and 12th nationally (122.5 ypg), Geathers is No. 8 (64.3 ypg) in the BIG EAST…McGahee also ranks 5th in scoring offense (11 ppg), 16th in all-purpose running (158.67 ypg) and 49th in points responsible for (11 ppg)…the team ranks 25th nationally (206.83 ypg).McGahee also tied a school-record vs. Temple with four rushing touchdowns equaling the total set by Melvin Bratton vs. Boston College on Nov. 23, 1984…McGahee has twice been honored this season as BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week…Geathers started off the season with a 199-yard rushing effort vs. FAMU, the fifth-highest single game effort in UM history…McGahee’s 204 yards at Florida was the fourth-most in a single game.
RECEIVER NOTES
Six players accounted for 362 yards on 20 receptions vs. FSU…the yards receiving were the second-most this season, behind the 365 yards at Temple…leading the way for the Hurricanes vs. the Seminoles was Kellen Winslow, who had a career-high six catches for 84 yards and a five-yard TD catch in the second quarter…Andre Johnson had five catches for 89 yards against FSU, followed by Kevin Beard (4-60), Willis McGahee (3-78) and Ethenic Sands (2-51)…Beard had a two-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter that cut the FSU lead to 27-21…the 68-yard reception by McGahee was the second-longest UM play this season…the two touchdown receptions also kept the streak of multiple TD’s per game in each game this season.
Andre Johnson and Kellen Winslow rank 5th and 6th in the BIG EAST with 3.80 and 3.67 catches per game, respectively…Johnson ranks 4th in receiving yards per game (65.0 ypg), Winslow is 10th (44.5 ypg).
OFFENSIVE LINE NOTES
The offensive line kept Ken Dorsey without a sack for the second straight game against FSU…it was the third sackless game of the season along with UConn and FAMU…Florida and Boston College had one sack each, while Temple recorded two…Temple had one sack each on Dorsey and Derrick Crudup…the line also allowed Dorsey to throw for more than 200 yards for the fifth straight game this season…Dorsey threw for 362 yards, tying his single-game career high.
Vernon Carey (RT) and Carlos Joseph (LT) and Chris Myers (RG) each made their sixth-straight starts after the career first in the season-opener against FAMU…Brett Romberg made his 30th career start at center against FSU, while senior Sherko Haji-Rasouli (LT) made his 13th 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 one sack against FSU…a game earlier, UM had six sacks against UConn, which was second-most behind the seven against FAMU in the season opener…Jamaal Green had UM’s lone sack in the game, his third on the season and 17th career…the line pressured Chris Rix into just 83 yards passing…William Joseph led the group with seven tackles in the game, including five solo…Vince Wilfork had four tackles, followed by Andrew Williams (3), Jamaal Green (3), Orien Harris (1), Cornelius Green (1) and Matt Walters (1)…Joseph had three tackles for loss, while Andrew Williams and Jamaal Green each had one tackle for loss.
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…Jerome 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
Jon Vilma had a game-high 15 tackles against FSU and earned BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week awards for the effort…Vilma, who also had a game-high six solo tackles and nine assisted, also had one tackle for loss and a pass deflection…D.J. Williams finished a close second in tackles vs. FSU with 14, including nine assisted and one for a loss…Howard Clark came in with four tackles, while Carl Walker and Darrell McClover each had one.
Both Jon Vilma and D.J. Williams have been named among 11 semi-finalists for the Butkus Award, presented annually to college football’s top linebacker.
SECONDARY NOTES
The secondary assisted the defense in holding FSU to a season-low 83 yards passing…FSU had 27 yards passing in the first half…Maurice Sikes led the secondary with nine tackles…Sean Taylor had eight tackles, four solo, against FSU, followed by Al Marshall (3), Antrel Rolle (3), Glenn Sharpe (1) and Kelly Jennings (1)…Taylor and Jennings also had two pass deflections, while Rolle had one.
The secondary has given up just four passing touchdowns all season, one vs. FAMU, Temple, UConn and FSU…Florida and Boston College were held without a passing touchdown.
PLACEKICKERS/TODD SIEVERS
On the 2002 season, 20 of Todd Sievers’ 40 kickoffs have gone for touchbacks…Against FSU, four of his five kickoffs went for touchbacks…Sievers totaled a season-low four points in the game, all on extra-point kicks…he had no field goal attempts…it was the second straight game where Sievers scored only on extra points (six XP vs. UConn)…the four points gives him 250 for his career, keeping him in fifth place on the all-time UM list.
Sievers has one BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week this season after his 11-point effort vs. Florida…it was 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.Gent kicked off for the first time in his collegiate career and saw further action in the season-opener vs. FAMU…Gent also had kicks in the second half vs. UConn.
PUNTERS/FREDDIE CAPSHAW
Freddie Capshaw had eight punts vs. FSU for 285 yards (35.6 avg)…his long was a 50-yarder with two punts placed inside the 20…so far this season, Capshaw has punted 22 times for 854 yards and a 38.8 average…five of his punts have been fair caught, seven have been placed inside the 20 and two were blocked…Capshaw missed the Florida A&M game to injury and saw his first action of the season at Florida, where he punted six times for 253 yards and a 42.2 average with three landing inside the 20…In Capshaw’s absence against FAMU, true freshman Jon Peattie handled the role with three punts for 133 yards and a 44.3 average.
Capshaw, a senior from Rock Springs, Wyoming, 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…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
Miami had four punt returns vs. FSU for 12 yards and a long of seven…they also had three kickoff returns for 66 yards and a long of 33…Roscoe Parrish had three of the punt returns for 12 yards and a long of seven…Ethenic Sands fair caught the other punt…Jason Geathers had all three kickoff returns, including a 33-yard return.
For the season, Ethenic Sands is averaging 12.5 yards per punt return, ahead of Roscoe Parrish (12.3 ypp)…Sands and Parrish rank fifth and sixth in BIG EAST punt returns…Jason Geathers leads the team with 12 kickoff returns for 226 yards (18.8 avg.).
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.
HURRICANE ROSTER HAS NFL GENES
Six Hurricanes on the 2002 roster have relations to players that have been in the NFL.
MIAMI GAMES USUALLY PACKED WITH NFL TALENT
The Miami/Florida State game always stands out on the schedule due to its history of great games and great players. Over the last 16 years, the Miami/FSU series has led all others in supplying the NFL with top-three round picks with 117 total. Since 1987, Miami has produced a national-leading 63 top-three round picks, while Florida State is second nationally with 54 top-three picks. The 117 combined UM/FSU players since 1987 consist of 55 first-round picks, 33 second-round picks and 29 third-round picks.
Miami vs. AP-ranked teams –
Miami is 71-98-1 vs. AP-ranked teams since its first game against a ranked opponent in No. 18 Alabama in 1941.Miami is 35-52 vs. AP top-10 teams since playing No. 6 Alabama in 1947.Miami is 19-31 against AP top-5 teams since playing No. 3 Maryland in 1953.Miami’s victory over No. 1 Florida State on Oct. 7, 2000, extended the UM’s record to 9-7 against No. 1-ranked teams. Of those 16 meetings with No. 1, six of the past eight were against FSU.
Miami’s AP Rank –
UM is 204-40-2 all-time in games while holding an AP national ranking. Since 1983, Miami is 139-20 as a top 10 team and 111-12 as a top 5 team.The Hurricanes are 37-5 as the nation’s No.1-ranked team. Additionally, Miami has won 27 of its last 28 while ranked No. 1.Prior to their current stay atop the AP poll, UM was last No. 1 on Dec. 6, 1992.
UM BEGAN 2002 ATOP THE POLLS –
Miami received a preseason No. 1 national ranking by both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll. Miami’s No. 1 ranking in the AP preseason poll was the highest since holding down the No. 1 ranking at the start of the 1992 season. The No. 1 ranking in the Coaches’ Poll marked the highest UM has been since starting 1990 No. 1. This is the first season since 1990 that UM has started the season atop both rankings.
In the AP Poll, the Hurricanes began the season ranked among the top 10 for the seventh time in 12 seasons, and began among the top five for the sixth time since 1991.In the Coaches’ Poll, the Hurricanes began the season ranked among the top 10 for the seventh time in 12 seasons. Additionally, the 2002 season marked the seventh time in the last 12 years that UM, Florida State and Florida have begun the season together in the top 10. The top 10 ranking marked the third such preseason ranking for UM since 1994 as the Hurricanes were ranked sixth to begin the 2000 season and second to start 2001.
