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No. 1 Miami Gets Ready For Showdown With The Volunteers
Nov. 5, 2002
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Miami Hurricanes (8-0, 4-0 BIG EAST) (#2 AP/#1 ESPN/USA Today)vs. TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS (5-3, 2-3 SEC)
When: Saturday, November 9, 2002, at 3:30 p.m. EST.
Where: Neyland Stadium (104,079/Natural Grass) in Knoxville, Tennessee.
TV:CBS will televise the game live with the telecast team of Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Todd Blackledgei (analysis) and Jill Arrington (sideline).Fox Sports Net Florida (Tape Delay, Sunday, Nov. 10, 5 p.m. Eastern Time) will produce coverage of all Miami Hurricanes football games this season with Frank Forte (play-by-play) and Craig Minervini (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.
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 (WVUM 90.5 FM) will broadcast the game in with Kyle Berger (play-by-play) and Jesse Agler (analysis) describing the action.
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com), Tennessee (www.utsports.com).
MIAMI HEAD COACH LARRY COKER
Second-year head coach Larry Coker has a 20-0 (1.000) record at Miami. His 20-0 record includes an 11-0 mark in BIG EAST play, along with a 10-0 mark at the Orange Bowl and a 10-0 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-TENNESSEE SERIES HIGHLIGHTS
The road trip to Knoxville marks the second all-time affair between Miami and Tennessee, with the Volunteers winning the first meeting, 35-7, in the 1986 Sugar Bowl.
Miami holds a 61-80-3 all-time record against schools currently in the Southeastern Conference. Earlier this season, Miami traveled to Gainesville and defeated Florida, 41-16, on September 7. Prior to the recent meeting with UF, the Hurricanes’ last SEC game was a 37-20 victory over Florida in the 2001 Sugar Bowl. Before 2000, 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 played games against each current member of the 12-school conference.
Since the formation of the BIG EAST football conference in 1991, the league has gone 12-13 vs. the SEC. The BIG EAST has faced every school in the SEC except Mississippi State. BIG EAST schools are a combined 141-182-16 all-time against the SEC.
Tennessee has 11 players on its roster from the state of Florida, including five from the South Florida region. Miami does not currently have any players from Tennessee. The last UM letterman from the state of Tennessee was All-BIG EAST tight end Chris C. Jones (1994-97) who hailed from Somerville/Fayet-Ware High School.
A combined nine players from the Miami and Tennessee rosters attended high school together. One of the high schools is located in Broward County (St. Thomas Aquinas), while the other two are out of state.
Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5)- Mark Gent (UM), Anthony Wollschlager (UM), Chris Napoli (UM), Tony Brown (UT), Jomo Fagan (UT)
Shreveport (LA) Evangel (2)- Brock Berlin (UM), Jonathan Wade (UT)
Camden (NJ) Woodrow Wilson (2)- Jamaal Green (UM), Rashad Baker (UT)
NATION’S LONGEST WIN STREAK NOW AT 29 GAMES
With the 42-17 win at Rutgers, Miami extended its national leading win streak to 30 games. The current 30-game win streak, including bowl games, sets a new Miami school-record surpassing the 29-game streak set from 1990-92. The streak also ties for the 10th longest win streak in college football history, with Texas (1968-70).
In the regular season, UM has won 28 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.NCAA All-Time Win Streaks
CURRENT ROAD WIN STREAK AT 15 GAMES
Miami has won 15 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 13-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 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 82-19-0 (.812) in road games at the opponent’s home. 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).
CLICK ON “MIAMI AWARDS” AT WWW.HURRICANESPORTS.COMFor the second consecutive season, the University of Miami Sports Media Relations Department has unveiled Miami Awards candidates on its official website at www.hurricanesports.com/miamiawards. The site’s latest feature is designed to bring the media and fans closer to several of the Hurricanes’ football standouts throughout the 2002 season.
Miami Awards will allow the opportunity for the user to check up on the featured Hurricanes’ updated stats, bios, Q&A’s, stories and other detailed information along the way. Current players featured on Miami Awards include quarterback Ken Dorsey, punter Freddie Capshaw, receiver Andre Johnson, defensive linemen William Joseph and Jerome McDougle, runningback Willis McGahee, kicker Todd Sievers, linebackers Jon Vilma and D.J. Williams and center Brett Romberg. |
MIAMI EXTENDS BIG EAST WIN STREAK TO 21 GAMES WITH WIN AT RUTGERS
Miami has extended its BIG EAST-record win streak to 21 games with its 42-17 win at Rutgers. Additionally, UM has also won 24 of its last 25 BIG EAST games, including a 1999 loss to Virginia Tech. The streak began with a 55-0 defeat over Rutgers on Nov. 20, 1999. 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 63-10 (.863) 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).
NO LONGER THE CONSENSUS NO. 1
Miami’s 16-week streak as the nation’s consensus No. 1 team in the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches polls ended Sunday when the AP rankings placed UM second behind Oklahoma while the Hurricanes remain atop the Coaches rankings. UM finished off the 2001 season as consensus No. 1 the last six weeks and has been at the same spot each of the 12 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 Tennessee game ranked No. 1 for the 12th straight poll this season in the USA Today/ESPN rankings. 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 27 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 874 times. Miami has been ranked No. 1 60 times.
RECORD TOP-RANKED STREAK
Miami fell from atop the Associated Press weekly poll after a stay of 21 consecutive week dating to Oct. 14, 2001. The 21 straight weeks is the longest of any team in college football history to remain atop the AP rankings.
MIAMI AS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NO. 1
The Hurricanes have played in 44 games all-time while holding the Associated Press’ No. 1 ranking and have forged a 39-5 record in those contests. Miami has won 15 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 40 games and has recorded a 37-3 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 206-40-2 all-time in games while holding an AP national ranking. Since 1983, Miami is 141-20 as a top 10 team and 113-12 as a top five team. The Hurricanes are 39-5 as the nation’s No.1-ranked team. Miami has won 29 of its last 30 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 91-6 record against unranked opponents.
CURRENT NCAA STATISTICAL TRENDS
The Hurricanes are the only team in the nation to be ranked in the top 10 in both total offense (#6, 488.2 ypg) and total defense (#7, 276.0 ypg).
Miami is also ranked No. 1 in pass defense, allowing just 110.5 yards passing per game and lead the nation allowing just 9.21 yards per passing completion.
The Hurricanes are among four schools (Kansas State, Oklahoma and Maryland) to be ranked among the top 15 in both scoring offense (#4, 43.0 ppg) and scoring defense (#15, 17.6 ppg).
HURRICANES IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
Since the 1980 season Miami has been nearly unbeatable as it heads into the final two months of the season totaling a 79-9 record in games played in November and December. In the month of November, UM is 73-9 since 1980, along with a perfect 6-0 record in December. The Hurricanes are currently riding a nine-game win streak in November with their last loss coming at Virginia Tech in 1999. Miami has not lost in a December game since 1977, going 8-0 since.
MIAMI WINS 500TH IN 800TH GAME
The Hurricanes 42-17 win at Rutgers marked the program’s 500th all-time victory in its 800th all-time contest since the 1927 season.
UM SURVIVES COLD WEATHER
Miami has played 42 games all-time in temperature below 55 degrees, holding a 24-18 record in such games.
TRAILING ENTERING THE FOURTH QUARTER
Miami trailed Rutgers entering the fourth quarter, 17-14. It marked the first time Miami has trailed a game entering the final stanza since the Washington game on Sept. 9, 2002 (a 34-29 loss at Seattle).
TRAILING AT THE HALF
Miami trailed Rutgers at halftime, 17-14. It is the second time the Hurricanes have trailed at the half this season. Miami also trailed by a 17-14 score against Florida State on October 12. Prior to the FSU game, Miami last trailed at the half against Washington (20-3) on Sept. 9, 2000.
HURRICANES MAKE HISTORY AS FIRST ESPN GAME LIVE ON WEBCAST
ESPN.com featured a live, interactive webcast of Miami at Rutgers on Nov. 2, marking the first time ESPN.com has presented live video streaming of a game as well as the first time a No. 1-ranked team has appeared on such a webcast. College Gameday Online presented a moderated chat during the game hosted by ESPN college football analyst and former University of Georgia head coach Jim Donnan. The webcast was offered only to ESPN Insider subscribers through a cable modem or other broadband connection in both Windows Media Player and Real formats.
MISCELLANEOUS TEAM NOTES FROM RUTGERS
Miami took an 8-7 lead in the second quarter on a safety when Rutgers fumbled the ball out of its own end zone, the first safety recorded by Miami this season and the first since the Washington game on Nov. 24, 2001…Rutgers’ touchdown drive on the game’s opening possession marked the first time this season that an opponent has scored against UM on the game’s first series…Rutgers scored a touchdown off a blocked punt for a 17-8 lead in the second quarter, the second such touchdown given up by Miami this season. Connecticut also returned a blocked punt for a TD on Oct. 5…Miami’s defense intercepted three passes, a season high…Alfonso Marshall and Kelly Jennings both collected their first collegiate interceptions, both setting up UM touchdowns…Sean Taylor also picked off a pass, setting up a Todd Sievers field goal in the second period.
SEASON-HIGH OFFENSE AGAINST WEST VIRGINIA
Miami gained 524 total yards against West Virginia on Oct. 26, the most by the Hurricanes this season and the most by a Miami team since a 566-yard output against Syracuse last season (59-0 victory). The Miami single-game total offense mark is 689 vs. UCLA in 1998.
Miami’s passing yardage against WVU of 422 set a new record for a WVU opponent at Mountaineer Field. The old mark of 393 was set by Miami of Ohio in 1999. It is the most by the Hurricanes since passing for 485 yards against San Diego State in 1991.
2002 SCORING OFFENSE AMONG THE BEST ALL-TIME
The 2002 squad has amassed 344 points through the first eight games of the season, marking the second-most points scored by a UM team after seven games played. The 2000 Hurricanes sit atop the list with 356 points after eight games, followed by 2002 (344) and 2001 (325). The Hurricanes current 344 points after eight 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.
THREE CONSECUTIVE ROAD GAMES
The Hurricanes game at Tennessee marks the third of three straight contests on the road, including at West Virginia (W, 40-23) on Oct. 26 and at Rutgers (W, 42-17) on Nov. 2. 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).
VILMA, D.J. WILLIAMS MAKE SHORT LIST FOR BUTKUS AWARD
Jon Vilma and D.J. Williams were listed among the 11 semifinalists for the 2002 Butkus Award, presented by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando (DACO), Inc. to the top linebacker. Miami is the only school in the nation to place two players among the 11 semifinalists. Traditionally, 10 semifinalists are named, but there was a tie for 10th place in the voting.
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.
KEN DORSEY AMONG FIVE CANDIDATES FOR JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD
Ken Dorsey was selected as one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, awarded to college football’s top senior quarterback. Dorsey is listed with Byron Leftwich (Marshall), Carson Palmer (Southern California), Dave Ragone (Louisville) and Seneca Wallace (Iowa State). Past Miami winners of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award were Gino Torretta (1992) and Craig Erickson (1990). A winner will be announced Dec. 4.
JEROME McDOUGLE, ANDREW WILLIAMS AMONG SEMIFINALISTS FOR TED HENDRICKS AWARD
Jerome McDougle and Andrew Williams were selected as two of 10 semifinalists for the inaugural Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year award. The Hurricane duo is listed along with Nathaniel Adibi (Virginia Tech), Terrell Suggs (Arizona State), Michael Haynes (Penn State), Alonzo Jackson (Florida State), Kindal Moorehead (Alabama), Cory Redding (Texas), DeWayne White (Louisville) and Jimmy Wilkerson (Oklahoma).
THREE HURRICANES AMONG 12 SEMIFINALISTS FOR ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD
The Rotary Lombardi Award semifinalists include Miami defensive tackle William Joseph and defensive end Jerome McDougle along with center Brett Romberg, plus Georgia’s Boss Bailey (LB) and Jon Stinchcomb (OT), center Jeff Faine of Notre Dame, defensive tackle Tommie Harris of Oklahoma, linebackers E.J. Henderson of Maryland and Bradie James of LSU, defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy of Penn State and defensive ends Cory Redding of Texas and Terrell Suggs of Arizona State.
QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE
The average drive time on UM’s 43 offensive touchdowns in 2002 is 1:51. Overall, 27 of the 43 touchdowns were scored under two minutes of drive time. Additionally, 14 touchdowns have come in under a minute.
EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE
Miami’s offense is one that can strike quickly. In eight games the Hurricanes have recorded 135 plays of 10 or more yards, or 24% of its total offensive plays for the season. The Hurricanes strike for 10 or more yards once every 4.1 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 160-14 (.920) when scoring first.
THE HURRICANES WHEN SCORING 30 OR 31 POINTS
Miami has won 108 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points since a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame in 1988.
* Miami has won 129 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 140 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 157 of 159 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.
ORANGE BOWL WIN STREAK AT A NATIONAL-BEST 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 20-game home win streak is currently the longest in the nation following Nebraska’s recent home loss to Texas on Nov. 2. UM’s streak is also its longest since setting the NCAA record with its 58-game streak from 1985-94.
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 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.
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.
DORSEY SETS 2 MORE BIG EAST PASSING RECORDS AT RUTGERS
Ken Dorsey’s two touchdown passes at Rutgers gave him 78 for his career, breaking the BIG EAST Conference record of 77 set by Donovan McNabb of Syracuse (1995-98). Dorsey’s 16 pass completions in the game gives him 580, surpassing the old career mark of 571 set by Marc Bulger of West Virginia (1996-99).
Dorsey’s 192 passing yards at Rutgers moved him closer to the BIG EAST career record of 8,389 set by McNabb. Dorsey now remains 174 yards from setting a new record with 8,216 career passing yards.
Ken Dorsey in the BIG EAST record book:
TD Passes – 1st (78) (old record: 77 by Donovan McNabb of Syracuse, 1995-98)
Passing yards – 2nd with 8,216 (record: 8,389 by McNabb)
Pass completions – 1st with 580 (old: 571 by Marc Bulger of West Virginia, 1996-99)
Total offense – 2nd with 8,171 (record: 9,950 by McNabb, 1995-98)
Pass attempts – 2nd, 1,004 (record: 1,138 by Henry Burris of Temple, 1993-96)
DORSEY SETS ANOTHER SCHOOL RECORD AT RUTGERS
Ken Dorsey broke the Miami career record for pass attempts with 31 at Rutgers to give him a career total to 1,004. That surpassed the previous UM mark of 991 set by Gino Torretta from 1989-92. Dorsey now holds seven UM records (touchdown passes, passing yards, pass completions, total offense, pass attempts, most 200-yard passing games, and consecutive passes thrown without an interception).
Ken Dorsey in the UM record book:
TD Passes – 1st (78)
Passing yards – 1st with 8,216 (old record: 7,690 by Torretta, 1989-92)
Pass completions – 1st with 580 (old record: 555 by Torretta, 1989-92)
Total offense -1st, 8,171 (old record: 7,722 by Torretta, 1989-92)
Pass attempts – 1st, 1,004 (old record: 991 by Torretta, 1989-92)
DORSEY AS A STARTER
Ken Dorsey has been the Hurricanes starter since the final three games of the 1999 season and, in those 35 starts, has passed for 400 yards one time, including a career-high 422 yards at West Virginia. He has passed for 300 yards seven times and 200 yards 27 times. Dorsey has had multiple touchdowns in 29 games. His statistics as a starter read: 570-of-975 for 8,127 yards with 77 touchdown passes, one touchdown rush, and 23 interceptions thrown.
DORSEY’S CAREER TOUCHDOWNS
Split end Andre Johnson leads all current players with 16 Dorsey touchdowns. The Dorsey to Johnson equals the second-most prolific scoring tandem in school history behind Vinny Testaverde/Michael Irvin (19) and tied with Gino Torretta/Lamar Thomas (16). Overall, Dorsey has connected with 19 different players in his career.
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: A WINNER
By any measure, Ken Dorsey is primed to set a new standard for quarterback success at Quarterback U. He enters the Tennessee 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.
ANOTHER BIG DAY FOR DORSEY AT WEST VIRGINIA
Ken Dorsey set a new personal single-game best for passing yardage against West Virginia on Oct. 26, as well as a new mark for a West Virginia opponent at Mountaineer Field by passing for 422 yards (old record: 366, Alex Van Pelt of Pittsburgh, 1989). The yardage total is the most by a Miami quarterback since Craig Erickson passed for 424 vs. San Diego State in 1989. The total ranks eighth on the UM single-game passing yards list.
the first 400+-yard outing also was Dorsey’s third 300+-yard passing outing of the season and his second consecutive after a 362-yard effort against Florida State on October 12. The passing yardage is the most by a WVU foe since 1994 (433, John Ryan of Pittsburgh, 1994).
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.
McGAHEE ON THE SINGLE-SEASON TOUCHDOWNS LIST
Willis McGahee scored two rushing touchdowns at Rutgers to give him 16 for the season, ranking second in Miami history. McGahee moved ahead of Eddie Dunn with his effort at Rutgers, who scored 14 rushing TDs in 1938. The Miami single-season record for rushing touchdowns is 17 by Edgerrin James in 1998. McGahee also is closing in on the total touchdowns record for a season, which is 19 by Edgerrin James in 1998 (17 rushing, 2 receiving).
McGAHEE MOVES UP SINGLE-SEASON RUSHING YARDS LIST
Willis McGahee gained 187 yards rushing on 23 carries at Rutgers and scored two touchdowns on the ground. He rushed for 147 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown in the first half alone. McGahee has rushed for 1,034 yards this season, a total that ranks sixth in Miami history for single-season rushing yardage.
McGAHEE SURPASSES 1,000 YARDS RUSHING ON THE SEASON
Willis McGahee became the seventh back to rush for 1,000 or more yards in a season, surpassing the milestone with a 7-yard carry with 10:50 remaining in the third quarter at Rutgers. McGahee gained 187 yards on the ground to up his season yardage to 1,034 yards.
McGAHEE ON SINGLE-SEASON ALL-PURPOSE YARDS LIST
Willis McGahee compiled 200 all-purpose yards (187 rushing + 13 receiving) at Rutgers to move into the Miami single-season top 10 list for all-purpose yards. McGahee now has 1,335 all-purpose yards in 2002 to rank ninth in UM history for a season. He passed Danyell Ferguson (1,317 yards in 1995) and Clinton Portis (1,325 yards in 2001). The UM single-season record for all-purpose yards is held by running back Ottis Anderson, who gained 1,708 yards (1266 rush, 47 receiving, 395 return yards) in 1978.
McGAHEE OVER THE CENTURY MARK AGAIN
Willis McGahee rushed for 187 yards on 23 carries against Rutgers with two touchdowns. It was McGahee’s sixth 100+-yard performance of the season and is fourth-most in a single-season by a UM runningback. The record is 8 by both Ottis Anderson in 1978 and Clinton Portis in 2001.
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 7.6 yards every time he touches the football (176 touches for 1,335 total yards). He has carried 160 times for 1,034 yards (6.5 avg) and recorded 16 catches for 301 yards (18.8 avg). Against Rutgers, McGahee rushed for 187 yards on 23 carries and caught two passes for 13 yards, for a combined total of 200 yards for the game.
* He has recorded 38 plays of 10 or more yards, including 11 of 20 or more yards and nine of 30 or more yards. Of the 176 times he touched the football 59 (33.5%) have gone for first downs or touchdowns. McGahee has accounted for 33.5% of Miami’s 168 first downs this season.
BACKFIELD NOTES
Miami posted 195 rushing yards on 35 carries at Rutgers, including 187 by Willis McGahee…McGahee’s two rushing touchdowns marked the sixth straight game this season that Miami has posted multiple rushing touchdowns…Jarrett Payton rushed six times for 24 yards at Rutgers.
McGahee leads the team with 96 points scored this season as well as the BIG EAST…McGahee is the conference’s leading all-purpose runner and No. 2 rusher behind WVU’s Avon Cobourne…McGahee is No. 8 in total offense in the conference.
Nationally, McGahee ranks No. 8 in rushing and all-purpose running and No. 2 scoring. Miami is 31st overall in rushing.
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.
JOHNSON ON THE CAREER TD PASSES LIST
Andre Johnson caught caught a 20-yard scoring pass from Ken Dorsey in the fourth quarter of the Rutgers game. He has 17 touchdown catches in his career, a total that ranks him fifth in UM history. Santana Moss (97-00) holds the school record with 26.
RECEIVER NOTES
Eight players accounted for 241 yards receiving on 18 catches at Rutgers…leading the way for the Hurricanes vs. Rutgers was tight end Kellen Winslow, who equaled a team-season-high with six catches and 74 yards…Andre Johnson and Kevin Beard each had three catches for 53 and 27 yards, respectively…Willis McGahee caught two passes for 13 yards, followed by David Williams (1-33), Jason Geathers (1-20), Jarrett Payton (1-16) and Ethenic Sands (1-5)…the three overall touchdown passes in the gamekept UM’s streak going of scoring multiple touchdowns in each game this season…David Williams’ 33-yard touchdown catch from Derrick Crudup was the first of his career.
Kellen Winslow and Andre Johnson rank 2nd and 6th in the BIG EAST with 4.00 and 3.50 catches per game, respectively…Johnson ranks 3rd in receiving yards per game (61.1 ypg), Winslow is 5th (50.6 ypg)…Johnson is 4th in total receiving yards (4589), while Winslow is 6th (405).
OFFENSIVE LINE NOTES
The offensive line kept Ken Dorsey without a sack against Rutgers, but back-up Derrick Crudup was sacked late in the game during a backfield scramble…Dorsey has not been sacked in four games this season, including Rutgers, FSU, 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..as far as run blocking against Rutgers, the line assisted Willis McGahee in getting his sixth 100-yard game of the season with 187 yards on 23 carries.
Vernon Carey (RT) and Carlos Joseph (LT) and Chris Myers (RG) each made their eighth-straight starts after the career first in the season-opener against FAMU…Brett Romberg made his 32nd career start at center against RU, while senior Sherko Haji-Rasouli (LT) made his 15th 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 Rutgers, including one from Vince Wilfork and a shared sack by Cornelius Green and Andrew Williams…the most sacks in a single game this season were seven in the season-opener against FAMU, followed by six vs. UConn…the sacks were Cornelius Green’s career eighth, Wilfork’s career sixth and Williams’ career sixth…the line pressured RU’s Ryan Har into 110 yards passing…Wilfork led the line with six tackles, all solo, against Rutgers…William Joseph was next with five tackles, all solo, followed by Jerome McDougle (3), Cornelius Green (2) and Andrew Williams (1)…six of the eight tackles for loss against Rutgers came by the defensive line, including four from Wilfork.
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).
Both Joseph and McDougle have been named among the semifinalists for the Lombardi Award.
LINEBACKER NOTES
Jon Vilma had a team-high nine tackles against Rutgers, the third straight week he has led the team in tackles…he also recorded 14 at West Virginia and 15 vs. FSU a game earlier and was honored as the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week for his effort vs. the Seminoles… Vilma also had a game-high eight solo tackles…D.J. Williams and Roger McIntosh each had five tackles followed by Leon Williams (4), Darrell McClover (2) and Jarrell Weaver (1).
Vilma and D.J. Williams place first and second on the team in tackles with 79 and 64, respectively. The pair is also first and second in solo tackles with 51 and 33, respectively.
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 Rutgers to 117 passing yards, including only 17 in the second half…over the last three games, the unit has held its opponents to 260 combined passing yards, including 60 from West Virginia and 83 from Florida State…Antrel Rolle registered eight tackles, including seven solo with one pass deflection…Sean Taylor had three tackles and his second interception in as many weeks…Maurice Sikes had two tackles…Kelly Jennings and Alphonso Marshall each recorded their first career interceptions…the three INT’s in the game was a team-season-high.
The Hurricanes lead the nation in pass defense for the third straight week allowing just 110.5 yards per game through the air…no opponent has eclipsed the 200-yard passing mark this season, while three were held under 100 yards.
The secondary has given up just four passing touchdowns all season, one vs. FAMU, Temple, UConn and FSU…Florida, Boston College, West Virginia and Rutgers were held without a passing touchdown.
PLACEKICKERS/TODD SIEVERS
On the 2002 season, 25 of Todd Sievers’ 55 kickoffs have gone for touchbacks…at Rutgers, two of his eight kickoffs went for touchbacks, while a total of six were within the two-yard line…in the RU game, Sievers scored 10 points off two field goals and four extra points….the 10 points gives him 270 for his career, keeping him in fifth place on the all-time UM list…he also has 40 career field goals, good for No. 6.
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 seven punts vs. Rutgers for 254 yards (36.3 avg)…his long was a 44-yarder with one punt placed inside the 20…so far this season, Capshaw has punted 33 times for 1,280 yards and a 38.8 average…seven of his punts have been fair caught, nine have been placed inside the 20, three were blocked and two were for touchbacks…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 fielded three punt returns and four kickoff returns at Rutgers…the punts were returned for five yards, including 2-for-15 by Roscoe Parrish…Ethenic Sands had a negative 10 yard return…Jason Geathers fielded two kickoffs for 69 yards and a long of 44 yards…Jarrett Payton had a 21-yard kickoff return, while Sands had a 12-yard kickoff return.
For the season, Roscoe Parrish is averaging 11.5 yards per punt return, ahead of Ethenic Sands (10.3 ypp)…Parrish and Sands rank fourth and fifth in BIG EAST punt returns…Jason Geathers leads the team with 17 kickoff returns for 346 yards (20.4 avg.).
NEW JERSEY AND CANADA BOAST STREAKS IN THE UM LINE-UP
Other then the state of Florida, New Jersey boasts the second-longest streak of having a player in the UM line-up with 58 games. Canada is third among the streaks with 57 straight games with a UM starter from the Great White North. The New Jersey streak began with Matt Sweeney (96-99) at the end of the 1997 through 1998 and now resides with linebacker Howard Clark and defensive end Jamaal Green. From Canada, center Brett Romberg and guard Sherko Haji-Rasouli continue a streak that began with Richard Mercier (95-99) in 1998.
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.
Derrick Crudup Derrick Crudup (father)- Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers
Jarrett Payton Walter Payton (father)- Chicago Bears
Quadtrine Hill Eddie Hill (father)- Miami Dolphins
Buck Ortega Ralph Ortega (father)- Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons
Kellen Winslow, Jr. Kellen Winslow (father)- San Diego Chargers
Jerome McDougle Stockar McDougle (brother)- Detroit Lions
MIAMI GAMES USUALLY PACKED WITH NFL TALENT
The Miami program has been the best in sending players to the NFL by way of the first three round of the draft over the last 16 years leading the country 63 top-three round picks since 1987. With that, many of the Hurricanes games in 2002 are among the highest in sending a combined amount to the NFL Draft’s first three rounds. The Miami/FSU and Miami/Tennessee games highlight this list. In each of these games, a combined 117 players have been drafted into the first three rounds of the draft.