#2 Miami Hurricanes Open 2001 Season At Penn State
Aug. 27, 2001
Audio
Coach Coker in the BIG EAST teleconference.
Mike Rumph comments on the Penn State game.
Clinton Portis comments on the Penn State game.
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Game #1–Penn State Nittany Lions
Beaver Stadium
September 1, 2001 – 8 p.m.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — No. 2-ranked Miami, under new Head Coach Larry Coker, opens the 2001 season on the road at Penn State’s newly-expanded Beaver Stadium (106,537 cap.) in State College, PA.
The game marks the beginning of the Larry Coker Era of UM football. Coker had previously served as the Hurricanes’ offensive coordinator since 1995.
The Hurricanes begin 2001 ranked No. 2 in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls, their highest since beginning the 1992 season as the consensus No. 1.
UM enters 2001 riding a 10-game win streak dating back to week two of the 2000 season — UM’s longest streak since 1992.
The season opening road game marks the first for the Hurricanes since opening up 1997 with a 45-14 win at Baylor. However, Miami did open up the 1999 season with a 23-12 win over Ohio State at the Kickoff Classic in the Meadowlands.
The expected sellout at Beaver Stadium will mark the most fans ever to watch a Hurricane football game. The top two previous totals were games played at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor (105,834, 1988, 105,403, 1984).
About Penn State: The Nittany Lions lead the all-time series with Miami, 7-5, and won the last meeting, 27-23, at the Orange Bowl in 1999. Additionally, the last five games in the series have been decided by less than a touchdown.
On the road at PSU, UM has won two of its last three games played at Beaver Stadium. In its last visit during the 1992 season, UM defeated PSU, 17-14. UM also won, 26-10, in 1979. The 8 p.m. kickoff marks just the sixth night game played at Beaver Stadium since the facility opened in 1960.
HEAD COACH LARRY COKER –
Begins his first season as a collegiate head coach with the Hurricanes in 2001. Prior to becoming Miami’s 19th head coach, Coker had 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.
At Miami, Coker-led offenses have helped UM to a 51-20 overall record and a 33-9 mark in BIG EAST play. At the Orange Bowl, UM has gone 27-9 with Coker and 19-11 on the road. Additionally, the Hurricanes have 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, OK, 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.
MIAMI VS. THE BIG TEN –
Prior to Miami’s 1999 loss to then-No. 2 Penn State, 27-23, at the Orange Bowl, the Hurricanes had a string of eight straight victories against the Big Ten Conference dating back to the 1984 season. Penn State, which joined the Big Ten in 1993, is currently 1-0 vs. Miami as a league member and 7-5 against the Hurricanes all-time. Miami has posted an all-time mark of 20-8 in games against Big Ten opponents. UM has faced nine of the current 11 Big Ten members not including Illinois or Minnesota. Additionally, Penn State is the lone Big Ten school to have a winning record against UM.
MIAMI ON ABC –
Miami is making its 57th overall appearance on the ABC network. The Hurricanes first appeared on ABC vs. Pittsburgh in 1961 and hold a 35-21 (.625) record on the network. All-time, Miami is 108-49 (.688) on network television and 85-36 (.702) in nationally televised games.
UM NO. 2 IN PRESEASON POLLS –
Miami received a preseason No. 2 national ranking by both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll. Miami’s No. 2 ranking in the AP preseason poll is the highest since holding down the No. 1 ranking at the start of the 1992 season. The No. 2 ranking in the Coaches’ Poll marks the highest UM has been since starting 1990 No. 1. UM will also face three opponents who are preseason ranked (Washington, FSU and Virginia Tech).
In the AP Poll, the Hurricanes begin the season ranked among the top 10 for the sixth time in 11 seasons, and begin among the top five for the fifth time since 1991.
In the Coaches’ Poll, the Hurricanes begin the season ranked among the top 10 for the sixth time in 11 seasons. The top 10 ranking marks the second such preseason ranking for UM since 1994 as the Hurricanes were ranked sixth to begin the 2000 season.
BIBLA LONE “FLA/PA” CONNECTION –
The Hurricane roster boasts just one player from the state of Pennsylvania, senior offensive guard Martin Bibla (Mountaintop). However, Penn State’s roster does not contain a player from the state of Florida. Additionally, Penn State is the lone opponent on Miami’s schedule that does not have a Florida player on its roster.
MIAMI PLAYS TOUGH OPPONENTS, WHO PLAY TOUGH OPPONENTS –
According to the 2001 Preseason Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll, Miami will play three of the poll’s top 15/14 teams, including #6/#5 Florida State, #9 Virginia Tech and #15/#14 Washington. Additionally, Miami has four opponents who are at least receiving national votes (Pittsburgh, Penn State, West Virginia and Syracuse).
Of the Hurricanes’ 11 opponents, all but one plays multiple top 25-ranked teams in the either poll and eight play three or more. UM’s opening opponent, Penn State, leads the group with five ranked opponents, followed by Washington, Florida State and Syracuse with four each. Virginia Tech is the lone UM opponent to play just one ranked team (#2 Miami).
UM BOASTS NO. 2 WIN STREAK ENTERING 2001 –
Miami enters the 2001 season with the nation’s second-longest winning streak, having won 10 games in a row dating back to a Sept. 23 win over West Virginia (47-10). Oklahoma owns the longest current win streak at 12 games dating back to last season. The Hurricanes have also won 10 straight BIG EAST games dating back to 1999, the fourth-longest stretch in league history. Virginia Tech holds the conference mark with 14 in a row from 1998-2000.
Additionally, the Hurricanes are 15-1 in their last 16 games played, including bowls. The lone loss was at Washington, 34-29, in the second week of the 2000 season. Additionally, UM has won 18 of its last 20 games dating back to its 31-21 loss at Florida State in 1999. UM has won 13 of its last 14 BIG EAST games, including the 1999 loss to the Hokies.
MIAMI IN SEASON OPENERS –
Miami holds a 50-24-1 (.673) all-time record in 75 season-openers, including a five-game win streak. Additionally, Miami has won 13 of its last 15 season openers since 1986.
On the road, Miami is 13-11 (.521) in 24 season-opening games with a two-game win streak dating back to 1996. Additionally, UM has a three-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 10 season openers, Miami has outscored the opposition 184-32 in the first half, allowing just three touchdowns.
VS. RANKED/UNRANKED OPPONENTS –
Since 1990, Miami has registered a 26-21 (.553) mark against nationally ranked teams and a 75-7 (.915) 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 142-14 (.910) when scoring first.
4TH QUARTER DOMINANCE –
In 15 previous seasons, Miami has been almost unbeatable when leading after three quarters. Since 1985, Miami has won 139 of 141 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.
MIAMI STREAKS WHEN SCORING 30 OR MORE POINTS –
Miami has won 82 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points, since dropping a 31-30 decision at Notre Dame in 1988. Additionally, UM has won 103 consecutive games when scoring more than 30 points since falling 39-37 to UCLA in the 1985 Fiesta Bowl.
HURRICANES RETURN TO THURSDAY NIGHT –
This season, the Hurricanes will play two games on Thursday-Sept. 27 at Pittsburgh and Oct. 25 vs. West Virginia. Miami has a 4-1 all-time record in games played on Thursday. Coincidentally, the lone loss Miami suffered on Thursday was 38-10 at Pittsburgh in 1998.
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.
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).
LONE STAR STATE SHINES AT MIAMI –
When freshman Charles Pharms, a resident of Houston, TX, recorded his first start in the 1988 season’s sixth game against Cincinnati it would begin a streak of 150 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).
KEYSTONE STATE HAS A STREAK OF ITS OWN –
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 107 consecutive games that a player from Pennsylvania has started for the Hurricanes. Entering the 2001 season, Martin Bibla (Moutaintop) is slated to start at right guard after holding down the spot all of 2000. In between Greene and Bibla have been many standout starters from the Keystone State, including quarterback 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 (150) and Pennsylvania (107), Louisiana (56), New Jersey (38) and Canada (37) have current streaks of having a player from that region start heading into the 2001 season. Louisiana, The Bayou State, 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 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.
KEN DORSEY NAMED TO DAVEY 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 JIM 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 as part of festivities surrounding ESPN’s 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 Ten.
TODD SIEVERS NAMED TO THE LOU GROZA AWARD “WATCH LIST” –
Junior Todd Sievers is one of 30 place-kickers 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.
ED REED SELECTED TO BRONKO 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.
2000 OFFENSE OUTPUT IS TOUGH TO FOLLOW –
The 2000 Hurricanes amassed a school-record 469 points over the course of the 11 regular season games. The 469 points scored established a new school record for points scored during the regular season (1986, 420) and overall (1999, 448), as well as the new BIG EAST single-season total. The Syracuse Orangemen, led by Donovan McNabb, scored 468 in their BIG EAST title season in 1998.
MIAMI BECOMES THE FREQUENT SCORER –
The 2000 Hurricanes were held scoreless in just two of 48 quarters played, including the Sugar Bowl. Miami had a string of 32 consecutive quarters scored in snapped during the third quarter at Syracuse. The lone other period where UM did not find the endzone was the second quarter at Washington.
HURRICANE FANS SET ATTENDANCE RECORDS IN 2000 –
Twice in one season the faithful Miami Hurricanes fans set attendance records at the Orange Bowl. The attendance for the Virginia Tech game was 77,410, marking the 10th-highest attended game of all-time. Additionally, the 77,410 was also the highest-ever attended BIG EAST match-up at the Orange Bowl.
Earlier, 80,905 fans flocked to the Orange Bowl to see the Miami/Florida State showdown, for No. 3 all-time. The 80,905 fans for the FSU game was also the second-largest for a regular season crowd.
The 2000 UM/FSU and UM/VT attendance marks place 1-2 all-time for a BIG EAST game. Additionally, the current top 11 all-time attended BIG EAST games have included Miami with the Miami-West Virginia 1993 game (70,222) being the previously highest attended conference match-up.
