Hurricane Game Notes from the Kickoff Classic
Aug. 30, 1999
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – MVP: Quarterback Kenny Kelly was named the game’s Most Valuable Player with his 17-25, 245-yard, one-TD performance.
TODAY’S CAPTAINS: Miami’s captains for today’s game were seniors Mondriel Fulcher, Jeff Popovich, Richard Mercier, Michael Boireau and Matt Sweeney.
AT THE HALF: In the last nine season-openers, including today, Miami has outscored its opponents 147-25 in the first half and has allowed just two touchdowns.
WHEN SCORING FIRST: Including today, Miami has gone 130-12 since 1983 when scoring first. Under Coach Butch Davis, UM improves to 24-5 when scoring first.
RUNNING GAUGE: Including today, Miami has won 76 of 77 regular season games when rushing for over 150 yards
BIG TEN DOMINANCE: With today’s win, Miami extended its winning streak against teams currently in the Big Ten Conference to nine straight victories. The streak dates back to a 31-30 win at Michigan on September 17, 1988.
FIRST CAREER START: Third-year sophomore quarterback Kenny Kelly and second-year freshman William Joseph both made their first career starts today vs. Ohio State. Dating back to Jim Kelly in 1979, Hurricane quarterbacks have led UM to a 8-3 record in their first career starts.
Hurricane Quarterbacks In First Career Start:
Player Opponent Date Result Cmp-Att-Yds TD-INT Kenny Kelly vs. Ohio State 8/29/99 W, 23-12 17-25-245 1-2 Scott Covington @ Boston College 11/23/96 W, 43-26 22-29-295 3-0 Ryan Clement @ Florida State 10/7/95 L, 41-17 10-23-96 0-2 Ryan Collins Syracuse 10/23/93 W, 49-0 16-20-207 1-1 Frank Costa @ Boston College 9/4/93 W, 23-7 15-31-205 0-1 Gino Torretta Cincinnati 10/7/89 W, 56-0 13-16-239 3-1 Craig Erickson @ Wisconsin 9/9/89 W, 51-3 17-37-281 4-0 Steve Walsh Florida 9/5/87 W, 31-4 17-27-234 1-1 Vinny Testaverde Florida 9/7/85 L, 35-23 24-40-278 0-2 Bernie Kosar @ Florida 9/3/83 L, 28-3 25-45-223 0-3 Jim Kelly @ Penn State 11/3/79 W, 26-10 18-30-280 3-0
ACTION JACKSON: James Jackson’s 44-yard touchdown run in the first quarter marked the fifth time in his career that the junior tailback has rushed for 40 or more yards on a single carry. Three of those rushes, including today’s, have come within his first three carries of the game.
JACKSON RUNS FOR 40-PLUS YARDS:
Date Game Distance Carry of Game 11/1/97 vs. Arkansas State 56 yards (TD) 10th 11/8/97 at Virginia Tech 78 yards (TD) 5th 10/31/98 vs. Boston College 79 yards 2nd 10/24/98 at West Virgnia 40 yard 3rd 8/29/99 vs. Ohio State 44 yards (TD) 2nd
WAYNE RETURNS: Reggie Wayne’s six-yard reception in the first quarter marked the first catch by the junior wideout since November 19, 1998 vs. Pittsburgh. Wayne missed the last three games of 1998 with a injury to the ACL in his left knee.
LEWIS SACK: Damione Lewis’ two sack performance marks the first multi-sack game in his career. Lewis now has eight career sacks. Prior to today, Lewis had not registered a sack since 10/24/98 vs. West Virginia, six games ago.
FULCHER AT FULLBACK: Senior Mondriel Fulcher’s transition from tight end to fullback has been a successful one. Fulcher had a 42-yard catch out of the backfield in the second quarter which led to UM’s second touchdown of the game. In the third quarter, Fulcher made his first career rushing attempt, a four-yard run.
TOP-10 BOUND: Miami is contending for its first visit into the top-10 of national rankings since being ranked No. 6 by the Associated Press the week of October 12, 1996.
STREAKING: By not netting a reception today, junior wide receiver Andre King had a 13-game reception streak halted. King had registered at least one catch for 13 consecutive games dating back to November 15, 1997 vs. Rutgers.
QUICK STRIKE: All three of Miami’s touchdown drives were less than two minutes in duration. Miami has recorded 30 touchdown drives under two minutes over the last 12 games.
MOSS GOES OVER 100: Santana Moss netted the second 100-yard performance of his career. Moss’ other 100-yard receiving output came vs. Rutgers (six catches, 146 yards on October 3, 1998)
