Hurricane Winds Blowing Again In Miami

Aug. 31, 1999

The Miami Hurricanes are eight years removed from their last nationalchampionship, but after an impressive season debut Sunday, they feel like itmay be their time again.

One week after upsetting Ohio State 23-12 before a Giants Stadiumcrowd of 73,037, the eighth-ranked Hurricanes should get a breather when they hostFlorida A&M on Saturday.

“We’re good, we’re very good,” Miami quarterback Kenny Kelly said. “Butwe have to go 13-0 to have the kind of season we had in the late ’80s, andthen I’ll tell you Miami is back.”

James Jackson, who stepped in at tailback for the graduated EdgerrinJames,ran 44 yards for a first-quarter TD and finished with 89 yards on 24 carriesfor Miami.

With the win, Miami improved from a preseason No. 12 to No. 8 in theAssociated Press Top 25. Ohio State fell from No. 9 to No. 13.

Miami won national titles in 1987, 1989 and 1991, but was placed onprobation in 1995 and has struggled since.

The Hurricanes went 5-6 in 1997, the school’s first losing record since1979. But the rebuilding program of coach Butch Davis began to get resultslast year, as Miami ended third-ranked UCLA’s unbeaten season and hopes for anational title with a 49-45 upset, then followed it up with a 46-23 win overNorth Carolina State in the MICRON PC Bowl.

In other words, Florida A&M will have its hands full Saturday.

The Rattlers, who went 11-2 last season and won 11 consecutive games,were the Black College National Champions. They tied for first in the Mid-EasternAthletic Conference with a 7-1 record and earned a third straight NCAA playoffinvitation.

Miami, which plays No. 2 Penn State on Sept. 18 and No. 1 FloridaState on Oct. 9, will be Florida A&M’s only ranked opponent this season.

“This is a great way to start our season,” Davis said. “We’re 1-0, butwe’re not back yet. It’s been a long rebuilding job and this is a nice stepforward.”