Miami Football Postgame Notes

Oct. 23, 1999

MIAMI AT BOSTON COLLEGE, 10-23-99
CHESTNUT HILL, MASS

COMEBACK: The 28-point comeback marked the largest comeback in Miami history.

Prior to today, the largest comeback in school history was 16 points (twice). On September 17, 1988, Michigan led Miami, 30-14, with 10:32 remaining in the fourth quarter, Miami went on to defeat Michigan, 31-30. On October 3, 1987, Florida State led Miami, 19-3, with 2:45 left in the third quarter, Miami went on to defeat FSU 26-25 on that day.

SHORT SPAN: James Jackson’s two touchdowns came 22 seconds apart. That marked the shortest span between Miami touchdowns since September 10, 1994 when UM scored TDs 12 seconds apart in the first quarter at Arizona State.

RUSHING STREAK: The Hurricanes have had a 100-yard rusher for five consecutive years against Boston College. In fact, a UM running back has rushed for 100 or more yards on six occasions over the past five years. As a team, Miami has rushed for 300 or more yards in each of the last three seasons.

A CAREER FIRST START: Freshman Jarrett Payton started the game as one of Miami’s two kickoff returners marking his first career start.

CAREER FIRST TOUCHDOWN: Junior fullback Will McPartland scored the first touchdown of his career in the third quarter. The TD came on an eight-yard pass from quarterback Kenny Kelly

BC’S LEAD: – The 28-0 BC lead marked the largest lead Boston College has ever held in the UM-BC all-time series. The previous high was a 14-0 lead in the 1984 game. In that contest, Boston College won, 47-45, in what is known as the “Hail Flutie” game.

The 14 points scored by Boston College in the first quarter matches the most points ever scored by BC in the first quarter against Miami. BC scored 14 points in the first quarter of the 1984 game.

OHLIGER SEES ACTION, AGAIN: Walk-on freshman Jesse Ohliger handled kickoffs for the Hurricanes. Ohliger also appeared in the Florida State game. He replaced senior Andy Crosland (hip) for the kickoff responsibilities. Crosland did handle extra points and field goals.

PRIME PERFORMANCES

Offense: Sophomore quarterback Kenny Kelly directed Miami to its biggest comeback in school history going 20-36 for 218 yards and three touchdowns in UM’s 31-28 win over Boston College. Kelly, who did not throw an interception, initiated Miami’s 28-point rally with a eight-yard TD pass to fullback Will McPartland with 3:11 left in the third quarter, followed by a 32-yard TD pass to tailback James Jackson. Latter in the fourth quarter, Kelly hit tight end Daniel Franks for a 10-yard touchdown to tie the score at 28. In the game’s final drive, Kelly hit wideout Reggie Wayne for a 22-yard catch on fourth and 17 to set up the game-winning field goal with three seconds left in the game.Over the last two games, Kelly is 47-77 (61.0 %) for 588 yards with six touchdowns and one interception.

Special Teams: Senior kicker Andy Crosland hit a game-winning 30-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to seal Miami’s 31-28 win over Boston College. Crosland sealed the UM victory which represented the biggest comeback in school history. Crosland also was 4-4 on extra points.

Defense: Junior linebacker Dan Morgan, recently named one of 11 semi-finalists for the Butkus Award, led Miami with 12 tackles, (8 solo, 4 assists), including two tackles for loss and a half sack. Morgan and the UM defense held BC to seven second-half points and a fourth-quarter shutout as the Hurricanes staged the largest comeback in school history coming from 28 points down to defeat Boston College, 31-28.