Hurricanes Look To Stay Unbeaten In Big East

Oct. 26, 1999

MIAMI – After a narrow escape at Boston College, Miami returns home to take onanother middle-of-the pack Big East team.

The No. 23 Hurricanes (3-3, 1-0) will host West Virginia (3-4, 2-1) attheOrange Bowl Saturday.

Miami nipped Boston College 31-28 last Saturday, after trailing 28-0in thethird quarter. Quarterback Kenny Kelly, named Big East co-player of the week,led the Hurricanes to four scores in 13 minutes to tie the game with 3:51 toplay.

“It was a miraculous effort by our kids in the second half,” Miami coachButch Davis said.

Kelly went 9-for-14 for 124 yards in the fourth quarter. Facing afourth-and-17 from the Boston College 35 with 14 seconds to play and notime-outs, Kelly hit Reggie Wayne for a 22-yard gain at the sideline.

Andy Crosland then connected on the game-winning 30-yard field goalwith 3seconds left.

It was the first win over a Division I-A opponent for Miami since August.The Hurricanes opened the season with victories over Ohio State and DivisionI-AA Florida A&M.

Miami had lost three close games in a row, to Penn State, EastCarolina andFlorida State by a combined 18 points.

The Hurricanes have won 11 of 14 meetings all-time against West Virginia,including a 34-31 victory a year ago.

The Mountaineers went 8-4 a year ago, including the tough home defeat toMiami. Having lost 13 starters from last year’s team, the Mountaineers arein arebuilding mode.

Don Nehlen’s young squad has begun to play well, recording a couple ofwinsafter opening 1-4.

West Virginia beat Temple 20-17 Saturday as quarterback Mark Bulgerreturnedfrom a broken finger to go 16-for-29 and 266 yards.

“It’s building now,” said tailback Avon Cobourne. “We’re going to startthat snowball effect right now.”

Cobourne had 127 yards on the ground and a touchdown. On the year,Cobournehas rushed for 622 yards, six touchdowns and a 4.9 yards per carry average.