Miami Football Post-Game Notes

Oct. 30, 1999

LAST TIME SHUTOUT AT HALF AT OB: Today marks the first time that the Hurricanes were shut out at the half in the Orange Bowl in 15 years. Miami was last shut out at the half at home on September 22, 1984 vs. Florida State. In that game, UM trailed FSU, 9-0 at the half, the final score was 38-3.

STARTING LINEUP NEWS: Freshman Clinton Portis started at tailback for the Hurricanes …Sophomore Markese Fitzgerald started at right cornerback… Sophomore Ed Reed started at kickoff returner alongside junior Aaron Moser.

GREEN JERSEYS: The Hurricanes wore green jerseys with white pants today. Under Head Coach Butch Davis, Miami debuted the green jerseys last season vs. Virginia Tech (9/19/98) and later wore the green vs. Pittsburgh (11/19/98). Entering today, the ‘Canes were 1-1 while wearing the green jerseys under Davis. Prior to 1998, the Hurricanes last wore green jerseys on November 13, 1976 vs. Penn State, a 21-7 loss.

A KNACK FOR THE BALL: Senior safety Jeff Popovich registered his team-leading third fumble recovery of the year in the first quarter.

CROSLAND RETURNS TO KICKOFFS: Senior Andy Crosland handled kickoffs for Miami today. In Miami’s last game at Boston College, freshman walk-on Jesse Ohliger handled kickoffs as Crosland rested his left hip flexor. Crosland sent each of his first two kickoffs out of the end zone.

FRANKS’ IMPACT: Tight end Daniel “Bubba Franks” was Miami’s primary offensive weapon on its second scoring drive of the game in the third quarter. In UM’s 6-play, 52-yard scoring drive Franks caught all three passes thrown by quarterback Kenny Kelly on the drive. Franks had catches of 14 and 23 yards leading up to a eight-yard TD catch.

CAREER HIGH: Fullback Will McPartland registered a career-high three receptions today.

COMEBACK: Today marked the second straight game that the Hurricanes have staged a comeback to earn a win. In today’s game, Miami came back from a 13-0 deficit to win 28-20. Last week at Boston College, UM battled back from a 28-0 deficit to win 31-28 in the biggest comeback in school and BIG EAST history.

BIG SECOND HALF: For the second consecutive game, the Hurricanes posted an excellent second half. Last week at Boston College, Miami outscored BC 31-7. Today, the Hurricanes outscored the Mountaineers 28-7 in the second stanza.

Miami in the Second Half:

                 At BC Vs. WVUPoints Scored       31      28Points Allowed       7       7Rush Yards         140     137Pass Yards         155     192Rush Yds Allowed    60      24Pass Yds Allowed    66     145

PORTIS MAKE MARK: With 104 yards on 17 carries, true freshman running back Clinton Portis registered his second 100-yard rushing performance of 1999. On September 25 at East Carolina, Portis ran for 147 yards, the largest rushing total by a true freshman in school history. Portis today scored two touchdowns one by rush and one by receiving, bringing his season total to five total TDs (five rush, one receiving).

FOUR INTS: The four interceptions forced by the Miami defense were the most INTs ever netted by the Hurricanes under Head Coach Butch Davis. The last time, the Hurricanes defense registered four interceptions was on November 30, 1991 when UM recorded four INTs vs. San Diego State (David Lowery as quarterback) in a 39-12 win.

MOVING UP THE CHART: With five receptions, junior Reggie Wayne moved into third place on the University of Miami’s career receptions chart with 116 career catches. Wayne ranks eighth in career receiving yards with 1597 yards…Junior Santana Moss moved from 15th to 12th place on the all-time receiving yards list with 1,465 career yards receiving.

WEST VIRGINIA NOTES: Quarterback Marc Bulger is now West Virginia’s career leads in total offense, passing Major Harris (7,334 yards, 1987-89). Bulger now has 7,488 career total offense yards. This marks Bulger’s 25th school record.

Perlo Bastien’s interception was is fourth of the season and 11th of his career, putting him in eighth place among West Virginia’s career interception leaders.

Miami scored the most second-half points vs. West Virginia this year. The previous high was 20 points scored by Maryland.