Miami-Penn State Game Notes
Miami’s captains for today’s game were junior linebacker Dan Morgan, junior wide receiver Andre King, junior tight end Daniel Franks, junior defensive tackle Damione Lewis, and senior center Ty Wise. Junior fullback Will McPartland made his second career start today. McPartland’s first start came vs. Pittsburgh on November 19, 1998. Sophomore safety Edward Reed was very active in the first quarter registering a sack and a caused fumble. The sack was the third of Reed’s season and the fifth of his career. The forced fumble was the third of Reed’s career. Former University of Miami players in attendance today include Tolbert Bain, Bennie Blades, Brian Blades, Kenny Calhoun, Rod Carter, Tony Coley, Ryan Collins, Maurice Crum, Danyell Ferguson, Tony Gaiter, Bernie Kosar, Tremain Mack, Steve McGuire, Rusty Medearis, Kevin Patrick, A.C. Tellison, and Lamar Thomas. In total, over 85 former UM players were expected to be in attendance today. Miami’s six sacks today brought the Hurricanes, team total to 15 sacks in 1999. As a team, UM recorded 29 sacks over 1998’s 12 games Today’s sellout crowd of 74,427 ranks as the 17th largest crowd in University of Miami history and the 14th largest regular season crowd in school history. Today marks the seventh largest regular season crowd in school history during the 1990’s. Today,s sellout is the first home sellout for UM since Florida State (75,913, 10/12/96). The last home sellout in a non-Florida State game came vs. Penn State (75,723, 10/12/91). The 40-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Kelly to Santana Moss in the fourth quarter was reminiscent to a 67-yard scoring hookup between the tandem in the second quarter of Miami,s 23-12 win over Ohio State at the Kickoff Classic. Miami’s first touchdown drive in the fourth quarter capped by the Kelly-Moss TD was 1:15 in duration marking the 10th TD drive this year of under two minutes. Over the last 15 games, Miami has registered 40 TD drives under two minutes. Today’s loss snapped a eight-game win streak that the Hurricanes had vs. teams from the Big Ten Conference?it also snapped a four-game win streak over non-conference foes. With 129 yards on 33 rushes, James Jackson became the first running back to rush for over 100 yards vs. Penn State since Fred Taylor of Florida ran for 234 yards on January 1, 1998 at the Florida Citrus Bowl, 15 games ago.
PENN STATE NOTES
Today’s win marked the first victory over a top-10 opponent on the road since winning at No. 5 Michigan on October 15, 1994. Penn State had lost the last three such games. Today marked the first time Penn State has beaten two top-10 teams in the same year since 1986 when PSU beat No. 2 Alabama, 23-3, on October 25, 1986 and No. 1 Miami on January 2, 1987. Today’s win marked the 23rd straight regular season non-conference win for Penn State. Penn State has outscored the opposition, 45-0, in the first quarter this season. Derek Fox made his second career interception, first of the season. David Macklin made his eighth career interception, first this season. Rashard Casey,s 49-yard touchdown pass to Chafie Fields was the longest pass of his career. Courtney Brown made three tackles for loss, increasing his school record total to 50. Courtney Brown made one sack, moving him into second place on the Penn State career sack list with 25.5. Kenny Watson’s 52-yard kickoff return to start the second half is tied for the longest of his career in a regular season game (at Indiana, 1996). Eddie Drummond’s six catches are a career high, surpassing his four catches last week vs. Pittsburgh.
Plays of the Game
1st quarter: 3-15, M30 — Reed Sack – puts PSU out of field goal range? 1st quarter: Lewis fumble recovery caused by Edward Reed, 3rd quarter: James Jackson 18-yard TD run 4th quarter: Santana Moss 40-yard TD reception from Kenny Kelly 4th quarter: James Jackson 39-yard TD run 4th quarter: Ed Reed,s interception with 3:14 left to preserve 23-20 lead
