Football Faces Washington In Seattle

Sept. 4, 2000

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HEAD COACH BUTCH DAVIS:
Butch Davis (Arkansas ’74) is in his sixth season at Miami. Davis has compiled a 41-19 overall record and a 26-9 mark in BIG EAST games. His record includes a 22-9 record at the Orange Bowl, while going 15-10 on the road. Additionally, Davis’ UM teams are 4-0 in neutral-site games.

Davis is the 18th head coach in UM history. Prior to his appointment in January 1995, Davis served as an assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys from 1989-94 where he helped guide the Cowboys to a pair of Super Bowl championships. Davis also served as an assistant coach at UM from 1984-88 (where he was part of Miami’s 1987 National Championship team) and at Oklahoma State from 1979-83.

UM VS. THE PAC 10:
Miami owns an 8-7 record in games against the Pac-10 Conference since 1958’s first meeting with Oregon. Most recently, UM defeated UCLA, 49-45, in 1998 at the Orange Bowl. In the last clip of games, over 11 seasons, UM owns a 6-4 record against the Pac-10, including a 3-1 mark on the road.

UM TO BE BROADCAST NATIONALLY:
Miami’s ABC televised game at Washington marks the Hurricanes 55th appearance on the network. UM first appeared on ABC in 1961 against Pittsburgh and holds a 34-20 (.630) all-time record on the network. All-time, UM is 97-48 (.669) on network television.

UM VS. RANKED/UNRANKED OPPONENTS:
From 1990-99, Miami forged a 23-20 mark against nationally ranked teams and a 68-7 record against unranked opponents.

MIAMI WINS SEASON OPENER:
Miami holds a 50-24-1 (.673) all-time record in 75 season-openers, including a five-game win streak after defeating McNeese State 61-14. Additionally, Miami has won 13 of its last 15 season openers since 1986.

At the Orange Bowl, Miami is 35-13-1 (.724) in 49 season-opening games with a five-game win streak dating back to 1986. The McNeese State game marked just the third season-opener at the Orange Bowl since 1988, 13 seasons.

AT THE HALF:
In the last 10 season openers, Miami has outscored the opposition 184-32 in the first half, allowing just three touchdowns.

2000 TRAVEL MILES:
Miami’s 2000-road schedule features a trek to Seattle to play Washington. Other road trips include Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Temple and Syracuse. In total, UM’s flying miles total 13,932 for the season.

ONE LOUISIANA SCHOOL DEFEATED, ONE MORE ON THE SCHEDULE:
With UM’s 61-14 defeat of McNeese State, the Hurricanes have defeated the first of two 2000 opponents from Louisiana. UM will host Louisiana Tech on Oct. 28 at the Orange Bowl. Since the start of the Miami football program, the Hurricanes have forged a 17-14-1 record against schools in Louisiana. Prior to this season’s two meetings, UM played a Louisiana school just twice since 1979 (Lousiana Tech, ’79 and Louisiana State, 1988). Additionally, UM is 12-6 against Louisiana schools at home.

LOUISIANA PLAYERS STAR IN WIN OVER McNEESE STATE:
Miami’s three players from Louisiana, Reggie Wayne (Marerro), Ed Reed (St. Rose) and Ken Dangerfield (Patterson), each starred in UM’s game against Louisiana school McNeese State (Lake Charles).

Wayne, UM’s starting split end, led the team with five receptions and accumulated the second-most receiving yards (59). Additionally, Wayne scored UM’s first two touchdown receptions in the first quarter.

Reed, the starting strong safety, recorded one of UM’s three interceptions and for 18 yards. Reed also tallied 10 tackles.

Dangerfield, making his first career start at weakside linebacker, recorded a team-best 12 tackles, including seven solo stops.

BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME:
Miami and McNeese State met for the first time in the 2000 season opener with UM coming out on top 61-14. The Hurricanes are 86-58-2 (.596) all-time in series openers including a 18-4 (.818) mark since 1980. Miami is 14-1 (.933) in series openers at the Orange Bowl since 1980. UM’s one defeat during that span came against Washington in 1994. The Hurricanes are 67-38-2 (.636) all-time in series openers played in Miami.

FOURTH QUARTER DOMINANCE:
In 15 seasons, Miami has been almost unbeatable when leading after three-quarters. Since 1985, Miami has won 130 of 132 regular season games in which it entered the fourth quarter with a lead. The two losses in this span occurred against East Carolina (1999) and West Virginia (1997). Prior to these two losses, UM last lost when leading after three-quarters in 1984 against Maryland, 42-20, after leading 34-21 heading into the final stanza.

UM STANDS TALL IN THE BIG EAST:
After nine seasons of competition in the BIG EAST Conference, Miami has forged a league-best 45-10 (.818) conference mark. UM’s four BIG EAST titles are also a league best, ahead of Syracuse (3), Virginia Tech (3) and West Virginia (1).

IF MIAMI SCORES FIRST:
When Miami scores first it is nearly a lock to win. Beginning with the 1983 season, the Hurricanes have gone 136-14 (.907) when scoring first. Under Butch Davis, UM is 29-7 (.806) when scoring first.

STREAKS WHEN MIAMI SCORES 30 OR MORE POINTS:
Miami has won 74 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points, since dropping a 31-30 decision at Notre Dame in 1988. Additionally, UM has won 95 consecutive games when scoring more than 30 points since falling 39-37 to UCLA in the 1985 Fiesta Bowl.

HURRICANES IN AUGUST:
With UM’s victory over McNeese State on August 31, the Hurricanes remain perfect (6-0) in the month of August since the 1980 season. Additionally, UM is 4-0 in August games under Butch Davis.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE TURNOVERS:
In the season opener against McNeese State, UM took advantage of the Cowboys’ miscues, scoring on three of four drives following a turnover. Against McNeese State, UM scored two touchdowns and one field goal off interceptions. Additionally, UM missed a 49-yard field goal attempt on a drive following a McNeese State fumble.

OPENING POSSESSIONS:
Miami has posted points one its first opening possession of the season. Against McNeese State, the Hurricanes marched 70 yards in seven plays culminating in a five-yard TD pass to Reggie Wayne from Ken Dorsey.

McNeese State also scored on its opening possession, as Jessie Burton rushed 23 yards for a TD.

HURRICANES ON TURF:
Saturday’s game at Washington will take place on the Huskies’ synthetic FieldTurf at Husky Stadium. Under Head Coach Butch Davis, Miami is 12-2 on artificial surfaces.

Miami on Artificial Turf (Under Davis):

UNIT RANKINGS AMONG NATION’S BEST:
The Hurricanes defensive secondary and receiving corps were rated the No. 1 units, respectively, in the nation by The Sporting News. UM was the lone school to earn two No. 1 rankings. Additionally, The Sporting News rated the offensive backfield (#4) and linebackers (#8) among the nations best. In the BIG EAST, The Sporting News rated UM’s offensive backfield, receivers, overall offense, defensive line, linebackers, defensive backs, overall defense and special teams as the top units, respectively.

UM FIRST IN BIG EAST POLL:
For the sixth time since round-robin play began in 1993, the Hurricanes have been picked as the preseason favorite to win the 2000 BIG EAST championship. In a media vote at BIG EAST Media Day, UM received 15 first-place votes and 183 overall points, followed by 1999 champion Virginia Tech (nine first-place votes, 177 points). All-time, UM is 45-10 in BIG EAST play and has been crowned champion in five of nine previous seasons.

DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS:
When freshman Charles Pharms, a resident of Houston, recorded his first start in the 1988 season’s sixth game against Cincinnati it would begin a streak of 137 consecutive games that at least one player from the state of Texas has started for Miami. The 2000 Hurricane roster boasts eight players from the “Lone-Star” state, including tackle Damione Lewis (Sulphur Springs) and Chris Campbell (Mt. Pleasant) who are mainstays in the starting line-up. UM added two players from Texas to the 2000 roster, defensive ends Cornelius Green (Kilgore) and John Square (Houston).

BUTCH DAVIS TV SHOW:
The Butch Davis TV Show, hosted by WPLG sportscaster Frank Forte, is a weekly program featuring Head Coach Butch Davis. Produced by Fairway Production Group, the show takes an in-depth look at Hurricane football. The half-hour program contains game and practice highlights, player features and sit-down interviews. Throughout the year, the Butch Davis Show airs on WPLG-Channel 10 at 11:30 a.m. every Saturday.

HURRICANE HOTLINE AIRS THURSDAY:
The Hurricane Hotline radio show will air Thursday evenings, from 6-8 p.m., during the football season on UM’s flagship station WQAM 560 AM. The two-hour talk show features Head Coach Butch Davis and Athletic Director Paul Dee, as well as Hurricane assistant coaches and players. Don Bailey Jr. and Marc Vandermeer host hurricane Hotline. Hurricane Hotline will air every Thursday during the 2000 season with the exception of three dates. With the McNeese State game kicking off the season on Thursday, August 31, the Hotline will move to Friday, September 1. Prior to the trip to Seattle, for the Washington game, the Hotline will air on Wednesday, September 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. With Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 23, the Hotline will air one-day earlier on Wednesday, November 22.

COACHES BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHEONS:
Throughout the season, University of Miami coaches will appear at breakfasts in Dade County and luncheons in Broward County hosted by the Hurricane Club. Individual tickets to the breakfasts are $6 for Hurricane Club donors and $7 for non-Hurricane Club donors, while the luncheons are $16 for donors and $18 for non-donors. Season series tickets for the breakfast are $46 and $80 for the luncheons. Contact Leinad Cross at (305) 284-6705 for more information.

FOOTBALL SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE:
Single-game tickets are now on sale. Season tickets, which start at $99, are also available. Tickets can be purchased at the UM ticket office, all Ticketmaster locations, at hurricanesports.com or by calling 1-800-GO CANES. The UM ticket office is located in the Hecht Athletic Center, 5821 San Amaro Drive, on the Coral Gables campus and is open 9-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday.

PUBLIX’ CANES FEVER IS BACK:
From August 31 to October 25, purchase any item at Publix Supermarkets that is marked with the ‘Canes Fever sticker and receive a 2-for-1 game ticket to Louisiana Tech, Pittsburgh or Boston College. With over 160 vendors participating, the 2000 season is the 17th year that UM and Publix have teamed together ‘Canes Fever.

UM STAYS “NO. 1” AT THE NFL DRAFT:
During the last 14 years, Miami has produced more NFL first-round draft picks than any other college. At the 2000 NFL Draft, former tight end Daniel “Bubba” Franks became the 21st Hurricane since 1987 to get picked in the first round when he was selected with the 14th pick by the Green Bay Packers. The 2000 Draft also marked the sixth straight year that a Hurricane was chosen in the first round.

100-YARD GAMES:
Clinton Portis gained a team-best 133 yards rushing against McNeese State in the season-opener to mark the first 100-yard performance of the season. The effort gives him six 100-yard games in his career and places him fourth all-time. Last season, Portis led the team with five 100-yard games.

MOSS, WAYNE ON BILETNIKOFF WATCH LIST:
Receivers Santana Moss and Reggie Wayne were among 35 players selected to the preseason “Watch List” for the 2000 Biletnikoff Award. Moss was one of 10 semifinalists for Award in 1999. Additionally, Wayne was also selected to the “Watch List” prior to the 1998 season. UM is one of two schools in the BIG EAST (Pittsburgh) and six schools nationally to have two players on the 2000 Biletnikoff Award list. The BIG EAST Conference has the second-most players on the list with six (SEC, 7).

JACKSON NAMED TO DOAK WALKER WATCH LIST:
James Jackson has been named one of 35 preseason candidates for the 2000 Doak Walker Award Presented by Vectrix, which is awarded annually to the nation’s top college runningback. The selection to the preseason Walker list marks the second consecutive season Jackson has made the start list for the award.

PORTIS IS THE MILLENNIUM MAN:
Clinton Portis rushed for 133 yards on nine carries in the season opener against McNeese State to increase his career rushing totals to 971 yards on 152 attempts. Should Portis record 29 yards against Washington he would reach the 1,000-yard plateau in 12 career games becoming the quickest Hurricane to reach the milestone. In addition, Portis would become just the fourth sophomore in UM history to surpass 1,000 career rushing yards joining Ottis Anderson, Edgerrin James, Stephen McGuire and current teammate James Jackson.

Quickest to 1000:

DORSEY AS A STARTER:
In his four games as a starter, Ken Dorsey is 81-120 for 966 yards, 12 touchdowns and one interception. In those four starts, Dorsey is averaging. Additionally, his three touchdown passes against McNeese State marked his third consecutive start with at least three touchdown passes. In his four starts, UM scored 216 points (54-point average) to mark the most points scored ever by a UM team in a four-game span.

Dorsey as a Starter

WAYNE IS AT 25 AND COUNTING:
Reggie Wayne caught five passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns in the Hurricanes’ season opener against McNeese State. Wayne has now recorded at least one reception in 25 consecutive games dating back to the 1997 season. The last game in which Wayne did not record a reception was versus Arkansas State on November 1, 1997. The UM record for consecutive games with a reception is 33 set by Michael Irvin and Lamar Thomas.

WAYNE REMAINS AT NO. 3 IN ALL-TIME RECEPTIONS, MOSS JOINS TOP 10:
With his three receptions against McNeese State, Reggie Wayne (135) remained at third place on UM’s career catches list. Santana Moss, with two catches against McNeese State, joined the top 10 tying Larry Brodsky with 100 career receptions.

WAYNE, MOSS FLIP-FLOP ON CAREER RECEIVING YARDS LIST:
Reggie Wayne’s 59 yards receiving against McNeese State gave him 1,824 career receiving yards to jump ahead of teammate Santana Moss by one yard into third place. Moss, who gained 35 yards receiving against McNeese State, now has 1,823 career receiving yards for fourth place.

YOU CAN ONLY HOPE TO CONTAIN HIM:
When Santana Moss makes a reception it is usually for big yardage. In the McNeese State game, Moss caught two passes for 35 yards (17.5 average).

Over his career, Moss has averaged 18.2 yards per catch to rank fifth on UM’s all-time list.

Top Five Career Average Yards Per Catch (Min. 50 catches)

UM RETURNS PLENTY OF OFFENSE:
Miami nearly returns its entire offensive backfield, which accounted 2,010 of 2,087 (.963) rushing yards and 20 of 22 (.909) rushing touchdowns in 1999. Additionally, UM returns players responsible for 272 of its 404 points scored. Subtract kicker Andy Crosland’s 82 points and Miami returns 272 of 322 (.845) points scored last season.

FINISHING THE 1999 REGULAR SEASON STRONG:
Over the last three regular season games of the 1999 season, Miami outscored its opponents, 155-13 (55-0 over Rutgers, 45-13 over Syracuse, 55-0 over Temple). Prior to 1999, the most points scored by the Hurricanes over a three-game span was 152 points scored in three consecutive games (71-6 over Piedmont, 10/28/33, 48-0 over Bowden, 11/4/33, 33-7 over Louisville, 11/10/33).

MIAMI’S 1999 REGULAR SEASON SCORING BEST IN THE 1990’s:
Miami’s 404 points during the regular season is the most scored by any UM team in the regular season during the 1990’s. Additionally, the 432 overall points placed third among UM teams in the 1990’s. The 404 points surpassed 1998’s 402 points and 1990’s 401 points. The 1999 season total is also the third time this decade UM has surpassed the 400-point plateau. The 432 overall points were 138 points more than Butch Davis’ inaugural 1995 season (294).

OFFENSE BULLET NOTES FROM McNEESE STATE GAME

Santana Moss raced 75 yards on a reverse for a touchdown with 10:29 remaining in the second quarter, giving him his second long-distance score of the game and the second touchdown run of his career. He also had a 39-yard TD run against Arkansas State in 1997.Reggie Wayne’s two TD catches gives him at least one TD reception in the last four games, including the 2000 Gator Bowl against Georgia Tech. His two TD receptions gives him 12 for his career, which ties him for fifth all-time with James Cox (1965-67).Ethenic Sands saw his first action as a quarterback in the second half. The former receiver connected with fullback D.J. Williams for 13 yards for his first completion. Later in the game, he connected with Andre Johnson on a 32-yard scoring catch for his first TD pass. The play was also Johnson’s first receiving TD.Clinton Portis‘ 82-yard TD run in the fourth quarter was the fifth-longest scoring run in UM history and the longest by a Hurricane since a 79-yard scoring jaunt by James Jackson against Boston College in 1998. Portis also had a 73-yard TD run in the 2000 Gator Bowl against Georgia Tech.Daryl Jones‘ 23-yard scoring reception in the second quarter was his fifth career TD catch and his first since the Boston College game in 1998. Jones sat out the 1999 season with a redshirt.Will McPartland’s one-yard TD plunge in the third quarter was the first rushing TD of his career.Making their first starts for the UM offense against McNeese State were offensive linemen Ed Wilkins and Bryant McKinnie.

UM DEFENSE SHUTTING DOWN THE PASSING TD’S:
With one touchdown pass allowed in the fourth quarter against McNeese State, UM has now given up just one passing TD in 31 quarters dating back to the West Virginia game Oct. 30, 1999. Additionally, the UM defense has now held opponents to just three passing TD’s dating back to the second half of the Florida State game on Oct. 9, 1999, a span of 38 quarters. The fourth quarter TD pass by McNeese State also snaps a streak of nine games without a second-half passing TD allowed.

Breakdown of Passing TD’s Given Up by the UM Defense since 1999.

STUFFING DRIVES:
The Hurricane defense has held their opponents scoreless in 13 of 15 drives.

UM DEFENSE BECOMES MASTER OF THE TURNOVER:
Since the 1997 season, when most of the UM defenders saw their first action, the Hurricane defense has become stronger in recording the take-away. So far this season, the defense netted four turnovers in the McNeese State game. In 1999, the UM defense exceeded its previous two season totals in interceptions and fumble recoveries.

MORGAN MOVES UP TO FOURTH IN CAREER TACKLES:
Dan Morgan’s seven tackles in limited action against McNeese State gives him 401 for his career, which moves him into a fourth-place tied with Darrin Smith (1989-92).

MORGAN NAMED TO 2000 NAGURSKI/BUTKUS WATCH LISTS:
Dan Morgan was one of 38 players selected to the 2000 Mike Fox/Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. Last season, Morgan was a semifinalist for the Nagurski award. Of the 38 players selected Morgan was the lone BIG EAST candidate.

Additionally, Morgan has been selected to the 2000 Butkus Award Watch List, presented by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc. The award, given to the top linebacker in the nation, has a preseason watch list of 70 candidates. Morgan, along with Virginia’s Byron Thweatt, is a three-time candidate for the Award. Only North Carolina’s Brandon Spoon (four times) has been on the watch list more times.

REED, RUMPH NAMED TO 2000 THORPE AWARD LIST:
Miami has placed two players, safety Ed Reed and cornerback Mike Rumph, on the preseason Thorpe Award Watch list. Listed as preseason All-Americans by various publications, Reed and Rumph are each making their first appearances on the Thorpe Award list.

DEFENSIVE BACK ARLINE TO REMAIN ON SCHOLARSHIP:
Sophomore defensive back Darell Arline was diagnosed with Uncontrolled Hyper-Tension prior to the start of fall practice. As a result, he will no longer play for the Hurricanes, but will remain on scholarship for the duration of his education at Miami.

SACK ATTACK:
Last season, the UM defense registered 37 sacks, 14 shy of the school-record (51, 1989). Against Rutgers last season, the defense finished one sack shy of the school single-game record when it sacked the Scarlet Knights 10 times. Miami set the record with 11 sacks vs. N.C. State on November 20, 1982 and again vs. San Diego State on November 18, 1989.

DEFENSE WAS ON FEVERISH TURNOVER PACE IN 1999:
With 35 turnovers (17 INT, 18 Fumbles) last season, the Hurricanes posted their highest amount since forcing 44 turnovers (21 interceptions, 23 fumbles) in 1986.

HURRICANE DEFENSE KEPT OPPONENTS FROM SCORING IN 1999:
The UM defense gave up 12 first half touchdowns and 10 second half touchdowns last season, an average of 1.0 TD’s scored in the first half and 0.8 TD’s in the second half. Overall, the UM defense gave up 22 TD’s last season or 1.8 per game over 12 regular season games.

BREAKDOWN OF PASS/RUSH TD’S ALLOWED PER GAME/BY HALF IN 1999:
Last season, the UM defense allowed 0.66 passing TD’s (8) and 1.16 (14) rushing TD’s per game. By half, the 1999 defense allowed 0.5 (6) passing TD’s and 0.5 (6) rushing TD’s in the first half and 0.16 (2) passing TD’s and 0.66 (8) rushing TD’s in the second half.

Opponent Touchdowns

DEFENSE IMPROVES FROM 1998 TO 1999:
The UM defense improved dramatically in every statistical category from 1998 to 1999. The most significant turnaround came in pass defense, where the Hurricanes went from 85th in 1998 to 11th in 1999.

1998-99 NCAA TEAM RANK

DEFENSE BULLET NOTES FROM McNEESE STATE GAME

Leonard Myers intercepted McNeese State’s Slade Nagle in the first quarter, giving him an INT in three of his last four gmaes and two in a row, including the 2000 Gator Bowl against Georgia Tech. Myers now has eight INT’s for his career to rank 11th all-time at UM.Ed Reed recorded his fifth career INT with his pick in the third quarter off Nagle.Making their first starts for the UM defense against McNeese State were linebacker Ken Dangerfield and defensive lineman Jevon Rhodes and Matt Walters.In his first start, Dangerfield led the team with 12 tackles, including seven solo stops (second highest).True freshman linebacker Jonathan Vilma recorded 10 tackles (third most), including a team-best eight solo tackles.Also recording their first-time defensive stats were Jarrell Weaver (five tackles), Jarvis Gray (two), Carlos Joseph (two), Darrell McClover (two) and Cornelius Green (one).

MOSS MAKES SPECTACULAR 2000 SPECIAL TEAMS DEBUT:
Santana Moss returned three punts for 94 yards (31.3 avg.) against McNeese State, including a 77-yard touchdown return. The TD return was the seventh-longest punt return in UM history and moved Moss from fifth to third with 618 career punt return yards. The touchdown return gives him punt return TD’s in three of his last four regular season games. Additionally, his 94 punt return yards placed 10th on the all-time single game list.

SIEVERS MAKES STARTING DEBUT:
Todd Sievers was successful on his first field goal attempt as a Hurricane, connecting on a 17-yarder in the second quarter. Sievers, who sat out the 1999 year with a redshirt, was the primary kickoff man in 1998. Additionally, Sievers made two tackles on special teams.

WHAT AN IMPACT:
In Butch Davis’ five previous seasons as UM’s head coach, the Hurricanes have blocked 37 kicks. In the 10 years prior to Davis’ arrival (1985-94), the Hurricanes blocked 23 kicks. UM established a new single-season record with 12 blocks in 1995, shattering the previous high of six set in 1970. Since 1951, Miami has blocked 92 kicks. Below is a listing of blocks under Davis:

PLAYERS TO WATCH

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

SANTANA MOSS – WR, 5-10, 180, Sr.
Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award candidate…ranks third on Miami’s career receiving yardage list with 1,833 yards…ranks 10th on UM’s career receptions list (100) and is fourth on its career touchdown receptions list (14)…has returned a punt for a touchdown in three of the last four regular season games including a 77 yard score in Miami’s season opener against McNeese State…registered 204 all-purpose yards, all in the first half, versus McNeese State…returned three punts for 94 yards, rushed once for 75 yards and caught two passes for 35 yards.

REGGIE WAYNE – WR, 6-1, 195, Sr.
Biletnikoff Award Candidate…ranks third on UM’s career receptions list with 135 catches and is fourth on its career receiving yardage list with 1,814 yards…has caught at least one pass in 25 consecutive games dating back to the 1997 season…is eight games shy of the UM record of 33 consecutive games set by Michael Irvin and Lamar Thomas…led Miami with five receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns in the Hurricanes’ season opening victory over McNeese State…recorded touchdown grabs of five and seven yards in the opening quarter.

JAMES JACKSON – RB, 5-11, 215, Sr.
Doak Walker Award Candidate…ranks fifth on Miami’s career rushing list with 2,005 yards and is third all-time with seven 100-yard games…joins Ottis Anderson, Edgerrin James and Danyell Ferguson as the only Hurricane running backs to surpass 2000 career yards…has rushed for 40 or more yards on a single carry eight times during his career…rushed nine times for 58 yards in Miami’s win over McNeese State…did not play after the first series of the second half.

KEN DORSEY – QB, 6-5, 200, So.
Made fourth career start against McNeese State…completed 17-of-29 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions…a true sophomore, he has completed 91-of-149 passes for 1,057 yards with 13 touchdowns and only two interceptions in his UM career…as a starter he has completed 81-of-121 attempts for 966 yards with 12 touchdowns and just one interception…Miami has scored 216 points, an average of 54 points per game, with Dorsey as the starting quarterback.

CLINTON PORTIS – RB, 5-11, 190, So.
Recorded his sixth 100-yard rushing game in the season-opener against McNeese State with 133 yards on nine carries (14.8 avg.)…sprinted 82 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against McNeese State, which ranks fifth longest rush from scrimmage in UM history…needs just 29 yards against Washington to eclipse the 1,000-yard plateau in only 12 career games, making him the quickest to reach the milestone…he would also become just the fourth sophomore in UM history to surpass 1,000 career rushing yards joining Ottis Anderson, Edgerrin James, Stephen McGuire and current teammate James Jackson.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

DAN MORGAN – LB, 6-3, 230, Sr.
Butkus and Bronko Nagurski award candidate…tied for fifth at UM with 401 career tackles…has 32 starts at linebacker, all consecutive…recorded seven tackles in the season-opener against McNeese State in limited action…named a preseason First-Team All-American by Street & Smith’s and a second-team pick by Football News, Lindy’s and SportsLine…also picked to the preseason All-BIG EAST team by several publications…rated the No. 4 inside linebacker by Lindy’s and No. 5 by The Sporting News.

DAMIONE LEWIS – DT, 6-3, 295, Sr.
Lombardi Award candidate…has anchored the UM defensive line since his freshman season…has recorded 32 starts at defensive tackle since 1997…selected to the Preseason All-America Second Team by Lindy’s…tabbed a preseason All-BIG EAST team member by Street & Smith’s, The Sporting News, Athlon and SportsLine…rated as the No. 5 defensive tackle by Lindy’s and No. 8 by The Sporting News…recorded four tackles in the season-opener against McNeese State in limited action.

AL BLADES – FS, 6-2, 205, Sr.
Preseason honorable-mention All-America by Street & Smith’s…preseason first-team All-BIG EAST selection by Street & Smith’s and CBS Sportsline…preseason second-team All-BIG EAST selection by The Sporting News…rated as the nation’s No. 5 safety by Lindy’s…member of the UM defensive backfield that ranks No. 1 in the nation by The Sporting News…recorded his 19th consecutive start at free safety versus McNeese State…registered 10 tackles, including five solo stops, to tie teammate Ed Reed for team high honors among defensive backs.

ED REED – SS, 6-0, 190, Jr.
Jim Thorpe Award Candidate…preseason second-team All-America by Football News…preseason first-team All-BIG EAST selection by The Sporting News…ranked as the nation’s No. 4 strong safety by The Sporting News…member of UM defensive backfield that ranks No. 1 in the nation by The Sporting News…has started 23 of 24 games at the University of Miami…recorded 10 tackles, including five solo stops, one tackle for a loss, one interception and two pass breakups in Miami’s opener versus McNeese State…10 tackles tied teammate Al Blades for team high honors among defensive backs.

MIKE RUMPH – RC, 6-2, 200, Jr.
Jim Thorpe Award Candidate…preseason third-team All-America selection by Athlon…preseason first-team All-BIG EAST selection by Street & Smith’s, The Sporting News, Athlon and CBS Sportsline…ranked as the nation’s No. 6 cornerback by The Sporting News…member of the UM defensive backfield that ranks No. 1 in the nation by The Sporting News…has started 13 consecutive games at cornerback…recorded three tackles, all unassisted, and one pass breakup against McNeese State.