No. 10 Football Travels To Rutgers
Sept. 24, 2000
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The Game: Miami (#10 AP, #12 ESPN/USA Today) looks to win its second consecutive BIG EAST road game when it travels to New Brunswick, NJ to face Rutgers University.
Miami rebounded from its 34-29 loss at Washington on September 9 to defeat West Virginia, 47-10, in its BIG EAST opener last Saturday in Morgantown, WV.
The Hurricanes, who recorded their largest margin of victory over West Virginia since 1986, received three touchdowns from its defense including two interception returns for touchdowns. The interception returns by Leonard Myers and Howard Clark marked the first time since 1992 that Miami brought two interceptions back for touchdowns in one game.
Miami’s offense was led by sophomore quarterback Ken Dorsey and senior wide receiver Reggie Wayne. Wayne caught seven passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. With his sixth catch of the night Wayne moved into first-place on UM’s career receptions list. Dorsey completed 22-of-33 passes for a career-high 291 yards and two scores. Dorsey has now attempted 102 consecutive passes without an interception dating back to last season.
Rutgers has lost two straight games including a 29-17 decision at Pittsburgh last Saturday. The Scarlet Knights struggled offensively registering just 212 yards of total offense including minus 13 yards rushing. The Rutgers defense did force seven Pittsburgh turnovers including five fumble recoveries.
The Series: Miami and Rutgers meet for the eighth time with the Hurricanes winning all seven meetings. The Hurricanes have scored 50 or more points in four of the last five games including a 55-0 win last season. Overall Miami has outscored Rutgers 303 to 81 in the previous seven games, an average of 43.3 to 11.6 per game. Miami is 3-0 against the Scarlet Knights in New Brunswick including a 52-17 win in 1998.
OVER THE AIRWAVES
Television
Fox Sports Net – (7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 2): Frank Forte (play-by-play) and John Congemi (analysis).
Radio
Hurricane Radio Network (WQAM 560 AM): Marc Vandermeer (play-by-play), Joe Zagacki (analysis) and Don Bailey, Jr. (analysis). All UM football games will be carried statewide by the Hurricane Radio Network on its flagship station WQAM in Miami.
En Espanol (WACC 830 AM): Jerry del Castillo (play-by-play), Joe Martinez (analysis) and Pepe Campos (studio).
InternetInternet audio broadcasts of Hurricane games are available by accessing hurricanesports.com and clicking on “internet audio broadcasts” on the athletics home page.
HEAD COACH BUTCH DAVIS: Butch Davis (Arkansas `74) is in his sixth season at Miami. Davis has compiled a 42-20 overall record and a 27-9 mark in BIG EAST games. His record includes a 22-9 record at the Orange Bowl, while going 16-11 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.
LAST TIME VS. RUTGERS: In his first start for the Hurricanes, then-true freshman Ken Dorsey threw for two touchdowns, while fellow true frosh Clinton Portis rushed for 133 yards and a touchdown in a 55-0 shutout at the Orange Bowl. It was the largest margin of victory over a BIG EAST opponent, while the all-true freshman backfield marked a 20-year first at UM. Portis also established a new freshman rushing record in the game. UM outgained the Scarlet Knights 450-64 in the contest, holding the rushing offense to just 13 yards and 51 yards passing. UM sacked Rutgers quarterback Chad Schwenk nine times, two shy of the school record. The Hurricanes totaled six touchdowns on offense, three by air and three by land. Then true freshman Jarrett Payton also had a career game, rushing for 87 yards and one touchdown. His 16-yard spectacular touchdown run in the first quarter earned him Compaq’s Most Inspirational Play of the Week.
MORE NOTES ON THE RUTGERS MATCH-UP:
UM leads the series with Rutgers, 7-0, dating back to the 1993 season. At Rutgers Stadium, UM has forged a 3-0 record.In their last visit in 1998, the Hurricanes defeated Rutgers 53-17 behind Santana Moss‘ 146 yards receiving and three touchdowns.Rutgers and Temple are the only schools never to defeat Miami in BIG EAST play. UM also defeated Temple, 55-0, two games after defeating Rutgers by the same score last season.Miami has outscored Rutgers 303-81 in the seven previous meetings, an average of 43-12 per game. At Rutgers, UM has averaged a 37-7 per game score.Miami has scored over 50 points in the last three meetings with Rutgers and four times overall against the Scarlet Knights.
MIAMI/RUTGERS CONNECTION: The Hurricanes’ roster has five players from the state of New Jersey, while Rutgers also has five players from the state of Florida. The furthest south of the five Rutgers players is Melbourne, FL. UM sophomore defensive end Jamaal Green and Rutgers senior linebacker Wesley Robertson both call Camden, NJ their hometown and attended Woodrow Wilson High School. UM junior offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie and Rutgers senior defensive back Shahib White both transferred to their respective schools from Lackawanna JC in Pennsylvania.
LAST TIME OUT AT WEST VIRGINIA:
The 47 points scored tied for ninth all-time highest against BIG EAST opponents. It equalled the 47-10 win over Temple in 1997.The 47 points was the most scored on a West Virginia team during BIG EAST play (1991-present). It surpassed the 38-6 victory at Morgantown in 1994. The most scored on WVU was 58-14 in Morgantown in 1986.The last time a West Virginia team gave up at least 40 points was 41 to Pittsburgh in 1997.The last time West Virginia allowed an opponent to record 20 or more pass completions was UM’s Kenny Kelly (21) last season. Ken Dorsey recorded 22 last weekend.Reggie Wayne’s two touchdown receptions was a first against WVU, since former Syracuse standout Kevin Johnson in 1998. Wayne’s 127 yards receiving was the first 100-yard effort against WVU since Pittsburgh’s Lateef Grim (100) last season and the most since Virginia Tech’s Andre Davis (138) two games earlier.UM’s last 100-yard receiving effort was Santana Moss (180) at Florida State last season.West Virginia also allowed an interception and fumble return for a touchdown last season, as they did last weekend against UM. Leonard Myers and Howard Clark each returned an interception for a touchdown, marking the first INT returned for a score since Myers did so against Syracuse last season.Phillip Buchanon’s fumble return for a touchdown was the first since Nick Ward did so against Arizona State in 1997.
MIAMI IN BIG EAST (ROAD) OPENERS: With their 47-10 win at West Virginia last weekend, the Hurricanes are 7-3 in BIG EAST Conference openers. In BIG EAST road-openers, UM is now 8-2. Additionally, UM has had the task of starting its BIG EAST portion of the schedule on the road eight of the 10 seasons.
UM STANDS TALL IN THE BIG EAST: In its 10th season of competition in the BIG EAST, Miami has forged a league-best 46-10 (.821) conference mark. UM’s four BIG EAST titles are also a league best, ahead of Syracuse (3), Virginia Tech (3) and West Virginia (1).
UM VS. RANKED/UNRANKED OPPONENTS: Since 1990, Miami forged a 23-21 mark against nationally ranked teams and a 69-7 record against unranked opponents.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE TURNOVERS: At West Virginia, UM took advantage of the Mountaineer miscues, scoring off all four WVU turnovers (3 TD, 1 FG). For the season, UM has now scored seven touchdowns and two field goals following 11 opponent turnovers.
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.
FOURTH QUARTER DOMINANCE: In 15 seasons, Miami has been almost unbeatable when leading after three-quarters. Since 1985, Miami has won 131 of 133 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, 42-40, after leading 34-21 heading into the final stanza.
STREAKS WHEN MIAMI SCORES 30 OR MORE POINTS: Miami has won 75 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points, since dropping a 31-30 decision at Notre Dame in 1988. Additionally, UM has won 96 consecutive games when scoring more than 30 points since falling 39-37 to UCLA in the 1985 Fiesta Bowl.
OPENING POSSESSIONS: Miami has posted points on one of three opening drives this season. At West Virginia and at Washington, UM was forced to punt on its opening drive after going three and out. Against McNeese State in the season opener, the Hurricanes marched 70 yards in seven plays culminating in a five-yard TD pass to Reggie Wayne from Ken Dorsey. UM’s opponents have also scored once on an opening drive this season against McNeese State. At West Virginia and at Washington, the UM defense forced the opponent to punt on its first drive.
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 nation’s 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.
2000 TRAVEL MILES: Miami’s 2000-road schedule features a distant road trip to Seattle to play Washington, as well as the standard BIG EAST road games at West Virginia, Rutgers, Temple and Syracuse. In total, UM’s flying miles total 13,932 for the season.
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. The Hurricanes are 67-38-2 (.636) all-time in series openers played in Miami.
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 (Louisiana 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.
MIAMI/VIRGINIA TECH SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE: Single-game tickets to the Hurricanes November 4 meeting with the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Orange Bowl are now on sale. Tickets for the Noon kickoff are $40 for reserved seats, $30 for general admission and are available at the University of Miami Athletics Ticket Office at 5821 San Amaro Drive in Coral Gables. The ticket office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For further ticket information concerning Hurricanes football, contact the UM Ticket Office at (305) 284-2263 or 1-800-GO-CANES. Tickets may also be ordered at all South Florida Ticketmaster locations and online at www.hurricanesports.com.
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. 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.
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.
100-YARD GAMES: Reggie Wayne totaled 127 yards on seven catches at West Virginia to mark the second 100-yard effort of the 2000 season. It was the first 100-yard receiving game since Santana Moss (180) did so at Florida State last season. It was his fourth 100-yard game of his career. 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 gave him six 100-yard games for his career and placed him fourth all-time. Last season, Portis led the team with five 100-yard games.
HURRICANES GO LONG RANGE FOR THE TOUCHDOWN: Miami has scored touchdowns of over 50 yards, including the Gator Bowl, in five of seven games dating back to last season’s Rutgers contest. At West Virginia, the longest touchdown was a 47-yard pass from Ken Dorsey to Reggie Wayne.
DORSEY AS A STARTER: At West Virginia, Ken Dorsey through for a career-best 291 yards, while coming one-shy of tying his career-high with 22 completions. In his six games as a starter, Ken Dorsey is 118-187for 1,472 yards, 15 touchdowns and one interception. Dorsey has had at least one TD pass in each of his six starts and multiple TDs in five starts. Additionally, in his six starts, Dorsey has led UM to 292 overall points (48.7-point average), the most in a six-game span by any UM team.
DORESY CONTINUES STREAK: Ken Dorsey completed 22 of 33 passes at West Virginia with no interceptions. Dating back to the final game of last season Dorsey has attempted 102 consecutive passes without an interception. He is 21 pass attempts shy of tying the UM record of 123 consecutive pass attempts without a pick set by Gino Torretta in 1992. If you include the Hurricanes Gator Bowl appearance, Dorsey has attempted 117 consecutive passes without an interception.
WAYNE’S SEVEN RECEPTIONS AT WEST VIRGINIA VAULT HIM TO THE TOP, MOSS MOVES TO SEVENTH: With his seven catches at West Virginia, Reggie Wayne moved past Michael Irvin and Lamar Thomas into first place on UM’s career receptions list. Moss’ six catches vaulted him past AChris T. Jones and Bill Miller into a seventh place tie with Randal Hill.
WAYNE, MOSS INCHING CLOSER TO LAMAR THOMAS RECEIVING MARK: Reggie Wayne’s 127 yards receiving at WestVirginia gave him 2,025 career receiving yards, which keeps him at third place all-time. Santana Moss, with 1,905 yards, remains in fourth place behind Wayne and just the fourth Hurricane ever to surpass 1,900 career receiving yards.
WAYNE IS AT 26 AND COUNTING: Reggie Wayne caught seven passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns at WestVirginia. Wayne has now recorded at least one reception in 27 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 PILING UP THE STARTS: Reggie Wayne made his 34th career start at WestVirginia, which pushes him past Lamar Thomas (1989-92) and Michael Irvin (1985-87) for the most starts by a receiver since 1983.
WAYNE’S THIRD QUARTER TD AT WASHINGTON EXTENDS STREAK: Reggie Wayne’s 38-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter at WestVirginia extended his streak of touchdown receptions to six games, including the Gator Bowl. Wayne’s 15 career touchdown receptions moved him into a third-place tie with Brian Blades (1984-87).
MOSS GOES LONG DISTANCE FOR THE TOUCHDOWN: For his career, Santana Moss is averaging 45.4 yards per touchdown scored after scoring 19 touchdowns totaling 862 yards. Moss has recorded 14 touchdown receptions totaling 543 yards, 41.5 yards per receiving TD. He has scored twice rushing, totaling 114 yards for a 57.0 per TD rush average. Additionally, Moss has totaled three punt return TDs for 205 yards (68.3 average).
MOSS IS HARD TO CONTAIN: Chances are that when Santana Moss makes a reception it is usually for big yardage. Over his career, Moss has averaged 17.8 yards per catch to rank fifth on UM’s all-time list.
PORTIS IS THE NEW MILLENNIUM MAN: Clinton Portis surpassed the 1,000-yard career rushing plateau at Washington in just his 12th career game, marking the quickest Hurricane to reach the milestone. In addition, Portis became 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. Portis is 541 yards away from joining the all-time top 10. If he accomplishes the feat in his sophomore campaign, it will mark the quickest to enter the top 10 in UM history.
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.
DEFENSE RECORDS A PROGRAM FIRST WITH THREE TOUCHDOWNS: The Hurricanes pulled off the very rare feat of recording three touchdowns on two INT returns and one fumble return at West Virginia, to mark a program first. Leonard Myers returned the first INT of the game for 25 yards and the score. Myers was also the last Hurricane to return an INT for a TD, last season against Syracuse. Later in the game, Howard Clark returned another INT, his first, for 19 yards and the score. In the fourth quarter, Phillip Buchanon picked up a fumble and raced 77 yards for the score. Since the 1964 season, it was just the fourth two-TD effort by the UM defense in a single game San Diego State (1992), Baylor (1971) and Florida (1967).
PASSING TD’S ARE SELDOM WITH THE UM DEFENSE: Holding West Virginia scoreless through the air marked the seventh time in the last nine games that the defense has done so. In the first two games against McNeese State and at Washington, the defense allowed just one passing touchdown in each game. A UM opponent has not had multiple passing TD’s in a single game since Florida State in the fifth game of the 1999 season. Since that FSU game, UM has allowed a passing TD just four times in the last 44 quarters, including a string of 30 consecutive shutout quarters (nine games).
STUFFING DRIVES: The Hurricane defense has held their opponents scoreless in 41 of 50 drives this season.
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 11 turnovers over the first three games.
MORGAN LEADS TEAM WITH 16 TACKLES AT WEST VIRGINIA TO MOVE INTO THIRD PLACE: Dan Morgan’s 16 tackles at West Virginia moved him out of fourth place and ahead of Micheal Barrow (423) into third with 437 career tackles. He is just 53 tackles from tying George Mira, Jr. for the all-time mark.
SACK ATTACK: After three games, the UM defense has recorded nine sacks for 45 yards. 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.
D. LEWIS TIED FOR FIRST IN CAREER STARTS: With his start at West Virginia, Damione Lewis now has 34 for his career, moving him ahead of Russell Maryland (88-90), Kenny Holmes (94-96) and Denny Fortney (95-97) for the most starts by a defensive lineman since the 1983 season.
Additionally, Lewis’ 28 consecutive starts ties him with Daniel Stubbs for sixth since 1983. Maryland, Holmes and Fortney each made 33 consecutive starts for first.
MORGAN CLOSING IN ON CAREER STARTS MARK: Dan Morgan made his 34th career start at West Virginia to place second behind Rod Carter (36, 85-88) for starts by a linebacker since the 1983 season. Additionally, Morgan starts are all consecutive which is the most by a linebacker since 1983. Barrow had started 29 consecutive, ahead Smith’s 28 and Carter and Mira’s 27 straight starts.
REED, BLADES ARE A MAINSTAY IN THE SECONDARY: Ed Reed has made 25 career starts as a safety, while Al Blades has 22 for a combined 47. Only one other safety duo since 1983 can boast as many combined starts, Bennie Blades (33, 85-87) and Selwyn Brown (22, 85-87) with 55.
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.
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.
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.
WHAT AN IMPACT: In Butch Davis’ six seasons as UM’s head coach, the Hurricanes have blocked 38 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:
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 gave 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.
THEY COME FROM FAR AWAY TO KICK AT MIAMI: Redshirt sophomore kicker Todd Sievers (Ankeny, IA) lettered in his freshman season in 1998, becoming the first player from the state of Iowa to letter at Miami since fullback Tom Smith (Waterloo, IA) in 1971-72. Additionally, Smith and Sievers are the only two players from Iowa ever to letter at Miami. Joe Carlstrom (DT, 1951, Iowa City) played in limited action after serving in the armed forces, but did not letter.
Punter Freddie Capshaw (Rock Springs, WY) is the first player from Wyoming ever to letter at Miami. Additionally, since 1940, Capshaw is the lone player from Wyoming to appear on a UM roster.
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 against McNeese State. 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.
