Reggie Wayne Grabs Hurricanes' Receiving Record
Sept. 28, 2000
By ADRIAN SAINZ
Associated Press Writer
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The play called for a run, but MiamiquarterbackKen Dorsey changed it to a pass.
The switch gave Reggie Wayne the school’s receptions record on a shorttossover the middle.
“We just wanted to get it over with,” Dorsey said. “We wanted to givehimthat record.”
Wayne’s sixth catch in last Saturday’s 47-10 win over West Virginiagave him146 catches, eclipsing Lamar Thomas’ Miami career record of 144.
Along the way, Wayne has passed other prominent former Hurricaneswideoutswho wound up in the NFL.
“When you think of the past – Michael Irvin, Lamar Thomas – it’soutstanding,” said Wayne, a 6-1, 195-pound senior from Marrero, La. “I triednot to think about it, but as the game went on and we started beingproductive,I asked how many catches I had and started counting down.”
Wayne, who earned Big East Offensive Player of the Week honors for hisperformance against West Virginia, leads Miami with 16 catches for 270 yardsand five TDs.
Yet it was teammate Santana Moss who grabbed much of the preseasonheadlines.
“The mark of a really good football player is somebody that’sconsistentand always dependable all the time,” Miami coach Butch Davis said. “All goodplayers, you don’t look for super performances and then disappear. That’stheone thing Reggie’s never done.”
Other than missing three games his sophomore year with a knee injury,consistency has been Wayne’s trademark. He broke Irvin’s freshman recordwith48 catches, then added 42 and 40 catches the next two seasons.
Wayne has caught at least one pass in 27 straight games, dating to1997, andhas a touchdown in six straight. His career receiving totals of 2,025 yardsand15 touchdowns both rank third at Miami.
“You pop up on the scene and nobody knows who you are,” Wayne said.”Theydo a little investigating and watch a little more to see, who is this guy? Iwant to make my mark here.”
Wayne’s secret to success that could land him a job in the NFL?
He often sleeps with a football.
“Just touching the football,” Wayne said,” and getting the feelings onyour hands – you get used to it.”
