Florida State Game Press Release

Oct. 1, 2000

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The Game: Miami (#7 AP, #8 ESPN/USA Today) looks to snap a five-game losing streak to Florida State (#1 AP, #2 ESPN) when the Seminoles travel to the Orange Bowl for the annual Sunshine State Showdown.

Miami enters the home contest on a two-game winning streak having defeated West Virginia, 47-10, on September 23 and Rutgers, 64-6, last weekend.

The Miami-FSU game marks the Hurricanes’ first home game since August 31 versus McNeese State. Miami did not play at home during the entire month of September hitting the road for games against Washington, West Virginia and Rutgers.

Miami, which has faced Florida State more than any other current rival (43 times), has not defeated the Seminoles since a 34-20 win at the Orange Bowl in 1994.

Florida State enters the clash with a No. 2 consensus national ranking and on a 17-game winning streak. Miami is ranked No.7 by the AP and No.8 by the Coaches’ Poll, making the 2000 meeting the first time since 1996 that both schools have been ranked in the top 10 entering the game.

The Series: Miami and Florida State face off for the 44th time. The Hurricanes hold a 23-20 all-time series lead, despite the current five game win streak by the Seminoles. Last season, FSU defeated Miami, 31-21, in Tallahassee on the strength of its defense that held a potent UM offense scoreless over the final two quarters.

FSU actually holds a one-game advantage over Miami at the Orange Bowl, 14-13, in the all-time series. In the last meeting at the Orange Bowl, FSU took a 26-14 decision in 1998 after outscoring the Hurricanes 19-7 over the final three quarters. The last time UM defeated FSU at the Orange Bowl was a 34-20 win in 1994.

OVER THE AIRWAVES

Television

CBS – (Live): Verne Lundquist (play-by-play),Todd Blackledge (analysis) and Jill Arrington (sideline reporter).

Fox Sports Net – (7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 9): 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).

WVUM (90.5 FM): Joel Mendez (play-by-play).

Westwood One (National): Dave Simms (play-by-play) and Fran Curci (analysis).

Internet

Internet 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 43-20 overall record and a 28-9 mark in BIG EAST games. His record includes a 22-9 record at the Orange Bowl, while going 17-11 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. FLORIDA STATE: Former UM QB Kenny Kelly threw for a career-high 370 yards on 27-of-41 passing and three touchdowns, mostly to receiver Santana Moss, in a 31-21 defeat to Florida State in Tallahassee. Moss also totaled a career-best performance with nine catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns. FSU QB Chris Weinke completed 23-of-34 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns in the fifth straight victory for FSU over UM. The FSU defense yielded 448 yards of total offense to the Hurricanes, while UM allowed 485 to FSU.

FSU jumped out first with a 48-yard TD pass from Weinke to Germaine Stringer on its second drive. UM answered back with an eight-play 80-yard drive ending with a Kelly eight-yard strike to Reggie Wayne. FSU came right back with a 65-yard drive and a three-yard TD run by Jeff Chaney on its next drive. That was followed by the game’s highlight, an 80-yard catch, juke and go by Moss from Kelly. Miami took its first lead on its next drive with another Kelly/Moss combination of 14 yards capping off an 89-yard drive. FSU then closed the half with an 18-yard Weinke pass to Ryan Sprague to knot the score at 21-21.

FSU’s defense did the rest in the second half, holding UM scoreless. Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 38-yard field goal in the third quarter’s lone score. Travis Minor closed out the scoring with a two-yard TD run in FSU’s first drive of the fourth quarter.

ESPN GAMEDAY COMES TO THE ORANGE BOWL: Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit bring their traveling studio to the Orange Bowl for the Sunshine State Showdown between UM and FSU. This will be the third appearance by Gameday at the OB (FSU, `94, UCLA, `98).

TEAM-ORIENTED FACTOIDS FROM THE RUTGERS GAME:

UM totaled its most points ever over a BIG EAST opponent in the 64-6 victory.The 64-point total marked the fifth-highest by a UM team. Additionally, it was the most points ever scored on the road by the Hurricanes.The 64-6 win also marked the first time a UM team has totaled more than 60 points in a game twice in the same season (61-14, McNeese State).The 58-point margin of victory was the most in the eight-game all-time series with Rutgers, which UM now leads 8-0. Additionally, the winning margin also tied for the second-highest by a UM team.The 64 points was the second-most ever given up by Rutgers and most-ever at Rutgers Stadium.UM has now scored 50 or more points over Rutgers in four straight games and five out of the last six.The 41 points scored in the first half were the most by a UM team since totaling 49 against Rutgers in 1995.Rutgers, along with Temple, are the only schools never to defeat Miami in BIG EAST play.Miami has outscored Rutgers 367-87 in the eight meetings, an average of 46-11 per game.The UM defense scored on three separate occassions (INT/Fumble for TD’s, 1 Safety), marking the second straight game it has done so (2 INT/1 fumble for TD’s at West Virginia).

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE TURNOVERS: On the season, UM has converted 11-of-16 drives for 69 points following an opponent turnover (71 points with the one safety).

At Rutgers, UM forced two fumbles and three interceptions. Mike Rumph returned one INT for a touchdown, while Quincy Hipps recovered a fumble for a score. UM also tagged on another score on a drive following a Markese Fitzgerald pick. UM recovered two Rutgers fumbles to end both halves. Additionally, UM tacked on one safety as well.

IF MIAMI SCORES FIRST: When Miami scores first it is nearly a lock to win. Beginning with the 1983 season, the Hurricanes have gone 137-14 (.907) when scoring first. Under Butch Davis, UM is 30-7 (.811) when scoring first.

FOURTH QUARTER DOMINANCE: In 15 seasons, Miami has been almost unbeatable when leading after three-quarters. Since 1985, Miami has won 132 of 134 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 76 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points, since dropping a 31-30 decision at Notre Dame in 1988. Additionally, UM has won 97 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 two of four opening drives this season. At Rutgers, UM went eight plays in 80 yards ending with a James Jackson 18-yard TD pass from Ken Dorsey on its first drive. UM also scored on the first drive 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 only scored once on an opening drive this season (McNeese State).

UM STANDS TALL IN THE BIG EAST: In its 10th season of competition in the BIG EAST, Miami has forged a league-best 47-10 (.825) 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 has registered a 23-21 mark against nationally ranked teams and a 70-7 record against unranked opponents.

MIAMI IN BIG EAST (ROAD) OPENERS: With their 47-10 win at West Virginia this season, the Hurricanes improved to 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 times in 10 seasons.

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, 1979 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 recorded UM’s first two touchdown receptions in the first quarter.

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

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

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FLORIDA STATE GAME: Fans attending the Miami-Florida State football game on Oct 7 (noon kickoff) are encouraged to use the Park and Ride Lot 18 at NW 12 Street and 13th Avenue (North River Drive).

Cost for parking in Lot 18 is $5. The lot opens at 8 a.m. with shuttle service to the Orange Bowl beginning at 9 a.m. (three hours prior to kickoff). Shuttle service will resume postgame.

SR 836 EXIT RAMP (17th Ave. Southbound) OPEN: The Miami-Dade Expressway Authority is implementing improvements to the SR 836 Toll Plaza. For fans planning to attend the Miami-Florida State game on Oct. 7, the NW 17th Ave. southbound ramp of SR 836 will be OPEN despite ongoing construction which started Sept. 10.

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 (Houston) and John Square (Houston).

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.

UM TO BE BROADCAST NATIONALLY: Miami’s CBS televised game against Florida State marks the Hurricanes 36th appearance on the network. UM first appeared on CBS in 1962 at Pittsburgh and holds a 23-12 (.657) all-time record on the network. All-time, UM is 98-49 (.667) on network television.

TEAMMATES TO RIVALS: A combined 28 players from the Miami and Florida State rosters attended high school together. Eight of the nine mutual schools are located in the Dade/Broward/Palm Beach region. Carol City High School leads the group with seven combined Hurricanes and Seminoles.

HURRICANES VS. THE ACC: Miami enters the Florida State game with a 51-45-1 record against teams currently in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Additionally, UM is 26-15-1 against ACC schools during their conference affiliation (1953-present).

UM vs. ACC Schools during affiliation years:

HURRICANES PLAY ROLE AS THE SPOILER: While the Hurricanes are seeking their own national championship run, they also have the opportunity to damage another contender’s opportunity at the title for the seventh time since 1983.

In 1983, Miami upset then-No. 1 ranked Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, 31-30, to win its first national championship.

In 1987, Miami beat then-No. 1 ranked Oklahoma, 20-14, in the Orange Bowl to win its second national championship.

In 1989, Miami beat then-No.1 ranked Notre Dame, 27-10, at the Orange Bowl on Nov. 25 to pave its way to a third national championship.

In 1991, Miami beat then-No. 1 Florida State, 17-16, at Florida State on Nov. 16 to push the Hurricanes to their fourth national championship overall and third in five years.

In 1998, the Hurricanes beat No. 3 UCLA, 49-45, at the Orange Bowl on Dec. 5 to dash the Bruins’ national championship hopes.

STREAK BREAKERS: Miami has made a habit of snapping opponents winning streaks. Since 1983 the Hurricanes have been the team to end eight winning streaks of 10 games or more including four streaks of 20 games or more. Of those eight streaks, six where against teams ranked No. 1 at the time of the game. Additionally, six of those streaks were broken in the Orange Bowl.

Over the last 52 years Miami has broken more streaks of 20 or more wins (4) than any other school in the nation. Miami and Princeton are the only schools in NCAA history to break winning streaks of 20 or more games on four occasions.

Florida State enters today’s game with a 17-game win streak.

THE RANKINGS RACE: AP rankings the week of the Miami-Florida State game:

DAD-GUMMIT: Since Bobby Bowden took over the coaching reigns at Florida State 25 years ago only one team has managed to shutout the Seminoles. Miami has blanked the Tribe twice during the Bowden era. The Hurricanes shut out FSU, 47-0, in the Orange Bowl in Bowden’s initial season at Florida State (1976) and then blanked his pre-season No. 1 ranked Seminoles, 31-0, in the Orange Bowl to start the 1988 season.

against the sunshine state: Miami has won 13 of its last 21 games against teams from the state of Florida since the 1985 season.

PAIN IN THE %@#: Six of Florida State’s last 17 losses, dating back to the 1987 season, have been delivered by the Hurricanes. The six wins are the most by any team in the nation versus FSU over the last 13 seasons. Miami is one of only two schools to defeat FSU more than once since 1987 (4 – Florida). In addition, FSU has had seven one-loss seasons since 1987. Of those seven seasons, four of the losses have come to Miami.

FSU losses since 1987:

FIRST TO SCORE: When Miami/Florida State play, the team that has scored first has won the last seven meetings and 12 of the last 13. The lone exception was 1992 when FSU scored first in a 19-16 defeat.

UM-FSU, A MADE FOR TV AFFAIR: Saturday’s game will mark the 16th consecutive season and the 20th time in 44 meetings that the UM-FSU clash will be shown on network television.

A SERIES OF STREAKS: Since the first meeting between the two schools in 1951, the Miami/Florida State series has been dotted by multiple game win streaks. FSU enters the contest riding a five-game win streak, the longest since compiling seven straight victories from 1963-72. The Hurricanes own five streaks of at least three consecutive wins over FSU. Miami’s most recent streak vs. the Seminoles was from 1990-92, when the Canes won three straight games. The UM/FSU series began with the Hurricanes winning the first five meetings and eight of the first nine.

HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT: If the Miami-Florida State game is close, history favors the Hurricanes. Since 1973, the Hurricanes are 7-0 against FSU in games decided by four points or less.

DID YOU KNOW…:

— The Hurricanes and Seminoles have played each other every year since 1969.

— Of the 43 meetings between these two teams, 23 have been decided by 11 or more points, and 11 by three points or less.

100-YARD GAMES: James Jackson, the No. 3 all-time 100-yard game rusher, recorded his eighth career 100-yard rushing game with an 118-yard effort at Rutgers. It was the third 100-yard game by a UM player this season.

Reggie Wayne totaled 127 yards on seven catches at West Virginia. 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 marked his sixth career 100-yard rushing game which places 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 eight 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, while Mike Rumph had a 45-yard INT for TD return at Rutgers.

DORSEY AS A STARTER: Ken Dorsey, who played in just the first half at Rutgers, completed 14-of-19 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns in leading UM to a 41-0 halftime lead. Dorsey is now 6-1 as a starter and has had at least 200 yards passing in his last six starts. He has led UM to 356 points in his seven starts (50.9 points per game), the most points in a seven-game span by a UM team. As a starter, Dorsey has gone 132-206 for 1,687 yards with 18 touchdowns and just one interception. In his seven starts, he has thrown multiple touchdowns six times and three or more four times. Two weekends ago at West Virginia, Dorsey through for a career-best 291 yards, while coming one-shy of tying his career-high with 22 completions.

Dorsey as a Starter

DORSEY APPROACHES NO-INTERCEPTION STREAK: Ken Dorsey completed 14 of 19 passes at Rutgers with no interceptions. Dating back to the final game of last season Dorsey has attempted 121 consecutive passes without an interception. He is two 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 136 consecutive passes without an interception.

DORSEY TO WAYNE: Ken Dorsey’s 21-yard TD strike to Reggie Wayne at Rutgers marked the seventh connection between the two. In addition, Dorsey has not hit any other Hurricane for a TD more than once. Excluding Wayne, Dorsey has one TD pass with 11 other Hurricanes over the last two seasons.

JACKSON BREAKS OUT AT RUTGERS: James Jackson put together his first 100-yard rushing game of the season at Rutgers with 118 yards on 15 carries (7.9 avg). In addition to his rushing success, Jackson totaled three touchdowns and five plays that gained 10 or more yards each.

Jackson’s three touchdowns gives him 25 for his career, which ties him with Alonzo Highsmith (83-86) and Eddie Dunn (36-38) for fifth on the career total touchdowns list. He entered the game tied for eighth.

His 18-yard TD reception to start the game’s scoring was just the second of his career. His 39-yard TD run later in the second quarter was his longest rush of the season.

Jackson’s three touchdowns marked his ninth multiple touchdown game and first three-touchdown game. It was the first three-TD game since Edgerrin James vs. UCLA in 1998, but the first all-time scoring all three in just one half.

DAVENPORT RECORDS FIRST START: Najeh Davenport recorded his first start for the Hurricanes at Rutgers as the offense lined up with a two-back set, along with James Jackson.

In the game, Davenport recorded 75 yards rushing on 13 carries (5.8 avg), which was his third-best performance at UM. He also tallied his season-high with a 23-yard rush.

GEATHERS ADDS NEW WRINKLE TO DEEP BACKFIELD: Jason Geathers, who has lined up at wide receiver for the majority of short UM career, took snaps as UM’s third running back at Rutgers. Geathers, a former Parade All-American running back out of high school, rushed for 73 yards on seven carries (10.4 avg) and one touchdown. Within his seven carries were rushes for 41 and 58 yards.

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.

Quickest to 1000:

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.

WAYNE IS AT 28 AND COUNTING: Reggie Wayne caught four passes for 75 yards and one touchdown at Rutgers. Wayne has now recorded at least one reception in 28 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, MOSS INCHING CLOSER TO LAMAR THOMAS RECEIVING MARK: Reggie Wayne’s 75 yards receiving at Rutgers gave him 2,100 career receiving yards, which keeps him at third place all-time. Santana Moss, with 1,960 yards, remains in fourth place behind Wayne.

WAYNE KEEPS ON PILING UP THE STARTS: Reggie Wayne’s start at Rutgers increased his school-record for starts by a receiver to 35 career games. He established a new record with his 34th start at West Virginia that pushed him past Lamar Thomas (1989-92) and Michael Irvin (1985-87) for the most starts by a receiver.

MOSS MOVES INTO SIXTH, WHILE WAYNE ADDS TO HIS RECORD RECEPTIONS MARK: Santana Moss‘ three receptions at Rutgers gives him 110 for his career, which moved him out of a seventh place tie with Randal Hill (107, 87-90) and past Glenn Dennison (108, 81-83).

Reggie Wayne snagged four passes at Rutgers to extend his school-high mark to 150 career catches. Wayne set a new school-record at West Virginia with seven catches.

WAYNE’S SECOND QUARTER TD AT RUTGERS EXTENDS STREAK: Reggie Wayne’s 21-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter at Rutgers extended his streak of touchdown receptions to seven games, including the Gator Bowl. Wayne’s 16 career touchdown receptions moves him out of a third-place tie with Brian Blades (1984-87). The school-record for consecutive games with a touchdown reception is eight, set by Michael Irvin in 1988.

MOSS GOES LONG DISTANCE FOR THE TOUCHDOWN: For his career, Santana Moss is averaging 45.4 yards per touchdown scored with 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, 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.

DEFENSE DOES IT AGAIN AT RUTGERS: After recording a program-first three defensive touchdowns at West Virginia, the UM defense nearly duplicated the feat at Rutgers with two touchdowns and one safety. Quincy Hipps recovered a Chad Schwenk fumble in the endzone following a Matt Walters sack. On the next Rutgers drive, Mike Rumph returned an interception 45 yards for the score. With 2:55 remaining in the third quarter, the interior lineman forced Schwenk to lose the ball through the back of the endzone.

FIVE DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS IN TWO GAMES: The UM defense has totaled five touchdowns over a two-game span, Rutgers and West Virginia. The last time a UM team recorded defensive TD’s in consecutive games was in the first two games of the 1997 season when Jeff Popovich scored on a 72-yard fumble return at Baylor and Nick Ward’s 85-yard fumble return a game later against Arizona State. Additionally, UM has recorded an INT and a fumble return for a score in its last two games.

DEFENSE RECORDS A PROGRAM FIRST WITH THREE TOUCHDOWNS AT WEST VIRGINIA: The Hurricanes recorded 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. 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.

STUFFING DRIVES: The Hurricane defense has held their opponents scoreless in 56 of 66 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 16 turnovers over the first four games. At this pace, the Um defense is on track to record 44 turnovers this season.

PASSING TD’S ARE SELDOM: With the score 50-0, Rutgers broke the shutout with an 11-yard TD pass early in the fourth quarter against the UM defense reserves.

The TD pass was the third allowed by the UM defense this season and the second by UM reserves in the fourth quarter. McNeese State also tossed for one touchdown in the fourth quarter of the season-opener.

More to the point, the main core of players on the UM defense have given up just one passing touchdown in 10 games or 40 quarters.

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 five times in the last 50 quarters, including a string of 30 consecutive shutout quarters.

SACK ATTACK: After four games, the UM defense has recorded 11 sacks for 55 yards. Last season, the UM defense registered 37 sacks, 14 shy of the school record (51, 1989).

MORGAN CLOSING ON TACKLES RECORD: Dan Morgan’s one tackle at Rutgers keeps him at 3rd place all-time with 438 tackles. He is just 18 tackles from tying George Mira, Jr. for the all-time mark.

MORGAN CLOSING IN ON CAREER STARTS MARK: Dan Morgan made his 35th career start at Rutgers 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. Morgan surpassed Michael Barrow’s record of 29 consecutive starts by a linebacker.

D. LEWIS TIED FOR FIRST IN CAREER STARTS: With his start at West Virginia, Damione Lewis recorded his 34th 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, which stopped when he did not suit up for the Rutgers game, tied him with Daniel Stubbs for sixth since 1983. Maryland, Holmes and Fortney hold the record with 33 consecutive starts.

REED, BLADES ARE A MAINSTAY IN THE SECONDARY: Ed Reed has made 26 career starts as a safety, while Al Blades has 23 for a combined 49. 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.

DEFENSIVE BACK J. SCOTT GETS OFFENSIVE: For the second time in his career, defensive back James Scott came in late in a game and rushed for a touchdown. On his only carry of the game, Scott scooted seven yards for a touchdown at Rutgers. His first career carry came last season at Pittsburgh, where he scored on a seven yard run. For his career, Scott has seven carries with two seven yard TD runs.

Scott can also be defensive, too. On the drive following his touchdown run, Scott intercepted RU QB Chad Schwenk and returned the INT 29 yards. The last UM player to score a rushing touchdown and an INT in the same game was Nicholas Ryder on Dec. 1, 1962 against Florida.

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.

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 over the last two seasons:

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. 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.