Miami Gets Back To Work Against Temple
Oct. 16, 2000
CORAL GABLES, Fla (AP) – Miami had two weeks to savor its victory over Florida State, now thefourth-ranked Hurricanes look for their third straight Big East victory as theyvisit the Temple Owls at Veterans Stadium on Saturday.
Two weeks ago, the Hurricanes (4-1, 2-0 Big East) outlasted the rivalSeminoles, 27-24, handing FSU, then the top ranked team in nation, its firstloss.
“It’s a great win, but it’s just one of the pieces of the puzzle,” saidMiami coach Butch Davis, now 1-5 against Florida State. “Now, by winning thisgame, it sets up each game to get considerably bigger. What a tragedy it wouldbe to not win the next game after winning this game.”
The last time Miami was in the top fivethis late was the 1994 season, when it reached the Orange Bowl but lost to Nebraska, 24-17.
Miami’s defense will need to play better, if it hopes to make a serious runat a Big East title and a national championship. The Hurricanes allowed theSeminoles 565 yards and didn’t record a sack.
Offensively, quarterback Ken Dorsey is quickly becoming a clutch performerwho is able to carry a team. Dorsey was 27-for-48 for 328 yards against the’Noles and found backup tight end Jeremy Shockey for the game-winning score,ending the Hurricanes’ five-game losing streak to Florida State.
“Kenny is a very confident and a very mature young man,” Davis said. “Hisgreatest redeeming quality has to be his ability to maintain his composure,that he can operate and play the game within himself and control his emotionsand play smart.”
The Owls (4-3, 1-2) are coming off a 48-14 win over Big East rival Rutgers,its first since 1988. But Temple has been inconsistent most of this season.After a solid start, the Owls have allowed more than 25 points in three of thelast four games.
Luckily, the offense has been strong, averaging 27.5 points and 315.5 yards.
Tailback Tanardo Sharps has one of the bright spots this season, rushing for178 yards last Saturday to improve his team-leading mark to 829.
Last season, Miami destroyed the Owls, 55-0, to conclude the regular season.
The Hurricanes lead the series, 9-1. Temple last beat Miami on Oct. 31,1930, the first meeting between the teams.
