Morgan Looks To Break All-Time Tackle Record Against Pittsburgh
Nov. 8, 2000
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – Senior linebacker Dan Morgan, with 487 career tackles, is closing in on the University of Miami’s career total tackles record of 490 held by former All-American linebacker George Mira, Jr. (1984-87).
Morgan, who enters the Pittsburgh contest just three tackles shy of tying the all-time mark, recorded 11 tackles in his most recent effort againt then-No. 2 Virginia Tech. The Coral Springs resident and graduate of Taravella High School, currently leads the team with 93 total tackles and 62 solo, as well as recording eight tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Morgan, who anchors the UM defense at middle linebacker, is currently a semifinalist for the prestigious Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker. Along with the Butkus Award, Morgan is on the short lists for the Bronko Nagurksi National Defensive Player of the Year Award and Football News Defensive Player of the Year honor. At mid-season he was named an All-American by CNNSI following his efforts in UM’s 27-24 win over then-No. 1 Florida State. Following the FSU game, Morgan was named National Defensive Player of the Week by the Nagurski committee. Twice on the 2000 season, Morgan was tabbed as the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week (FSU and Temple games).
Morgan in 2000:Recorded seven tackles in limited action in the season-opener against McNeese State…totaled 20 tackles, one INT and a fumble recovery at Washington…had a team-high 16 tackles at West Virginia, including two sacks…had one tackle in limited action at Rutgers…had 17 tackles, 14 solo, one INT, a forced fumble against Florida State…his interception was at the goal line prior to the close of the first half, leaving FSU scoreless going into halftime…had a game-high 17 tackles at Temple, including two for loss and one sack…had four tackles in limited action against Louisiana Tech…totaled 11 tackles, seven solo, against Virgnia Tech.
Morgan made his 39th start against Virginia Tech last weekend to extend his streak of starts to 39 consecutive. As a true freshman, Morgan jumped into the starting line-up in the third week of the 1997 season and hasn’t left since. The 39th start enabled him to pass Rod Carter (1985-88)for the most starts by a linebacker, as well as any defensive player, since the 1983 season.
If and when Morgan breaks the 100-tackle plateau, he will have done so in each of his four seasons as a Hurricane. Morgan tallied 105 as a freshman, 150 as a sophomore and 139 as a junior. Additionally, Morgan will become the first Hurricane to have 100 tackles in four straight seasons. Micheal Barrow (1990-92), along with Morgan, are the only Hurricanes to have surpassed the 100-tackle plateau in three straight seasons.
All-time Tackles
1. George Mira, Jr. (1984-87) 4902. Dan Morgan (1997-) 4873. Scott Nicolas (1978-80) 4564. Micheal Barrow (1989-92) 4235. Darrin Smith (1989-92) 4016. Ray Lewis (1993-95) 3887. Rod Carter (1985-88) 3618. James Burgess (1993-96) 3439. Ted Hendricks (1966-68) 32710. Rick Liddell (1972-74) 321
Check out the Hurricanes’ on-line store to purchase an official Dan Morgan #44 jersey.
Morgan Game-by-Game Career Tackles
2000Virginia Tech 11Louisiana Tech 4 (played first quarter only)@Temple 17Florida State 17@Rutgers 1 (played first quarter only)@West Virginia 16@Washington 20McNeese State 7 (played first quarter only)
1999Temple 15Syracuse 16Rutgers 10@Virginia Tech 14@Pittsburgh 11West Virginia 15@Boston College 15@Florida State 3@East Carolina 12Penn State 14FAMU 2vs. Ohio State 12
1998UCLA 19@Syracuse 6Pittsburgh 5@Temple 11Boston College 13@West Virginia 13Florida State 12@Rutgers 17Virginia Tech 16@Cincinnati 19E. Tennessee St. 19
1997Syracuse 19Rutgers 16@Virginia Tech 21Arkansas State 5Temple 9@Boston College 13@Florida State 11West Virginia 4@Pittsburgh 1*Arizona State 1*@Baylor 5*
* did not start
