Top-Ranked Hurricanes Meet Pittsburgh On Thursday Night

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Sept. 24, 2001

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TOP-RANKED HURRICANES VISIT PITTSBURGH IN ESPN THURSDAY NIGHT CLASH

Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — Consensus No. 1 Miami (2-0, 1-0 BIG EAST) travels to BIG EAST-rival Pittsburgh (1-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) for the Hurricanes first meeting with the Panthers at the new Heinz Field.

Last season, Miami handed the Panthers a 35-7 loss at the Orange Bowl as the Hurricanes held a potent Pittsburgh offense to its lowest yard total of the season (266 yards).

The Hurricanes enter the game trying to extend its BIG EAST win streak of 11 games and its overall win streak of 12.

In its last game on Sept. 8, Miami shut out conference-foe Rutgers, 61-0, in the Hurricanes’ 2001 BIG EAST and home opener at the Orange Bowl. The margin of victory was the largest since defeating Fordham, 75-7, in 1954. Ken Dorsey threw for 315 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while the offense piled up 542 total yards. The Hurricanes scored points five different ways in the game (pass, run, punt return, fumble return and FG).

Pittsburgh, like the Hurricanes, is coming off a bye week entering the game and were to face UAB before postponement. In its last game, the Panthers were upset by South Florida, 35-26, at Heinz Field on Sept. 8.

The Panthers feature a potent offense, led by its senior quarterback David Priestly. Pittsburgh is averaging 278.0 passing yards a game to rank second in the conference behind UM. Priestly ranks second to UM’s Ken Dorsey (329.5 ypg) with 244 passing yards per game.

Miami/Pittsburgh Series — Miami and Pittsburgh have met 28 times since 1950 with the Hurricanes holding the 18-9-1 lead, including a 7-1 mark in BIG EAST play since 1993. Miami has won the last three meetings by a combined score of 106-20 (35.3-6.7), a 28.6 margin of victory. Additionally, UM has been in the win column vs. Pittsburgh in 11 of the last 12 meetings, with the exception being a 21-17 loss to the Panthers in 1997 at Pitt Stadium. The series began in 1950 with a 28-0 Miami victory on Oct. 28 at Pitt Stadium. The Hurricanes have built a 9-5 lead on the road at Pittsburgh and lead the Panthers 9-4-1 in games at the Orange Bowl.

OVER THE AIRWAVES
Television
ESPN (live): Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analysis) and Lee Corso (analysis), Dr. Jerry Punch (sidelines).
Fox Sports Net Florida (tape delay 11 p.m. Saturday): Frank Forte (play-by-play) and John Congemi (analysis).

Radio
Hurricane Radio Network (WAXY 790 AM): Marc Vandermeer (play-by-play), Joe Zagacki (analysis) and Don Bailey (sidelines). Josh Darrow will serve as studio host.
En Espanol (WACC 830 AM): Jerry del Castillo (play-by-play), Joe Martinez (analysis) and Pepe Campos (studio).
UM Student Radio (WVUM 90.5 FM): Jesse Agler (Director), Kyle Berger and Greg Barkau.

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 LARRY COKER – Is two games into his first season as a collegiate head coach with the Hurricanes and has a 2-0 overall record and 1-0 mark in BIG EAST play. His record includes a 1-0 record at the Orange Bowl and a 1-0 record on the road.

Prior to becoming Miami’s 19th head coach, Coker served under Butch Davis as UM’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach since 1995. Coker’s hiring marked the first time in 25 years that the University of Miami elevated a current assistant to head coach.

While the Offensive Coordinator, UM went 51-20 overall and 33-9 in BIG EAST play. At the Orange Bowl, UM was 27-9 with Coker and 19-11 on the road. Additionally, the Hurricanes won all four bowl games since 1995.

Prior to his arrival in 1995, Coker spent the previous two seasons at Ohio State (1993-94) coaching the defensive backfield. The Buckeyes participated in two bowl games during his tenure and were Big Ten Co-Champions in 1993. From 1990-92, Coker was offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, assisting the Sooners to two bowl game victories.

Before heading to Norman, Coker spent seven seasons as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State in Stillwater. In his seven seasons with the Cowboys, he coached 1988 Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders while the team went on to win four bowl games. Coker first made the jump to division I with Tulsa from 1979-82, as the offensive backfield coach. Tulsa went on to win three Missouri Valley Conference championships during his four seasons.

A PERFECT COACHING DEBUT – Head Coach Larry Coker became the 13th UM head football coach to win his debut game in the Hurricanes’ 33-7 triumph at Penn State on Sept. 1. Overall, UM’s 19 head football coaches are 13-6 (.684) in debut games.

At home, Coker became the 14th UM head football coach to win his home debut with a 61-0 shutout over Rutgers on Sept. 8. Overall, UM’s 19 head football coaches are 14-5 (.737). Additionally, no other UM head football coach had such a decisive debut home win.

HURRICANES CONSENSUS NO. 1 — Miami’s No. 1 ranking in both the Associated Press poll and the USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll on Sept. 9 marked a string of 3,200 days and 458 weeks since the Hurricanes last were the consensus No. 1. The last time both polls had UM at No. 1 was on Dec. 6, 1992 prior to the bowl games.

The Hurricanes have played in 27 games all-time while holding the AP’s No. 1 ranking and have forged a 22-5 record in those contests. Prior to the Alabama loss (34-13) in the 1993 Sugar Bowl, UM had won 11 straight games when it held the top spot in the polls dating back to the 1991 season.

In the regular season, UM has been ranked No. 1 by the AP in 24 games and have recorded a 21-3 mark. UM last lost a regular season game while holding the No. 1 ranking in the 1990 season opener at BYU, 28-21 on Sept. 8.

MORE ON THE PITTSBURGH/MIAMI SERIES – Miami holds a three-game win streak over Pittsburgh and has outscored the Panthers 106-20 in those three games, an average of 35.3 – 6.7 (+28.6).

In those three games, UM averaged 448.3 total yards of offense, including 163.3 rushing and 285 passing. The Hurricane defense also logged nine turnovers, including seven interceptions.

Pittsburgh has averaged 271.3 yards of total offense over the last three games with 87.7 on the ground and 183.7 in the air. The Hurricanes have turned the ball over three times since 1998 with no fumbles.

In the last three games, UM has had at least one 100-yard gainer on offense. Last year, Santana Moss recorded six catches for 100 yards. In 1999, then-freshman Clinton Portis rushed for 131 yards on 20 carries. The 1998 meeting saw Edgerrin James record 106 yards on 23 attempts. Former Pittsburgh running back Kevan Barlow was the lone Panther to surpass the 100-yard mark with his 117 yards on 19 carries in 1998.

HURRICANE COACHES FAIRED WELL AGAINST PITTSBURGH – Coordinators Rob Chudzinski (88-90) and Randy Shannon (85-88), along with assistants Greg Mark (86-89) and Rod Holder (86-89) have a combined record of 7-0 against Pittsburgh as players for the Hurricanes.

MIAMI ON ESPN – Miami’s ESPN televised game at Pittsburgh marks the Hurricanes’ 34th appearance on the network. The Hurricanes first appeared on ESPN on Sept. 1, 1984, vs. Florida and holds a 26-7 record all-time on the network. UM is 105-49 (.682) on network television.

MIAMI RETURNS TO THURSDAY NIGHT – This season, the Hurricanes will play two games on Thursday, Sept. 27 at Pittsburgh and Oct. 25 vs. West Virginia. Miami has a 4-1 all-time record in games played on Thursday. Coincidentally, the lone loss Miami suffered on Thursday was at Pittsburgh, 21-17, in 1997.
Miami In Thursday Games

• 8-31-00 Miami 61, McNeese State 14 H
• 11-19-98 Miami 38, Pittsburgh 10 H
• 9-18-97 Pittsburgh 21, Miami 17 A
• 9-12-96 Miami 33, Rutgers 0 A
• 9-12-91 Miami 40, Houston 10 H

UM HOLDS SECOND LONGEST WIN STREAK – Miami enters the Pittsburgh game with the nation’s second-longest winning streak, having won 12 games in a row dating back to a Sept. 23 win over West Virginia (47-10). Oklahoma owns the longest current win streak at 16 games dating back to last season. Additionally, UM has won 11 straight at the Orange Bowl and five on the road, including the Nokia Sugar Bowl.

The Hurricanes have won 11 straight BIG EAST games dating back to 1999, the fourth-longest stretch in league history. Virginia Tech holds the conference mark with 14 in a row from 1998-2000.

Additionally, the Hurricanes are 17-1 in their last 18 games played, including bowls. The lone loss was at Washington, 34-29, in the second week of the 2000 season. Additionally, UM has won 20 of its last 22 games dating back to its 31-21 loss at Florida State in 1999. UM has won 14 of its last 15 BIG EAST games, including the 1999 loss to the Hokies.

HIGH OCTANE SCORING – Miami has scored 94 points over its first two games, third-most all-time to start a season. The 1998 team set the mark with 104 points, followed by 103 in 1994. The two other years UM passed 90 points after week No. 2 was 93 in 1928 and 91 in 1933. Last season, Miami established a new school and BIG EAST record with its 469 regular season points. UM went on to score 506 overall points following its 37-20 Sugar Bowl victory over Florida. The total surpassed the 1986 squad’s previous high of 420 points and Syracuse’ former league-high of 468 points in 1998.

DORSEY IN SELECT COMPANY – Ken Dorsey threw for 315 yards in Miami’s win over Rutgers marking his second consecutive 300-yard passing game to open the 2001 season. Dorsey threw for a career-high 344 yards in the Hurricanes’ opener against Penn State. He is just the second UM quarterback to open a season with consecutive 300-yard passing games.

The only other Miami quarterback to accomplish the feet is Bernie Kosar who opened the 1984 season with back-to-back 300-yard passing games. That year, Kosar threw for 329 yards in the season opening victory over Auburn followed by a 300-yard performance against UF in the Hurricanes second game of the season.

No UM quarterback has ever opened a season with three straight 300-yard passing games.

CONSECUTIVE 300-YARD GAMES – Ken Dorsey is the first UM quarterback since Scott Covington in 1998 to record consecutive 300-yard passing games. In 1998 Covington ended the season throwing for 318 yards in Miami’s regular-season finale win over UCLA followed by a 320-yard performance in UM’s victory over N.C. State in the Micron PC Bowl.

The last time a Miami quarterback threw for 300 or more yards in three consecutive games was during the 1990 season when Craig Erickson tossed for over 300 yards in four straight games.

DOMINATING DEFENSE – The UM defense has been dominating over the last five regular season games dating back to 2000. Dating back to week No. 9 of 2000, UM has allowed seven or less points in five straight games while recording two shutouts.

In addition, UM has not allowed a point in 17 of its last 20 quarters played against regular-season competition. Miami has been extremely stingy in the third quarter. The Hurricanes have not allowed a point in the third quarter in its last six regular season games.

OFFENSE SURPASSES 500-YARD PLATEAU TWO STRAIGHT GAMES – The Hurricanes’ 542 yards against Rutgers marked the second straight game for UM with 500 or more yards of total offense. UM opened the season with 602 yards at Penn State. The last time Miami had back-to-back 500+ games was at the end of 1998 when UM posted 689 yards in the regular season finale against UCLA and then 594 vs. N.C. State in the Micron PC Bowl.

In addition, 2001 team is the first to open a season with consecutive games of 500+ yards of total offense since 1991 when UM opened with four straight games of over 500-yards of total offense. The 1991 team is also the last Hurricane team to register three consecutive games of over 500 yards.

GONZALEZ NAMED TO AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM – Joaquin Gonzalez was one of 11 D-1 players to be selected for the 2001 AFCA Good Works Team, chosen by the American Football Coaches Association in recognition of outstanding community service to the area in which they live. A First-Team All-American in 2000, Gonzalez is the fourth Hurricane to be named to the Good Works Team (Nate Brooks, 1998, Ryan Clement, 1997, Tony Coley, 1996). He works with First Mentors, a partnership with Big Brothers/Big Sisters that pairs student-athletes with a child to serve as a mentor. He also is involved in the Read To Win program, showing elementary school students the relationship between good learning skills and success as an athlete. A student in Miami’s graduate MBA program, Gonzalez received a bachelor’s degree in business marketing in December of 2000.

NON-OFFENSIVE SCORING – The Hurricanes led the nation in 2000 with 13 touchdowns and 89 points coming from the defense and special teams. In the Rutgers game, UM scored two touchdowns and 13 overall points off Phillip Buchanon’s 56-yard punt return and John Square’s 5-yard fumble return.

Buchanon’s TD marked his third all-time, including an INT and fumble return in 2000.

In addition, the two TD’s against Rutgers pushed UM’s total to five in the last two meetings with the Scarlet Knights.

HURRICANES QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE – On the 2001 season, four of UM’s nine offensive touchdowns were under two minutes in drive time. The average drive time on UM’s nine offensive touchdowns is 1:26.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TURNOVERS – On the season, Miami has recorded nine turnovers, two of which were to close out a half. Of those seven remaining turnovers, UM has converted 34 points off five touchdowns.

STUFFING THE DRIVE – The Hurricane defense has held opponents scoreless in 29 of 30 offensive drives this season.

VS. RANKED/UNRANKED OPPONENTS – Since 1990, Miami has registered a 26-21 (.553) mark against nationally ranked teams and a 77-7 (.917) record against unranked opponents.

IF MIAMI SCORES FIRST – When Miami scores first it is nearly a lock to win. Beginning with the 1983 season, the Hurricanes have gone 144-14 (.911) when scoring first.

4TH QUARTER DOMINANCE – Over the last 16 seasons, Miami has been almost unbeatable when leading after three quarters. Since 1985, Miami has won 141 of 143 (.986) regular season games in which it entered the fourth quarter with a lead. The two losses in this span occurred at 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.

MIAMI WHEN SCORING 30+ POINTS – Miami has won 84 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points, since dropping a 31-30 decision at Notre Dame in 1988. Additionally, UM has won 105 consecutive games when scoring more than 30 points since falling 39-37 to UCLA in the 1985 Fiesta Bowl.

HURRICANES WIN HOME/BIG EAST OPENER – Following its 61-0 win over Rutgers, UM is 54-21-1 (.717) in 76 season openers. Additionally, UM has now won 15 of its last 16 home openers, including four straight.

In BIG EAST Conference openers, UM is now 9-3 since 1991 and 7-3 since league play began in 1993. UM has also won its last three conference openers.

MIAMI DEFEATS A FIRST-YEAR COACH – With the 61-0 win over Rutgers and first-year head coach Greg Schiano, UM has now won 28 of its last 29 games vs. teams under the helm of a first-year coach. In addition, UM holds a five-game win streak in these games. Miami had its 23-game win streak vs. first-year coaches snapped at Pittsburgh Sept. 18, 1997, with Walt Harris.

WHEN THE OPPONENT’S HEAD COACH USED TO BE AT MIAMI – With the 61-0 win over Rutgers and Greg Schiano, UM’s former defensive coordinator, Miami has won all three meetings when a former UM coach returns as the head coach of another program.

In 1988, the Hurricanes defeated Mike Archer and LSU, 44-3, in Baton Rouge. Archer was an assistant at UM from 1978-83. In 1985, UM defeated Howard Schnellenburger’s Louisville Cardinals 45-7 at the Orange Bowl. Schnellenburger was head coach at UM from 1979-83.

MIAMI IN SEASON OPENERS – With its 33-7 win at Penn State, Miami now holds a 51-24-1 (.678) all-time record in 76 season-openers, including a six-game win streak. Additionally, Miami has won 14 of its last 16 season openers since 1986.

On the road, Miami is 14-11 (.560) in 25 season-opening games with a three-game win streak dating back to 1996. Additionally, UM has a four-game win streak in openers away from the Orange Bowl, including a 23-12 win over Ohio State at the 1999 Kickoff Classic.

SEASON OPENERS AT THE HALF – In the last 11 season openers, Miami has outscored the opposition 214-32 (19.5-2.9 avg.) in the first half, allowing just three TD’s. UM shutout Penn State 30-0 in the first half of the 2001 opener.

UNIT RANKINGS AMONG NATION’S BEST – According to Athlon’s preseason magazine, the Hurricanes offensive line and defensive backs were ranked as the nation’s No. 1 units. In Lindy’s preseason annual, the offensive backfield and offensive line were each ranked No. 1, while the defensive backs were No. 2. The Sporting News rated the offensive line and offensive backfield No. 1 and the defensive backs No. 7.

UM SENDS 10 MORE TO THE NFL – At the 2001 NFL Draft, Miami had seven players drafted and three more later signed as free agents. Of UM’s seven draft picks, four were in the first round (Damione Lewis, #11, St. Louis, Dan Morgan, #12, Carolina, Santana Moss, #16, NY Jets, Reggie Wayne, #30, Indianapolis) and one in the third (James Jackson, Cleveland), sixth (Leonard Myers, New England) and seventh (Andre King, Cleveland) rounds. In addition, Ivan Mercer (Washington), Delvin Brown (Jacksonville) and Al Blades (San Francisco) signed as free agents after the draft.

LONE STAR STATE SHINES AT MIAMI – 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 152 consecutive games that at least one player from the state of Texas has started for the Hurricanes. The 2001 Hurricane roster boasts nine players from Texas, including linebacker Chris Campbell (Mt. Pleasant), wide receiver Daryl Jones (Dallas), defensive end Cornelius Green (Houston) and tight end Robert Williams (Dallas) who are expected to contend for a job in the starting line-up. UM also added two players from Texas to the 2001 roster, defensive back Marcus Maxey (Navasota) and offensive lineman Tony Tella (Houston).

PENNSYLVANIA HAS ITS OWN STREAK – Then-sophomore center Tirrell Greene started every game during the 1992 season. From that first game of the 1992 season, Greene (Pittsburgh) helped begin a current streak of 109 consecutive games that a player from Pennsylvania has started for the Hurricanes. Entering 2001, Martin Bibla (Moutaintop) is slated to start at right guard. In between Greene and Bibla have been many standout starters from the Keystone State, including QB Frank Costa (91-94), defensive lineman Denny Fortney (94-97) and offensive lineman Damond Neely (95-98).

LOUISIANA, NEW JERSEY AND CANADA – Other than Texas (152) and Pennsylvania (109), Louisiana (58), New Jersey (40) and Canada (39) have current streaks of having a player from that region start heading into the 2001 season. Louisiana saw offensive lineman J Ina (93-96) begin a streak in 1996 followed by defensive back Eugene Ridgley (94-97), wide receiver Reggie Wayne (97-00) and now safety Edward Reed. New Jersey has the fourth-longest current streak that began with defensive lineman Matt Sweeney (96-99) at the end of 1997 through 1998 and now resides with linebacker Howard Clark, defensive end Jamaal Green and defensive back James Lewis. From offensive guard Richard Mercier (95-99) in 1998, Canada has the fifth-longest streak which features current center Bret Romberg.

DORSEY NAMED TO O’BRIEN AWARD “WATCH LIST” – Ken Dorsey has been named to the preseason “Watch List” for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award given annually to the nation’s top college quarterback. The Davey O’Brien Award Advisory Committee of sportswriters and commentators will select eight semifinalists for the award during the first week of November, followed by another vote during the week of Thanksgiving to determine the winner. The winner of the 2001 Davey O’Brien Award will be announced Dec. 6 during ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show in Orlando.

DEFENSIVE TRIO NAMED TO THORPE AWARD “WATCH LIST” – Edward Reed, Mike Rumph and Phillip Buchanon have been named to the preseason “Watch List” for the Jim Thorpe Award given annually to the nation’s top defensive back. The winner of the award, given since 1986, will be announced Dec. 6 at the ESPN College Football Awards Show at Disney World. A screening committee will narrow the field to 10 semifinalists, which will be announced during the first week of November. The three finalists will be announced Nov. 19. Reed and Rumph are members of the Award’s Preseason Top 10.

REED SELECTED TO NAGURSKI AWARD “WATCH LIST” – Senior safety Edward Reed has been named to the preseason “Watch List” of top candidates for the 2001 Bronko Nagurski Award, presented annually by the Charlotte Touchdown Club to the nation’s top defensive player.

McKINNIE AND GONZALEZ NAMED TO OUTLAND TROPHY AWARD “WATCH LIST” – Offensive tackles Bryant McKinnie and Joaquin Gonzalez have been named to the preseason “Watch List” for the 2001 Outland Trophy Award given annually to the nation’s top interior lineman. The Outland Trophy, presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), will be announced Dec. 6 on the ESPN College Football Awards Show. Three finalists will be selected by the FWAA All-America Committee in late November and will appear in Orlando at the television show. The winner of the 2001 Outland Trophy will receive his trophy during a banquet on Jan.10, 2002, in Omaha, Neb. Tackles, guards and centers are eligible for the Outland Trophy, which is named after the late John Outland, an All-America lineman and halfback at Penn.

ROMBERG NAMED TO RIMINGTON TROPHY “WATCH LIST” – The Boomer Esiason Foundation has named junior Brett Romberg to the list of 21 offensive centers named to the preseason “watch list” for the 2001 Dave Rimington Trophy. The award is named for Dave Rimington, a two-time consensus All-American center and Outland Trophy winner at Nebraska. He and Esiason were teammates on the Cincinnati Bengals from 1984-87. The Rimington Trophy, established in 2000, was first awarded to Detroit Lions’ Dominic Raiola and will be presented in Lincoln, Neb. on Dec. 15. Romberg last season earned First-Team All-Big East recognition by The Sporting News. He is a key contributor to an offensive line that last year allowed only three quarterback sacks in 340 passing plans and helped pave the way for a 1,006-yard rushing season by Hurricanes tailback James Jackson.

PORTIS NAMED TO WALKER AWARD “WATCH LIST” – Clinton Portis has been named to the preseason “Watch List” for the 2001 Doak Walker Award given annually to the nation’s top college running back. The SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will select eight semifinalists on Nov. 8, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will vote on the winner in late November. The National Selection Committee consists of former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, print and electronic media members and selected special representatives. The winner of the 2001 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show. The Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held at The Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, TX, on Jan. 29, 2002.

SIEVERS NAMED TO GROZA AWARD “WATCH LIST” – Junior Todd Sievers is one of 30 placekickers named to the preseason “watch list” for the 2001 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award. The FedEx Orange Bowl, in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, will present the award at a banquet on Tuesday, December 4, at the Sheraton at City Place in West Palm Beach, Florida. The 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award will be announced in late October, followed several weeks later by the naming of the three Lou Groza Award finalists. The award, now in its 10th year, is named for NFL Hall-of-Fame kicker Lou Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954.

DORSEY, BUCHANON HIGHLIGHT WEEK NO. 2 HONORS – Ken Dorsey’s 315 passing yards in UM’s 61-0 shutout over Rutgers earned the junior his second straight BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week honor and third all-time. He is just the second player in league history (Marvin Graves, SU, 1993) to earn back-to-back weekly honors the first two weeks of the season. Phillip Buchanon earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his punt return efforts against the Scarlet Knights. He returned a punt 56 yards for a touchdown in his first game starting at the position, finishing with a 22.3 yard average on four returns.

DORSEY, SIEVERS GARNER WEEK ONE HONORS – Ken Dorsey was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week, along with Boston College’s William Green, after passing for a career-best 344 yards in UM’s 33-7 win at Penn State. The weekly honor was Dorsey’s second. Todd Sievers was named Special Teams Player of the Week after making all four field goals and three extra points in the victory at PSU.

UM STANDS TALL IN THE BIG EAST – In its 11th season of competition in the BIG EAST, Miami has forged a league-best 53-10 (.841) overall conference record. The Hurricanes’ six BIG EAST titles are also a league-best, ahead of Syracuse (3), Virginia Tech (3) and West Virginia (1).All-time BIG EAST Standings (1991-present)Team Overall Pct. Home AwayMiami 53-10 .841 28-4 25-6Va. Tech 47-16 .746 27-4 20-12Syracuse 48-20 .706 27-8 21-12West Virginia 39-30-1 .564 21-13-1 18-17Boston Coll. 32-33-2 .493 19-15-1 13-18-1Pittsburgh 21-44 .323 14-21 7-23Rutgers 15-53-1 .225 12-23 3-30-1Temple 9-58 .134 6-25 3-33

BIG EAST BROTHERS – There are five sets of brothers playing in the BIG EAST this season. However, UM’s Weaver brothers are the lone set of twins.Brothers in the BIG EASTMiamiCarlos and William JosephJarrell and Jermell WeaverRutgersAaron and Ben MartinGreg and Marty PyszcymukaTempleJared and Jason Davis

UM NO. 1 IN BIG EAST MEDIA POLL – For the seventh time in nine years or since round-robin play began in 1993, UM has been picked as the preseason favorite to win the 2001 BIG EAST title. In a media vote at BIG EAST Media Day, UM received 21 of 24 possible first-place votes and 188.5 overall points, followed by Virginia Tech (three 1st place votes, 170 points). UM is 52-10 (.839) in BIG EAST play and has been crowned champion in six of 10 previous seasons.

BIG EAST Preseason Poll (1st place votes): 1. Miami (21), 188.5 points, 2. Virginia Tech (3), 170, 3. Pittsburgh, 127.5, 4. Boston College, 107, 5. Syracuse, 104, 6. West Virginia, 81, 7. Temple, 58, 8. Rutgers, 28.