No.1 Miami Prepares For Thursday Night's Matchup Against West Virginia
Oct. 22, 2001
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Game #6 West Virginia Mountaineers Orange Bowl Stadium Oct. 25, 2001 – 7:00 p.m.
OVER THE AIRWAVES
Television
ESPN2 (live): Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analysis), Lee Corso (analysis) and Dr. Jerry Punch (sideline).
Fox Sports Net Florida (Tape Delay, Monday Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.): 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 (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).
Student Radio WVUM 90.5 FM: Jesse Agler (director), Kyle Berger, Greg Barkau.
InternetInternet audio broadcasts of Hurricane games are available by accessing hurricanesports.com and clicking on “internet audio broadcasts” on the athletics home page.
NO. 1 MIAMI RETURNS TO CONFERENCE ACTION WITH WEST VIRGINIA AT THE ORANGE BOWL ON THURSDAY NIGHT
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — The University of Miami (5-0, 2-0 BIG EAST), ranked No. 1 in both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ polls, returns to action with BIG EAST foe West Virginia (2-4, 0-2 BIG EAST) on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Orange Bowl. The Hurricanes and Mountaineers have been off since Oct. 13 when UM defeated Florida State, 49-27, in Tallahassee and WVU dropping a 34-24 decision at Notre Dame.
Miami’s victory in Tallahassee ended a NCAA-long string of 37 consecutive home wins and a 54-game unbeaten streak for the Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Ken Dorsey threw 249 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions at FSU, improving his career record to 2-0 against the Seminoles. Clinton Portis, 122 yards rushing, was the first 100-yard rusher for the Hurricanes against FSU since Stephen McGuire (142) did so in 1991. Andre Johnson earned BIG EAST Co-Offensive Player of the Week after he hauled in a career-best five catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Freddie Capshaw was named BIG EAST Co-Special Teams Player of the Week after he scored a touchdown on a botched field goal attempt and averaged 48.3 yards on four punts with two inside the 20.
The Thursday night game is the second of the season for the Hurricanes after defeating Pittsburgh, 43-21, at Heinz Field on Sept. 27. UM has made six appearances in Thursday night games and has a 5-1 record. In ESPN-televised Thursday night games, UM is 4-1.
Miami enters the West Virginia game on a 15-game win streak and has won 20 of 21 dating back to 1999. UM’s last loss came in week No. 2 of the 2000 season to Washington, 34-29.
Miami/West Virginia Series —
Miami and West Virginia meet for the 17th time in the all-time series since the 1942 season with the Hurricanes holding a 13-3 advantage. Additionally, Miami is 8-2 against the Mountaineers in BIG EAST play since 1991, with that 1991 meeting being UM’s first against a league opponent. UM’s record against West Virginia includes a 7-2 mark in games at the Orange Bowl and a 6-1 record in Morgantown. The Hurricanes have won their last three meetings with the Mountaineers dating back to 1998 and six of the last seven since 1994.
HEAD COACH LARRY COKER – Is five games into his first season as a collegiate head coach with the No. 1-ranked Miami Hurricanes and has an overall record of 5-0, including a 2-0 mark in BIG EAST Conference play. The 5-0 record includes going 2-0 at the Orange Bowl and a 3-0 mark on the road.
Prior to becoming Miami’s 19th head football coach, Coker served under Butch Davis as UM’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach since Davis’ first season at UM in 1995. Coker’s hiring marked the first time in 25 years that the University of Miami elevated a current assistant to its head coach. While the offensive coordinator from 1995-2000, UM went 51-20 overall and 33-9 in conference 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.
COKER REMAINS UNDEFEATED AT 5-0 – Entering the West Virginia game, Larry Coker is 5-0 as head coach of the Hurricanes in his rookie season at the helm. Only three of UM’s 19 all-time head football coaches, Coker, Dennis Erickson (1989) and Howard Buck (1926), were undefeated after the first five games of their inaugural seasons. Buck’s 1926 squad, UM’s first in football, went 8-0 with a freshman-level schedule. Erickson guided the Hurricanes to 6-0 before dropping a 24-10 loss to Florida State in Tallahassee. Additionally, Erickson’s 1989 Hurricanes finished 11-1 on the season, including UM’s third National Championship, 33-25 over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
COKER’S PERFECT COACHING DEBUT – Larry Coker became the 13th head football coach at Miami to win his debut in the Hurricanes’ 33-7 triumph over Penn State in State College on Sept. 1. Additionally, he was just the third to win his debut game when it was an away game. Overall, UM’s 19 head football coaches are 13-6 (.684) in debut games. At the Orange Bowl, Coker became the 14th UM head football coach to win his home debut with the Hurricanes’ 61-0 shutout over Rutgers on Sept. 8. Overall, UM’s 19 head football coaches are 14-5 (.737) in their debut at home. No other head coach at UM had such a decisive debut home win.
MIAMI VS. WEST VIRGINIA – Miami and West Virginia have met 16 times on the football field since the 1942 season with the Hurricanes holding the 13-3 series advantage over the Mountaineers. Additionally, Miami is 8-2 against West Virginia during BIG EAST Conference play since 1991, with that 1991 meeting being UM’s first against a league opponent. The 13-3 overall record includes going 7-2 at the Orange Bowl and a 6-1 mark on the road in Morgantown. Miami enters the game riding a three-game win streak over West Virginia dating back to 1998, along with wins in six of the last seven meetings with the Mountaineers since 1994.
WHERE THE THREE-GAME WIN STREAK STACKS UP IN THE WVU SERIES – The Hurricanes have won the last three meetings with West Virginia (47-10, 28-20, 34-31) since dropping a 28-17 decision to the Mountaineers in 1997. The win streak ties for the second longest in the UM/WVU series. The current streak ties the three wins from 1994-96. WVU defeated UM 17-14 in Morgantown in 1993. The longest UM win streak against WVU was five games from 1974-92. In their current three-game win streak against WVU, Miami has outscored the Mountaineers 109-61 (36.3-20.3, UM +16). In the nine overall games played at the Orange Bowl, UM has outscored WVU 197-122 (21.9-13.6, UM +8.3).
DORSEY AND PORTIS HIGHLIGHT UM/WVU SERIES – Ken Dorsey’s 291 passing yards last season landed him at No. 2 all-time in the UM/WVU series, behind Gino Torretta’s record 363 passing yards vs. WVU in 1992. Dorsey’s 22 completions were third best behind Torretta’s 28 in 1991 and 23 in 1992. His two touchdowns last season tied for second most behind three from Torretta (1992) and Vinny Testaverde (1986). Dorsey’s two TD strikes equalled Scott Covington (1998) and Kenny Kelly (1999). As a freshman in 1999, Clinton Portis rushed for 104 yards on 17 carries in UM’s 28-20 win at the Orange Bowl. The 104 yards rushing was the third-best effort vs. WVU behind Edgerrin James (162 in 1998) and Johnny Williams (108 in 1974). The 17 carries tied for the fourth best.
MIAMI AGAINST FIRST-YEAR COACHES – Miami has won its last five games against schools with first-year coaches and holds a 6-1 record since 1995. West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez will be the second first-year coach the Hurricanes have played this season (Rutgers Greg Schiano). Overall, UM has won 28 of its last 29 games vs. teams under the helm of a first-year coach. Miami had its 23-game win streak vs. first-year coaches snapped at Pittsburgh in 1997.
UM LETTERMEN FROM WEST VIRGINIA – Other than injured long snapper Chris Harvey (Accoville), several former Hurricane lettermen have called West Virginia home. Prior to Harvey, the last UM letterman from West Virginia was John Canei (1979-82, Weirton).
MIAMI ON ESPN – Miami’s ESPN televised game against West Virginia marks the Hurricanes’ 40th appearance on the network (ESPN or ESPN2). The Hurricanes first appeared on ESPN on Sept. 1, 1984, vs. Florida and holds a 30-9 (.763) record all-time on the network. UM is 108-49 (.684) on network television and 88-36 (.710) in nationally televised games.
PLAYING ON THURSDAY NIGHTS – With its 43-21 win at Pittsburgh on Sept. 27, Miami moved to 5-1 all-time in games played on Thursdays. Additionally, UM is now 4-1 in ESPN-televised Thursday night games.
HURRICANES ARE ONCE AGAIN CONSENSUS NO. 1 – After a one week period, the Hurricanes regained the top spot in the Associated Press poll to once again become the consensus No. 1-ranked team in the nation on Oct. 15.
The 49-27 victory at FSU helped UM to solidify its hold on the top spot in both polls, in addition to the Florida loss. Miami fell to No. 2 in the AP after it beat Troy State 38-7, coupled with a Florida win at LSU. Miami was first selected the consensus No. 1 ranked team in both polls on Sept. 9.
The consensus ranking 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 29 games all-time while holding the AP’s No. 1 ranking and have forged a 24-5 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 26 games and have recorded a 23-3 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.
HURRICANES THRIVE IN MIDSEASON – Since the 1983 season, UM has gone a combined 51-3 in games’ 6-8. Since 1995, Larry Coker’s first at UM as an assistant, the Hurricanes have gone 17-1 in games’ 6-8. Within the 51-3 mark, UM is 16-2 in game six, 17-1 in game seven and 18-0 in game eight.
WIN STREAK PLACES SECOND NATIONALLY – Miami enters the West Virginia game with the nation’s second-longest winning streak, having won 15 games in a row dating back to a Sept. 23 win over West Virginia (47-10). Oklahoma owns the longest current win streak at 20 games dating back to last season. Additionally, UM has won 12 straight at the Orange Bowl and seven on the road, including the Nokia Sugar Bowl. It is the longest OB streak since winning 12 games from 1994-96. The Hurricanes have won 12 straight BIG EAST games dating back to 1999 to tie its own conference record set from 1991-93. Virginia Tech holds the conference mark with 14 in a row from 1998-2000, ahead of the 12 by UM. UM has won 15 of its last 16 BIG EAST games, including the 1999 loss to the Hokies. Additionally, the Hurricanes are 20-1 in their last 21 games played, including bowls. The lone loss was at Washington, 34-29, in the second week of 2000. Additionally, UM has won 23 of its last 25 games dating back to its 31-21 loss at Florida State in 1999.
MIAMI ON MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICAN TEAMS – Miami leads all schools with five seletions on CBS SportsLine.com’s Midseason All-America Team. The Hurricanes, along with Oklahoma, placed five players each on ABC Sports Online’s midseason team. UM and OU were also the top choice on CNNSI.com’s list with three players . SportsLine.com listed Jeremy Shockey (TE), Brett Romberg (C), Bryant McKinnie (OT), Phillip Buchanon (CB) and Edward Reed (FS). Ken Dorsey (QB), Shockey, McKinnie, Martin Bibla (OG) and Reed were all selected by ABC Sports Online. Shockey, McKinnie and Reed were each selected to CNNSI.com’s list, with Dorsey and Bibla were Honorable Mention selections.
GAME CAPTAINS CHOSEN – From the Troy State game through the remainder of the season, Ken Dorsey (QB), Najeh Davenport (FB), Joaquin Gonzalez (OT), Matt Walters (DT) and Edward Reed (FS) will serve as team captains.
NFL TALENT ABUNDANT IN 2001 HURRICANE GAMES – The series between Miami and Florida State over last 15 years has been highlighted by numerous players who have gone on to be drafted by the National Football League. During the top three rounds of the NFL Draft since the 1987 season, no other rivalry played during this 2001 season has supplied as many NFL draftees as the Miami/FSU game (95). The 95 combined players are broken down into 51 for the Hurricanes and 44 for the Seminoles. Additionally, the 95 players consist of 42 first round, 28 second round and 25 third round. The 42 first round picks (25 UM and 17 FSU) are a national high, as is the two schools’ 28 second-round picks (14 UM and 14 FSU). The Hurricanes lead the nation since 1987 with 25 first round draft picks. Notre Dame has had the most second-round picks over the last 15 years with 15, while Texas A&M leads with 19 third-rounders since the 1987 season.
HURRICANE SCORING AT FULL FORCE – Miami has scored 224 points over its first five games, which narrowly places second to last year’s 228 points after five games played. Miami has scored 104 points in its first two BIG EAST games this season (61 vs. Rutgers and 43 at Pittsburgh), which places second all-time at UM to the 2000 team’s 111 points vs. West Virginia (47) and Rutgers (64). 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 THE LATEST ESPN HEISMAN WATCH (as of 10/19) – Ken Dorsey placed second in a group of seven players receiving votes in ESPN.com’s 2001 Heisman Watch. Dorsey received 25 points, to UCLA runningback DeShaun Foster’s 35. Dorsey was tied with Clemson quarterback Woodrow Dantzler. The Heisman Poll features nine ESPN coaches, analysts and writers, and will appear weekly during the season. Panelists are asked to vote for their top five and players are awarded five points for a first-place vote, four for second and so on. Voters for the Heisman Poll are Lee Corso, Todd Christensen, Bill Curry, Rece Davis, Rod Gilmore, Mike Gottfried, Kirk Herbstreit, Mel Kiper, Jr. and Gene Wojciechowski.
SCORING BY QUARTERS – Over the first five games of the season UM has outscored its opponents 224-62. The total includes a 118-27 advantage in the first half and 106-35 mark in the second half. In the first half, UM has outscored its opponents 68-14 in the first quarter and 50-13 in the second. Miami’s top figure is a 79-7 advantage in the third quarter. The fourth quarter has the five opponents holding the edge 28-27. FSU’s 20 points over the second (13) and third (7) quarters were the first to be scored by an opponent this season, respectively.
UM’S QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE – This season, the average drive time on UM’s 23 offensive touchdowns is under two minutes at 1:57. A total of 16 of UM’s 23 offensive touchdowns were scored in under 2:30 minutes of drive time. Against Florida State, UM scored four of five offensive touchdowns at 2:07 and under.
100-YARD GAMES IN 2001 – Miami players have recorded five 100-yard games on the season, two rushing and three receiving.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TURNOVERS – On the season, Miami has recorded 20 turnovers, three of which were to close out a half. Of those 17 remaining turnovers, UM has converted 83 points off 12 touchdowns.
HOLDING OPPONENTS OUT OF THE ENDZONE – The Hurricane defense has held opponents scoreless in 64 of 71 (.901) offensive drives this season.
INSIDE/OUTSIDE THE REDZONE – On the 2001 season, Miami has driven into the redzone 28 times and scored 25 times. Florida State scored two touchdowns on three trips into the UM redzone. Outside the redzone, the Hurricanes have totaled five touchdowns and three field goals to 18 touchdowns and seven field goals inside the redzone.
4TH QUARTER DOMINANCE – Over the last 16 seasons, Miami has been almost unbeatable when leading after three-quarters. Since 1985, Miami has won 144 of 146 (.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.
VS. RANKED/UNRANKED OPPONENTS – Since 1990, Miami has registered a 27-21 (.563) mark against nationally ranked teams and a 79-7 (.919) 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 147-14 (.913) when scoring first.
MIAMI WHEN SCORING 30+ POINTS – Miami has won 87 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points, since dropping a 31-30 decision at Notre Dame in 1988.
Additionally, UM has won 108 consecutive games when scoring 31 or more points since falling 39-37 to UCLA in the 1985 Fiesta Bowl.
NON-OFFENSIVE SCORING – The Hurricanes led the nation in 2000 with 13 touchdowns and 89 points coming from defense and special teams. This season UM has scored five touchdowns for 34 overall points non-offensively.
At Florida State, Miami scored two touchdowns with off a blocked punt in the first quarter and second on a fumble return in third. Edward Reed blocked Chance Gwaltney’s punt with Markese Fitzgerald returning the block five yards for the game’s first score. FSU quarterback Chris Rix fumbled the ball away on a William Joseph sack, which Jonathan Vilma returned 36 yards. Against Troy State, Reed returned an interception for 27 yards for a touchdown. Against Rutgers, UM scored two touchdowns off Phillip Buchanon’s 56-yard punt return and John Square’s 5-yard fumble return.
DORSEY AS A STARTER – Ken Dorsey has been the Hurricanes starter since the final three games of the 1999 season and has recorded a 19-1 overall record, not including bowl games. In those 20 regular season starts, Dorsey has passed for 300 yards three times, including a career-high 344 in the 2001 season-opener at Penn State. He has also thrown for at least 200 yards 16 times and has had multiple touchdowns in 15 games. His statistics as a starter reads 336-of-554 for 4,870 yards with 46 touchdown passes, one touchdown rush and eight interceptions.
DORSEY CONTINUES TOUCHDOWN STREAK AT FLORIDA STATE – Ken Dorsey’s three touchdown passes at Florida State extended his school-record streak to 21 straight games with a TD pass, including bowls. In fact, Dorsey has thrown a touchdown in each of his 20 all-time starts. His lone appearance without a start was off the bench at Virginia Tech in 1999.
DORSEY CAREER TOUCHDOWNS – In his three seasons at Miami, Ken Dorsey has connected with 17 different players for 46 passing touchdowns. Junior tight end Jeremy Shockey leads the current players with six touchdown passes from Dorsey. Overall, Dorsey’s top all-time touchdown targets were Reggie Wayne (12) and Santana Moss (6).
SHOCKEY MOVING UP THE TIGHT END CHARTS – Just five games into his second season with the Hurricanes, tight end Jeremy Shockey has become one of the more prolific players at that position since the 1979 season. His six career touchdowns ties him for fourth with Willie Smith (84-85) and stands one behind Rob Chudzinski (88-90). Shockey also lands at No. 8 with 555 career receiving yards. His 39 receptions places ties him for ninth with Charles Henry (84-87).
PORTIS REACHING THE 2,000-YARD MARK – Clinton Portis stands 191 yards from breaking the 2,000-yard career rushing mark. If he does so, Portis will become the fifth Hurricane all-time to achieve the status. Only one alum, Ottis Anderson (1975-78, 3,331) has reached 3,000-yard plateau. Portis has 1,809 career yards in 23 games played. The quickest a Hurricane has reached 2,000 yards rushing is Edgerrin James (1996-98), who hit 2,121 yards in his 23rd career game.
BILETNIKOFF WINNER HELD IN CHECK FOR THIRD STRAIGHT SEASON – Pittsburgh’s All-American receiver and 2000 Biletnikoff Award winner junior Antonio Bryant has totaled nine catches for 90 yards in three all-time appearances against Miami since 1999. Bryant entered the 2001 season averaging 102 yards a game and 18 yards a catch. Most recently, Bryant was held to 39 yards on three catches in UM’s 43-21 win on Sept. 27. A Northwestern HS grad, Bryant also had four catches for 31 yards as a sophomore in 2000 and two catches for 20 yards as a freshman in 1999.
UM SURVIVES COLD WEATHER – The Hurricanes have played 40 games all-time in temperature below 55 degrees, holding a 22-18 record in such games. The temperature at kickoff for the Pittsburgh game was 48 degrees.
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.
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.
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.
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 155 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 – 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 112 consecutive games that a player from Pennsylvania has started for the Hurricanes. Martin Bibla (Moutaintop) has been the starter at right guard since the 1999 season. 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 (155) and Pennsylvania (112), Louisiana (61), New Jersey (43) and Canada (42) 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.
HURRICANE ROSTER HAS NFL GENES – Seven Hurricanes on the 2001 roster have relation to players that have been in the NFL.
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.
UM STAYS NO. 1 AT THE NFL DRAFT –During the last 15 years, Miami has produced more NFL first-round draft picks that any other college. Since 1987, the Hurricanes have had 25 first round draft picks, ahead of Ohio State (18), Florida and Florida State (17). Additionally, UM has had the most players selected in the first three rounds combined of the NFL draft (51) since 1987, five more than Florida State (44).
ROTARY GRIDIRON CLASSIC INVITES NINE HURRICANES – Nine Hurricanes were selected to represent Team Florida in the Rotary Gridiron Classic, presented by Tyco, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. The UM players invited were Bryant McKinnie (OT), Joaquin Gonzalez (OT), Edward Reed (FS), Mike Rumph (CB), Najeh Davenport (FB), Martin Bibla (OG), Daryl Jones (WR), James Lewis (SS), Chris Campbell (LB) and Robert Williams (TE). The all-star game features college seniors from around the U.S. vs. Team Florida, composed of athletes who either played college football in Florida or have other ties to the Sunshine State.
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.
