No. 1 Miami Hosts BIG EAST Rival Temple at Noon
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Oct. 31, 2001
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Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — The University of Miami (6-0, 3-0 BIG EAST), ranked No. 1 in both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ polls, plays its second consecutive home game when BIG EAST rival Temple (2-5, 1-3 BIG EAST) comes to town for a noon kickoff on Saturday, November 3 at the Orange Bowl.
In their last game, Miami defeated West Virginia, 45-3, at the Orange Bowl on Thursday, Oct. 25, in a nationally-televised game on ESPN2. Temple fell to Pittsburgh, 33-7, in Philadelphia on Saturday, Oct. 27.
In the victory over the Mountaineers, UM’s fourth straight in the series, Ken Dorsey tied the UM career record with two touchdown passes to give him 48 as a Hurricane. He is now tied with Steve Walsh and Vinny Testaverde for the top spot. Additionally, Dorsey’s top two receivers led UM as Andre Johnson caught six passes for 92 yards and one touchdown, while Jeremy Shockey caught four passes for 32 yards and a score. On the ground, UM received a boost from true-freshman tailback Frank Gore, who rushed for a team-high 124 yards on six carries with two touchdowns. Clinton Portis totaled 76 yards rushing with one touchdown.
Defensively, Edward Reed grabbed two interceptions to give him 18 for his career and sole possession of second place on the UM career list one behind leader Bennie Blades. Reed’s interceptions against West Virginia marked his fifth and sixth on the season, his fourth career multiple-interception game. He also recovered a fumble in the victory over the Mountaineers.
Coupled with Nebraska’s win over Oklahoma on Saturday, which snapped the Sooners’ 20-game win streak, Miami enters the Temple game on a national leading 16-game win streak and has won 21 of 22 dating back to 1999. UM’s last loss came Sept. 9, 2000, at Washington, 34-29, in Week 2 of the 2000 season..
Miami/Temple Series —
Miami and Temple have met 10 times since the 1930 season with the Hurricanes holding a 9-1 series advantage, including 5-0 at the Orange Bowl. Additionally, UM is 9-0 against the Owls in BIG EAST games since 1992. The lone loss to the Owls occurred in the first meeting between the two schools in 1930, 34-0, in Philadelphia. Since the two teams began playing as BIG EAST rivals in 1992, Miami has won all nine meetings by a combined score of 410-98, an average of 45.6-10.9 per game (UM +34.7). In the five games played at the Orange Bowl, UM has outscored the Owls 228-34, an average of 45.6-6.8 per game (UM +38.8).
OVER THE AIRWAVES
Television
ESPN Regional (live), CBS WFOR Channel 4 (live) and Fox Sports Net Florida (Tape Delay, Monday Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.): Dave Sims (play-by-play), Jeff Bostic (analysis) and Frank Forte (sideline).
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.
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 six games into his first season as a collegiate head coach with the No. 1-ranked Miami Hurricanes and has an overall record of 6-0, including a 3-0 mark in BIG EAST Conference play. The 6-0 record includes going 3-0 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 6-0 – Entering the Temple game, Larry Coker is 6-0 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 six 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 AND TEMPLE SERIES – Miami and Temple have met 10 times since the 1930 season with the Hurricanes holding a 9-1 series advantage, including 5-0 at the Orange Bowl. Additionally, UM is 9-0 against the Owls in BIG EAST games since 1992.
The lone loss to the Owls occurred in the first meeting between the two schools in 1930, 34-0, in Philadelphia.
TEMPLE/MIAMI OLDEST MATCH-UP ON SCHEDULE – The 1930 meeting between Miami and Temple was the first between the Hurricanes and any other opponent on the 2001 UM schedule. The second-oldest rivalry is against West Virginia (1942).
SINCE THE TEMPLE RIVALRY RENEWAL IN 1992 – Since the two teams began playing again in 1992, Miami has won all nine meetings by a combined score of 410-98, an average of 45.6-10.9 per game (UM +34.7).
In the five games played at the Orange Bowl, UM has outscored the Owls 228-34, an average of 45.6-6.8 per game (UM +38.8).
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION AGAINST TEMPLE – In Miami’s nine meetings with Temple since 1992, the Hurricanes have posted some large offensive numbers. UM is averaging 494.4 yards of total offense (208 rushing, 286.4 passing) and 24.6 first downs per game against the Owls. The average margin of victory in the nine games is 34.7 points.
MIAMI ON ESPN – Miami’s ESPN televised game against Temple marks the Hurricanes’ 41st appearance on the network (ESPN or ESPN2).
The Hurricanes first appeared on ESPN on Sept. 1, 1984, vs. Florida and holds a 31-9 (.775) record all-time on the network. UM is 109-49 (.690) on network television and 89-36 (.712) in nationally televised games.
HURRICANES AND THE NO. 1 RANKING – After a one week period ranked No. 2 by the Associated Press, the Hurricanes regained the top spot in the AP poll with their 49-27 win at Florida State on Oct. 13. The lift in ranking placed UM once again at the top of both major polls.
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 30 games all-time while holding the AP’s No. 1 ranking and have forged a 25-5 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 27 games and have recorded a 24-3 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.
CURRENT WIN STREAK IS NATION’S LONGEST – Miami enters the Temple game with the nation’s longest winning streak, having won 16 games in a row dating back to a Sept. 23 win over West Virginia (47-10). Oklahoma owned the longest win streak at 20 games prior to its loss to Nebraska last weekend.
Additionally, UM has won 13 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 13 straight BIG EAST games dating back to 1999 set a new school-best, ahead of the 12 straight conference wins 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 16 of its last 17 BIG EAST games, including the 1999 loss to the Hokies.
Additionally, the Hurricanes are 21-1 in their last 22 games played, including bowls. The lone loss was at Washington, 34-29, in the second week of 2000. Additionally, UM has won 24 of its last 26 games dating back to its 31-21 loss at Florida State in 1999.
HURRICANES THRIVE IN MIDSEASON – Since the 1983 season, UM has gone a combined 52-3 in games’ 6-7-8. Since 1995, Larry Coker’s first at UM as an assistant, the Hurricanes have gone 18-1 in games’ 6-8. Within the 52-3 mark, UM is 17-2 in game six, 17-1 in game seven and 18-0 in game eight.
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.
CAPSHAW CHOSEN A RAY GUY AWARD FINALIST – The Greater Augusta Sports Council has announced the top 10 finalists, including UM junior Freddie Capshaw, for the second annual Ray Guy Award recognizing the nation’s top collegiate punter. The winner is chosen during the ESPN Awards show on Dec. 6.
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 269 points over its first six games, which narrowly places second to last year’s 273 points after six games played.
Miami has scored 149 points in its first three BIG EAST games this season (61 vs. Rutgers, 43 at Pittsburgh, 45 vs. West Virginia), which places second all-time at UM to the 2000 team’s 156 points vs. West Virginia (47), Rutgers (64) and Temple (45).
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.
SCORING BY QUARTERS – Over the first six games of the season UM has outscored its opponents 269-65. The total includes a 135-30 advantage in the first half and 134-35 mark in the second half.
In the first half, UM has outscored its opponents 71-17 in the first quarter and 64-13 in the second. Miami’s top figure is a 93-7 advantage in the third quarter. The fourth quarter has the UM holding the edge 41-28.
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 28 offensive touchdowns is two minutes. Additionally, a total of 19 of UM’s 28 offensive touchdowns were scored in under 2:30 minutes of drive time.
Against West Virginia, UM scored three of five offensive touchdowns at 1:46 or under.
100-YARD GAMES IN 2001 – Miami players have recorded six 100-yard games on the season, three rushing and three receiving.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TURNOVERS – On the season, Miami has recorded 26 turnovers, four of which were to close out a half. Of those 22 remaining turnovers, UM has converted 104 points off 15 touchdowns.
HOLDING OPPONENTS OUT OF THE ENDZONE – The Hurricane defense has held opponents scoreless in 78 of 86 (.907) offensive drives this season.
INSIDE/OUTSIDE THE REDZONE – On the 2001 season, Miami has driven into the redzone 32 times and scored 29 times. West Virginia scored a field goal in its lone trip into the UM redzone.
Outside the redzone, the Hurricanes have totaled seven touchdowns and three field goals to 21 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 145 of 147 (.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 an 80-7 (.920) 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 148-14 (.914) when scoring first.
MIAMI WHEN SCORING 30+ POINTS – Miami has won 96 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points, since dropping a 31-30 decision at Notre Dame in 1988.
Additionally, UM has won 116 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 six touchdowns for 41 overall points non-offensively.
Against West Virginia, James Lewis returned an interception 71 yards for a touchdown.
DORSEY IN THE LATEST ESPN HEISMAN WATCH – Ken Dorsey places second in a group of 13 players receiving votes in ESPN.com’s 2001 Heisman Watch. Dorsey received 35 points, to UCLA runningback DeShaun Foster’s 38.
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.
DORSEY CAREER TOUCHDOWNS – In his three seasons at Miami, Ken Dorsey has connected with 17 different players for 48 passing touchdowns. Junior tight end Jeremy Shockey leads the current players with seven touchdown passes from Dorsey. Overall, Dorsey’s top all-time touchdown target was Reggie Wayne (12).
DORSEY CONTINUES TOUCHDOWN STREAK AGAINST WEST VIRGINIA – Ken Dorsey’s two touchdown passes against West Virginia extended his school-record streak to 22 straight games with a TD pass, including bowls.
In fact, Dorsey has thrown a touchdown in each of his 21 all-time starts. His lone appearance without a start was off the bench at Virginia Tech in 1999.
DORSEY AS A STARTER – Ken Dorsey has been the Hurricanes starter since the final three games of the 1999 season and has recorded a 20-1 overall record, not including bowl games. In those 21 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 16 games. His statistics as a starter reads 352-of-581 for 5,062 yards with 48 touchdown passes, one touchdown rush and 10 interceptions.
SHOCKEY MOVING UP THE TIGHT END CHARTS – Just six 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 seven career touchdowns ties him for third with current UM Offensive Coordinator Rob Chudzinski (88-90).
Shockey also lands at No. 8 with 587 career receiving yards.
His 43 receptions places him ninth, one behind No. 8 Randy Bethel (87-90).
PORTIS REACHING THE 2,000-YARD MARK – Clinton Portis stands 115 yards from reaching 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 1,885 career yards in 24 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.
IMPRESSIVE 10-YEAR FSU STREAK COMES TO AN END – With the Hurricanes 49-27 rout over Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium, Miami has now ended the Seminoles national-best 37-game home win streak and 54-game home unbeaten streak. FSU had not lost at home in 10 years, since a 17-16 defeat to Miami in 1991.
For the second consecutive season, Miami has been the one to end prominent FSU streaks. In 2000’s 27-24 UM win at the Orange Bowl Miami ended FSU’s then national leading 17-game win streak, 26-game regular season win streak and quarterback Chris Weinke’s 25-game win streak as the starter.
Against The Sunshine State – Miami has won 16 of its last 24 games against teams from the state of Florida since the 1985 season. Most recently, UM defeated Florida State in Tallahassee 49-27 on Oct. 13. Last season, UM defeated FSU (27-24) in the Orange Bowl and Florida (37-20) in the Nokia Sugar Bowl.
THORN IN FSU’S SIDE – Eight of Florida State’s last 18 losses, dating back to 1987, have been delivered by the Hurricanes. The eight wins are the most by any team in the nation versus Florida State over the last 14 seasons. Miami is one of only two schools to defeat the Seminoles more than once since 1987 (4 – Florida). In addition, FSU has had eight one-loss seasons since 1987 with five of the losses at the hands of the Hurricanes.
ATTENDANCE RECORD – The attendance of 82,836 was the second-largest at Doak Campbell Stadium, behind the 83,042 that came to see Florida in 2000. Additionally, the attendance also ranks 7th for the largest crowds ever to see a UM game. This season’s 109,313 at Penn State was the largest crowd to ever watch the Hurricanes – as well as the largest in the NCAA outside of Michigan’s Ann Arbor Stadium figures.
MIAMI AGAINST FIRST-YEAR COACHES – Miami has won its last six games against schools with first-year coaches and holds a 7-1 record since 1995. West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez was the second first-year coach the Hurricanes have played this season (Rutgers Greg Schiano). Overall, UM has won 29 of its last 30 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.
PLAYING ON THURSDAY NIGHTS – With its 45-3 win over West Virginia, Miami moves to 6-1 all-time in games played on Thursdays. Additionally, UM is 5-1 ESPN-televised Thursday night games.
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 156 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 113 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 (156) and Pennsylvania (113), Louisiana (62), New Jersey (44) and Canada (43) 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.
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.
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 W. 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.
MIAMI AND TEMPLE SERIES – Miami and Temple have met 10 times since the 1930 season with the Hurricanes holding a 9-1 series advantage, including 5-0 at the Orange Bowl. Additionally, UM is 9-0 against the Owls in BIG EAST games since 1992.
The lone loss to the Owls occurred in the first meeting between the two schools in 1930, 34-0, in Philadelphia.
TEMPLE/MIAMI OLDEST MATCH-UP ON SCHEDULE – The 1930 meeting between Miami and Temple was the first between the Hurricanes and any other opponent on the 2001 UM schedule. The second-oldest rivalry is against West Virginia (1942).
SINCE THE TEMPLE RIVALRY RENEWAL IN 1992 – Since the two teams began playing again in 1992, Miami has won all nine meetings by a combined score of 410-98, an average of 45.6-10.9 per game (UM +34.7).
In the five games played at the Orange Bowl, UM has outscored the Owls 228-34, an average of 45.6-6.8 per game (UM +38.8).
HURRICANES THRIVE IN MIDSEASON – Since the 1983 season, UM has gone a combined 52-3 in games’ 6-7-8. Since 1995, Larry Coker’s first at UM as an assistant, the Hurricanes have gone 18-1 in games’ 6-8. Within the 52-3 mark, UM is 17-2 in game six, 17-1 in game seven and 18-0 in game eight.
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.
UM BEGAN 2001 NO. 2 IN POLLS – Miami received a preseason No. 2 national ranking by both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll. Miami’s No. 2 ranking in the AP preseason poll is the highest since holding down the No. 1 ranking at the start of the 1992 season. The No. 2 ranking in the Coaches’ Poll marks the highest UM has been since starting 1990 No. 1. UM will also face three opponents who are preseason ranked (Washington, FSU and Virginia Tech).
In the AP Poll, the Hurricanes begin the season ranked among the top 10 for the sixth time in 11 seasons, and begin among the top five for the fifth time since 1991.
In the Coaches’ Poll, the Hurricanes begin the season ranked among the top 10 for the sixth time in 11 seasons. Additionally, the 2001 season marks the sixth time in the last 11 years that UM, FSU and UF have begun the season together in the top 10. The top 10 ranking marks the second such preseason ranking for UM since 1994 as the Hurricanes were ranked sixth to begin the 2000 season.
Miami vs. AP-ranked teams –
Miami is 65-98-1 against AP-ranked teams since playing No. 18 Alabama in 1941. Miami is 32-52 against AP-ranked top-10 teams since playing No. 6 Alabama in 1947. Miami is 18-31 against AP-ranked top-5 teams since playing No. 3 Maryland in 1953. Miami’s victory over No. 1 Florida State on Oct. 7 extended the Hurricanes record to 9-7 against No. 1-ranked teams. Of those 16 meetings with No. 1, six of the last eight have been against FSU.
Miami’s AP Rank –
UM is 193-40-2 all-time in games while holding a national ranking. Since 1983, Miami is 127-20 as a top 10 team and 99-12 as a top five team. The Hurricanes are 25-5 as the nation’s No.1-ranked team. UM last defeated West Virginia, in game No. 6 while holding the AP top spot. Additionally, Miami has won 15 of its last 16 games ranked No. 1. Prior to this season’s #1 ranking, UM was last No. 1 on Dec. 6, 1992.
MIAMI EARNS ITS HIGHEST PRESEASON RANKING SINCE 1992 – Miami’s No. 2 preseason ranking by the Associated Press is UM’s highest season-opening rank since 1992’s No. 1 AP ranking. UM has been ranked in the AP preseason poll 22 times. Since 1983 (19 seasons), UM has been preseason ranked by AP 16 times.
