Notes On The Rose Bowl
Dec. 14, 2001
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MIAMI HEADS TO THE ROSE BOWL – For the first time in league history the BIG EAST Conference will send a member to the Rose Bowl. The 2001 BCS title game appearance by the Hurricanes marks the league’s second all-time appearance in this game (Virginia Tech, 1999 Sugar Bowl vs. FSU) since the BCS format began in 1998. Miami is 15-12 all-time in 27 bowl appearances dating back 68 years ago to the 1934 Palm Festival (1933 season). In the most recent clip of bowl games, since 1980, Miami has an 11-6 bowl record. Miami is currently riding a four-game bowl win streak since 1996. Additionally, UM has been to a bowl game in 17 of the last 19 seasons since 1983, including five Orange Bowls, Four Sugar Bowls, three Fiesta Bowls, one Cotton Bowl and one Rose Bowl.
In its last bowl appearance BIG EAST champion Miami defeated SEC champion Florida, 37-20, in the 2001 Nokia Sugar Bowl to remain undefeated in bowls during the Butch Davis era. The 2001 Sugar Bowl marked a return to a major New Years bowl game for the Hurricanes since their 1994 Orange Bowl appearance. Miami’s four National Championships came in the Orange Bowl (1983, 1987, 1991) and Sugar Bowl (1989).
MIAMI VS. NEBRASKA SERIES – In the postseason, Miami and Nebraska have met five times with the Hurricanes holding the 3-2 advantage. Overall, the two schools have played nine times since the 1951 season with the Cornhuskers holding a 5-4 edge. Additionally, Miami has won three of the last four meetings with the Cornhuskers since its notable 31-30 Orange Bowl Classic victory that produced UM’s first National Championship. In the two schools last meeting, the 1995 Orange Bowl Classic (’94 season), Nebraska came out on top 24-17 for its first title under former coach Tom Osborne. In the pre-BCS days the Big Eight champion was designated to play in the Orange Bowl. In Bowl games, UM has outscored Nebraska 127-93 (25.4 – 18.6, 6.8 points). The Hurricanes have outscored Nebraska 187-168 over the nine meetings with a 20.8 – 18.7 (2.1 points) per game advantage.
MIAMI WINS 2001 BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP OUTRIGHT – Miami’s 26-24 victory over Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium concluded a 7-0 record in BIG EAST play this season and marked the Hurricanes six conference title since 1991 and second consecutive (1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000 and 2001). The 7-0 record by Miami is the fifth time that the BIG EAST champion has went undefeated since league play began in 1993, three of which were by the Hurricanes.
HURRICANES JOIN ELITE BOWL CLUB – With its 2002 Rose Bowl bid, Miami is now the sixth all-time school to have participated in all “five” New Year’s Day games. The Cotton Bowl was previously considered one of the major New Year’s Day games until the BCS format began in 1998. The Hurricanes join Nebraska, Tennessee, Penn State, Notre Dame and Ohio State in the elite six. Only Penn State and Notre Dame have won games in all five bowls.
HEAD COACH LARRY COKER – Larry Coker’s top-ranked Miami Hurricanes have completed an 11-0 undefeated regular season during his first year as a collegiate head coach. His 11-0 mark during his rookie season includes a 7-0 record in BIG EAST Conference games, along with a 6-0 mark at the Orange Bowl and a 5-0 record on the road.
Prior to becoming Miami’s 19th head football coach, Coker served under Butch Davis as the Hurricanes’ 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 were 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.
LARRY COKER IS THE FIRST ROOKIE TO GO 11-0 AT MIAMI – Entering the Rose Bowl game Larry Coker is 11-0 as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes in his first season at the helm. Coker is the only UM coach to remain undefeated entering the bowl game in his first season. The previous high was an 8-0 start by Howard Buck with the inaugural Hurricanes in 1926. In the modern era, Dennis Erickson went 11-1 in his first season in 1989 and won the National Championship over Alabama, 33-25, in the Sugar Bowl. Erickson’s loss came in game No. 7 in 1989.
LARRY COKER SHOOTS FOR OOSTERBAAN’S MARK – In 1948, the Michigan Wolverines went 9-0 and were named Associated Press National Champions under the tutelage of first-year collegiate head coach Bennie G. Oosterbaan. Larry Coker is in position to become the first rookie collegiate head coach to accomplish that feat in the last 53 years.
MIAMI WAS TEAM OF THE 80’S, NOW TEAM OF 2000’S – The Hurricanes .955 winning percentage (21-1) over the past two seasons is the highest in the NCAA. Oklahoma (22-2) comes in at No. 2 with a .917 winning percentage. Miami’s 2002 Rose Bowl opponent Nebraska is the third-best program of the 2000’s with a .870 (20-3) winning percentage. Oregon and Toledo (19-3, .864) round out the top five. In the 1980’s, Miami was regarded the team of the decade with a three National Championships in 1983, 1987 and 1989 (the fourth was in 1991). Nebraska and Florida State fought for the team of the 1990’s title with two NCAA titles apiece and win totals over 100 games, respectively.
MIAMI AND 10-WIN SEASONS – Miami enters the Rose Bowl with an 11-0 record. The double-digit win total marks the Hurricanes’ 12th since the 1983 season and second consecutive. Miami has had at least 11 wins nine times since 1983. Miami has won 12 games twice, both undefeated 12-0 National Championship seasons (1987 and 1991).
MIAMI RIDES 21-GAME WIN STREAK INTO ROSE BOWL – Miami enters the Rose Bowl game with the nation’s longest win streak, having won 21 games in a row dating back to a 47-10 victory at West Virginia on Sept. 23, 2000.
Miami is 26-1 in its last 27 games played, including bowls. The lone defeat came at Washington, 34-29, last season in week two. Additionally, UM has won 29 of 31 games dating back to its 31-28 victory at Boston College in 1999.
ROAD WIN STREAK AT 10 GAMES – Miami has won 10 straight games, including the 2001 Sugar Bowl, and nine regular season games away from the Orange Bowl, dating back to a 47-10 win at West Virginia on Sept. 23, 2000.
The current regular season road win streak is the longest at UM since winning 14-straight from 1990-93. Including the bowls, UM last won 14-straight from 1990-92.
MIAMI IS THE BCS NO. 1 – The two final BCS polls heading into bowl games had Miami ranked No. 1 overall, as well as the top-ranked team in each of the eight individual computer rankings. The BCS No. 1 ranking is Miami’s first since the format began in 1998, as well as the Hurricanes first atop each of computer rankings.
EVERY VOTE IS WITH MIAMI – For the first time all season, Miami has received EVERY first-place vote while remaining top-ranked in each of the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ polls. Along with its BCS and eight computer No. 1 rankings, the final regular season polls marks the first time this season Miami has swept EVERY vote.
ON BEING THE “CONSENSUS” NO. 1 – The Hurricanes have been the consensus No. 1 in both major polls 11 times this season out of a possible 16 polls. On three separate occasions in 2001, the Hurricanes dropped and regain their consensus status after slipping a spot the week prior in one of the two polls.
The last time Miami regained the consensus standing, was following the 59-0 defeat of Syracuse on Nov. 17, which allowed the AP No. 1 Hurricanes to regain the Coaches No. 1 ranking the following day.
The second time Miami regained the consensus No. 1 ranking was following the 49-27 victory at Florida State on Oct. 13, which allowed the Coaches’ No. 1 Hurricanes to regain the AP No. 1 ranking the following day. AP No. 1 Florida lost at Auburn that same weekend.
The first time UM was named consensus in both polls this season was following the Hurricanes 61-0 shutout over Rutgers at the Orange Bowl on Sept. 8. AP No. 1 Miami had defeated Penn State on the road in the season-opener and coupled with the Rutgers shutout were able to take the Coaches’ poll as well.
The consensus No. 1 ranking first received on Sept. 9 ended a string of 3,200 days (458 weeks) since Miami was last the nation’s consensus No. 1. Prior to 2001, the last time both polls had Miami at No. 1 was on Dec. 6, 1992.
THE AP AND COACHES HAVE MIAMI NO. 1 – The Associated Press has now ranked Miami No. 1 for the last nine weeks and 13 of 16 polls this season. Miami has been No. 1 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll for the last three weeks and 12 of 16 polls.
Miami began the season ranked No. 2 by the AP and remained at that position till the Sept. 2 poll. UM dropped to No. 2 on Oct. 7 after a 38-7 win over Troy State, coupled with a Florida win at LSU.
The USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll dropped to No. 2 on Nov. 11 after an 18-7 win at Boston College, coupled with a Nebraska win over Kansas State.
WHILE HOLDING THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NO. 1 RANKING – The Hurricanes have played in 35 games all-time while holding the AP’s No. 1 ranking and have forged a 30-5 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 32 games and has recorded a 29-3 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.
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR RANDY SHANNON WINS BROYLES AWARD – First-year defensive coordinator Randy Shannon was named the winner of the sixth-annual Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant football coach. Shannon was selected over five other finalists: Florida receivers coach Dwayne Dixon, LSU offensive coordinator-quarterbacks coach Jimbo Fisher, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator-inside linebackers coach Bud Foster, Fresno State offensive coordinator-quarterbacks coach Andy Ludwig and Texas defensive coordinator Carl Reese. The award is named in honor of the Arkansas athletic director and former Razorback football coach.
Shannon was a player with the Hurricanes from 1985-88 then following his professional career with the Dallas Cowboys returned to UM from 1991-97 as a coach before heading to the Miami Dolphins coaching staff (1998-2000).
Under Shannon, Miami has the No. 1-rated scoring defense allowing just 9.36 points per game, ahead of No. 2 Virginia Tech (13.4) by four points. The defense has blossomed into one of the Nation’s stingiest with the No. 2-ranked pass defense (138.18 ypg) and the No. 1 overall pass efficiency defense (75.60 rating). Overall, the unit is ranked sixth nationally (270.9 ypg). The Hurricanes have also recorded the most takeaways this season (45), nine more than No. 2 Fresno State (36), including a national-best 27 interceptions.
KEN DORSEY FINISHES THIRD IN HEISMAN VOTING – Ken Dorsey finished with 638 overall votes, including 109 first-place votes, to place third behind Eric Crouch (770) and Rex Grossman (708). Bryant McKinnie placed eighth in the Heisman balloting with 116 votes. Regionally, four different players claimed highs, with Dorsey winning the Northeast region. The Hurricanes also placed two players among the Heisman’s top 10 in 1992 when Gino Torretta won and Micheal Barrow finished 7th.
KEN DORSEY WINS MAXWELL AWARD – Ken Dorsey was named the recipient of the 2001 Maxwell Award, recognizing the best all-around football player in the nation, voted on by Division I-A coaches, the Football Writers Association of America and members of the Philadelphia-based Maxwell Football Club. Dorsey joins former UM quarterbacks Gino Torretta (1992) and Vinny Testaverde (1986) as winners of the Maxwell Award. Bernie Kosar (1984) and Steve Walsh (1988) was finalist for the award.
BRYANT McKINNIE WINS OUTLAND TROPHY – Bryant McKinnie was named the recipient of the 2001 Outland Trophy, recognizing the top interior lineman in college football, voted on by the Football Writers Association of America. McKinnie joins former UM defensive tackle Russell Maryland (1990) as winners of the Outland Trophy. McKinnie is regarded as the top offensive lineman in college football and has been named a First-Team All-American by every publication.
JOAQUIN GONZALEZ FOLLOWS UP POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WITH THE “ACADEMIC” HEISMAN – Senior offensive tackle Joaquin Gonzalez was named the winner of the “Academic Heisman,” the HealthSouth Draddy Award, in a ceremony honoring 16 national scholar-athletes at the National Football Foundation’s 44th Annual Awards dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on Dec. 11. The HealthSouth Draddy Award, known as the “Academic Heisman,” is the ultimate honor a college football scholar-athlete can achieve. With the honor, Gonzalez joins an elite list of previous winners including Peyton Manning of Tennessee (1997), Danny Wuerffel of Florida (1996), and Kyle Vanden Bosch of Nebraska (2000). The Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy provides the winner with a $25,000 scholarship towards postgraduate study.
At the start of the season, Gonzalez was named to the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Team and will be awarded an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship.
One of the nation’s top offensive tackles and a major factor in an offensive line that yielded only five quarterback sacks over the span of the 2000 and 2001 football seasons, Gonzalez epitomizes the term “scholar-athlete.” The 6-foot-6, 298-pound Dean’s List member is a three-time Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Team member, being named to the First Team in 2000. Gonzalez is a three-time BIG EAST Academic All-Conference selection and was an Iron Arrow inductee in 2000 (the highest academic honor bestowed to any UM student or staff member). He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in May of 2001. Athletically, Gonzalez’s accomplishments are equally impressive. The Football Writers Association named him First Team All-America two times, in 2000 and 2001, and he has been named a second-team All-American numerous times. Gonzalez was selected to the First Team All-BIG EAST in both 2000 and 2001 and was the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year in 1998 – the first recipient of the award to earn All-Conference Academic honors in the same season. Gonzalez is extremely active in the community as well, serving as a motivational speaker at local elementary schools and participating in the “Read To Win” program.
HURRICANES NEARLY SWEEP BIG EAST AWARDS, WHILE RECORD NUMBER MAKE ALL-CONFERENCE – Not only did Miami garner four of five of the BIG EAST individual awards, as voted on by the coaches, it set records with the volume of players named to All-BIG EAST teams. Ken Dorsey was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year with Boston College All-American runningback William Green. Edward Reed was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year with Syracuse All-American defensive end Dwight Freeney. Phillip Buchanon was named Special Teams Player of the Year, while Head Coach Larry Coker earned BIG EAST Coach of the Year. Virginia Tech’s Kevin Jones was named Rookie of the Year. It is the third time in league history (2001, 2000 and 1991) that the Hurricanes have captured four individual awards.
Miami had 14 players on the first team and four on the second team. The 18 players overall and 14 first-team choices are both BIG EAST records.
Miami All-BIG EAST First Team: Bryant McKinnie (OT), Martin Bibla (OG), Brett Romberg (C), Joaquin Gonzalez (OT), Jeremy Shockey (TE), Ken Dorsey (QB), Clinton Portis (RB), Todd Sievers (K), Phillip Buchanon (PR), Jerome McDougle (DE), Jonathan Vilma (LB), Phillip Buchanon (CB), Edward Reed (FS) and Freddie Capshaw (P). McKinnie, Shockey, Dorsey, Portis, Sievers and Reed were all unanimous selections.
Miami All-BIG EAST Second Team: Andre Johnson (WR), Sherko Haji-Rasouli (OG), William Joseph (DT) and Mike Rumph (CB).
JOAQUIN 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.
WALTER CAMP FOUNDATION NAMES EDWARD REED AND BRYANT McKINNIE ALL-AMERICAN – Senior free safety Edward Reed and senior offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie have been named to the 2001 Walter Camp Foundation All-American Team. The 2002 UM tandem mark the second consecutive year two Hurricanes grace the list, Dan Morgan and Santana Moss in 2000. A total of 21 Hurricanes have made Walter Camp All-American all-time with 2001 marking the seventh time multiple players from UM have made the list in a single season.
KEN DORSEY FINISHES THIRD IN ASSOCIATED PRESS PLAYER OF THE YEAR BALLOTING, BRYANT McKINNIE FIFTH – Ken Dorsey finished three votes shy to Florida’s sophomore quarterback Rex Grossman in finishing second in the most recent Associated Press Player of the Year balloting. Bryant McKinnie finished in a tie for fifth with Indiana All-America quarterback Antwaan Randle El.
ASSOCIATED PRESS NAMES SEVERAL HURRICANES TO ALL-AMERICA LIST – The Associated Press has named senior free safety Edward Reed and senior offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie to its All-America first-team. The honor marks the second straight season for Reed and the first two-time winner from Miami since Bennie Blades in 1986 and 1987. Along with Reed, Oklahoma’s Rocky Calmus and Tennessee’s John Henderson are the only repeat AP first-team picks from last season.
The second-team lists four Hurricanes in Ken Dorsey (QB), Jeremy Shockey (TE), Todd Sievers (PK) and Phillip Buchanon (CB). On the third-team were Clinton Portis (RB), Martin Bibla (OG), William Joseph (DT) and Jerome McDougle (DE).
The 10 overall players selected from Miami for the three AP teams were the most of any school, ahead of Florida (6). The Gators led all schools with four first-team picks, while the Hurricanes had the most second (4) and third (4) team selections.
FOOTBALL NEWS NAMES EDWARD REED DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Senior free safety Edward Reed was named the 2001 Football News Defensive Player of the Year. Reed, who led the nation’s top scoring defense with an NCAA-best nine interceptions, earned the honor over Oklahoma safety Roy Williams, linebackers Robert Thomas of UCLA and E.J. Henderson of Maryland, and Syracuse defensive end Dwight Freeney. Reed finished the regular season as the Miami career interceptions leader with 21, eclipsing the old UM mark of 19 set by Bennie Blades (1983-87). The St. Rose, La., product also has notched consensus First-Team All-American honors for the second consecutive season.
BRYANT McKINNIE, EDWARD REED AMONG FOOTBALL NEWS FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICANS – Bryant McKinnie and Edward Reed have been named First-Team All-Americans by Football News magazine. This marks McKinnie’s second straight season on FN’s All-Amerca first-team. Reed is making his first appearance on the FN All-America team. Additionally, Joaquin Gonzalez was named to the publication’s third-team.
McKINNIE NAMED FOOTBALL NEWS BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR, 10 MAKE ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM – The University of Miami placed 10 players on the Football News All-BIG EAST Team, the most of any conference school. Additionally, offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie was named FN’s BIG EAST Conference Player of the Year. Miami placed a league-high seven players on FN’s All-BIG EAST offense team, with three making the defense team. The offensive selections were Ken Dorsey (QB), Andre Johnson (WR), Jeremy Shockey (TE), Bryant McKinnie (OL), Martin Bibla (OL), Joaquin Gonzalez (OL) and Todd Sievers (K). The defensive selections were Chris Campbell (LB), Phillip Buchanon (DB) and Edward Reed (DB).
FOOTBALL WRITERS (FWAA) NAME EDWARD REED, BRYANT McKINNIE AND JOAQUIN GONZALEZ TO ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM – Miami and Florida each placed three players on the Football Writers Association of America All-America football team. The top-ranked Hurricanes placed defensive back Edward Reed and offensive tackles Bryant McKinnie and Joaquin Gonzalez on the 25-man team, which has been selected every year since 1944. Reed and Gonzalez are repeating All-Americas from the 2000 team.
Florida had Mike Pearson (OT), Jabar Gafney (WR) and Alex Brown (DE). Tennessee and Oklahoma each placed two players on the team. Players from nine conferences are represented on the team, which is selected by the nine-person FWAA All-America committee.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION (AFCA) NAME EDWARD REED AND BRYANT McKINNIE ALL-AMERICAN – Senior free safety Edward Reed and senior offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie have been named to the 2001 AFCA Coaches’ All-America Team, as announced by the American Football Coaches Association.
McKINNIE SELECTED CNNSI PLAYER OF THE YEAR, SEVERAL MAKE ALL-AMERICAN – Senior offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie has been named College Football’s National Player of the Year by CNNSI.com as he led a quartet of Hurricanes who earned First-Team All-America honors, the news service announced Tuesday.
Senior offensive tackle Joaquin Gonzalez, senior free safety Edward Reed, junior placekicker Todd Sievers and junior tight end Jeremy Shockey also made the service’s First-Team All-America squad.
SEVEN HURRICANES LEAD WAY ON CBS SPORTSLINE ALL-AMERICA TEAM – Four Hurricanes, Bryant McKinnie, Brett Romberg, Phillip Buchanon and Edward Reed were named to CBS Sportsline’s All-America first-team, while Jeremy Shockey, Joaquin Gonzalez and Todd Sievers were named to the second-team. The seven overall selections lead the nation, ahead of four other schools with three each (Nebraska, Fresno State, Florida and Colorado).
SEVERAL HURRICANES TOP THE SPORTING NEWS ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM – The Sporting News has announced the University of Miami head football coach Larry Coker has been named its BIG EAST Coach of the Year, along with rookie running back Frank Gore as Freshman of the Year. The Hurricanes 18-7 victory at Boston College was tabbed as TSN’s BIG EAST Game of the Year. Boston College’s All-America running back William Green was chosen the publications’ Player of the Year.
TSN also announced that 13 Hurricanes were selected to its All-BIG EAST squad, seven on offense, three on defense and three on special teams. The offensive selections were Bryant McKinnie (OT), Brett Romberg (C), Martin Bibla (OG), Joaquin Gonzalez (OT), Jeremy Shockey (TE), Ken Dorsey (QB) and Andre Johnson (WR). The defensive picks were Mike Rumph (CB), Phillip Buchanon (CB) and Edward Reed (FS). On special teams were Todd Sievers (K), Freddie Capshaw (P) and Buchanon (PR).
ABC SPORTS ONLINE TABS EIGHT HURRICANES FOR ALL-AMERICAN – Eight players from the top-ranked and Rose Bowl-bound Miami Hurricanes were recently named to the ABC Sports Online All-America first and second teams.
Highlighting first-team honors were offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie and defensive backs Edward Reed (FS) and Phillip Buchanon (CB).
ABC Sports Online All-American second-team selections were Ken Dorsey (QB), Jeremy Shockey (TE), Joaquin Gonzalez (OT), Martin Bibla (OG) on offense and William Joseph (DT) on defense.
CLASS OF 2001 PLAYS FINAL REGULAR SEASON GAME – The Hurricanes class of 2001 consists of a total of 12 players (three seniors and nine redshirt seniors). Eight enrolled in 1997, three in 1998 and one in 1999. The player breakdown is eight offensive and four defensive. Every player on the team who will have exhausted his eligibility at the end of the 2001 football season is on pace to receive a diploma no later than the end of summer, 2002. Four members of this senior class already have earned undergraduate degrees – Joaquin Gonzalez, Daryl Jones, Edward Reed and Robert Williams. Gonzalez and Williams are slated to receive their MBA diplomas in May, 2002.
This senior class is one of the most accomplished in Miami history – both on the field and in the classroom. Eight members of this senior class (Martin Bibla, Najeh Davenport, Markese Fitzgerald, Joaquin Gonzalez, Daryl Jones, Scott Puckett, Edward Reed and Robert Williams) either have graduated with their bachelor’s degrees or will have graduated by the end of the current fall semester. The other four members of the senior class (Chris Campbell, James Lewis, Bryant McKinnie and Mike Rumph) are on schedule to receive their degrees by the end of the Summer 2002 semester.
2001 CAPTAINS – Ken Dorsey (QB), Najeh Davenport (FB), Joaquin Gonzalez (OT), Matt Walters (DT) and Edward Reed (FS) were this season’s team captains announced for the Troy State game. The special teams captain for the 2001 season was Freddie Capshaw (P).
UM STANDS TALL IN THE BIG EAST – In its 11th season of competition in the BIG EAST, Miami has forged a league-best 59-10 (.855) conference record. The Hurricanes’ six BIG EAST titles are also a league-best, ahead of Syracuse (3), Virginia Tech (3) and West Virginia (1).
MIAMI ENDS REGULAR SEASON WITH BIG EAST-RECORD 17 STRAIGHT LEAGUE WINS – The 26-24 win over Virginia Tech marked UM’s 17th BIG EAST consecutive conference victory since a 55-0 defeat of Rutgers on Nov. 20, 1999. UM has also won 20 of its last 21 BIG EAST games, including a 1999 loss to Virginia Tech.
ORANGE BOWL WIN STREAK AT 16 GAMES HEADING INTO 2002 – Miami will enter next seasons’ home-opener with a 16-game Orange Bowl win streak dating back to a 28-20 win over West Virginia on Oct. 30, 1999. The current home win streak, which is currently second nationally, is UM’s longest since its NCAA-record 58-game win streak from 1985-94.
DEFENSE NOT ALLOWING POINTS – The defense has allowed its opponents to score 103 points over 11 games (9.36 per game) during the regular season.
At the Orange Bowl, the defense allowed just 17 points in six games for a 2.8-per game average. Troy State and Washington each scored a touchdown, while West Virginia hit a field goal. Rutgers, Temple and Syracuse were each shut out.
2001 HURRICANES AMONG THE BEST ALL-TIME AT MIAMI – The 2001 Hurricanes completed the regular season with statistics that would place them among the best teams since UM emerged on the national scene in the early 1980’s. UM’ s per game scoring (43.2) and margin of victory (33.8) are the top team figures in this era, while points allowed (9.4) places second to the 1991 Hurricanes (8.3).
DEFENSE RECORDS THREE SHUTOUTS AND NEARLY FIVE MORE – The three shutouts recorded this season are the most in a single year since the 1956 season when Andy Gustafson’s team also had three. The most in a single year is six, set during the inaugural 1926 season. Overall, Miami let up a touchdown or less in eight of 11 games this season. Along with the shutouts of Rutgers, Temple and Syracuse, West Virginia had just three points, followed by seven from Penn State, Troy State, Boston College and Washington.
DEFENSE GETS HIGH RANKINGS NATIONALLY – Most notably, the Hurricane defense leads the nation in scoring defense, allowing 9.36 points per game. The No. 2 team in scoring defense, Virginia Tech, allowed 13.4 points per game.
Overall, the total defense places sixth nationally (270.91 ypg), balanced by the NCAA’s No. 2 pass defense (138.18 ypg) and No. 40 rush defense (132.7 ypg).
Miami leads the nation in turnover margin at +2.36 per game. Miami has lost the ball 19 times, but has recovered it 45 times. The NCAA-high 45 turnovers are nine more than No. 2 Fresno State and Purdue (36). The 27 interceptions on the season lead the nation, ahead of Maryland (24). The 18 fumbles recovered were recently surpassed by Hawaii (21) into the NCAA top spot.
The Hurricanes also have the nation’s top-ranked pass efficiency defense with a 75.60 rating. The No. 2 team, Nebraska, is at a 83.81 rating.
Individually, Edward Reed leads the nation in interceptions with nine. Reed re-wrote both the school and BIG EAST Conference interception records for picks and yards.
FINAL TWO HOME GAMES GO DOWN IN THE RECORD BOOKS – The Hurricanes final two home games of the 2001 season were victories against #13 Syracuse (59-0) and #12 Washington (65-7). The combined 124-7 score was the most in a two-game span for the Hurricanes all-time, the most in back-to-back games against AP?ranked teams. The 59-0 shutout over the Orangemen tied for the second-largest against an AP?ranked team, was the second-largest for Miami in BIG EAST play and tied for fifth all-time at Miami. The 65 points over Washington were the most given up by the Huskies since a 72-3 loss to California in 1921 and tied for the second-largest defeat since a 58-0 loss to Oregon in 1973.
MIAMI RE-ESTABLISHES SCHOOL SCORING RECORD – One season removed since setting a school and BIG EAST record with 469 points, the 2001 Hurricanes scored 475 points. In BIG EAST games, the 2001 Hurricanes scored 290 points, second to 2000’s 310.
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 THE HALF/QUARTER – This season, UM has outscored its opponents 475-103 (43.18-9.36). The total includes a 239-33 (21.7-3.0) advantage in the first half and a 236-70 (21.5-6.36) record during the second half. In the first half, UM has outscored its opponents 95-20 in the first quarter and 144-13 in the second. Miami’s has a 152-28 advantage in the third quarter and a 84-42 lead in the fourth.
QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE – This season, the average drive time on UM’s 49 offensive touchdowns is 2:05. Additionally, a total of 32 of UM’s 49 offensive touchdowns were scored in under 2:30 minutes of drive time.
2001 100-YARD GAMES – The Hurricanes have put together 13 100-yard games on the season, nine rushing and four receiving. Clinton Portis has led the way with eight of the 13 times, followed by Andre Johnson (3) and Frank Gore (2).
HURRICANES ARE SCORING OFF TURNOVERS – On the season, Miami has recorded 45 turnovers, six of which were to end halves. Of those 39 remaining turnovers, UM has converted 172 points (24 touchdowns and two field goals) on the ensuing drive.
HOLDING OPPONENTS OUT OF THE ENDZONE – The Hurricane defense has held opponents from scoring a touchdown in 149 of 161 (.925) offensive drives this season.
VS. RANKED/UNRANKED OPPONENTS – Since 1990, Miami has registered a 29-22 (.564) mark against Associated Press ranked teams and an 85-6 (.934) record against unranked opponents.
4TH QUARTER DOMINANCE – Over the last 16 seasons, Miami has been almost unbeatable when leading after three-quarters. Since 1985, Miami has won 150 of 152 (.987) 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 fourth quarter.
INSIDE/OUTSIDE THE REDZONE – On the 2001 season, Miami has driven into the redzone 58 times and scored 50 times (39 TD, 11 FG). Opponents have entered the UM redzone 18 times and scored 12 times (10 TD, 2 FG). Outside the redzone, Miami has totaled 10 touchdowns and 10 field goals, while opponents have just two touchdowns from outside the UM redzone.
IF MIAMI SCORES FIRST – When Miami scores first it is nearly a lock to win. Beginning with the 1983 season, the Hurricanes have gone 152-14 (.917) when scoring first.
THE HURRICANES WHEN SCORING 30 OR 31 POINTS – Miami has won 99 consecutive games when scoring 30 or higher since a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame in 1988.
Miami has won 119 consecutive games when scoring 31 or higher since falling 39-37 to UCLA in the 1985 Fiesta Bowl.
Excluding bowl games, Miami has won 132 consecutive regular season games when scoring 31 or higher since a 34-31 loss to Mississippi State in 1980.
LEADING THE NATION IN NON-OFFENSIVE SCORING – For the second straight season Miami leads the nation in non-offensive scoring with 11 touchdowns and one safety. The 11 scores and one safety have given UM 70 points.
The Hurricanes led the nation in 2000 with 13 touchdowns and 89 points coming from defense and special teams.
MIAMI LEADS THE NATION IN TAKEAWAYS AND TURNOVER MARGIN – Since the 1998 season, when the most of the UM defenders saw their first action, the Hurricanes defense has become stronger in recording the take-away. This season, the defense netted 45 turnovers.
The 45 turnovers are a NCAA-high, along with the +2.36 per game average. The 27 picks lead the nation, while the 18 fumbles recovered tie for second.
CAPSHAW AND SPECIAL TEAMS NOT ALLOWING PUNT RETURNS – This season, UM’s punt return coverage has allowed just 78 yards on 12 returns (6.5 per return). Punter Freddie Capshaw has recorded 36 punts on the season for a 41.8 average. Among his punts were eight touchbacks, three fair catches, 15 downed inside the 20 with two blocked.
FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL IN THE SAME SEASON – The Hurricanes won the 2001 National Championship at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., this past spring. In the eight-team field at the CWS was also Nebraska. Both Miami and Nebraska will be playing for the football title at the Rose Bowl, as well. The last time two schools qualified for the College World Series and the football title game in the same year was in 1996 when Florida and Florida State qualified for the CWS then played each other for the football championship at the 1997 Nokia Sugar Bowl. The last time a team won both the baseball and football championships in the same season was the 1972 Southern California Trojans.
EDWARD REED SETS MIAMI AND BIG EAST INTERCEPTION RECORDS – Edward Reed’s two interception at Virginia Tech, the 20th and 21st of his career, enabled him to surpass Bennie Blades (19, 1984-87) for the sole spot as the career record holder at Miami. The 21 career interceptions are also a BIG EAST career record ahead of West Virginia’s Aaron Beasley (18, 1992-95).
Reed’s 389 career interception yards are also a Miami and BIG EAST record. The previous Miami record was 305 by Blades, while the top mark in the conference used to belong to 341 by Beasley.
EDWARD REED HAS LED MIAMI TO 109 POINTS – For his career, Edward Reed’s play has led to 109 points for the Hurricanes. The 109 points scored can be broken down into: Punt Block – 2 TDs, 1 FG, Forced Fumble – 4 TDs, Fumble Recovered – 1 TD, INT – 7 TDs, FGs. Additionally, for his career Reed has returned four interceptions for touchdowns.
In 2001, Reed has led UM to a career-best 44 points: Fumble Recovered – 1 TD, INT – 4 TDs, 1 FG, Blocked Punt – 1 TD.
KEN DORSEY IN THE BIG EAST RECORD BOOK – Ken Dorsey finished the 2001 season totaling 58 touchdowns passing for his career. That figure, which keeps in third place on the BIG EAST career list, moves him three behind Boston College’s Glen Foley (1991-93) with 61.
His 6,196 passing yards land him at No. 8 on the career list, recently passing former Miami signal-caller Gino Torretta (1991-92, 6,155) into seventh.
Dorsey’s 58.7 completion percentage (446 of 760) land him at No. 5 all-time behind Syracuse’ Marvin Graves (60.3, 1991-93).
The 23 touchdown passes thrown in 2001 are the fourth-best in a single season. His 25 in 2000 tied for third-best.
KEN DORSEY CAREER TOUCHDOWNS – In his three seasons at Miami, Ken Dorsey has connected with 17 different players for a school-record 58 passing touchdowns. Junior tight end Jeremy Shockey and sophomore receiver Andre Johnson lead all current players with 10 Dorsey touchdowns. All-time, Dorsey’s top touchdown target was Reggie Wayne (12).
KEN DORSEY AS A STARTER – Ken Dorsey has been the Hurricanes starter since the final three games of the 1999 season and has recorded a 25-1 overall record and a 24-1 record in regular season games. In those 25 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 19 times and has had multiple touchdowns in 19 games. His statistics as a starter reads 436-of-731 for 6,107 yards with 58 touchdown passes, one touchdown rush and 15 interceptions.
CLINTON PORTIS BECOMES FIFTH PLAYER TO REACH 1,000 IN A SINGLE SEASON – Clinton Portis totaled 124 yards rushing against Virginia Tech in the regular season finale to push his season total to 1,200 on the season. Portis is the fifth player (six overall times) at Miami to reach the 1,000-yard single season plateau. The most rushing yards in a single season was Edgerrin James’ 1,416 in 1998. James is the lone UM rusher to eclipse 1,000 yards twice in his career.
CLINTON PORTIS ETCHES SCHOOL RECORDS WITH HIS 100-YARD GAMES – Clinton Portis’ 124-yard effort at Virginia Tech was his 14th career 100-yard game, tying the school-record held by Edgerrin James (1996-98). His eight 100-yard games in 2001 tie Ottis Anderson (1975-78) single-season mark. Additionally, Portis enters the Rose Bowl with five consecutive 100-yard rushing games.
CLINTON PORTIS OVER 2,000 YARDS FOR HIS CAREER – Clinton Portis became the second quickest Hurricane rusher to reach the 2,000-yard career mark with his 117 yards against Temple. The 2,000-yard plateau was reached in his 25th career game, behind Edgerrin James (23rd game). Portis is just the fifth Hurricane all-time to surpass 2,000 yards. Ottis Anderson (1975-78, 3,331) is the lone 3,000-yard rusher.
FRANK GORE MOVES UP FRESHMAN RUSHING LIST – With his 19 yards rushing at Virginia Tech, Frank Gore has 562 on the season. Gore, a true freshman, is in fourth-place all-time among freshman rushers. Clinton Portis established a freshman rushing record with 838 in 1999. James Jackson (1997) previously held the record with 595 yards rushing in his first year. In third place, ahead of Gore, is Chuck Foreman (557, 1969).
PHILLIP BUCHANON IS THE ALL-AROUND PLAYER – Cornerback Phillip Buchanon was named a finalist for the Mosi Tatupu Special Teams Award. The junior leads the BIG EAST and places second nationally with 16.69 yards per punt return. His 464 punt return yards on the season place fourth all-time at Miami and falls in at No. 8 on the single season BIG EAST list.
Buchanon has scored two touchdowns this season, one off a punt return and one on an interception return. Defensively, Buchanon was named BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Year and is currently tied for 16th nationally with .45 INT’s per game on five picks. Against Syracuse, Buchanon scored on a 76-yard interception return, recorded a sack for a loss of 17 yards and recovered one fumble.
JEREMY SHOCKEY MOVING UP THE TIGHT END CHARTS – In his second season with the Hurricanes and first as the starter, tight end Jeremy Shockey has become one of the more prolific players at that position since the 1979 season. Shockey’s 10 career touchdowns tie him for second. He ranks No. 6 in both receptions and receiving yards with 61 for 815.
TODD SIEVERS KICKS WAY INTO THE RECORD BOOKS – Todd Sievers enters the Rose Bowl sixth all-time among kickers at UM with 204 points scored. He also ranks fifth all-time with his 108 extra-point kicks and sixth with 32 career field goals.
His 119 points scored, 56 extra points and 21 field goals are all single season records. He shares the field goal record with Carlos Huerta (1988). His 119 points is the most by a BIG EAST kicker in a single season, as well. His 204 career points land him at No. 8 on the BIG EAST career list.
Sievers (Ankeny, IA) lettered in his freshman season in 1998, becoming the first player from the state of Iowa to letter at Miami since fullback Tom Smith (Waterloo, IA, 1971-72). Additionally, Smith and Sievers are the only two players from Iowa ever to letter at Miami. Joe Carlstrom (DT, 1951, Iowa City) played in limited action after serving in the armed forces, but did not letter.
LONE STAR STATE SHINES AT MIAMI – Chris Campbell’s (Mt. Pleasant) start against Syracuse extended a string of 161 consecutive games since 1988 that a resident of Texas has been in the starting line-up. Then-freshman Charles Pharms (Houston) began the streak that started in 1988’s sixth game against Cincinnati.
PENNSYLVANIA HAS ITS OWN STREAK – Martin Bibla’s (Moutaintop) start against Syracuse extended a string of 118 consecutive games since 1992 that a player from Pennsylvania has been in the starting line-up. Center Tirrell Greene (Pittsburgh) began the streak at the start of the 1992 season.
LOUISIANA, NEW JERSEY AND CANADA – Other than Florida, Texas (161) and Pennsylvania (118), Louisiana (67), New Jersey (49) and Canada (48) have current long streaks of having a player from that region start heading into the Washington game.
Edward Reed has continued the Bayou State’s string of 65 games dating back to the days of J. Ina (1993-96, Franklin), Eugene Ridgley (1994-97, Marrero) and Reggie Wayne (1997-00, Marrero).
Bryant McKinnie (Woodbury), James Lewis (Piscataway) and Jamaal Green (Camden) have extended the Garden State’s string of 47 consecutive games since Matt Sweeney (1996-99, Lafayette) played at Miami.
Brett Romberg (Toronto) has extended Canada’s streak of having a starter at UM to 46 games dating back to Richard Mercier (1995-99, Montreal)
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 in the first three rounds by the NFL. Since 1987, no other game played during the 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 ROSTER HAS NFL GENES – Seven Hurricanes on the 2001 roster have relation to players that have been in the NFL.
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).
Miami vs. AP-ranked teams –
— Miami is 68-98-1 vs. AP-ranked teams since its first game against a ranked opponent in No. 18 Alabama in 1941.
— Miami is 32-52 vs. AP top-10 teams since playing No. 6 Alabama in 1947.
— Miami is 18-31 against AP top-5 teams since playing No. 3 Maryland in 1953.
— Miami’s victory over No. 1 Florida State on Oct. 7, 2000 extended the UM’s record to 9-7 against No. 1-ranked teams. Of those 16 meetings with No. 1, six of the past eight were against FSU.
Miami’s AP Rank –
— UM is 198-40-2 all-time in games while holding an AP national ranking. Since 1983, Miami is 132-20 as a top 10 team and 104-12 as a top five team.
— The Hurricanes are 30-5 as the nation’s No.1-ranked team. UM last defeated Virginia Tech, in game No. 11 while holding the AP top spot. Additionally, Miami has won 20 of its last 21 while ranked No. 1.
— Prior to this season’s No. 1 ranking, UM was last No. 1 on Dec. 6, 1992.
