Jan 1, 2002
By RICHARD ROSENBLATT
AP Football Writer
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) – Ken Dorsey’s passion for perfection has No. 1 Miamia win away from the national championship.
The quarterback thrives on the field by spending countless hours off itbreaking down game film. By beating No. 4 Nebraska (11-1) in Thursday’s RoseBowl, his Hurricanes (11-0) will complete a perfect season and claim theirfifth national title.
But first, the junior has to solve the Big Red defense, a proud group thatwas humiliated the last time it was on the field in a 62-36 loss to Colorado.
“That was a little shocking to see,” Dorsey said, “but Nebraska’s defenseis very good, they just had an off day. It happens to everybody. Now they’re ina national championship, and that game means nothing right now.”
Dorsey has probably seen the Colorado offensive line opening huge holes forChris Brown and Bobby Purify, who ran for a combined 352 yards against theHuskers on Nov. 23. It means Miami will try to establish the run with ClintonPortis, who had 1,200 yards this season.
Dorsey, however, won’t be fooled. Nebraska still allowed only 15.8 pointsper game, and as Huskers Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch says, the Coloradoloss “only adds fuel to the fire” for a unit out to reverse its pitifulperformance.
“They really try to make you a one-dimensional team, and they are very goodat what they do,” said Dorsey, seeking to go 26-1 as a starter. “Their maingoal is to stop the run. They leave their corners out there one on one, butthey’ve got great cover guys, so it’s going to be a great battle.”
Dorsey may not look the part of a strong-armed passer, but the 6-foot-5,200-pounder from Orinda, Calif., made all the moves needed to get theHurricanes to the Rose Bowl. The week after his worst game – four interceptionsin an 18-7 win over Boston College, he was 13-of-20 for 224 yards and four TDsin a 65-7 rout of Washington.
“He’s tough, an excellent thrower,” Nebraska coach Frank Solich said.”He’s very difficult to stop. I don’t know if we can stop him. Hopefully, wecan slow him down. He’s only been sacked four times. That’s unbelievable.”
Like Dorsey, Crouch doesn’t instill fear on first glance. Watch him play,though, and it’s not difficult to see why the 6-1, 200-pounder won the HeismanTrophy as the nation’s best player. He ran for 1,115 yards and passed for 1,510yards, producing a total 26 touchdowns.
Dorsey and Crouch struck up a friendship when the two met in the week beforethe Heisman was awarded on Dec. 8.
“I was very impressed with him,” Dorsey said. “He was very deserving ofwinning the Heisman.”
Crouch returned the compliment.
“He has all the characteristics of a big-time leader and that’s why theirteam is so successful,” he said of Dorsey. “He knows how to get the ball tothe right players.”
And that’s what worries Huskers defensive coordinator Craig Bohl. With amonster offensive line anchored by All-American tackle Bryant McKinnie, itwon’t be easy to get to Dorsey.
“Very rarely do you see Dorsey get rattled,” Bohl said. “He’s excellentwhen there’s some pressure as far as getting the ball off. They’re just aslikely to throw the ball on first-and-10, and they’re not these little dinkpasses. They’re throwing the ball downfield.”
Dorsey always wanted to play in the Rose Bowl, but when he chose Miami overSouthern California – “a tough choice, but the right fit for me,” he figuredhis chances were slim.
“I never dreamed I would be playing here, but I knew this year would be myone shot to do it,” Dorsey said, “so it’s been a very rewarding year for mepersonally.”
Dorsey worked hard this season, winning the Maxwell Award and finishingthird in the Heisman voting.
“I like to define myself by my work habits, the film study,” Dorsey said.”The most important thing for me going into a game and a season is the workyou put in during the summer, be it in the weight room, or getting in there andwatching film. You have to make the sacrifice of waking up at 6 a.m. and watchfilm. That’s the biggest thing you have to do in order to be successful.”
Miami’s almost there.