Miami Answers Offensive, Defensive Questions
Sept 7, 2002
By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Top-ranked Miami answered all the questionsSaturday night.
The defensive backs harassed Florida’s receivers, the offensive linemen gaveKen Dorsey plenty of time, and Willis McGahee ran for 204 yards in just histhird career start in Miami’s 41-16 win over No. 6 Florida.
All of them showed they might be just as good as their predecessors.
“I think it a wake-up call to everyone else that we are here to stay,”center Brett Romberg said. “We have always known that we have been here andnobody is giving us any respect. I think it opens up a lot of people’s eyesthat we didn’t fall off.”
The defensive backs may have made the biggest statement.
Maurice Sikes had two interceptions, including one he returned 97 yards fora momentum-swinging touchdown in the third quarter, and Kelly Jennings, withthe primary assignment of covering Taylor Jacobs, held Florida’s best receiverto five catches for 56 yards.
Sean Taylor and Antrel Rolle were just as good in the young secondary’sfirst test of the season. The defensive backfield had been the team’s biggestarea of concern after losing all four starters from last year’s nationalchampionship team.
The Hurricanes lost Ed Reed, Phillip Buchanon, Mike Rumph and James Lewis -a unit that helped Miami lead the nation with 28 interceptions last season.
“We have players who want to play and can play,” Sikes said. “Just nobodyhas heard of them.”
The offensive line was nearly as suspect as the defensive backs coming intothis season.
Bryant McKinnie and Joaquin Gonzalez graduated, leaving sophomore CarlosJoseph and junior Vernon Carey to replace a tackle tandem that didn’t allow asack last season.
Miami coach Larry Coker raised some eyebrows last week when he said thisyear’s line was a better run-blocking unit than Miami had last year. “Nocomparison,” he said.
They backed up Coker’s words against the Gators. The Hurricanes had morethan 300 yards rushing for the second consecutive week.
“Hopefully we silenced all the critics,” Carey said. “Everybody whowatched the game knows what we can do.”
The line also helped McGahee prove he is a solid replacement for ClintonPortis and Frank Gore.
With Portis having left school a year early and Gore out until at leastOctober with a knee injury, McGahee has aptly filled the void in the backfield.He ran over, around and through Florida’s defense Saturday.
Another question answered, leaving only one remaining: Can the Hurricanesrepeat as national champions with big games against Florida State, Tennesseeand Virginia Tech on the schedule?
“We’re rough and tough and ready to rumble,” offensive line coach ArtKehoe said. “We still have a lot of hurdles coming up, but if we stay healthy,I like our chances.”
