Pittsburgh Takes On Top-ranked Miami With Big East Title Up For Grabs
Nov. 19, 2002
From the Associated Press
It took Pittsburgh 20 years to upend a top-three opponent.
Just three weeks later, the Panthers will try to do it again.
The 17th-ranked Panthers (8-2, 5-0 Big East) look to clinch at least of share of their first Big East Championship, while looking to end No. 1 Miami’s (9-0, 4-0) 31-game winning streak Thursday at the Orange Bowl.
While Pittsburgh could capture a piece of the conference crown, Miami would be virtually assured of the title with a victory.
The Hurricanes can only squander the championship if they lost both of their remaining two games and either Pitt or West Virginia won out.
Pitt, nationally ranked for the first time in 11 years, has won 14 of its last 16 games, including nine consecutive Big East victories.
Pittsburgh has already proven it can beat a highly ranked opponent on the road with a 28-21 upset of then-No. 3 Virginia Tech on Nov. 2.
That was the Panthers’ first win over a top-three team since 1982.
However, Pitt has never beaten a No. 1. The Panthers are 0-10-1 all-time against top-ranked teams, tying Army 14-14 in 1958.
The last time Pittsburgh faced the nation’s top team, the Panthers got crushed as Miami walked away with a 43-21 victory last season at Heinz Field.
“They’ve got it all,” said coach Walt Harris, whose Panthers are seeking their first nine-win season since 1982.
“When they’re on their `A’ game, they’re a great team. … I think last year’s Miami team was great, and this Miami team is great as well. I don’t think they’re done teaching everybody how great they are. I think this year’s team is every bit as capable at accomplishing what they did last year.”
Along with the nation’s longest winning steak, Miami also owns a 20-game winning streak at the Orange Bowl, last losing at home to then-No. 2 Penn State on Sept. 18, 1999.
In victories over then-No. 6 Florida and Tennessee, the reigning national champions have looked every bit like the top team in the nation.
But at times they’ve also played down to the level of their opponents in lackluster conference wins over West Virginia and Rutgers, respectively.
The Hurricanes haven’t tasted defeat since a 34-29 loss at Washington on Sept. 9, 2000. The 31-game run covers 26 months, 10 ranked teams and two head coaches.
“We go in each week expecting to win,” said coach Larry Coker, who took over for Butch Davis before the 2001 season.
“We’re just going to try to win another one, but if we lose, we’re going to try to start a new winning streak.”
Miami’s latest victory, a 26-3 win over Tennessee on Nov. 9, was powered by two Heisman Trophy hopefuls.
Quarterback Ken Dorsey passed for 245 yards and a touchdown, and Willis McGahee ran for 154 yards and a score as Miami put together its most impressive effort of the season.
The Hurricanes’ defense shut down the Volunteers after allowing a field goal on the first series of the game as Tennessee mustered just 218 total yards.
Pittsburgh followed up its triumph over Virginia Tech with a 29-22 win over Temple on Nov. 9.
Claude Harriott scored the deciding touchdown on an 11-yard fumble return early in the fourth quarter, and the Panthers’ defense set up two other scores.
Rod Rutherford threw two touchdowns and ran for another, while Larry Fitzgerald caught his fourth TD in two games.
Miami has won 12 of its last 13 meetings against Pittsburgh, with the Panthers’ lone victory coming in 1997 – a 21-17 win at Pitt Stadium.
The Hurricanes also lead the all-time series 19-9-1, including a 9-4-1 mark at home.
Pittsburgh’s last win at the Orange Bowl was a 31-20 victory in 1963.
“We like challenges,” Harris said, “and, obviously, we’ve got one.”
