Hurricanes Tackle Florida A&M This Saturday At Home
Aug. 26, 2002
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Miami Hurricanes (0-0) (#1 AP/#1 ESPN/USA Today)vs. Florida A&M Rattlers (0-0)
When: Saturday, August 31, 2002, at 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
Where: Orange Bowl Stadium (72,319/Natural Grass) in Miami, Florida.
TV: Fox Sports Net Florida (Tape Delay, Sunday, Sept. 1, 5 p.m Eastern Time) will produce coverage of all Miami Hurricanes football games this season with veteran announcer Frank Forte (play-by-play) and former UM offensive lineman Dave Heffernan (analysis) describing the action. The game also is available live via the ESPN GamePlan on DirecTV (Channel 773).
Radio: The Hurricane Radio Network (1360 WKAT-AM) will carry the game live with Joe Zagacki (play-by-play), former Hurricane offensive lineman Don Bailey, Jr. (analysis), and Brian London (sideline reports) describing the action. Josh Darrow is the studio host.
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com), Florida A&M (www.famu.edu/athletics).
MIAMI HEAD COACH LARRY COKER
Second-year head coach Larry Coker has a 12-0 (1.000) record at Miami. Coker led Miami to an undefeated 12-0 season in his first year as a collegiate head coach with the 2001 Hurricanes. His 12-0 record includes a 7-0 mark in BIG EAST play, along with a 6-0 mark at the Orange Bowl and 5-0 record on the road. Coker was named Miami’s 19th head football coach on February 3, 2001. Coker was named National Coach of the Year for 2001 by the American Football Coaches Association (an honor shared with Maryland’s Ralph Friedgen) and was recipient of the 2001 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. The 2002 season marks Coker’s eighth overall at Miami, after serving as the Hurricanes’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 1995-2000. Prior to 1995, Coker was an assistant coach at Ohio State (1993-94), Oklahoma (1990-92), Oklahoma State (1983-89) and Tulsa (1979-82).
THE FLORIDA A&M-MIAMI SERIES
Miami and Florida A&M meet for the sixth time in football Saturday night with Miami holding a 4-1 series lead, including a 4-0 advantage at the Orange Bowl.Miami has won the last four meetings against FAMU, outscoring the Rattlers 191-3 over that span.Miami and FAMU met for the first time on October 6, 1979, with the Rattlers defeating the Hurricanes, 16-13, in Tallahassee.
Entering Saturday’s game, Miami has not allowed a FAMU touchdown in 18 consecutive quarters.
Top Miami Performances vs. Florida A&M
Individual Bests
Rushing Yards: 129 – Danyell Ferguson, 1995
Rushing Touchdowns: 2 – James Jackson, 1999
Receiving Yards: 103 – Larry Brodsky, 1980
Receptions: 5 – Andy Baratta, 1979
Receiving Touchdowns: 2 – Lamar Thomas, 1992
Passing Yards: 196 – Mike Rodrigue, 1979
Passing Touchdowns: 2 – Kenny Kelly, 1999; Ryan Collins, 1995; Gino Torretta, 1992
Team Bests
Total Offense: 547 – 1980
Rushing Yards: 283 – 1980
Passing Yards: 273 – 1992
Miami vs. Florida A&M Series
Sept. 4, 1999 Miami 57, Florida A&M 3 Miami
Sept. 9, 1995 Miami 49, Florida A&M 3 Miami
Sept. 19, 1992 Miami 38, Florida A&M 0 Miami
Sept. 13, 1980 Miami 49, Florida A&M 0 Miami
Florida A&M Week Media Schedule
Covering the Hurricanes
All Players are available up to the start of Wednesday’s practice. Interviews with players and coaches must be arranged at least 24 hours in advance. The best time for player or coach interviews is Monday and Tuesday afternoon. Practices are open to the media for the first 30 and last 15 minutes. Head Coach Larry Coker will address the media following each practice.
Monday
BIG EAST Conference Call – The BIG EAST coaches weekly teleconference. Media should call (913) 981-5520 to participate.
11:10 a.m. Larry Coker, Miami
11:20 a.m. Walt Harris, Pittsburgh
11:30 a.m. Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia
11:40 a.m. Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech
11:50 a.m. Paul Pasqualoni, Syracuse
12:00 p.m. Bobby Wallace, Temple
12:10 p.m. Tom O’Brien, Boston College
12:20 p.m. Greg Schiano, Rutgers
Player Interviews – Requested players available in the Miami SID Office (please request playes at least 24 hours in advance).
Practice – 2:30 p.m. at the Greentree Practice Facility.
Tuesday
Weekly Press Conference – 12:15 to 1:40 p.m. in the Edgerrin James Team Meeting Room. Coach Coker conducts a weekly press conference along with selected players. Out-of-town media can hear a recording after 2:00 p.m. at UM’s official athletics website at www.hurricanesports.com.
Practice – 3:30 p.m. at the Greentree Practice Facility. Players are available, but limited to a brief Q&A.
Wednesday
Player Interviews – QB Ken Dorsey will be available in the SID Office at 10 a.m. Other players by request before 1:30 p.m. at UM Sports Information.BIG EAST Weekly Satellite Feed – 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. (Sept. 4 to Nov. 27). Coordinates are Galaxy 4R, C-Band, Transponder 21, 99 degrees West.Practice – NO PRACTICE (First Day of Classes).
Thursday
Practice – 3:30 p.m. at the Greentree Practice Facility.
Friday
Closed Practice – 3:30 p.m. at the Greentree Practice Facility.
Saturday
Miami vs. Florida A&M – 7 p.m. at the Orange Bowl, Miami.
Sunday
Recap with Coach Coker – 10 a.m. at UM Sports Information Office, Coach Coker will address questions on the Florida A&M game.No Practice – No Player Interviews.
MIAMI IN SEASON OPENERS
Miami holds a 51-24-1 (.678) all-time record in 76 season openers, including a six-game win streak. Miami also has won 14 of its last 16 season openers dating back to 1986. In home openers, Miami is 54-21-1 (.717) and has won 15 of the last 16 including the last four.
FAST STARTERS
In the last 11 season openers, Miami has outscored the opposition 214-32 in the first half, allowing just three touchdowns. In the 2001 season opener at Penn State, the Hurricanes raced to a 30-0 halftime lead with shocking ease before the largest crowd ever to see a Miami football game (109,313).
ORANGE BOWL WIN STREAK AT 16 GAMES –
Miami will enter 2002 home opener against Florida A&M 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, currently the nation’s second longest, is UM’s longest since its NCAA-record 58-game win streak from 1985-94.
NATION’S LONGEST WIN STREAK AT 22 –
The 2001 squad ran Miami’s active winning streak to 22 games – the second-longest win streak in UM history. The current victory string ranks second all-time in games including bowl games behind a 29-game streak accomplished from a 45-10 win over Texas Tech on Oct. 27, 1990, to a 34-13 loss to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 1993. Miami has won 20 consecutive regular season games dating to a 47-10 victory at West Virginia on Sept. 23, 2000. The longest win streak in regular season games is 36, accomplished from a 48-20 win at Rice on Sept. 14, 1985, to a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame on Oct. 15, 1988.
AGAINST THE SUNSHINE STATE
The Hurricanes open the 2002 season with contests against two schools from Florida with Florida A&M coming to the Orange Bowl for the season opener on Aug. 31 before UM travels to Gainesville to take on the Florida Gators on Sept. 7. 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, 2001. In 2000, UM defeated FSU (27-24) in Miami and Florida (37-20) in the Nokia Sugar Bowl.
TOUGH SCHEDULE IN 2002
The 2002 Hurricanes will face one of the toughest schedules in the nation, including games with seven teams that played in bowl games in the 2001 season and two games with teams that ended the season ranked in the top 10 nationally. One of college football’s top television ratings draws, Miami also has several games penciled in for national telecasts. It’s a 12-game regular season slate for UM in 2002, with six home games, including contests with bowl winners Florida State, Boston College and Pittsburgh. The seven 2001 bowl teams on Miami’s schedule are: Florida (Orange Bowl winner), Boston College (Music City Bowl winner), Florida State (Gator Bowl winner), Tennessee (Citrus Bowl winner), Pittsburgh (Tangerine Bowl winner), Syracuse (Insight.com Bowl winner), and Virginia Tech (Gator Bowl). Florida (third) and Tennessee (fourth) finished the 2001 season ranked among the nation’s top 10 teams by the Associated Press.
THE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
The 2002 football season will mark Miami’s 77th season of competition on the football field. In the previous 76 seasons, Miami has posted winning records in 50 different years. Since 1980, Miami has posted at least seven victories a year in 21 of 22 seasons including 18 seasons of at least nine wins and have won at least 10 games in a season a staggering 12 times since 1983. Miami has an all-time record of 492-282-19 in 76 seasons for a winning percentage of .632. Miami will play its 800th game of major college football in its eighth game of the 2002 season, slated to take place Saturday, November 2, at Rutgers. Miami needs eight victories to become only the 51st school in history to have 500 or more football victories. Miami has an all-time home record of 337-158-14 (.676), including a 293-136-7 (.680) in games played at the Orange Bowl Stadium, the Hurricanes’ home field since 1937. Since joining the BIG EAST Conference in 1991, Miami has posted a league-best 59-10 (.866) league record including a 31-4 mark in the Orange Bowl, 28-6 on the road. During that period, Miami has earned seven BIG EAST championships.
THE CONSENSUS NO. 1
The Hurricanes were the consensus No. 1 in both major polls 12 times out of a possible 17 polls during the 2001 season. On three separate occassions, the Hurricanes were able to regain the consensus status after slipping to No. 2 in one of the polls the week before. The most recent time Associated Press No. 1 Miami regained the top spot in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll after spending a week at No. 2 with its 59-0 shutout over Syracuse. The big victory pushed UM past an idle Nebraska. The second time Miami regained the consensus No. 1 ranking in both polls was following the 49-27 victory at Florida State on Oct. 13. Coaches’ No. 1 Miami regained the AP with the momentus win at Doak Campbell Stadium, coupled with Florida’s loss at Auburn. 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.
BEING NO. 1
Miami ended the 2001 season having been ranked No. 1 by the Associated Press for the last 9 weeks and 13 of 16 polls during the season. UM was No. 1 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll for the last five weeks and 12 out of 16 pollings. Miami began the season ranked No. 2 by the AP and remained at that position until 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 UM to No. 2 on Nov. 11 after an 18-7 win at Boston College, coupled with a Nebraska win over Kansas State. Since the AP poll began in 1936, the weekly rankings have been published 865 times. Miami has been ranked No. 1 51 times.
PRIMED TO ASCEND
Entering the 2002 season atop the AP rankings for the 12th consecutive week, Miami joins an elite list of schools with the longest consecutive weekly AP No. 1 appearances.
MIAMI AS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NO. 1
The Hurricanes have played in 36 games all-time while holding the AP’s No. 1 ranking and have forged a 31-5 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.
Miami vs. AP-ranked teams
Miami is 69-98-1 vs. AP-ranked teams since its first game against a ranked opponent in No. 18 Alabama in 1941, is 33-52 vs. AP top-10 teams since playing No. 6 Alabama in 1947, is 19-31 against AP top-5 teams since playing No. 3 Maryland in 1953, and is 9-7 against No. 1-ranked teams. Miami has won eight consecutive games against ranked opponents beginning with a 27-24 victory over No. 1 Florida State on Oct. 7, 2000. That streak includes four straight wins on the road or at neutral sites against ranked opponents and four victories at the Orange Bowl against ranked foes.
Miami vs. Ranked Opponents
Streak: Won 8
Streak on the Road/Neutral: Won 4
Streak at Home: Won 4
VS. RANKED/UNRANKED OPPONENTS
Since 1990, Miami has registered a 30-22 (.577) mark against Associated Press ranked teams and an 85-6 (.934) record against unranked opponents.
MIAMI’S RECORD ACCORDING TO AP RANK
UM is 198-40-2 all-time in games while holding an AP national ranking. Since 1983, Miami is 133-20 as a top 10 team and 105-12 as a top five team. The Hurricanes are 31-5 as the nation’s No.1-ranked team. UM last defeated Nebraska, 37-14, in the 2002 Rose Bowl while holding the AP top spot. Additionally, Miami has won 21 of its last 22 while ranked No. 1. Prior to last season’s No. 1 ranking, UM was last No. 1 on Dec. 6, 1992.
ROAD WIN STREAK AT 11 GAMESMiami has won 11 straight games (including 2001 Sugar Bowl and the 2002 Rose 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. The longest road winning streak in UM history is 20 games, stretching from a 28-17 win at Purdue on Sept. 15, 1984, to a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame on Oct. 15, 1988.
ROAD WARRIORS
Since 1983, Miami has constructed the nation’s best record in road games (not including neutral sites). The Hurricanes’ road record in the 19 seasons beginning with 1983 is the best among all NCAA Division 1A football institutions. Miami has a record of 78-19-0 (.804) in road games at the opponent’s home stadium. During that span, Miami has gone unbeaten in road games in eight seasons (1985, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996 and 2001). Of interest is the fact that Miami played three of the top seven best road teams during the 2001 season (Nebraska, Florida State and Penn State) and will take on three in 2002 (Florida State, Tennessee and Florida).
2001 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
The Miami Hurricanes won the school’s fifth football national championship in 2001 with a 12-0 record, capping the season with a 37-14 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on January 3, 2002. First-year head coach Larry Coker secured several major National Coach of the Year honors by becoming the first rookie head coach since 1948 to lead his team to the national title. The 2001 squad ran Miami’s active winning streak to 22 games – the second-longest win streak in UM history – and set a new Miami standard by outscoring its opponents by an average of 33.8 points per contest. A deadly offense that ranked among the national leaders in scoring and total offense was led by quarterback Ken Dorsey, named the winner of the Maxwell Award recognizing college football’s outstanding player, and dominant offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, named the winner of the Outland Trophy awarded to the nation’s finest interior lineman. That attack (the highest-scoring in UM history) was perfectly complemented by a stifling defense that led the nation in turnover margin and scoring defense while ranking among the nation’s top 10 in an amazing five statistical categories. Senior free safety Edward Reed, a consensus All-American, led the unit. Remarkably, seven Miami players were named to at least one First-Team All-America squad as the Hurricanes ended the season as the only unbeaten team among NCAA Division I-A’s 117 schools. Six players were finalists for national awards, a remarkable achievement for a team many consider among the most dominant in recent college football history, and an astounding 14 First-Team All-BIG EAST honorees.
2001 HURRICANES AMONG THE BEST ALL-TIME AT MIAMI
The 2001 Hurricanes completed the regular season with statistics that placed them among the best teams since UM emerged on the national scene in the early 1980s. UM’s per-game scoring (43.2) and margin of victory (33.8) ranked as the top team figures in the modern era, while points allowed (9.4) placed second to the 1991 Hurricanes (8.3).
VETERANS
The 2002 Hurricanes are missing 12 position starters from last year’s squad, but the returning talent includes plenty of experience. Heading into this season, no less than 17 players on the preseason two-deep depth chart have started at least a game in a Miami uniform and 50 scholarship players have seen previous game action in their careers.
HURRICANE ROSTER HAS NFL GENES
Six Hurricanes on the 2002 roster have relations to players that have been in the NFL.
RETURNING CAPTAINS
Senior quarterback Ken Dorsey, senior defensive tackle Matt Walters and senior punter Freddie Capshaw were team captains in 2001 and they are returning for the 2002 season. That trio joined fullback Najeh Davenport, offensive tackle Joaquin Gonzalez and free safety Edward Reed as the 2001 season’s team captains.
DORSEY’S BACK
Senior quarterback Ken Dorsey led the Hurricanes to the 2001 national championship by leading the nation’s most balanced and explosive offense. The 2001 Maxwell Award winner, Dorsey passed for 2,652 yards and 23 touchdowns while playing the entire game just twice as he continued a mercurial climb up the Miami records list. After just two full seasons as the starting quarterback he already has risen to the top of the UM career touchdown passes list with 58 – surpassing former Miami greats Steve Walsh and Vinny Testaverde further cementing Dorsey’s name among the pantheon of outstanding Miami quarterbacks. From George Mira to Jim Kelly to Bernie Kosar to Testaverde to Walsh to Gino Torretta, few schools (if any) can match Miami’s astounding tradition of quarterbacking excellence. And Dorsey is primed to exceed all of their records.
DORSEY IN THE BIG EAST RECORD BOOK
Ken Dorsey finished the 2001 season totaling 58 touchdowns passing for his career. That figure, which keeps him 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) lands him at No. 5 all-time behind Syracuse’s Marvin Graves (60.3, 1991-93). The 23 touchdown passes thrown in 2001 are the fourth-best in a season. His 25 in 2000 tied for third-best.
DORSEY’S CAREER TOUCHDOWNS
In his three seasons at Miami, Ken Dorsey has connected with 17 different players for a school-record 58 passing touchdowns. Split end Andre Johnson lead all current players with 10 Dorsey touchdowns. All-time, Dorsey’s top touchdown target is Reggie Wayne (12 from 1999-2000).
AT HIS BEST IN BIG GAMES
Several of Dorsey’s greatest performances have been turned in against some of the nation’s top-ranked teams. Miami is 9-1 against ranked opponents with Dorsey as a starter including 4-0 against teams ranked in the top 10.
DORSEY: A WINNER
By any measure, Dorsey enters his senior season primed to set a new standard for quarterback success at Quarterback U. He enters the 2002 season with the best winning percentage ever established by a Miami starting quarterback, in addition to being poised to taking over the all-time mark in winning starts with his next victory as the starter.
DORSEY AS A STARTER
Ken Dorsey has been the Hurricanes starter since the final three games of the 1999 season and, in those 27 starts, has passed for 300 yards three times, including a regular season best of 344 in the 2001 season opener at Penn State (eclipsed only by his career-best 362 yards against Nebraska in the 2002 Rose Bowl game). He has also thrown for at least 200 yards 19 times and has had multiple touchdowns in 19 games. His statistics as a starter read: 436-of-731 for 6,107 yards with 58 touchdown passes, one touchdown rush, and 15 interceptions thrown.
BACKFIELD NOTES
The addition of junior Jason Geathers to the tailback picture during preaseason practice adds even more talent to an already impressive group of backs vying for playing time for Miami. Geathers enters the regular season as the backup to sophomore Willis McGahee at tailback ahead of junior Jarrett Payton, who has been hindered by a back problem. With the possible addition of sophomore Frank Gore, who hopes for an October return from knee surgery, the tailback spot could be one of the team’s deepest my mid-season. Redshirt freshman Quadtrine Hill enters the FAMU game as the starter at tailback, edging ahead of sophomore Kyle Cobia and junior transfer Talib Humphrey. Hill gives UM a combination of speed and catching ability that is vital to UM’s balanced attack. Cobia has been sidelined with an injury to his upper tibia, but could return for the Florida game on Sept. 7. Humphrey will see plenty of action, as well. Despite the new starters, the Hurricanes backfield will not lack for game experience. Payton and McGahee have combined for 602 rushing yards in 23 games played over their careers. Add in Gore’s 562 yards in nine games last year and the trio has a combined total of 31 games and 1,164 rushing yards (with 11 rushing touchdowns). Cobia played in eight games last year as a reserve at fullback.
RECEIVER NOTES
Junior split end Andre Johnson appears poised for stardom after a sophomore campaign capped by a standout performance in the Rose Bowl. During the 2001 regular season, Johnson was second on the team with 37 catches for a team-best 685 yards while grabbing a team-high 10 touchdowns (tops in the BIG EAST). He was recently named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List for the 2002 season. While Johnson is the marquee name of the Miami receivers corps, the group as a whole is one of the deepest and most experienced in Miami history. The Hurricanes return five players who played extensively in 2001 at flanker, split end or tight end. Johnson, Ethenic Sands, Kevin Beard, Jason Geathers and Kellen Winslow combined for 99 catches, 1,722 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in 2001, or 62.6 percent of the yardage and 51 percent of the total catches and 62.5 percent of the receiving touchdowns from last season.
OFFENSIVE LINE NOTES
While the Hurricanes lost three starters from last year’s unit to the NFL, a group of veterans return to the line this season and the outlook is an optimistic one. Senior center Brett Romberg and guard Ed Wilkins return from the starting group from the Rose Bowl. Joining them is veteran guard Sherko Haji-Rasouli, who was the starter at left guard before a knee injury against West Virginia required Wilkins to step into the lineup. The three returnees – Romberg (24), Wilkins (7), and Haji-Rasouli (7) – have a combined 38 starts in their careers. Romberg is the anchor of Miami’s offensive line and a legitimate candidate for the Dave Rimington Award, presented annually to the finest center in college football. Romberg joins fellow Haji-Rasouli on the Outland Trophy preseason Watch List for college football’s top interior lineman.
DEFENSIVE LINE NOTES
Miami’s defensive line is highly rated entering the 2002 season, a billing that is both an honor and a burden to a unit that returns its top nine players from 2001. Defensive line coach Greg Mark considers all nine players starters and all will play numerous snaps each game. Senior defensive tackle William Joseph heads the list of returnees, a Playboy magazine All-American who many project to be among the top defensive players in college football this season, Joseph racked up 10 sacks last season and 19 tackles for losses. The projected starters for the opener are Joseph, fellow senior DT Matt Walters, senior end Jamaal Green and senior end Cornelius Green. Another pair of senior ends – Andrew Williams and Jerome McDougle – could garner headlines this season. McDougle is considered a first-team All-American by several preseason publications and is a member of the Lombardi Award Watch List (along with Joseph). Others to watch include tackles Vince Wilfork and Santonio Thomas and rush end John Square.
LINEBACKER NOTES
Experience and big-play ability are the hallmarks of Miami’s linebacker unit this season. The unit returns two starters in middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and weakside linebacker D.J. Williams, both of whom have been named to the Butkus Award’s Preseason Watch List of outstanding linebackers. Preseason practices have featured a battle for the starting job at strongside linebacker between senior Howard Clark and redshirt freshman Rocky McIntosh. Clark has been slowed by ankle and hamstring injuries this preseason and McIntosh, who had the starting job entering fall drills after Clark missed spring practice, has flourished there.
SECONDARY NOTES
With the preponderance of spread offenses in Miami’s early schedule, look for the Hurricanes to start at least five defensive backs in the first two games of the season. Defensive backs coach Mark Stoops’s young unit will be an all-new starting group this season after the four starters in 2001 were drafted by NFL teams. As of Aug. 24, the starting group appeared to be: cornerbacks Kelly Jennings and Alfonso Marshall, free safety Sean Taylor and strong safety Mo Sikes. Joining them as nickel backs will be cornerbacks Antrel Rolle and Glenn Sharpe. The major concern with the group is game experience as none of these players has started a UM game, although all but Jennings and Sharpe have played extensively as reserves.
PLACEKICKER TODD SIEVERS
Senior kicker Todd Sievers enters the 2002 season as a legitimate candidate for the Lou Groza Kicker Award. A member of the Groza Preseason Watch List, Sievers is ranked 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 in 2001 were single-season Miami school records. He shares the field goals record with Carlos Huerta (1988). His 119 points in 2001 were the most by a BIG EAST kicker in a single season, as well. His 204 career points placed him at No. 8 on the BIG EAST career list. Sievers, a native of Ankeny, Iowa, lettered in his true freshman season in 1998, becoming the first player from the state of Iowa to letter at Miami since fullback Tom Smith (Waterloo) in 1971-72. Smith and Sievers are the only two players from Iowa ever to letter at Miami. Joe Carlstrom, a defensive tackle from Iowa City, played in limited action on the 1951 team after serving in the armed forces, but did not letter.
PUNTER FREDDIE CAPSHAW
Miami boasts one of the nation’s finest punter/kicker combos and senior punter Freddie Capshaw is a big reason why. The senior from Rock Springs, Wyoming, already has established himself among Miami’s best ever. The leading punter in the BIG EAST Conference the last two seasons, Capshaw is a solid contender for the Ray Guy Award, recognizing college football’s outstanding punter. Capshaw is a hard-nosed player who prides himself on his excellent physical condition. Twice an All-BIG EAST selection, Capshaw has earned BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week four times during his career. In 2001, he was one of three Ray Guy Award finalists as he averaged 41.8 yards per punt in his junior season.
THE RETURN MEN
The Hurricanes’ bevy of skill athletes gives Miami some depth in the return teams. Entering the opener, the kickoff return duo probably be Jason Geathers and Antrel Rolle followed by Glenn Sharpe and Roscoe Parrish. The punt returns job remains undetermined as the season approaches with Parrish, Ethenic Sands and Kevin Beard up for duty.
MIAMI REMAINS NO.1 IN THE NFL DRAFT
During the last 20 years, National Football League teams have turned to the University of Miami more than any other college or university when it comes to premium picks in the annual draft.
QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE –
In 2001, the average drive time on UM’s 49 offensive touchdowns was 2:05. Additionally, a total of 32 of UM’s 49 offensive touchdowns were scored in under 2:30 of drive time.
100-YARD EFFORTS OF 2001 –
Miami players recorded 100-yard games 13 times during the 2001 regular season, nine rushing and four receiving.
TURNOVERS = POINTS –
In 2001, Miami continued a decade-long trend of being one of the most opportunistic offenses in college football by cashing in opponent turnovers into points with alarming consistency. Miami’s defense recorded 45 turnovers, six of which were to end halves. Of those 39 remaining turnovers, the Hurricanes offense produced 172 points (24 touchdowns and two field goals) on the ensuing drive.
INSIDE/OUTSIDE THE RED ZONE
During the 2001 regular season, Miami marched into the opponent’s red zone (20-yard line) 58 times and scored 50 times. Outside the red zone, Miami totaled 10 touchdowns and 10 field goals as compared to 39 touchdowns and 11 field goals scored inside the red zone.
IF MIAMI SCORES FIRST
When Miami scores first it is nearly a lock to win. Beginning with the 1983 season, the Hurricanes have gone 154-14 (.917) when scoring first.
THE HURRICANES WHEN SCORING 30 OR 31 POINTS
Miami has won 101 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points since a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame in 1988. Miami has won 122 consecutive games when scoring 31 or more points since falling 39-37 to UCLA in the 1985 Fiesta Bowl. Excluding bowl games, Miami has won 133 consecutive regular season games when scoring 31 or more since a 34-31 loss to Mississippi State in 1980.
STIFLING DEFENSE
The Miami defense allowed its opponents to score 103 points over 11 games (9.36 per game) during the 2001 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.
DEFENSE GETS HIGH RANKINGS NATIONALLY
The 2001 Hurricanes defense led the nation in scoring defense, allowing 9.36 points per game. Overall, the Hurricanes ranked ranked eighth in total defense (270.6 ypg), balanced by the NCAA’s No. 2 pass defense (138.2 ypg) and No. 40 rush defense (132.7 ypg). Miami led the nation in turnover margin at +2.36 per game. Miami lost the ball 19 times, but recovered it 45 times. The 45 turnovers also led the nation. The 18 fumbles recovered tied for second nationally while the 27 passes intercepted by Miami led the nation. The Hurricanes also had the nation’s top-ranked pass efficiency defense with a 75.60 rating. Miami recorded three shutouts during the 2001 season, 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.
LEADING THE NATION IN NON-OFFENSIVE SCORING
For the second straight season Miami led the nation in non-offensive scoring with 10 touchdowns and one safety. The 11 scores and one safety gave UM 70 points. The Hurricanes led the nation in 2000 with 13 touchdowns and 89 points coming from defense and special teams.
LEADING THE NATION IN RECORDING TURNOVERS
The 2001 Miami defense continued a trend that has been constant since the 1998 season, when most of the UM defenders saw their first action, as the Hurricanes defense continued to record takeaways at a record pace. In 2001, the defense netted 45 turnovers (an NCAA high) along with the +2.36 per game average. Miami’s 27 pass interceptions led the nation, while the 18 fumbles recovered tied for second nationally.
NO TRESPASSING
The Hurricanes defense held opponents from scoring a touchdown in 149 of 161 (.925) offensive drives during the 2001 season.
4TH QUARTER DOMINANCE
Over the last 16 seasons, Miami has been almost unbeatable when leading after three quarters. Since 1985, Miami has won 151 of 153 (.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.
STINGY WITH THE PUNT RETURNS
In 2001, UM’s punt return coverage allowed just 78 yards on 12 returns (6.5 per return). Punter Freddie Capshaw recorded 36 punts on the season for a 41.8 average. Among his punts were eight touchbacks, three fair catches, 15 downed inside the opponent’s 20 with two blocked.
VETERANS
The 2002 Hurricanes are missing 12 position starters from last year’s squad, but the returning talent includes plenty of experience. Heading into this season, no less than 17 players on the preseason two-deep depth chart have started at least a game in a Miami uniform and 50 scholarship players have seen previous game action in their careers.
AMONG THE BEST SINCE 1983
Since 1983, Miami has constructed the nation’s third-best record (by victories and winning percentage) of all NCAA Division 1-A football schools. Interestingly, Miami plays three of the top five winningest schools on that list in 2002 (Florida State, Tennessee and Florida) and two other schools (Nebraska and Penn State) were opponents in 2001.
UM STANDS TALL IN THE BIG EAST
In its 12th season of competition in the BIG EAST, Miami has forged a league-best 59-10 (.855) overall conference record. The Hurricanes’ seven BIG EAST titles are also a league-best, ahead of Syracuse (3), Virginia Tech (3) and West Virginia (1).
MIAMI IS NO. 1 AGAIN IN BIG EAST MEDIA POLL
For the eighth time in 10 years or since round-robin play began in 1993, UM has been picked as the preseason favorite to win the BIG EAST title. In a media vote at BIG EAST Media Day, UM received all 24 possible first-place votes and 192 overall points, followed by Virginia Tech (152 points). UM is 59-10 (.855) in BIG EAST play and has been crowned champion in seven of 11 previous seasons.
BIG EAST Preseason Poll (1st place votes)
1. Miami (24) 192 points
2. Virginia Tech 152
3. Syracuse 133
4. Boston College 130
5. Pittsburgh 110
6. West Virginia 64
7. Temple 50
8. Rutgers 33
ALL-BIG EAST HONOREES (Since 1991)
First Team 81
Offense 35 (8)
Defense 37 (8)
Special Teams 9 (1)
Second Team 46
Offense 19
Defense 23
Special Teams 4
() – Unanimous selections
Miami BIG EAST Postseason Awards
Offensive Player of the Year
2001 Ken Dorsey, QB
2000 Santana Moss, WR
1992 Gino Torretta, QB*
1991 Gino Torretta, QB
Defensive Player of the Year
2001 Edward Reed, FS
2000 Dan Morgan, LB*
1994 Warren Sapp, DL
1993 Kevin Patrick, DE
1992 Micheal Barrow, LB
1991 Darrin Smith, LB
Special Teams Player of the Year
2001 Phillip Buchanon, RS
2000 Santana Moss, RS*
1996 Tremain Mack, RS*
1991 Kevin Williams, RS
Rookie of the Year
1998 Joaquin Gonzalez, OL
1997 Reggie Wayne, WR
1994 Kennard Lang, DE
Coach of the Year
2001 Larry Coker
2000 Butch Davis
1994 Dennis Erickson
1992 Dennis Erickson
1991 Dennis Erickson
* – Unanimous Selection
2001 BIG EAST WEEKLY HONORS
Offense
Sept. 3 Ken Dorsey (QB)
Sept. 10 Ken Dorsey (QB)
Sept. 31 Clinton Portis (TB)
Oct. 15 Andre Johnson (WR)
Nov. 18 Ken Dorsey (QB)
Defense
Nov. 26 William Joseph (DT)
Special Teams
Sept. 3 Todd Sievers (K)
Sept. 10 Phillip Buchanon (PR)
Oct. 15 Freddie Capshaw (P)
Nov. 11 Todd Sievers (K)
MIAMI’S ALL-TIME
BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOREES (Since 1991)
Overall 82
Offense 27
Defense 25
Special Teams 30
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 33-52 vs. AP top-10 teams since playing No. 6 Alabama in 1947.Miami is 19-31 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 5 team.The Hurricanes are 31-5 as the nation’s No.1-ranked team. UM last defeated Nebraska in the 2002 Rose Bowl while holding the AP top spot. Additionally, Miami has won 21 of its last 22 while ranked No. 1.Prior to their current No. 1 ranking, UM was last No. 1 on Dec. 6, 1992.
UM BEGINS 2002 ATOP THE POLLS –
Miami received a preseason No. 1 national ranking by both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll. Miami’s No. 1 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. 1 ranking in the Coaches’ Poll marks the highest UM has been since starting 1990 No. 1. This is the first season since 1990 that UM has started the season atop both rankings.
In the AP Poll, the Hurricanes begin the season ranked among the top 10 for the seventh time in 12 seasons, and begin among the top five for the sixth time since 1991.
In the Coaches’ Poll, the Hurricanes begin the season ranked among the top 10 for the seventh time in 12 seasons. Additionally, the 2002 season marks the seventh time in the last 12 years that UM, Florida State and Florida have begun the season together in the top 10. The top 10 ranking marks the third such preseason ranking for UM since 1994 as the Hurricanes were ranked sixth to begin the 2000 season and second to start 2001.
MIAMI IN THE POLLS
Miami begins the 2002 in the top spot in the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ polls after spending the final nine weeks of 2001 atop the AP rankings, the final four atop both polls.
