Jan 1, 2003
By BRIAN MAHONEY
AP MegaSports Writer
Thirty-four straight wins. Five consecutive bowl victories.
It seems the only place Miami doesn’t have a winning streak is the FiestaBowl.
The top-ranked Hurricanes try to win their second straight nationalchampionship when they face No. 2 Ohio State on Friday night in the BowlChampionship Series title game.
Though Ohio State (13-0) also is undefeated, Miami (12-0) has unquestionablybeen the dominant team in college football the last few years. The Hurricaneshave outscored teams by 25.2 points per game during their school-record 34-gamewin streak, tied for the sixth-longest in NCAA history.
“It’s incredible for us as a team anybody in the country can say, “Yeah,Miami won 34 games,” Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel said. “That’s agreat accomplishment.
“For us sitting at 13-0, knowing how difficult it was physically,emotionally and mentally, and the type of hard work and work ethic you need towin that many games in a row, it’s really an awesome accomplishment for them.”
Miami is 6-0 against top 10 teams and has won two bowl games by an averageof 20 points during its winning streak.
Besides extending all those feats, Miami will be trying to end a losingstreak in the Fiesta Bowl.
The Hurricanes are 0-3 in Tempe, Ariz., including a 14-10 loss to Penn Statein 1987 that cost them another national title. They also lost to UCLA in 1985and were shut out by Arizona in 1994.
This Fiesta Bowl features a clash of styles between a high-powered Miamiteam that can outscore its opponents and an Ohio State club that is moreconservative and relies on its defense.
The Hurricanes average 41.9 points and 475.4 yards of offense. Only one oftheir games was decided by fewer than seven points.
“I know they are the best team we will face as far as offensively they havea lot of speed and talent,” Ohio State All-American safety Mike Doss said.”Definitely it can cause a problem out there.”
Ohio State, on the other hand, dealt with close games all season.
The Buckeyes played six games that were determined by a touchdown or fewer.Their final three games were decided by 16 points, including an overtimevictory over Illinois and a four-point win over Purdue in a game Ohio Statetrailed with less than two minutes remaining.
The Buckeyes have a chance for their first national championship since 1968.They also won national titles in 1942, ’54 and ’57.
Ohio State’s best chance at an upset is probably if freshman running backMaurice Clarett can exploit Miami’s rush defense – perhaps the Hurricanes’biggest weakness. Clarett, who gained 1,190 yards and scored 16 touchdownsdespite being limited to just 10 games by injury, says he is healthy as heprepares to face a Miami team that allowed 171.4 yards rushing per game.
“It’s going to be a big challenge. Clarett is truly a great player,” saidMiami coach Larry Coker, a former Ohio State assistant.
“But the thing about it is with them, he is not the only great player thatthey have. Their offense is very solid and they have two outstanding receivers.But obviously we have to stop Clarett.”
Even when Miami’s defense has struggled, the Hurricanes have been able towin because of their explosive offense, led by Heisman Trophy finalists KenDorsey and Willis McGahee.
Dorsey, 38-1 as Miami’s starting quarterback, threw for more than 3,000yards and 26 touchdowns. McGahee set school records by rushing for 1,686 yardsand 27 touchdowns.
“It’s tough. We’re comparing them with Penn State,” Buckeyes linebackerMatt Wilhelm said.
“A great quarterback who’s patient and efficient. For us as a defense we’refocusing on containing Willis McGahee on the get-go. They play action so much.To stop that early is going to be key for us to have success on defense.”
Ohio State could be one of the few teams with a defense capable of slowingMiami. The Buckeyes allowed just 12.2 points per game to rank secondnationally, and they were fourth in the nation in rushing defense, giving upfewer than 80 yards per game. Ohio State allowed more than 20 points just oncethis season.
Miami, seeking its sixth national title, beat Ohio State in the 1999 KickoffClassic to even the all-time series at 1-1.
The Buckeyes won the other meeting during the 1977 season.