How The Teams Match Up In The Fiesta Bowl
Jan 2, 2003
By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) – A look at how Ohio State and Miami match up in Friday’sFiesta Bowl:
QUARTERBACK: Miami’s Ken Dorsey is out to prove the critics wrong, looking tofinish his career 39-1 with two national titles. Wasn’t as sharp as in junioryear but still threw for 3,073 yards and 26 touchdowns. He doesn’t have thestrongest arm but is accurate. Gets rid of the ball well and doesn’t takesacks, but is prone to interceptions. Ohio State’s Craig Krenzel is counted onnot to make mistakes. He didn’t have great numbers (1,988 yards, 12 TDs) butmakes good decisions and can make a big play. Can hurt defenses with hisscrambling ability.
Edge: Miami.
RUNNING BACKS: Willis McGahee made Miami fans forget Clinton Portis, runningfor school-record 1,686 yards and 27 TDs in his first season as a starter. He’sa playmaker and can score from almost anywhere on the field. FB Quadtrine Hillis mostly a blocker, although he can be an option as a receiver. Ohio State’sMaurice Clarett might have been the top back in the country when healthy -which he says he finally is. Averaged 6.0 ypc and scored 16 TDs in 10 games.Caused stir this week with accusations that school officials lied about thereasons he wasn’t allowed to fly home to attend the funeral of a friend. Thatcould be a distraction or a motivation. Backup Lydell Ross played well asClarett’s backup. FB Branden Joe is outstanding blocker.
Edge: Ohio State.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Miami’s Andre Johnson is one of the most dangerous receiversin the country, using his breakaway speed and 6-foot-3 size to outrun andoutmuscle defensive backs. Had 48 catches and nine TDs in 11 games. EthenicSands and Roscoe Parrish are also threats. Ohio State’s Michael Jenkins wouldget much more hype in a more wide-open offense, but he has made big plays forthe Buckeyes with 1,031 yards receiving. Two-way player Chris Gamble will getsome of his rest on offense so Chris Vance will have to step up.
Edge: Miami.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Miami’s revamped, undersized line is led by All-American CBrett Romberg. Gs Sherko Haji-Rasouli and Chris Myers are good run blockers. TsCarlos Joseph and Vernon Casey are inconsistent. Ohio State has five300-pounders across the line, led by RT Shane Olivea. Buckeyes like to runbehind the right side of the line with Olivea, RG Bryce Bishop and C AlexStepanovich. LT Ivan Douglas (6-8, 305) protects Krenzel on the blind side.
Edge: Ohio State.
TIGHT END: Miami’s Kellen Winslow Jr. is one of the best in the country with46 catches and seven TDs this season. The son of the NFL Hall of Famer has thespeed of a wide receiver to go with his 6-5, 233-pound frame. Ohio State’s BenHartsock isn’t much of a weapon, catching just 17 balls all year.
Edge: Miami.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Miami has one of the country’s deepest defensive line units,led by DTs Matt Walters, William Joseph and Vince Wilfork. DE Jamaal Green ledthe team with nine sacks, and DE Jerome McDougle added seven. Unit isundersized and could be overpowered by Ohio State’s mammoth offensive line. DEDarion Scott led the Buckeyes with 8˝ sacks, and Will Smith provides pressureon the other end. DTs Tim Anderson and Kenny Peterson are good run stuffers.
Edge: Ohio State.
LINEBACKERS: MLB Jonathan Vilma weighs only 220 pounds but makes up for itwith his sideline-to-sideline coverage. He leads the speedy linebacking corps.D.J. Williams and freshman Roger McIntosh provide great support on the outside.All-American Matt Wilhelm leads Ohio State’s linebackers and is the key to therun defense. Cie Grant and Robert Reynolds are solid on the outside.
Edge: Miami.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Miami lost its entire defensive backfield to the NFL lastseason but found capable replacements. Hard-hitting FS Sean Taylor could be thenext great Hurricanes DB. Kelly Jennings is the team’s best cover corner.Antrel Rolle can be beat. The Buckeyes are led by All-American SS Michael Doss,who excels in run support and can also help in coverage. Gamble has been a bigboost since coming over from receiver and will be counted on to shut downJohnson. CB Dustin Fox is the weak link and will need help in coverage from FSDonnie Nickey.
Edge: Miami.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Miami’s Freddie Capshaw had three punts blocked and averagedonly 41.0 yards. Todd Sievers was 12-for-20 on field goals. Parrish and JasonGeathers are strong on returns. Ohio State might have the nation’s best kickingduo in P Andy Groom (44.6 yard average) and K Mike Nugent (24-for-26 on fieldgoals). Maurice Hall and Gamble are dangerous on returns.
Edge: Ohio State.
COACHING: Larry Coker has never lost as a head coach, going 24-0 in twoseasons at Miami. But Ohio State’s Jim Tressel might be even better. He rebuiltthe mess left by John Cooper and got the Buckeyes into the title game in twoyears. His steady personality has helped Ohio State excel in close games andcould be the key if the Buckeyes can keep this game tight.
Edge: Ohio State.
