Miami Football: A Historical Perspective
Jan. 22, 2003
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The 2002 season was Miami’s 77th season of competition on the football field. In 77 seasons of play, Miami has posted winning records in 51 different years. Miami has played for a national championship nine times in post-season bowl games, winning five. Since 1980, Miami has posted at least seven victories a year in 22 of 23 seasons including 19 seasons of at least nine wins and have won at least 10 games in a season a staggering 13 times since 1983. Miami has an all-time record of 504-283-19 in for a winning percentage of .637. The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl was Miami’s 806th game of major college football. During the 2002 season, Miami became the 51st school in history to have 500 or more football victories. Miami has an all-time home record of 343-158-14 (.6796), including a 299-136-7 (.684) 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 66-10 (.868) league record including a 35-4 mark in the Orange Bowl, 32-6 on the road. During that period, Miami has earned seven BIG EAST championships.
ANOTHER GREAT SEASON OF MIAMI FOOTBALL
The 2003 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl provided a dramatic climax to another highly successful Miami Hurricanes football season with the Hurricanes falling painfully short of a sixth national championship. But the Hurricanes, whose 34-game winning streak ended on January 3, can look back proudly on a 12-1 season that placed the 2002 team among the finest in the school’s storied history. Since 1983, Miami has won at least 11 games in a season an amazing 10 times in 20 seasons, including four 12-win seasons (1987, 1991, 2001, 2002).
JOHNSON & MCGAHEE TO ENTER PRO DRAFT
Two of the top offensive players from the 2002 Hurricanes have chosen early entry in the National Football League Draft. Junior split end Andre Johnson and sophomore running back Willis McGahee announced their intention to enter the 2003 NFL Draft before the January 15 deadline for declaring. Johnson was the team’s leader in receiving yards with 1,092 and nine touchdowns in 2002. McGahee broke nine Miami records in 2002 while rushing for 1,753 yards and 28 touchdowns. A third-year sophomore, McGahee placed fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy and was a finalist for the Doak Walker Running Back Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year.
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2003
Miami looks to reload for another run at a BIG EAST title and national contention in 2003 as 15 starters return to action from the 2002 squad that went 12-1 and sat atop the national rankings for all but one week of the season. As for personnel, the Hurricanes will be mainly concerned with finding three new offensive starters (quarterback, left guard and center), four new defensive starters (all in the defensive line) and both specialists. In addition to the four starters on the defensive front, UM loses two top reserves in the D-line from 2002. But a load of established veterans return, including the team’s leading receiver (tight end Kellen Winslow), leading blocker (right tackle Vernon Carey), leading tackler (middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma), leading defensive backs (safeties Sean Taylor and Mo Sikes), leading kickoff return man (Jason Geathers) and leading punt returner (Roscoe Parrish). Six starters return on offense, but the focal point of the off-season will feature a battle for the starting job at quarterback among junior Derrick Crudup, junior transfer Brock Berlin, redshirt freshman Marc Guillon and some fresh faces from the high school ranks. Defensively, UM returns its entire secondary and starting linebacker corps led by the top two tacklers from 2002 in Vilma and D.J. Williams.
HEAD COACH LARRY COKER EARNS ANOTHER NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR HONOR
Miami head footballl coach Larry Coker is the 2002 National Coach of the Year selected by American Football Monthly magazine, beating out Ohio State’s Jim Tressel, Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, Southern California’s Pete Carroll and Notre Dame’s Tyrone Willingham. In addition to this award, Coker was a finalist for two national Coach of the Year honors in 2002, the Football Writers Association’s Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award (with Ferentz, Tressel and Willingham) and the AFCA Coach of the Year honor (with Tressel, Ferentz, Willingham, and Alabama’s Dennis Franchione). Coker has a 24-1 (.960) record at Miami, including a 14-0 mark in BIG EAST play, along with a 12-0 mark at the Orange Bowl and a 12-1 record away from the Orange Bowl.
Coker’s 24-0 start at Miami was the best of any first-time head coach in modern college football history (post-1900) and is the best since a 28-0 start by Walter Camp of Pennsylvania (1888-89). Coker led Miami to an undefeated season in his first year as a collegiate head coach with the 2001 Hurricanes. Coker was named Miami’s 19th head football coach on February 3, 2001 and was named National Coach of the Year for 2001 by the AFCA (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 2003 season will be Coker’s ninth 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).
COKER REPEATS AS BIG EAST COACH OF THE YEAR
Head coach Larry Coker’s coaching peers in the BIG EAST Conference paid him the ultimate compliment by selecting him as the 2002 BIG EAST Coach of the Year. It marked Coker’s second consecutive BIG EAST Coach of the Year honor as selected by the conference’s top coach. Coker, who is 24-0 as a head coach, is 14-0 in BIG EAST play over two seasons.
COKER’S START RANKS AMONG THE BEST EVER
Miami head football coach Larry Coker enters the 2003 season with a 24-1 record as a head coach since taking over the Hurricanes prior to the 2001 season. Coker set a modern NCAA record for victories by a first-year head coach in 2001 with 12 wins. Coker’s two-year start ranks as the second-best ever by a head coach in the history of college football in terms of winning percentage. In terms of total victories through two seasons as a head coach, Coker’s 24 victories ranks third all-time and is the most in 109 years.
MIAMI’S BOWL HISTORY
The Hurricanes have a 16-13 record in bowl games. The Fiesta Bowl loss ended a streak of five consecutive victories in bowl games dating back to a victory over Virginia in the 1996 Carquest Bowl. Miami is 5-3 in bowl games that have decided national championships.
WIN STREAK ENDS AT 34 GAMES
The loss to Ohio State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl ended Miami’s historic winning streak at 34 games, the longest winning streak in college football since Toledo won 35 straight from 1969-71 and the most impressive major college football win streak since Oklahoma’s astounding 47-game streak from 1953-57. The 34-game win streak, including bowl games, set a new Miami school record, surpassing the 29-game streak set from 1990-92. The streak also is tied for the sixth longest win streak in college football history (Pennsylvania, 1894-96).
MIAMI DURING THE WINNING STREAK
During Miami’s current 34-game winning streak the Hurricanes…
Outscored their opponents 1,431 to 576, an average of 42.1 to 16.9 or a winning margin of 25.2 points per gameComplied a 19-0 record at the Orange BowlCompiled a 13-0 record on the roadCompiled a 2-0 record in bowl gamesCompiled a 21-0 record in BIG EAST gamesCompiled a 13-0 record against non-conference opponentsCompiled an 12-0 record against ranked opponentsCompiled a 6-0 record against top 10 ranked opponentsWon 1 National ChampionshipWon 3 BIG EAST ChampionshipsWon 2 bowl games by a combined score of 74-34 (average of 37 to 17)Defeated top 10 teams ranked No. 1, No. 2, No. 4, No. 6, No. 7 and No. 9Defeated teams from the Pac 10, Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, ACC, WAC and MEAC.Defeated teams from 13 states – Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
REGULAR SEASON VICTORIES STREAK REMAINS ACTIVE
In the regular season, UM has won 32 consecutive regular season games dating back to a 47-10 victory at West Virginia on Sept. 23, 2000. The longest win streak in the regular season for Miami is 36 games, accomplished from a 48-20 win at Rice on Sept. 14, 1985, to a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame on Oct. 15, 1988.
HOME WIN STREAK A NATIONAL-BEST 22 GAMES
Miami will enter the 2003 home opener against Florida (Sept. 6) riding a 22-game home win streak at the Orange Bowl that dates back to a 28-20 win over West Virginia on Oct. 30, 1999. Miami’s last loss at home was to No. 2 Penn State, 27-23, at Sept. 18, 1999. During the 22-game streak Miami has outscored its opponents 1,008-273 (45.8-12.4 per game – 33.4 UM margin of victory). In non-conference games during the streak, Miami has outscored eight opponents 372-141 (46.5-17.6 per game – 28.9 UM margin of victory). Against the BIG EAST, Miami has outscored the league 636-142 (45.4-10.1 per game – 35.3 UM margin of victory) in 14 home contests. Against the seven ranked teams defeated at the Orange Bowl during the streak, Miami has outscored the opposition 304-145 (43.4-20.7 per game – 22.7 UM margin of victory).
The 22-game home win streak is currently the longest in the nation. UM’s streak is also its longest since setting the NCAA record with its 58-game streak from 1985-94. South Florida and Texas share the nation’s second-longest active home winning streak at 19.During the streak Miami’s lowest point total is 27 points in a 27-24 thrilling win over No. 1 Florida State on Oct. 7, 2000. Scoring has been high during the streak with the Hurricanes surpassing 30 points 18 times, 40 points 14 times, 50 points nine times and 60 points four times. The most points UM has scored during the streak is 65 points in a 65-7 win over No. 12 Washington on Nov. 24, 2001.The UM defense has posted five shutouts during the 21-game streak and had another six games where the opponent scored seven or less points. The most points allowed by UM were 45 by Virginia Tech on Dec. 7, 2002. Opponents have achieved double-digit scoring just 11 times during the 22-game streak. FAMU totaled 17 points in the 2002 season opener at the Orange Bowl, marking the first time in a nine-game home span the opponent scored more than seven points.Prior to Pittsburgh’s first quarter touchdown on Nov. 21, the last touchdown recorded by a BIG EAST opponent at the Orange Bowl was in the first quarter vs. Boston College on Nov. 25, 2000 – 23 straight quarters over six league games.Over the last 14 home games since defeating Pittsburgh, 35-7, on Nov. 11, 2000, the Hurricanes have outscored home opponents 654-160 (46.7-11.4 per game – 35.3 UM margin of victory).Including the home loss to Penn State in 1999, Miami has won 26 of 27 home contests since a 26-14 loss to Florida State on Oct. 10, 1998.
UM STANDS TALL IN THE BIG EAST
Through 12 seasons of competition in the BIG EAST, Miami has forged a league-best 66-10 (.868) overall conference record. The Hurricanes’ 2002 BIG EAST Conference championship is Miami’s seventh, also a league-best, ahead of Syracuse (3), Virginia Tech (3) and West Virginia (1).
HURRICANES WIN ANOTHER BIG EAST TITLE
The 2002 BIG EAST football championship won by the Hurricanes was Miami’s sixth outright conference title, the fourth since full round-robin play began in 1993. In 12 seasons of BIG EAST competition, Miami has now won or shared seven BIG EAST titles, including 6 outright crowns (1991, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2001 and 2002).
MIAMI EXTENDS BIG EAST WIN STREAK TO 24
Miami extended its BIG EAST-record win streak to 24 games with its win over Virginia Tech. Additionally, UM has also won 27 of its last 28 BIG EAST games, including a 1999 loss to Virginia Tech. The streak began with a 55-0 defeat over Rutgers on Nov. 20, 1999. Miami has also recorded conference win streaks of 12 games (1991-93), 10 games (1995-96) and seven games (1994).
MIAMI NOW 5-4 IN NATIONAL TITLE GAMES
The 2003 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl for the national championship was Miami’s ninth bowl game in which Miami entered play with a national championship within its grasp. The Hurricanes won national titles in 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991 and 2001. Miami is 5-4 in such contests with victories in the 1984 Orange Bowl (31-30 v. Nebraska), 1988 Orange Bowl (20-14 v. Oklahoma), 1990 Sugar Bowl (33-25 v. Alabama) , 1992 Orange Bowl (22-0 v. Nebraska) and the 2002 Rose Bowl (37-14 v. Nebraska). Miami’s bowl losses for national titles were at the 1986 Fiesta Bowl (10-14 v. Penn State), the 1993 Sugar Bowl (13-34 v. Alabama), and the 2003 Fiesta Bowl (24-31 v. Ohio State).
HURRICANES ARE 2-1 IN BCS BOWLS
Miami’s appearance in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl was the Hurricanes’ third in a Bowl Championship Series bowl game since the advent of the BCS in 1998. Miami is 2-1 in BCS bowl games with victories in the 2001 Nokia Sugar Bowl (37-20 v. Florida) and the 2002 AT&T Rose Bowl (37-14 v. Nebraska) and the loss to Ohio State (24-31) in the 2003 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
CURRENT ROAD WIN STREAK AT 17 GAMES
Miami has won a national-best 17 straight games away from the Orange Bowl, including the 2002 Rose Bowl and 2001 Sugar Bowl, since defeating West Virginia in Morgantown, 47-10, on Sept. 23, 2000.
Regular season games only, Miami has a current 15-game road win streak since that win over the Mountaineers. The regular season win streak is the longest at UM since the Hurricanes won 14 straight road contests from 1990-93.Including 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.
AMONG THE BEST SINCE 1983
Since 1983, Miami has constructed the nation’s second-best record (by winning percentage) of all NCAA Division 1-A football schools. Interestingly, Miami played 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.
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 20 seasons beginning with 1983 is the best among all NCAA Division 1A football institutions. Miami has a record of 84-19-0 (.815) in road games at the opponent’s home. During that span, Miami has gone unbeaten in road games in nine seasons (1985, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2001 and 2002).
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 took on three more in 2002 (Florida State, Tennessee and Florida).
THE CONSENSUS NO. 1
Miami regained its status as the consensus No. 1-ranked team on Nov. 10 after defeating Tennessee, 26-3, on Nov. 9, along with an Oklahoma 30-26 loss at Texas A&M. Miami had held the consensus top spot for 16 straight weeks until Oklahoma was voted No. 1 by the Associated Press on Sunday, Nov. 3. Miami has held the No. 1 ranking in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll for the last 22 weeks dating back to the 2001 season.
Miami has been the consensus No. 1 in 16 of 17 rankings weeks during the 2002 season. UM finished off the 2001 season as consensus No. 1 the last six weeks and was at the same spot each of the first 12 polls this season. In 2001, UM was the consensus No. 1 in 12 of 17 total polls.
HAVING THE NO. 1 RANKING
The Hurricane’s loss in the Fiesta Bowl ended Miami’s streak of being ranked No. 1 at 17 straight polls in the USA Today/ESPN rankings. Coupled with the 2001 season, Until the loss, Miami had been ranked at the top spot in the either the Associated Press or USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll for 32 consecutive polls.
Miami ended the 2001 season having been ranked No. 1 by the AP for the last 9 weeks and 14 of 17 polls during the season. UM was No. 1 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll for the last six weeks and 13 of 17.Since the AP poll began in 1936, the weekly rankings have been published 880 times. Miami has been ranked No. 1 65 times.
RECORD TOP-RANKED STREAK
On Nov. 4, Miami fell from atop the Associated Press weekly poll after a stay of 21 consecutive week dating to Oct. 14, 2001. The 21 straight weeks is the longest of any team in college football history to remain atop the AP rankings.
MIAMI AS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NO. 1
The Hurricanes have played in 48 games all-time while holding the Associated Press’ No. 1 ranking and have forged a 42-6 record in those contests. Miami has won 18 straight as the nation’s top-ranked team. Prior to the Alabama loss (34-13) in the 1993 Sugar Bowl, UM had won 12 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 44 games and has recorded a 40-4 mark. UM last lost a regular season game while holding the No. 1 ranking in the 1990 season opener at Brigham Young (BYU), 28-21 on Sept. 8.
Miami’s record according to AP Rank
UM is 210-41-2 all-time in games while holding an AP national ranking. Since 1983, Miami is 145-21 as a top 10 team and 117-13 as a top five team. The Hurricanes are 42-6 as the nation’s No.1-ranked team. Miami has won 32 of its last 34 while ranked No. 1.
Miami vs. AP-ranked teams
Miami is 73-99-1 vs. AP-ranked teams since its first game against a ranked opponent against No. 18 Alabama in 1941, is 35-53 vs. AP top-10 teams since playing No. 6 Alabama in 1947, is 19-32 against AP top-5 teams since playing No. 3 Maryland in 1953, and is 9-7 against No. 1-ranked teams. Before the loss to Ohio State, Miami had won 12 consecutive games against ranked opponents beginning with a 27-24 victory over No. 1 Florida State on Oct. 7, 2000. That streak included five straight wins on the road or at neutral sites against ranked opponents and seven victories at the Orange Bowl against ranked foes.
VS. RANKED/UNRANKED OPPONENTS SINCE 1990
Since 1990, Miami has registered a 34-23 mark against Associated Press ranked teams and a 93-6 record against unranked opponents.
THE LEGACY OF THE 2002 SENIORS
Miami’s 2002 senior class left an impressive legacy for future groups to follow. Many entered the Miami program during a time of turmoil and left it at the top of the college football landscape, trying to extend a record winning streak and fighting to win another national championship. A summary of the success story that has been the 2002 Miami Hurricanes Senior Class:
Since 1998, when 12 of the seniors were true freshmen, Miami has a 53-9 record.Since 1999, when the bulk of the class began contributing, Miami has a 44-6 record.Miami has won three outright BIG EAST titles.Since 1998, Miami has a 32-3 record against BIG EAST opponents.Since 1999, Miami has a 27-1 record against BIG EAST opponents.Since 1998, Miami has a 4-1 record in bowl games.Since 1998, Miami is 21-3 at the Orange Bowl; 32-6 away from Miami.Since 1999, Miami is 17-1 at the Orange Bowl; 27-5 away from Miami.Miami built a current 34-game winning streak (6th longest in college football history) with this class.Miami won 22 consecutive games at the Orange Bowl (the longest active streak in college football).
4 HURRICANE GET FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICA HONORS
Four Hurricanes – quarterback Ken Dorsey, defensive end Jerome McDougle, tailback Willis McGahee and center Brett Romberg – have been named First Team All-Americans by at least one service while McGahee and Romberg have earned Consensus First Team All-America status. While McGahee and Romberg have been named First Team honorees by every major service (thus earning the consensus tag), Dorsey and McDougle were named First Team All-Americans by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Additionally, McDougle (AP) and tight end Kellen Winslow (AP, CNNSI.com, Collegefootballnews.com) have been second-team selections. Also, four Hurricanes (Dorsey – AP, guard Sherko Haji-Rasouli – AP, receiver Andre Johnson – AP, defensive tackle William Joseph – AP) have received Third Team All-America honors. Johnson (CNNSI.com), safety Maurice Sikes (CNNSI.com) and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (CNNSI.com) were Honorable Mention All-America honorees.
HURRICANES DOMINATE COACHES’ ALL-BIG EAST TEAM
Thirteen Miami starters earned First Team All-BIG EAST honors and a total of 16 Hurricanes were mentioned overall on the 2002 All-BIG EAST Team selected by the conference’s eight head coaches. Leading the way were Co-Offensive Players of the Year quarterback Ken Dorsey and tailback Willis McGahee. First Team selectees were: Dorsey, McGahee, receiver Andre Johnson, tight end Kellen Winslow, center Brett Romberg, offensive guard Sherko Haji-Rasouli, placekicker Todd Sievers, defensive end Jerome McDougle, defensive tackle William Joseph, linebacker Jonathan Vilma, cornerback Antrel Rolle, safety Sean Taylor and safety Maurice Sikes all earned a spot on the First Team. Second Team selections were offensive tackle Carlos Joseph, defensive end Jamaal Green and linebacker D.J. Williams. Dorsey, McGahee and Vilma were unanimous selections. Dorsey repeated as Offensive Player of the Year, also winning the award in 2001.
VILMA & WALTERS FIRST-TEAM ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS
Two Hurricanes defensive starters – senior tackle Matt Walters and middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma – were recently named to the Verizon Academic All-America First Team, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced on Dec. 2. Vilma (Coral Gables, Fla., Coral Gables HS) is a two-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team honoree and was named the Provost’s Honor Roll in 2001 and 2002. Vilma has started at middle linebacker for UM the last two seasons. Vilma also has earned several academic honors at UM including: Dean’s List (2000, 2001 & 2002), Arthur Ashe Scholar Athlete (2001 & 2002), and the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll (2000, 2001 & 2002). On the field, he also was a Freshman All-American by Rivals.com in 2000, led UM in tackles in 2001 and was a first-team All-BIG EAST selection in 2001. Vilma is studying finance at UM. Walters (Melbourne, Fla., Eau Gallie HS) is a 2002 National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Award nominee who led all UM defensive linemen in tackles the last two seasons. He has achieved numerous academic honors at UM including: Provost’s Honor Roll (1999 & 2001); Dean’s List (1999, 2001, 2002); and the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002). Walters came to Miami in 1998 and, after redshirting in ’98, has become a mainstay in the defensive line starting every game since the midway point of the 2000 season (25 straight games). Walters earned Miami’s Team Leadership Award in 2001 from the UM football coaching staff and is a three-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team honoree. Walters is studying mechanical engineering and is on track to complete a bachelor’s/master’s double degree program in May of 2003.
13 GRADUATES ON THE FIELD FOR MIAMI – 5 GRADUATED IN DECEMBER
Thirteen graduates played for Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, including eight who graduated in May and five more who were awarded their undergraduate diplomas on December 19. The eight May, 2002, graduates who are playing for UM this season: punter Freddie Capshaw (finance/marketing), offensive lineman Joe Fantigrassi (liberal arts), defensive end Jamaal Green (criminology), offensive guard Sherko Haji-Rasouli (finance), center Brett Romberg (management), receiver Ethenic Sands (liberal arts), defensive back James Scott (liberal arts), and offensive guard Ed Wilkins (liberal arts). Five more student-athletes graduated in December – linebacker Howard Clark (history), quarterback Ken Dorsey (business management/marketing), defensive end Cornelius Green (criminology), defensive tackle William Joseph (liberal arts) and placekicker Todd Sievers (management). Two student-athletes – defensive tackle Matt Walters (mechanical engineering) and lineman Jim Wilson (biomedical engineering) – are on track to complete a bachelor’s/master’s double degree program in May of 2003.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: A MIAMI TRADITION
Miami football has a tradition of achieving a high graduation rate among its football student-athletes. Miami has received recognition by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) as one of an elite group of schools to have exceeded a 70 percent graduation rate among its football student-athletes in eight of the past 11 years. The Hurricanes’ have exceeded the national graduation rate for AFCA member schools for 15 consecutive years. From 1992-97, Miami was one of only eight schools in the nation to graduate at least 70 percent of its football student-athletes and that trend continues to the present day. Thirteen of 18 Miami football student-athletes who entered UM in 1996 have graduated, a rate of 72.2 percent – exceeding the national average of 2001 (59 percent). Since the AFCA began its national survey of graduation rates for football playing institutions, Miami has graduated 71.29 percent of its football student-athletes – far above the national average. Ten members of Miami’s 2001 National Championship team earned spots on the BIG EAST All-Academic Team – the most any team can qualify for the honor. The 2001 season marked the fourth straight year that Miami placed the league maximum on the All-Academic Team.
2002 SCORING OFFENSE AMONG THE BEST ALL-TIME
Miami scored 527 points this season, the most in a season by any Hurricanes team. UM bettered the all-time school single-season scoring mark (including bowl games) of 512 points set in 2001 and this season’s 503 points already is a close third on the all-time list behind 2001 (512) and 2000 (506). In regular season scoring only, the 2002 Hurricanes supplanted the 2001 team atop the list with 503 points. In 2001, Miami finished the regular season with 475 points after 11 games, followed by 2000 (469 in 11). Miami’s 2002 scoring average of 40.6 points per game ranks third on the UM list behind the 2001 (42.7 ppg) and 2000 (42.2) teams when bowl games are figured in. Regular season only, the 2001 Hurricanes hold the mark with an average of 43.2 points per contest and the 2000 team is second at 42.6 with the 2002 team third at 41.9.
2002 HOME ATTENDANCE SETS U.M. RECORD
The attendance for the six home games of the season was a combined 417,233 (Florida A&M 68,548; Boston College 73,622; Connecticut 52,131; Florida State 81,927; Pittsburgh 64,897, Virginia Tech 76,108) for an average of 69,539 fans per game. The total attendance shattered home attendance marks for both total attendance and per-game average. The Miami record for home attendance was 390,944 set in 1960 when UM played 8 home games. The 2002 totals surpassed that in six games. The record for home attendance average was 62,096 set in 1990 when Miami attracted 372,577 fans in 6 home games, a mark exceeded by an average of 7,443 this season.
PLAYING IN FRONT OF LARGE CROWDS
The fifth-largest crowd in Tennessee history, 107,745, attended the Miami game on Nov. 9 marking the second-largest crowd ever to watch the Hurricanes play. Additionally, it was the fourth crowd to surpass 100,000 for a Miami game. The all-time largest crowd to see UM play was in 2001 at Penn State, where the attendance hit 109,313. Games at Michigan in 1988 (105,834) and in 1984 (105,403) are now third and fourth, respectively.
EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE
Miami’s offense can strike quickly. In 13 games, the Hurricanes recorded 215 plays of 10 or more yards, or 24.2% of its total offensive plays for the season. The Hurricanes struck for 10 or more yards once every four plays from scrimmage.
QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE
The average drive time on UM’s 64 offensive touchdowns in 2002 was 1:59. Overall, 37 of the 64 touchdowns were scored under two minutes of drive time. Additionally, 18 touchdown marches lasted less than a minute.
IF MIAMI SCORES FIRST
When Miami scores first it is nearly a lock to win. Beginning with the 1983 season, the Hurricanes have gone 163-15 (.916) when scoring first.
THE HURRICANES WHEN SCORING 30 OR 31 POINTS
Miami has won 110 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points since a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame in 1988.
Miami has won 131 consecutive games when scoring 31 or more points since falling 39-37 to UCLA in the 1985 Fiesta Bowl (conclusion of the 1984 season). Excluding bowl games, Miami has won 142 consecutive regular season games when scoring 31 or more since a 34-31 loss to Mississippi State in 1980.
4TH QUARTER DOMINANCE
Over the last 18 seasons, Miami has been almost unbeatable when leading after three quarters. Since 1985, Miami has won 161 of 163 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 those 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.
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. The following chart illustrates college programs that have produced the most players selected in the first three rounds from 1983 to 2002.
MIAMI GAMES USUALLY PACKED WITH NFL TALENT
The Miami program has been the best in sending players to the NFL by way of the first three round of the draft over the last 16 years leading the country 63 top-three round picks since 1987. With that, many of the Hurricanes games in 2002 are among the highest in sending a combined amount to the NFL Draft’s first three rounds. The Miami/FSU and Miami/Tennessee games highlight this list. In each of these games, a combined 117 players have been drafted into the first three rounds of the draft.
QUARTERBACK KEN DORSEY
DORSEY HOLDS 4 BIG EAST PASSING RECORDS
Ken Dorsey ended his Miami career with four BIG EAST career passing records: yards (9,565), completions (668), attempts (1,153), and touchdown passes (86).
Ken Dorsey in the BIG EAST record book:
TD Passes – 1st (86) (old record: 77 by Donovan McNabb of Syracuse, 1995-98)
Passing yards – 1st with 9,565 (old record: 8,389 by McNabb)
Pass completions – 1st with 668 (old: 571 by Marc Bulger of West Virginia, 1996-99)
Total offense – 2nd with 9,486 (record: 9,950 by McNabb, 1995-98)
Pass attempts – 1st, 1,153 (record: 1,138 by Henry Burris of Temple, 1993-96)
DORSEY’S SCHOOL RECORDS RECAP
Ken Dorsey ended his career with seven UM records: touchdown passes, passing yards, pass completions, total offense, pass attempts, most 200-yard passing games, and consecutive passes thrown without an interception.
Ken Dorsey in the UM record book:
TD Passes – 1st (86)
Passing yards – 1st with 9,565 (old record: 7,690 by Gino Torretta, 1989-92)
Pass completions – 1st with 668 (old record: 555 by Gino Torretta, 1989-92)
Total offense -1st with 9,486 (old record: 7,722 by Gino Torretta, 1989-92)
Pass attempts – 1st with 1,153 (old record: 991 by Gino Torretta, 1989-92)
200-yard passing games – 31
Consecutive Passes Without An Interception – 193 (1999-2000)
DORSEY’S CAREER TOUCHDOWNS
Split end Andre Johnson led all players with 19 Dorsey touchdowns. The Dorsey to Johnson tandem is the most prolific scoring duo in school history along with Vinny Testaverde/Michael Irvin (19) and ahead of Gino Torretta/Lamar Thomas (16). Overall, Dorsey connected with 19 different players in his career.
DORSEY PLAYS VALIANTLY IN FINAL GAME
Senior quarterback Ken Dorsey played his final game as a Miami Hurricane in the Fiesta Bowl loss against Ohio State. He performed in typical fashion, coming up with a huge outing in a big game as he completed a career-high 28 passes and breathed life into an offense that struggled in the running game. Here’s a look at Dorsey’s final ledger as a starting quarterback for the Hurricanes.
DORSEY’S WINNING LEDGER . . .
Overall Record 38 wins, 2 losses
Home Games 21 wins, 0 losses
Road Games 15 wins, 1 loss
Bowl Games 2 wins, 1 loss
BIG EAST Games 24 wins, 0 losses
Day Games 23 wins, 1 loss
Night Games 16 wins, 1 loss
National TV 25 wins, 2 losses
DORSEY’S 2002 SEASON IN PERSPECTIVE
Ken Dorsey set personal single-season bests in 2002 for passing yards (3,369), passing touchdowns (28), completions (222) and attempts (393). Those go along with a 56.5 percent completion percentage and only 12 interceptions (1 in every 33 attempts). The touchdowns total exceeds Vinny Testaverde’s total in his Heisman Trophy season of 1986 and Dorsey exceed’s Testaverde’s Heisman winning numbers by far in yards, completions and attempts. Here’s how Dorsey’s 2002 totals rank on the Miami single-season passing lists:
Passing Yards – 2nd with 3,369
Passing Touchdowns – 2nd with 28
Pass Completions – 5th with 222
Pass Attempts – tied for 3rd with 393
DORSEY AS A STARTER
Ken Dorsey was the Hurricanes’ starter from the final three games of the 1999 season through the 2002 season. In those 40 starts, he passed for 400 yards one time, a career-high 422 yards at West Virginia. He passed for 300 yards nine times and 200 yards 31 times. Dorsey had multiple touchdown passes in 32 games. By almost any measure, Dorsey set a new standard for quarterback success at “Quarterback U”. He posted the second-best winning percentage ever established by a Miami starting quarterback, in addition to taking over the all-time mark in winning starts as the starter.
TAILBACK WILLIS McGAHEE
WILLIS McGAHEE – SIMPLY THE BEST
Willis McGahee entered the 2002 season as an obscure third-year sophomore with big goals, chief among them his stated goal of becoming the finest running back in Miami history. Then, McGahee laid undisputed claim to that title. During the 2002 season, McGahee set no less than 9 school records:
Rushing Yards 1,753
Rushing Touchdowns 28
Total Touchdowns 28
All-Purpose Yards 2,108
Total Points 168
Rushing Yards Per Game 134.8
Rushing Attempts 282
Touchdowns In A Game 6 (v. Va. Tech)
100-Yard Performances 10
AN ELITE CLUB: 1,500 YARDS & 25 TOUCHDOWNS
During the 2002 regular season, Willis McGahee became a member of an elite fraternity of collegiate football players who have rushed for more than 25 touchdowns and 1,500 yards in a single season. McGahee had 1,753 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns during the 2002 season. With the exception of Penn State’s Lydell Mitchell, each of those running backs won the Heisman Trophy. Mitchell finished in the top 10 in the voting in 1971. McGahee finished fourth in the 2002 Heisman voting. A look at the others who accomplished this feat:
In 1988, Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders rushed for 2,628 yards and 37 TDs.In 1983, Nebraska’s Mike Rozier rushed for 2,148 yards and 29 TDs.In 1998, Texas’s Ricky Williams rushed for 2,124 yards and 27 TDs.In 1971, Penn State’s Lydell Mitchell recorded 1,567 yards and 26 TDs.
McGAHEE’S GOES HUGE AGAINST THE HOKIES
Willis McGahee entered the Virginia Tech game already established in the Miami record books, but he set even more records against the Hokies with a 205-yard performance punctuated by an incredible six rushing touchdowns. That touchdowns total eclipsed the oldest individual record in the Miami books, Bill L’Italien’s five total touchdowns scored against Piedmont in 1933. McGahee’s performance earned him every major National Player of the Week honor and solidified his spot as a Heisman Trophy finalist.
McGAHEE SET SEASON RUSHING YARDS MARK IN RECORD TIME
Willis McGahee’s five-yard run late in the first quarter at Syracuse set a new single-season rushing record, giving him 1,419 rushing yards to surpass the former mark of 1,416 set by Edgerrin James in 1998. McGahee set the mark on his 210th rushing attempt of the season. James took 242 attempts to set the previous standard.
1 PLAY = 3 SCHOOL RECORDS
Willis McGahee’s 61-yard touchdown run in the first quarter at Syracuse gave him three Miami single-season records. His rushing touchdown gave him 20 total touchdowns (20 rushing, 0 receiving) this season, breaking the old mark of 19 by Edgerrin James in 1998 and the six points moved him to 120 this year, surpassing the old UM single-season points record of 119 set by Todd Sievers in 2001. His 61 yards gave him 1,737 all-purpose yards this season, breaking the old UM record of 1,708 set by Ottis Anderson in 1978. McGahee has set 6 Miami single-season records this season: rushing yards, all-purpose yards, rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns, points scored and 100-yard rushing performances.
McGAHEE EXTENDS SINGLE-SEASON RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS RECORD
McGahee rushed for 28 touchdowns this season, obliterating the previous Miami standard. McGahee’s 61-yard touchdown rush in the first period at Syracuse eclipsed the old school record of 19 set by Edgerrin James in 1998. McGahee also broke the total touchdowns record for a season, which was formerly 19 by Edgerrin James in 1998 (17 rushing, 2 receiving). McGahee, who did not scored a receiving touchdown this season, had 28 rushing touchdowns.
McGAHEE’S SINGLE-SEASON ALL-PURPOSE YARDS RECORD
The new Miami single-season record holder for all-purpose yards, Willis McGahee compiled 2,108 all-purpose yards (1,753 rushing + 355 receiving) this season. That total surpasses the old UM single-season record set by running back Ottis Anderson, who gained 1,708 yards (1266 rush, 47 receiving, 395 return yards) in 1978.
McGAHEE SETS RECORD FOR 100-YARD RUSHING OUTINGS
Willis McGahee compiled ten 100+-yard rushing performances this season, breaking the 100-yard games record held by Ottis Anderson in 1978 and Clinton Portis in 2001.
McGAHEE’S BIG PLAY PRODUCTION
The nation’s top big play running back, McGahee averaged 6.8 yards every time he touched the football (309 touches for 2,108 total yards). He carried 282 times for 1,753 yards (6.2 avg) and recorded 27 catches for 355 yards (13.1 avg).
McGahee recorded 59 plays of 10 or more yards, including 15 of 20 or more yards and 13 of 30 or more yards. Of the 309 times he touched the football 90 (29.1%) went for first downs or touchdowns. McGahee has accounted for 32.7% of Miami’s 267 first downs this season.
SPLIT END ANDRE JOHNSON
ANDRE JOHNSON ONLY 2ND HURRICANE OVER 1,000
Split end Andre Johnson accumulated 1,092 receiving yards in 2002, making him only the second Hurricanes receiver to accomplish that achievement. That total ranks just 22 yards behind Eddie Brown’s 1984 total of 1,114 yards gained in a 12-game regular season (Brown ended the 1985 Fiesta Bowl with a total of 1,168 yards). Johnson produced four games of 100+ receiving yards, including outings of 181 yards at Syracuse and 193 against Virginia Tech.
A.J. ON SINGLE-SEASON TD CATCHES LIST
Split end Andre Johnson caught nine touchdown passes in 2002, the third-best single season total in Miami history and just two off the record of 11 set by Michael Irvin in 1987. Johnson has 20 touchdown catches in his career, a total that ranks him third in UM history. Michael Irvin (1985-87) holds the school record with 26.
JOHNSON ENTERS CAREER RECEIVING YARDS TOP 10
With a 54-yard outing against Ohio State, Andre Johnson continued his climb up the Miami career top 10 list for receiving yards. He now ranks fifth in Miami history with 1,831 yards.
TIGHT END KELLEN WINSLOW
WINSLOW’S PRODUCTION COMPARABLE TO SHOCKEY’S
Tight End Kellen Winslow had big shoes to fill as he replaced 2001 All-America and NFL first round draft choice Jeremy Shockey, but the sophomore from San Diego ended up giving the Hurricanes an imposing threat at the position by putting up one more reception and one more touchdown catch than Shockey did in 2001 while matching his yardage through 12 games. With his 11 catches for 122 yards in the Fiesta Bowl, Winslow ended up 2002 with 57 catches for 726 yards and eight touchdowns, he compiled the most productive season of any tight end in Miami history.
OFFENSIVE LINE
OFFENSIVE LINE STATISTICS
A look at Miami’s 2002 offensive line reveals that this unit, which replaced four position starters from the 2001 season, made a place for itself among the school’s finest units.
ROMBERG IS RIMINGTON WINNER
Miami senior center Brett Romberg was named the winner of the 2002 Dave Rimington Trophy on Dec. 14. The Windsor, Ontario, native also earned consensus First Team All-America honors. Romberg is the first Miami Hurricane to win the Rimington Trophy and he also was one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy.
MIAMI LINEMEN ON HONORS TEAMS
Two Miami offensive linemen – center Brett Romberg and left guard Sherko Haji-Rasouli – received First Team All-BIG EAST honors by the league’s coaches. Left tackle Carlos Joseph was a Second Team All-BIG EAST selection. Romberg was on every major All-America team as a First Team selection while Haji-Rasouli was a Third Team All-American by Associated Press.
CAREY, MYERS ARE RISING STARS
The right side of Miami’s offensive line was a potent force in the running game as right tackle Vernon Carey and right guard Chris Myers produced the most dominating performances for the entire unit, in terms of total pancake blocks and metrorails. Both should be definite honors candidates in 2003 and were deserving of more notice in 2002. According to line coach Art Kehoe, Carey had the best overall performance of any of Miami’s offensive linemen when considering the total package of grades, sacks allowed, pancakes and metrorail blocks. Myers, meanwhile, was a dominating presence in the running game with a team-leading 59 metrorails with 41 pancakes.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
McDOUGLE WAS HENDRICKS AWARD FINALIST
Senior defensive end Jerome McDougle was one of four finalists for the inaugural Ted Hendricks Defensive End Award, won by Arizona State’s Terrell Suggs. The honor, named after former UM DE Ted Hendricks, is to honor college football’s finest defensive end. Joining McDougle and Suggs as finalists were Penn State’s Jimmy Kennedy and Texas’s Cory Redding.
JAMAAL GREEN
Defensive end Jamaal Green ended his career with 24 quarterback sacks, placing him fifth on the all-time UM career sacks list. The underrated senior from New Jersey made his 29th career start for the Hurricanes in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and ranked eighth on the team in tackles (52) and had 10 sacks in 2002.
WILLIAM JOSEPH
Senior defensive tackle William Joseph started every game he suited up at Miami since the 1999 season, making his 49th start in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
SEAN TAYLOR
Sophomore free safety Sean Taylor was a multi-talented star for the Hurricanes in 2002, scoring on a punt return and a pass reception in addition to leading the nation’s stingiest defensive secondary with 85 tackles. Taylor picked off four passes and has 4 quarterback sacks along with a team-leading 15 passes broken up. Taylor earned First Team All-BIG EAST honors by the conference’s head coaches.
MAURICE SIKES
Junior strong safety Maurice (Mo) Sikes had a breakthrough year in his debut season as a starter for the Hurricanes. Sikes earned First Team All-BIG EAST honors by the league’s head coaches while ranking fourth on the team in tackles (80) and making three pass interceptions. Sikes’ 150 interception return yards is second in Miami single-season annals. He returned pickoffs for touchdowns at Florida (97 yards) and Syracuse (53 yards).
