Miami Preparing For Home Opener Against Florida
Sept. 2, 2003
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(#3 AP/#3 ESPN/USA TODAY) Miami Hurricanes (1-0, 0-0 BIG EAST)
vs. (#21 AP/#18 ESPN/USA TODAY) FLORIDA GATORS (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
When: Saturday, September 6, 2003, at 8 p.m. EDT.
Where: Orange Bowl (72,319/Natural Grass) in Miami, Fla.
TV: ABC will televise the game live with Brad Nessler (play-by-play) and Bob Griese (analysis) describing the action. Lynn Swann will report from the sidelines.
Fox Sports Net Florida (Tape Delay, Sunday, Sept. 7, 5 p.m. Eastern Time) will produce coverage of all Miami Hurricanes football games this season with Frank Forte (play-by-play) and Dave Heffernan (analysis) describing the action.
Sunshine Network (Tape Delay, Sunday, Sept. 7, 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time) The Florida Gators television network replays each UF game. David Steele (play-by-play) and Nat Moore (analysis) describe the action with Steve Babik reporting from the sidelines.
Radio: The Hurricanes Radio Network (Power 96 FM) will carry the game live with Joe Zagacki (play-by-play) Don Bailey, Jr. (analysis), and Brian London (sideline reports) describing the action. Josh Darrow is the studio host.
En Espanol: Radio Unica (1210 AM) will broadcast the game in Spanish with Roly Martin (play-by-play) and Jose Martinez (analysis) describing the action.
Student Station WVUM (WVUM 90.5 FM) will broadcast the game in with Jeremy Marks Peltz (play-by-play) and Jesse Agler (analysis) describing the action.
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com), Florida (www.gatorzone.com)
THE FLORIDA-MIAMI SERIES
Miami and Florida meet for the 52nd time in football Saturday night with Miami holding a 26-25 lead in the series.Miami has won the last four meetings against Florida, including the last meeting (41-16) at Gainesville on Sept. 7, 2002.The Hurricanes have won 9 of the last 11 meetings in the series.The teams last met at the Orange Bowl on Sept. 5, 1987, with Miami taking a 31-4 victory.Now in its 78th season of football, Miami has faced Florida 51 times – more than any opponent.Florida holds an 13-10 edge in the series in games played at the Orange Bowl in Miami. Miami holds a 14-9 advantage in the series in games at Gainesville.The Hurricanes have never lost to the Gators in nationally televised games, owning a 6-0 advantage vs. Florida in those contests.Of the 51 games played between UM and UF to this point, 24 have been decided by a touchdown or less.A total of 137 players in today’s game played their high school football in the state of Florida. Miami has 57 players from the Sunshine State while 80 Gators are from Florida high schools.Miami’s last home loss to an unranked team was on Sept. 19, 1998 – a 27-20 overtime loss to Virginia Tech.Miami’s last home loss overall was on Sept. 18, 1999 – 27-23 setback to No. 2-ranked Penn State.
Series Record: Miami leads, 26-25
Record at the Orange Bowl: Florida leads, 13-10
Record at Florida Field: Miami leads, 14-9
Record at neutral sites: Florida leads, 3-2
THE HURRICANES VS. THE GATORS
Florida’s most recent trip to face the Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl stadium took place Sept. 5, 1987. That edition of Hurricanes faced similar questions to the 2003 squad. It featured an inexperienced quarterback, an unproven offensive line and young players at key positions throughout the starting lineup. Behind the poised play of sophomore quarterback Steve Walsh, plus an opportunistic defense produced seven sacks, three turnovers and an interception return for a touchdown, Miami took an impressive 31-4 victory.Current Miami defensive coordinator Randy Shannon provided the icing to the 1987 UM victory, returning an interception 41 yards to give Miami a commanding 24-2 lead in the third quarter.Five members of the Miami coaching staff (offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, grad. assistant Clint Hurtt, asst. head coach/offensive line coach Art Kehoe, defensive line coach Greg Mark, and defensive coordinator Randy Shannon) played in the Miami-Florida series as Hurricanes. Combined they have a 8-0 playing record and stand 8-3 as coaches against the Gators. Kehoe played for Miami in 1979-80 and was part of two wins against the Gators. Kehoe has been a part of nine games in the series as a coach with Miami going 6-3 over that span. Chudzinski was 1-0 as a player and is 2-0 as a coach in the series. Hurtt was 1-0 as a player (2002 Sugar Bowl). Mark and Shannon went 2-0 as players (1986-87) and stand 2-0 as coaches (2002 Sugar Bowl and 2002 victory at Gainesville).Miami’s 35-20 loss to Florida at the Orange Bowl (Sept. 7, 1985) was historically significant as it was the last UM home defeat preceding its NCAA record 58-game home winning streak. Miami did not lose another home game following that defeat until a 38-20 setback to Washington on Sept. 24, 1994.
COKER OFF TO RECORD START
Miami head football coach Larry Coker is 25-1 as a head coach entering the Florida game. Coker set a modern NCAA record for victories by a first-year head coach in 2001 with 12 wins. Coker’s two-year start ranked as one of the finest 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 ranked third all-time and was the most in 109 years.
MIAMI’S REGULAR SEASON WIN STREAK
Miami enters the Florida game riding a 33-game win streak in regular season play. The streak started on Sept. 23, 2000, with a 47-10 victory at West Virginia. Miami’s last regular season loss was a 34-29 setback at Washington on Sept. 9, 2000. Since that loss, the Hurricanes have won 35 of 36 games overall (including two bowl victories). Miami’s 34-game unbeaten streak overall ended with a loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 3, 2003, a 31-24 defeat. Miami is 36-2 since the start of the 2000 season, the nation’s best record during that stretch. Miami’s 45-6 record since 1999 also is the nation’s finest.
MORE ON THE 22-GAME ORANGE BOWL WIN STREAK
Miami will host 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 second-ranked Penn State, 27-23, on 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 outscored the opposition 304-145 (43.4-20.7 per game – 22.7 UM margin of victory).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 was 45 by Virginia Tech on Dec. 7, 2002. Opponents have achieved double-digit scoring 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.
CURRENT ROAD WIN STREAK AT 16 GAMES
Miami has won a national-best 16 straight regular season games away from the Orange Bowl since defeating West Virginia in Morgantown, 47-10, on Sept. 23, 2000. The current 16-game road win streak is the longest at UM since the Hurricanes won 19 straight road contests from Sept. 15, 1984 to Sept. 17, 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 20 seasons beginning with 1983 is the best among all NCAA Division 1A football institutions. Miami has a record of 85-19-0 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).
Miami’s record according to AP Rank
UM is 211-41-2 all-time in games while holding an AP national ranking. Since 1983, Miami is 146-21 as a top 10 team and 118-13 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.
VS. RANKED/UNRANKED OPPONENTS SINCE 1990
Since 1990, Miami has registered a 34-23 mark against Associated Press ranked teams and a 94-6 record against unranked opponents.
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. In fact, 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. As of the end of the spring semester of 2003, 16 of 22 Miami football student-athletes who entered UM in the fall of 1997 have graduated, a rate of 72.7 percent – exceeding the national average.
Since the AFCA began its national survey of graduation rates for football playing institutions, Miami has graduated 71.03 percent of its football student-athletes – far above the national average.
Ten members of Miami’s 2002 team earned spots on the BIG EAST All-Academic Team – the most any team can qualify for the honor. But that’s not unusual at Miami – it’s the norm. The 2002 season marked the fifth straight year that Miami has placed the league maximum on the All-Academic Team.
A STATED GOAL: LEAD THE NATION IN RECORDING TURNOVERS
Since 1998, the Hurricanes defense has recorded takeaways at a record pace. It peaked in 2001, when the defense netted 45 turnovers (an NCAA high) along with the +2.36 per game average as Miami’s 27 pass interceptions led the nation, while the 18 fumbles recovered tied for second nationally.
HIGH TURNOVER MARGIN IS A MIAMI PRIORITY
The Hurricanes garnered a plus-2 turnover margin against Louisiana Tech, returning to a trend of opportunism that has become a tradition in recent years. Last season was an aberration as Miami ranked 67th nationally in turnover margin with an average margin of minus-.08 turnovers per game. This trend is unusual. In the three previous seasons, Miami’s turnover rate rose drastically as did Miami’s victory total. The 45 turnovers caused in 2001 was a national best and a school record.
MIAMI LEADS THE NATION IN TOUCHDOWNS BY RETURN SINCE 1999
The Hurricanes scored a total of 21 points against Louisiana Tech via returns. One on a punt return, once via an interception return and once via a fumble return. Since 1999, Miami has scored more touchdowns on various returns (punts, kickoffs, fumbles or interceptions) than any team in the nation.
A TRADITION OF NON-OFFENSIVE SCORING
Miami scored three touchdowns in the season opener via non-offensive means (special teams or defense). In 2002, the Hurricanes had six non-offensive scores. For the second straight season in 2001, Miami led the nation in non-offensive scoring with 11 touchdowns and one safety. The 11 scores and one safety gave UM 68 points. The Hurricanes led the nation in 2000 with 13 touchdowns and 89 points coming from defense and special teams.
IF MIAMI SCORES FIRST
When Miami scores first it is nearly a lock to win. Beginning with the 1983 season, the Hurricanes have gone 164-14 when scoring first.
THE HURRICANES WHEN SCORING 30 OR 31 POINTS
Miami has won 111 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points since a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame in 1988.
Miami has won 132 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 143 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 162 of 164 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’s last loss when leading after three quarters was 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.
NOTES FROM THE LOUISIANA TECH GAME
FIRST-TIME STARTERS
Fourteen players started for the Hurricanes for the first time in the season opener against Louisiana Tech; five on offense, four on defense and five specialists. On offense: QB Brock Berlin, SE Ryan Moore, TB Frank Gore, C Joel Rodriguez, and TE Kevin Everett (the Hurricanes opened in a two-tight end set). On defense: DE Baraka Atkins, DE Javon Nanton, DT Orien Harris, and MLB Leon Williams. Specialists: HOL Matt Carter, K Mark Gent (kickoffs), K Jon Peattie (PATs/FGs), KOR Devin Hester, and P Brian Monroe.
FIRST-TIME PLAYERS
A total of 15 Hurricanes saw their first game action in a Miami uniform in the season opener: Devin Hester, Brock Berlin, Matt Carter, Travarous Bain, Brian Monroe, Tavares Gooden, Alex Pou, Kevin Everett, Alton Wright, Jon Beason, Anthony Wollschlager, Tyrone Moss, Derrick Morse, Bryan Pata, and Kareem Brown.
PLAYER NOTES
Junior quarterback Brock Berlin started and played until the Hurricanes’ last possession of the third period, leaving the game with Miami holding a 38-6 lead. Berlin completed 14 of 28 passes for 203 yards with one interception and one touchdown…Berlin notched the first pass completion of his Hurricanes career on a third-and-seven play. Redshirt freshman split end Ryan Moore caught the pass for a 17-yard gain and a first down at the Tech 27. Three plays later, Berlin and Moore connected on another third-and-seven play for a 23-yard touchdown completion…Starting for the first time at Miami, sophomore tailback Frank Gore rushed 21 times for 118 yards, including a long rush of 16 yards. The 100-yard outing was Gore’s third as a Hurricane…Junior tight end Kellen Winslow notched his first reception of the 2003 season on a seven-yard catch with 13 minutes left in the second quarter. He caught his first touchdown of the season on a six-yard grab with 3:28 left in the third quarter to give Miami a 31-6 lead. The scoring catch was the ninth of Winslow’s Miami career…Junior safety Sean Taylor intercepted a pass on Tech’s first play from scrimmage. It was Taylor’s fifth interception of his Miami career…Redshirt split end Ryan Moore made his first start tonight and wasted little time making the most of it. He caught two passes on Miami’s first scoring drive for a total of 40 yards, including a 24-yard scoring strike that put Miami up 7-0…Sophomore Javon Nanton, a former non-scholarship player who was awarded a scholarship this summer, made Miami’s first quarterback sack of the season for a seven-yard loss on the first play of Louisiana Tech’s second possession (following Miami’s first touchdown)…Senior linebacker D.J. Williams picked up a Louisiana Tech fumble and raced 78 yards for a touchdown to give Miami a 21-3 lead with 8:02 left in the second quarter. The touchdown was the fourth of Williams’ career, but his first on defense since switching to linebacker as a sophomore in 2001. In 2000, Williams played extensively as a fullback and scored three times (two in regular season and once in the bowl game) for an 11-1 Miami team that won the Sugar Bowl…Junior cornerback/punt returner Antrel Rolle scored two touchdowns against the Bulldogs. First, he scored Miami’s second touchdown on a 66-yard punt return with 10:00 minutes left in the first period to give Miami a 14-0 lead. The return was Rolle’s first punt return of his Miami career. Then, he scored on a 30-yard interception return to give Miami a 38-6 lead late in the third period. The interception was the third pickoff of Rolle’s career…Junior defensive tackle Vince Wilfork picked up his first quarterback sack of the season late in the second quarter, nabbing Tech QB Luke McCown for a seven-yard loss on a third down play with 2:30 remaining…Redshirt freshman placekicker Jon Peattie debuted as a placekicker for Miami. He scored his first field goal as a Hurricane with a 23-yarder with 10:56 remaining in the third quarter to give Miami a 24-3 lead. Peattie ended the evening two-for-three in field goals…Senior tailback Jarrett Payton scored on a four-yard run with 13:13 left in the game to give Miami a 45-6 lead. Payton’s TD was the fourth of his Miami career and his first since the 2001 season (vs. Troy State on Oct. 6, 2001).
MIAMI IN SEASON OPENERS
The victory improved Miami to 53-24-1 in season openers. The win means Miami has won eight in a row dating back to a 31-8 loss to UCLA in 1995. The Hurricanes are also 2-0 in neutral site openers and 59-19-1 away from the Orange Bowl.
MIAMI DEFENSE CLAMPS DOWN
The Miami defense contained one of college football’s most explosive offenses on Aug. 28, holding Tech without an offensive touchdown. The effort marked only the second time in 82 Tech games that the Bulldogs have been held without a touchdown (dating back to a 29-6 loss at Vanderbilt in 1995). The only other team to hold Tech without a TD in a game over that span was Texas A&M, which did so last year in a 31-3 Tech loss in College Station.
