Hurricanes Set To Face No. 20 Pittsburgh In Season Finale
Nov. 24, 2003
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(#10 AP/#10 ESPN/USA TODAY) MIAMI HURRICANES
VS. (#20 AP/#21 ESPN/USA TODAY) PITTSBURGH PANTHERS
When: Saturday, November 29, 2003, at 8 p.m. ET.
Where: Heinz Field (Natural Grass; 65,000)
TV: ABC will televise the game live with Brent Musberger (play-by-play) and Gary Danielson (analysis) describing the action. Jack Arute will report from the sidelines.
Fox Sports Net Florida (Tape Delay, Sunday, Nov. 30, 5 p.m. ET) replays all Hurricanes football games.
Radio: The Hurricanes Radio Network (WQAM 560 AM) 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 Joe Martinez (analysis) describing the action.
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com), Pittsburgh (www.pittsburghpanthers.com).
MIAMI-PITTSBURGH SERIES HIGHLIGHTS
Miami and Pittsburgh have met 30 times since 1950 with the Hurricanes holding the 20-9-1 series lead, including an 9-1 mark in BIG EAST play since league play began in 1993.Miami has won the last five meetings with Pittsburgh by a combined score of 177-62 (35.4 – 12.4), a 23-point margin of victory. Additionally, the Hurricanes have been in the win column against the Panthers in 12 of the last 13 meetings since 1984. The lone loss to Pittsburgh in this 19-year stretch was a 21-17 defeat at Pitt Stadium in 1997, the year UM went 5-6.The Miami/Pittsburgh series began in 1950 with a 28-0 Miami victory on Oct. 28 at Pitt Stadium. The first game played in Miami was the following season, a 21-7 Panther victory on Dec. 7, 1951. At that time, the Hurricanes were coached by legendary Hall of Famer Andy Gustafson, who starred as a player at Pittsburgh from 1923-25. Overall, the two schools have been common opponents in each decade since.Miami has forged a 10-5 lead in road games against Pittsburgh, while the Hurricanes own a 10-4-1 record all-time at the Orange Bowl against the Panthers. UM’s 43-21 victory at Pittsburgh in 2001 was the first at Heinz Field.The Hurricanes currently own a two-game winning streak over Pittsburgh in road games dating back to the 1997 season. Miami has won six of seven at Pittsburgh since the 1976 season.UM coordinators Randy Shannon (1985-88) and Rob Chudzinski (1988-90) and defensive line coach Greg Mark (1986-89) were a combined 5-0 against Pittsburgh as players for the Hurricanes. Assistant head coach/offensive line coach Art Kehoe (1979-80) did not play Pittsburgh during his collegiate career as a Hurricane.The Miami/Pittsburgh game will be broadcast regionally by ABC Sports, marking the 12th network-televised contest between the two schools. Of the 11 previous televised Pittsburgh games, nine have been nationally televised, including three on ESPN.
SERIES RECORD
Miami leads, 20-9-1
Record at the Orange Bowl: Miami leads, 10-4-1
Record at Heinz Field: Miami leads, 1-0
Record at Pitt Stadium or Three Rivers Stadium: Miami leads, 9-5
HURRICANES HAVE SUCCEEDED DESPITE MAJOR TALENT OVERHAUL SINCE 2001
The sustained success of the Miami football program over the last four years ranks among the most remarkable runs in college football history. Since the start of the 2000 season, Miami has constructed a 44-4 (.917) record and constructed the following streaks – 34 straight victories (all games), 39 consecutive regular-season victories, 27 consecutive BIG EAST victories, 18 straight road victories (at opponent sites), and a 26-game home winning streak. Over that span, Miami has won one national title, competed for another, and won three BIG EAST titles. However, the team that will take the field Saturday for Miami is a much different group than the one that won the 2001 national title. Only two players in the 2003 starting lineup – linebackers Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams – were starters on that 2001 team. Only one player on offense (senior flanker Kevin Beard) started a game that season (5 games in place of regular starting FL Daryl Jones). On defense, only current starting cornerback Alfonso Marshall got any starting time, and that was only as an extra defensive back when Miami started six DBs against Troy State. Eleven starters from 2002 are starting this season, including six on offense (FL Kevin Beard, TE Kellen Winslow, LG Vernon Carey, RG Chris Myers, RT Carlos Joseph and FB Quadtrine Hill) and five on defense (MLB Jonathan Vilma, WLB D.J. Williams, CB Antrel Rolle, FS Sean Taylor, and SS Mo Sikes). On special teams, Miami has undergone a virtually complete makeover. Long snapper Chris Harvey is the only holdover who started the last two seasons.
COKER’S COACHING CAREER OFF TO WINNING START
University of Miami head football coach Larry Coker is 33-3 as a head coach after Saturday’s win over Rutgers, the third-winningest start (third-best by percentage) through 36 games in college football history. His 31-1 record through 32 games tied Walter Camp of Yale as the best by a head football coach in the history of the sport through that span of games, edging out Oklahoma’s Barry Switzer. Coker set a modern NCAA record for victories by a first-year head coach in 2001 with 12 wins. Coker’s 24-1 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 victories through two seasons as a head coach, Coker’s 24 victories ranked third all-time, the most in 109 years.
MIAMI DEFENSE MAKES ITS STAND
The Hurricanes defense has strengthened as the season has progressed and currently ranks among the NCAA’s national top 5 in two categories, the nation’s top six in four categories and in the top 30 in all five. According to NCAA statistics released Sunday, November 23, Miami ranks second in passing yards defense (142.2 ypg), third in total defense (264.6 ypg), sixth in scoring defense (15.3) and sixth in pass efficiency defense (95.03 rating). The Hurricanes lead the BIG EAST Conference in all five defensive categories.
NO PASSING FANCY AGAINST THE MIAMI DEFENSE
The Hurricanes posted four consecutive impressive pass defense outing against Temple, Virginia Tech, Tennessee and Syracuse. Against Syracuse, Miami allowed only 85 yards through the air and only 192 total yards. Against Tennessee, UM allowed 81 yards passing and a season-low 170 total yards. Before that, the Miami defense limited Virginia Tech to 219 total yards (the Hokies’ second-lowest total offense production this season), including only 44 passing yards. Over Miami’s last four games, the defense has allowed only 231 yards passing while Temple ,Virginia Tech, Tennessee and Syracuse combined to complete only 30 of 61 passes with two interceptions and one touchdown.
HURRICANE DEFENSE KEEPING THE OPPONENT DOWN
The Miami defense has stepped up this season to keep the Hurricanes right in the thick of the chase for the BIG EAST title and a berth in a BCS Bowl. The UM defense is holding opponents to an average of 118.6 yards per game less than their season average.Yards Allowed.
HURRICANES’ SENIORS PLAY FINAL REGULAR SEASON GAME
The 2003 Miami Hurricanes senior class plays its final regular-season game at Heinz Field on Saturday against Pittsburgh. This group of seniors consists of 10 players who signed with the Hurricanes and are fifth-year seniors (Larry Anderson, Kevin Beard, Vernon Carey, Chris Harvey, Joe McGrath, Jarrett Payton, Troy Prasek, Mo Sikes, Jim Sikora and Jarrell Weaver), seven players who signed with Miami in 2000 (Carlos Joseph, Alfonso Marshall, Jason Geathers, Jonathan Vilma, Carl Walker, D.J. Williams and Darrell McClover), and four non-scholarship players (Matt Harper, Tim Kelly, Mike Langley and Jon Mann).
THE LEGACY OF THE 2003 SENIORS
The Hurricanes who take the field for the Hurricanes on Saturday will have left an impressive legacy for future groups to follow. Many entered the Miami program during a time of turmoil and played a major role as it returned to the top of the college football landscape. A summary of the success story that has been the 2003 Miami Hurricanes Senior Class:
Since 1999, when the bulk of this class began contributing, Miami has a 52-8 record.Miami has won one National Championship, three outright BIG EAST titles and remains in contention for a fourth.Since 1999, Miami has a 32-2 record against BIG EAST opponents.Since 2000, Miami has a 26-1 record against BIG EAST opponents.Since 1999, Miami has a 3-1 record in bowl games.Since 1999, Miami is 28-2 at the Orange Bowl.Since 2000, Miami is 24-1 at the Orange Bowl.This class has been ranked in the nation’s top 20 every week of their careers.Since 2000, Miami has spent all but four weeks ranked in the top 10.Since 2000, Miami spent 23 games ranked No.1 and 36 games ranked No.1 or No.2.
Miami IN THE MIDST OF ANOTHER GREAT 4-YEAR RUN
Entering today’s game, Miami has a 44-4 record since the start of the 2000 season. With one regular season games and a bowl game remaining this season, Miami has a chance to collect its most victories ever in a four-year span while also compiling the top winning percentage of any four-year span in its football history.
WINSLOW AT RECORD PACE
Miami’s tight end Kellen Winslow continues to be the go-to-guy for the Hurricanes on offense. The junior has 54 catches for 548 yards to lead the Hurricanes. His 113 career receptions rank second among tight ends in UM history (Willie Smith, 114) and seventh among all receivers. Winslow’s 1,308 career receiving yards also rank second to Smith’s 1,521. He is on pace to break his personal best of 57 receptions he hauled in a year ago for 726 yards. Winslow is also only 12 catches short of the season record for receptions (Smith – 66 in 1984). His 57 receptions (4.91 per game) rank 66th nationally among receivers and third among tight ends.
NOTES FROM MIAMI VS. RUTGERS
Miami improved to 11-0 against the Scarlet Knights, including a 6-0 mark in the Orange Bowl.The Hurricanes did not record a turnover for the first time this season.Miami’s six sacks are the Hurricanes’ season-high. Miami recorded four sacks versus Florida State.Miami recorded a season-high three interceptions (Antrel Rolle, Sean Taylor, Tanard Davis).Sean Taylor’s 44-yard interception return marked the Hurricanes’ eighth touchdown by return this season and 42nd since 1999. The return also marked Miami’s ninth non-offensive touchdown this season.Antrel Rolle’s interception in the second quarter was his second of the season. Tanard Davis’ interception was the first of his career.Kevin Everett’s recorded two touchdown receptions marking the first multi-touchdown game of his career. Everett now has three career touchdowns.A 30-yard field goal with 3 seconds left in the second quarter marked the first points Rutgers has scored against Miami in the Orange Bowl since the fourth quarter of Miami’s 51-23 win in 1997, a Mike McMahon 10-yard run with 13:59 to play.Miami blocked two punts against Rutgers, giving the Hurricanes four punt blocks this season.Jarrett Payton recorded his sixth rushing touchdown of the season in the third quarter, his eighth touchdown overall.
MIAMI’S RECORD ACCORDING TO AP RANK
UM is 218-43-2 all-time in games while holding an AP national ranking. Since 1983, Miami is 151-23 as a top 10 team and 123-14 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 when ranked No. 1.
MIAMI VS. AP-RANKED TEAMS
Miami is 75-101-1 vs. AP-ranked teams since its first game against a ranked opponent against No. 18 Alabama in 1941, is 36-54 vs. AP top-10 teams since playing No. 6 Alabama in 1947, is 20-32 against AP top-5 teams since playing No. 3 Maryland in 1953, and is 9-7 against No. 1-ranked teams.
MIAMI VS. RANKED & UNRANKED OPPONENTS SINCE 1990
Since 1990, Miami has registered a 36-25 mark against Associated Press ranked teams and a 99-7 record against unranked opponents.
HURRICANES IN DAY GAMES
Miami’s loss to Tennessee was a rarity in many ways for the Hurricanes, who have been particularly effective in day games under head coach Larry Coker. Since the Tennessee game, UM has won two consecutive day games, including a 34-10 win over Rutgers at the Orange Bowl. Since Coker took over the program in 2001, Miami is 17-1 in day games and 33-3 overall. In the modern era of University of Miami football, the Hurricanes have enjoyed success in day games accumulating a 156-34 (.821) record in day games since 1980. Since 1990, Miami is 90-21 (.811) in day games.
MIAMI WINS 9 GAMES IN A SEASON FOR 32ND TIME
With an 9-2 record through 11 games, the 2003 Hurricanes gave Miami at least 9 victories in a season for the 19th time in 78 seasons of major college football at the school. The Hurricanes will be looking for its 10th win on Saturday at Pittsburgh for the 14th time in school history.
MIAMI ACHIEVED 7-0 START FOR THE NINTH TIME
Miami produced a 7-0 start this season, marking just the ninth time in UM football history the Hurricanes have gotten off to such a fast start. For the first time in school history, Miami has done it three consecutive seasons. UM achieved 7-0 starts in back-to-back seasons for the first time 1986 and 1987 and then again in 1991 and 1992. Miami has won four national championships when starting the season 7-0. Miami’s first 7-0 start was by its freshman team in 1926, finishing 8-0. The Hurricanes are 4-3 in bowl games after starting the season with a 7-0 record.
MIAMI LEADS THE NATION IN SCORES BY RETURN SINCE 1999
The Hurricanes have scored a total of nine touchdowns this season via returns, eclipsing their total from last season. Two via a fumble return, two on a punt return, three via interception returns and once on a kickoff return. Since 1999, Miami has scored more touchdowns on various returns (punts, kickoffs, fumbles or interceptions) than any team in the nation.
5 GRADUATES ON THE FIELD – 8 TO GRADUATE IN DECEMBER
Twenty-one members of the 2003 Hurricanes have either graduated or are on track to receive diplomas by the end of the 2004 spring semester. Thirteen members of the team will have earned their degrees by the end of the fall semester while five have already achieved their bachelor’s degrees and are playing this fall.
Five UM football players who already have graduated are playing for UM this season: defensive end Larry Anderson (criminology), flanker Kevin Beard (liberal arts), offensive guard Joe McGrath (business management), center Joel Rodriguez (newspaper journalism), and safety Mo Sikes (criminology/african-american studies). All five received their bachelor’s degrees in May, 2003.
Eight more student-athletes are on track to graduate in December – offensive guard Vernon Carey (liberal arts), kicker Mark Gent (marketing), long snapper Chris Harvey (history), safety Tim Kelly (liberal arts), offensive guard (Chris Myers (history), running back Jarrett Payton (liberal arts), and offensive guard Jim Sikora (civil engineering).
Nine others are on track to graduate in May, 2004: receiver Jason Geathers (liberal arts), fullback Talib Humphrey (history), offensive tackle Carlos Joseph (liberal arts), cornerback Alfonso Marshall (criminology), linebacker Darrell McClover (business management), defensive tackle Santonio Thomas (criminology), linebacker Jonathan Vilma (finance), linebacker Carl Walker (liberal arts), and linebacker D.J. Williams (liberal arts).
This continues Miami’s 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 exceed 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. Additionally, Matt Walters (New York Jets) and Jonathan Vilma were named to the 2002 Verizon Academic All-America First Team.
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 1984 to 2003.
A TRADITION OF NON-OFFENSIVE SCORING
Miami has scored 10 touchdowns this season via non-offensive means (special teams or defense) and one safety. The Hurricanes have scored at least one non-offensive touchdown in seven of their 11 games this season, scoring 62 points through non-offensive means in 2003. 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
Beginning with the 1983 season, the Hurricanes have gone 169-15 when scoring first. An exception was the recent loss to Tennessee, in which Miami followed its habit of jumping to an early lead when Jon Peattie booted a 31-yard field goal at the 5:57 mark of the first quarter. Miami has scored first in seven of 11 games this season.
THE HURRICANES WHEN SCORING 30 OR 31 POINTS
Miami has won 116 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points since a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame in 1988.
Miami has won 137 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 132 consecutive regular season games when scoring 31 or more since a 47-45 loss to Boston College in 1984.
4TH QUARTER DOMINANCE
Over the last 18 seasons, Miami has been almost unbeatable when leading after three quarters. Since 1985, Miami has won 168 of 170 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.
THIRD DOWN PRODUCTION
Miami has converted 44 percent (67 of 152) of its third-down plays through the first nine games of the 2003 season. Miami has been effective on third and long (six yards or more) this season, converting on 22-of-59 (37.3 percent) attempts for 423 yards and a touchdown, which equates to 7.2 yards per attempt on third and long. The Hurricanes have also been efficient on third and short (two yards or less), converting 14 of 20 (70.0 percent) on the season.
HURRICANES’ THIRD-DOWN PASSING
Miami quarterbacks have been extremely productive through the air on third down so far this season. Miami quarterbacks are completing 71.1 percent of his passes on third down, racking up 675 yards, 45 first downs and three touchdowns.
MIAMI ALMOST AUTOMATIC IN THE RED ZONE
Miami is averaging 28.8 points per game in 2003, and the Hurricanes’ production in the red zone is a big reason why. UM has produced points on 38-of-49 (77.6%) trips inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. The Hurricanes have scored 196 points in their 49 appearances in the red zone, with 21 touchdowns and 17 field goals. The Hurricanes have rushed for 12 touchdowns inside the red zone and passed for nine more.
HURRICANES CONTINUE BIG-PLAY TRADITION
Miami’s offense is one that has proven over the years that it can strike quickly. Eleven games into the 2003 season the Hurricanes have recorded 149 plays of 10 or more yards, or 19.3% of its total offensive plays for the season. The Hurricanes have struck for 10 or more yards once every 4.1 plays from scrimmage. Hurricanes’ quarterback Brock Berlin is leading the way for the Hurricanes with 87 big plays, while wide receiver is second with 28 big plays.
BALANCED OFFENSE KEY FOR HURRICANES’ SUCCESS
Each of the last five seasons the Hurricanes have rushed for over 2,000 yards and passed for over 2,000 yards. Miami is the only school in the nation to surpass 2,000 yards both rushing and passing each season since 1998. Boston College and Iowa State have accomplished this feat for the past three season (2000-2001), while Minnesota has rushed and passed for 2,000 yards for four straight seasons.
MULTIPLE HURRICANES UP FOR NATIONAL AWARDS
As many as 10 different Hurricanes are in the running for national awards this season. Jonathan Vilma was named one of three finalists for the Butkus Award last week. Free Safety Sean Taylor is among the leading candidates for the Thorpe Award given to the top defensive back in the country. Mo Sikes, Antrel Rolle and Kelly Jennings are also candidates for the Thorpe Award. Miami has four players up for the Lombardi, which is given to the nation’s top offensive or defensive lineman or linebacker. Vilma and Williams are candidates along with Vince Wilfork and Kellen Winslow. Vernon Carey and Wilfork are also being heavily considered for the Outland Trophy given annually to the nation’s top interior lineman. Winslow is also the leading candidate for the Mackey Award given to the nation’s top tight end. Redshirt freshman Jon Peattie is a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, which is given to the best place-kicker in the country.
COKER IS COACH OF YEAR CANDIDATE
University of Miami head football coach Larry Coker is among 10 coaches listed on the watch list for the 2003 George Munger Award honoring college football’s top coach, the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia announced. Coker led Miami to a 7-0 start this season and a No. 2 national ranking in both major polls. In two-and-a-half seasons as head coach, Coker has a 33-3 record, a mark that ranks as one of the finest start of any head coach in college football history. Coker’s Hurricanes have been ranked among the nation’s top three throughout his tenure and he has maintained the Miami program’s high level of success through an almost complete overhaul of talent since taking over the job prior to the 2001 season. Joining Coker as contenders for the honor are Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech), Pete Carroll (Southern California), David Cutcliff (Mississippi), Mike Leach (Texas Tech), Mark Richt (Georgia), Nick Saban (LSU), Bob Stoops (Oklahoma), Joe Tiller (Purdue), Tommy Tuberville (Auburn).
8 HURRICANES LISTED AMONG ESPN THE MAGAZINE’S TOP 100
Eight Miami football players were recently listed among ESPN.com’s Top 100 College Football Players, which was picked by ESPN The Magazine’s Bruce Feldman. Junior free safety Sean Taylor tops the list. He is second on the team with 71 tackles, including 44 solo stops, 7.0 tackles for loss, one sack, seven interceptions and 13 pass breakup. Taylor has also found the endzone three times this season on interception returns. Junior tight end Kellen Winslow is fourth on the list with 54 receptions for 548 yards and a touchdown. Defensive tackles Vince Wilfork is ranked 19th, while linebackers D.J. Williams (24) and Jonathan Vilma (30) round out the top 30. Cornerback Antrel Rolle is listed as the 65th best player, while defensive tackle Orien Harris came in at 88th and offensive tackle Eric Winston was ranked at No. 96.
WINSLOW APPROACHING SINGLE-SEASON CATCHES MARK
Tight end Kellen Winslow is within possible reach of one of the most enduring offensive marks in the Miami record book, the single-season catches record of 66 set by tight end Willie Smith in 1984. With one regular season game (plus a bowl game) remaining, Winslow needs 12 catches to match Smith’s totals set in the 12-game regular season in 1984. Until 2002, NCAA single-season records did not account for bowl game totals so Winslow has two games to catch Smith’s total.
VILMA FINALIST FOR BUTKUS AWARD
University of Miami senior middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been named one of three finalists for the 2003 Butkus Award, the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando (DACO), Inc., announced Thursday. The Butkus Award is presented annually to the best linebacker in college football. Vilma joins junior Derrick Johnson of Texas and senior Teddy Lehman of Oklahoma as a finalist. The Butkus Award has been presented since 1985 and Vilma is the fifth UM player to be a finalist for the honor. Dan Morgan of Miami won the award in 2000. Other Miami finalists for the Butkus were Ray Lewis (1995), Michael Barrow (1992) and Maurice Crum (1990). The 2003 Butkus Award winner will be announced at the Butkus Award Presentation Ceremony on Friday, December 12, 2003 at the Renaissance Orlando Resort at Sea World.
TAYLOR, VILMA & WILFORK NAMED TO BEDNARIK WATCH LIST
Sean Taylor, Jonathan Vilma and Vince Wilfork are among 14 candidates for the Bednarik Award honoring college football’s top defensive player. Taylor (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep) was recently rated college football’s top player by ESPN The Magazine in a mid-season ranking, as he has become more than just a burgeoning star in the secondary. He also has solidified his standing as college football’s finest defensive back through the first half of the 2003 season and is nothing less than a candidate for college football’s highest honors. Vilma is in his third full season as a starter, but he has become more than the leader of the Miami Hurricanes defense – he’s now the team’s unquestioned leader. Vilma has been an impressive player since the beginning of his UM career. He leads the team lead in tackles. Wilfork is a dominating player in the mold of former Miami greats.
VILMA AWARDED POST-GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP
Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma was named one of 15 winners of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame post-graduate scholarship. Vilma is also a finalist for the Draddy Award or the “Academic Heisman.” To be eligible, the nominee must be a senior or graduate student in his final year of eligibility, have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have shown superior academic application and performance, have outstanding football ability as a first team player, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Vilma, along with the 14 other scholar-athletes will be recognized at The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s 46th Annual Awards Dinner on December 9, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Also being honored at the dinner will be the 2003 College Football Hall of Fame class, which will share the dais with these scholar-athletes. Each scholar-athlete receives an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship, and that evening, one will receive the Draddy Trophy as the top scholar-athlete in the nation, increasing the scholarship to $25,000. Former Hurricane Joaquin Gonzalez won the Draddy Trophy in 2001.
TAYLOR NAMED SEMI-FINALIST FOR THORPE AWARD
Junior safety Sean Taylor (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep) is among 12 players listed as semi-finalists for the 2003 Jim Thorpe Award honoring college football’s top defensive back, the Jim Thorpe Association announced last week. The Association will select three finalists on Monday, November 25. The 2003 Thorpe Award winner will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show to be held Thursday, December 11, 2003 in Orlando. The winner will be honored at a banquet in Oklahoma City scheduled for February 9, 2004.
PEATTIE IS GROZA SEMI-FINALIST
Freshman placekicker is among 20 semi-finalists for the 2003 Lou Groza Award honoring college football’s top placekicker, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced last week. Peattie (Clearwater, Fla./Countryside HS) has produced an outstanding season in his first year as Miami’s full-time placekicker. He has given the Hurricanes with a reliable and consistent kicker, providing a solution to one of the team’s major preseason concerns. Peattie has made 16 of 20 field goal attempts through the season’s first nine games, including a stretch in which he made 10 consecutive field goals, the third-best streak in Miami history. Peattie is a perfect 26 of 26 on extra-point attempts, leads the team in scoring with 74 points and ranks ninth nationally in field goals per game (1.78 avg.). He made a school-record five field goals, including the game-winner from three yards in the final seconds, to provide the difference in Miami’s 22-20 squeaker over West Virginia on Oct. 2. Peattie made three of four field goal attempts in Miami’s 22-14 win at Florida State on Oct. 11 and his 16 field goals made ties for eighth on the Miami single-season list.
