Orange Bowl Game Notes
Dec. 22, 2003
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(#10 AP/#9 ESPN/USA TODAY) MIAMI HURRICANES
vs. (#9 AP/#8 ESPN/USA Today) FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
When: Thursday, January 1, 2004, at 8:40 p.m. EDT.
Where: Pro Player Stadium (Natural Grass; 75,540) 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.
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. ESPN Radio (National) will carry the game nationally with Dave Barnett (play-by-play), Bill Curry (analysis) and Heather Cox (sideline reports) describing the action.
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), Florida State (www.seminoles.com).
MIAMI’S 2003 SEASON
Miami completed the 2003 regular season with a 10-2 record and earned its fourth consecutive BIG EAST Conference title with a 6-1 league mark. The Hurricanes shared the conference title with West Virginia, but earned the league’s automatic Bowl Championship Series berth by virtue of a 22-20 victory over the Mountaineers on Oct. 2. The Hurricanes are making their 30th bowl appearance and their sixth straight to close a season. The FedEx Orange Bowl Classic marks Miami’s fourth consecutive appearance in a BCS contest, making the Hurricanes the first and only team to this point to have made appearances in all four BCS bowl games. The Hurricanes enter the bowl game having won three straight games to close the regular season. Miami is ranked 10th by AP and 9th by the coaches. Miami is 9th in the final BCS rankings, as well. During the regular season, Miami played five teams that were ranked in the top 25 at game time and the Hurricanes posted a 3-2 record in those contests, including a 1-1 mark against teams ranked in the top 10 at game time.
MIAMI-FLORIDA STATE SERIES HIGHLIGHTS
The Orange Bowl showdown with Florida State marks the 48th meeting in the 53-year-old series that dates back to 1951. Miami leads the series 27-20 with this meeting marking the first time the two traditional powers have met in a bowl game. Miami has won four straight in the series: a 27-24 win in 2000 at the Orange Bowl, a 49-27 victory in Tallahassee in 2001, last year’s 28-27 thriller at the Orange Bowl and this year’s 22-14 win in a rain-soak Doak Campbell Stadium. There have been 10 combined win streaks in the series, seven by Miami and three by FSU. Prior to the last four meetings, FSU had won five straight over Miami (1995-99), which came following UM streaks of three (1990-92), four (1985-88) and two games (1980-81). The largest win streak in the series was FSU’s seven-game stretch from 1963-72. UM started the series with consecutive win streaks of five (1951-57) and three games (1959-62). Miami’s 49-27 win in 2001 at Tallahassee ended FSU’s NCAA-leading decade-long 37-game home win streak and 54-game home-unbeaten streak dating back to a 17-16 loss to Miami on Nov. 16, 1991. The 2002 Orange Bowl game was highlighted by Miami’s furious fourth quarter comeback from a 13-point deficit, when senior quarterback Ken Dorsey led the Hurricanes down the field twice in the final quarter to erase a 27-14 deficit for the eventual win, 28-27. A combined 108 players from the UM and FSU rosters hail from the state of Florida, including 58 on UM and 50 on FSU. A combined 33 players from the Miami and Florida State rosters attended high school together. Six of the 11 mutual high schools are located in the Dade/Broward/Palm Beach area, while Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and Tallahassee Lincoln lead the way with five players from UM and FSU.
LATEST MEETING OF MIAMI VS. FLORIDA STATE
Saturday, October 11, 2003: (2)Miami 22, (5)Florida State 14
Sean Taylor returned one of his two interceptions 50 yards for a touchdown and second-ranked Miami took advantage of five turnovers in a 22-14 victory over fifth-ranked Florida State. Miami jumped out to the early lead behind dominating performances by the special teams and defense, building a 19-0 lead at halftime and never faltering in a game played in heavy rain.
It was the largest halftime deficit for the Seminoles since they trailed Florida, 28-6, in 1995. Miami (6-0) had no need for another late missed field goal by the Seminoles (5-1) because this one was over early. The Hurricanes defeated Miami for the fourth straight time and have won back-to-back games at Doak Campbell Stadium for the first time since 1985 and 1987.
Jarrett Payton caught a 14-yard touchdown pass on a screen play and freshman Jon Peattie kicked three field goals for the Hurricanes, who won their 38th straight regular-season game and their 18th straight road game. Payton carried 26 times for 97 yards in his first start at tailback in place of the injured Frank Gore.
“This is a team win for us – offense, defense and special teams,” Miami coach Larry Coker said. “Nobody had run the ball against Florida State and Jarrett Payton really stepped up and we did a nice job of running the ball today in some tough conditions.”
The Hurricanes also turned the ball over five times, including three interceptions by Brock Berlin, but they did not prove nearly as costly. Florida State showed some spark, cutting the lead to 22-7 on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Chris Rix to Willie Reid late in the third quarter. The Seminoles drove within the Miami 5 midway through the fourth quarter, but a fourth down pass by Rix was incomplete, ending any realistic chance at victory.
Rix threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Chris Davis on the final play of the game, but it was too little, too late. Rix completed 20-of-42 passes for 235 yards and was intercepted twice. Taylor also recovered a blocked punt by Jarrell Weaver in the first quarter, leading to a 26-yard field goal by Peattie. The Hurricanes then recovered an onsides kick and Berlin completed a 19-yard pass to Kellen Winslow, leading to a 22-yard field goal by Peattie that made it 6-0 after one quarter. Winslow caught seven passes for 106 yards.
Miami increased its lead to 12-0 by marching 75 yards in 11 plays, capped by the touchdown pass from Berlin to Payton. Berlin completed 15-of-28 passes for 181 yards. On the previous play, Miami’s Roscoe Parrish caught a short pass from Berlin and was leveled on a hard, legal hit from cornerback Stanford Samuels. Parrish needed assistance leaving the field. Later in the quarter, Taylor picked off a badly thrown pass from Rix and dodged several tacklers on his way to the end zone to make it 19-0.
Greg Jones, who ran for 189 yards in last year’s loss to Miami, was held to 15 yards on 13 carries. Peattie kicked a 19-yard field goal 3:34 into the third quarter. The Seminoles fumbled six times overall, losing three.
MIAMI-FLORIDA STATE: A MADE FOR TV MATCH-UP
The FedEx Orange Bowl Classic meeting with Florida State marks the 19th consecutive season and the 24th time in 48 meetings that the UM/FSU clash will be shown on network television. The Hurricanes are making their 73rd appearance on ABC since 1961 and hold a 49-23 record on that network. This marks the 15th time that ABC has televised the UM/FSU game with Miami holding an 8-6 lead in the previous ABC telecasts. All-time, Miami is 138-52 on network television and 112-39 in nationally televised games.
SUCCESS AGAINST THE SEMINOLES
Ten of Florida State’s last 30 losses, dating back to 1987, have been delivered by the Hurricanes. The 10 wins are the most by any team in the nation versus Florida State over the last 16 seasons. Miami is one of only three schools to defeat the Seminoles more than once since 1987 (5 – Florida, 3 – N.C. State). In addition, FSU has had eight one-loss seasons since 1987 with five of the losses coming at the hands of the Hurricanes.
MIAMI AGAINST SUNSHINE STATE OPPONENTS
Miami is 2-0 vs. teams from the state of Florida in 2003 with a 39-33 win over Florida on Sept. 6 and a 22-14 win over FSU on Oct. 11. The Hurricanes have also won 21 of their last 29 games against Sunshine State opponents since the 1985 season. Miami has an active eight-game win streak over in-state teams since the 2000 season.
MIAMI VS. THE ACC
Miami is 55-45-1 against teams currently in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Additionally, UM is 30-15-1 against ACC schools during their conference affiliation (1953 – present).
THE MIAMI-FSU SERIES SINCE 1983
Deceptive passing attack – In the last 21 games against FSU, Miami has passed for more yards 12 times. The team that has passed for more yards has lost eight of the last 15 meetings. Overall, the team that has passed for more yards has won 12 of 21 games. The teams have combined for nine 300-plus yards passing games since 1983 (Miami – 5, FSU – 4).
Penalties have led to wins – The team that has had the most penalties has won 14 of the 21 games, including 13 of the last 17. The team that has garnered the most penalty yards has won the last 13 meetings and 16 of 21 overall.
Miami has won the close games – The Hurricanes have won all six games decided by three points or less since 1983. Miami won last year when FSU missed a field goal as time expired. In 2000, Miami won, 27-24, when FSU missed a game-tying field goal attempt as time expired. Prior to 2000, UM picked up wins in 1992 (19-16) and 1991 (17-16) when FSU missed field goal attempts as time expired. In 1983, UM kicker Jeff Davis converted on a late field goal to propel past FSU, 17-16, and into the eventual National Championship game against Nebraska.
In the 13 games Miami’s won – UM outscored FSU 377-257 (29.0-19.8, UM +9.2).
In the 8 games FSU’s won – FSU outscored UM 269-91 (33.6-11.4, FSU +22.2).
MIAMI/FSU SCORING MARGINSOf the 47 meetings between these two teams, 13 have been decided by five or less points (UM leads, 10-3), nine have been decided by 6-10 points (UM leads, 6-3), and 25 have been decided by 11 or more points (FSU leads, 14-11).
AGAINST FSU, MIAMI IS…
16-6….when winning the coin toss
11-13…when FSU wins the coin toss
20-4….when scoring first
4-17….when FSU scores first
19-5….when leading after one quarter
6-4…..when tied after one quarter
4-10….when FSU leads after one quarter
18-1….when leading at halftime
3-3…..when the tied at halftime
6-15….when trailing at halftime
16-2….when leading after three quarters
4-1…..when tied after three quarters
7-16….when trailing after three quarters
3-3…..when FSU is ranked No. 1
STARTING QUARTERBACKS IN THE MIAMI-FSU SERIES
Miami quarterback Brock Berlin will be making his second start in the series in the Orange Bowl while FSU quarterback Chris Rix will be making his fourth start (the first Seminole quarterback to do so). In the UM-FSU series, Miami quarterbacks are 18-14 in their first starts, 7-4 in their second start and 2-2 in the third start. FSU quarterbacks have gone 13-17 in first starts, 8-7 in second starts and 0-2 in third starts.
THE TEAM THAT SCORES FIRST
When Miami and Florida State play the team that has scored first has won the last 12 meetings and 17 of the last 18. The lone exception was 1992 when FSU scored first in a 19-16 Miami victory at the Orange Bowl.
HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT
If the Miami and Florida State final score is close, history has favored the Hurricanes. Since 1973, the Hurricanes are 9-0 against FSU in games decided by four points or less.
SHUTTING OUT THE SEMINOLES
Since Bobby Bowden took over the coaching reigns at Florida State 26 years ago only one team has managed to shutout the Seminoles. Miami has blanked the Tribe twice during the Bowden era. The Hurricanes shut out FSU, 47-0, in the Orange Bowl in Bowden’s inaugural season at Florida State (1976) and then blanked his pre-season No. 1-ranked Seminoles, 31-0, in the Orange Bowl to start the 1988 season.
MIAMI AND FLORIDA STATE RIVALRY PACKED WITH NFL TALENT
The Miami/Florida State game always stands out on the schedule due to its history of great games and great players. Over the last 20 years, the Miami/FSU series has supplied the NFL with 124 top-three round picks (second nationally only to Miami’s matchup with Tennessee). Since 1984, Miami has produced a national-leading 68 top-three round picks, while Florida State is third nationally with 56 top-three picks. The 124 combined UM/FSU players since 1984 consist of 59 first-round picks, 35 second-round picks and 30 third-round picks.
TEAMMATES TO RIVALS
A combined 33 players from the Miami and Florida State rosters attended high school together. Six of the 11 mutual high schools are located in the Dade/Broward/Palm Beach area, while Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and Tallahassee Lincoln lead the way with five players from UM and FSU.
Miami Carol City (4)
Sinorice Moss (UM), Glen Sharpe (UM), Willie Jones (FSU), Stanford Samuels (FSU)
Tallahassee Lincoln (5)
Greg Threat (UM), Craphonso Thorpe (FSU), Pat Watkins (FSU), Antonio Cromartie (FSU), Andrew Henry-Kennon (FSU)
Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5)
Mark Gent (UM), Tavares Gooden (UM), Chris Napoli (UM), Anthony Wollschlager (UM), Ryan Reynolds (FSU)
Lakeland (2)
Kyle Cobia (UM), Kasey Anderson (FSU)
Miami Senior (2)
Roscoe Parrish (UM), Allen Augustin (FSU)
Miami Palmetto (3)
Chris Myers (UM), Cornelius Collier (FSU), Travis Smith (FSU)
Miami Monsignor Pace (3)
Mo Sikes (UM), Joel Rodriguez (UM), D.J. Norris (FSU)
Miami Northwestern (3)
Jarrell Weaver (UM), Bravarous Bain (UM), Vernon Carey (UM), Clifton Dixon (FSU)
Live Oak Suwannee (2)
Kelly Jennings (UM), Kyler Hall (FSU)
Jacksonville Andrew Jackson (2)
Carl Walker (UM), Leon Washington (FSU)
New Orleans St. Augustine (2)
Akieem Jolla (UM), Paul Irons (FSU)
PROMINENT UM/FSU PLAYERS DRAFTED SINCE 1987
2003: UM – Ken Dorsey, Jamaal Green, Andre Johnson, William Joseph, Jerome McDougle, Willis McGahee, Matt Walters, Andrew Williams; FSU – Anquan Boldin, Talman Gardner, Montrae Holland, Alonzo Jackson, Brett Williams, Todd Williams.
2002: UM – Bryant McKinnie, Jeremy Shockey, Phillip Buchanon, Edward Reed, Mike Rumph, Clinton Portis, Martin Bibla, Najeh Davenport, Joaquin Gonzalez; FSU – Javon Walker.
2001: UM – Damione Lewis, Dan Morgan, Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, James Jackson; FSU – Jamal Reynolds, Derrick Gibson, Tommy Polley, Snoop Minnis, Travis Minor, Chris Weinke.
2000: UM – Bubba Franks, Nate Webster; FSU – Peter Warrick, Corey Simon, Sebastian Janikowski.
1999: UM – Edgerrin James, Nick Williams; FSU – Tony Bryant, Larry Smith, Dexter Jackson.
1998: UM – Duane Starks, Jammi German; FSU – Andre Wadsworth, Tra Thomas, Sam Cowart, Samari Rolle, E.G. Green, Kevin Long.
1997: UM – Yatil Green, Kenard Lang, Kenny Holmes, Tremain Mack, Twan Russell, Tony Gaiter, Carlos Jones; FSU – Peter Boulware, Walter Jones, Warrick Dunn, Reinard Wilson.
1996: UM – Ray Lewis, Derrick Harris; FSU – Danny Kannell, Orpheus Roye.
1995: UM – Warren Sapp, Pat Riley, Chris T. Jones; FSU – Derrick Alexander, Devin Bush, Derrick Brooks, Corey Fuller.
1994: UM – Donnell Bennett; FSU – William Floyd, Lonnie Johnson.
1993: UM – Ryan McNeil, Micheal Barrow, Darrin Smith, Kevin Williams, Lamar Thomas, Horace Copeland, Gino Torretta, Jessie Armstead; FSU – Marvin Jones, Carl Simpson, Dan Footman.
1992: UM – Leon Searcy, Darryl Williams, Craig Erickson; FSU – Terrell Buckley, Amp Lee, Casey Weldon, Edgar Bennett, Brad Johnson.
1991: UM – Russell Maryland, Randal Hill, Shane Curry, Wesley Carroll, Robert Bailey, Mike Sullivan; FSU – Reggie Johnson, Lawrence Dawsey, Dedrick Dodge.
1990: UM – Cortez Kennedy, Bernard Clark, Willis Peguese, Jimmie Jones, Greg Mark, Dale Dawkins; FSU – Dexter Carter, LeRoy Butler, Peter Tom Willis, Odell Haggins.
1989: UM – Bill Hawkins, Cleveland Gary, Bubba McDowell, Rod Carter, Randy Shannon; FSU – Deion Sanders, Sammie Smith, Marion Butts.
1988: UM – Bennie Blades, Michael Irvin, Dan Stubbs, Brett Perriman, Brian Blades, Darrell Fullington, Melvin Bratton, Warren Williams, Alfredo Roberts; FSU – Pat Carter, Paul McGowan, Martin Mayhew.
1987: UM – Vinny Testaverde, Alonzo Highsmith, Jerome Brown, Winston Moss; FSU – Gerald Nichols.
RUSHING LEADS TO VICTORY VS. FLORIDA STATE
Since 1988, the team that rushes for more yards in the Miami and Florida State series has won the game 13 of 16 times. The three exceptions were: last year in Miami when FSU outrushed UM by a 296-115 margin and lost a 28-27 decision, in 2001 in UM’s 49-27 win in Tallahassee where FSU outgained UM 214-142 on the ground, but still lost. The first time was in 1992 when FSU narrowly out-gained Miami on the ground 67 to 65, but lost 19-16.
