Miami-Louisiana Tech Football Press Release
Sept. 13, 2004
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Miami Hurricanes (#4 AP / #5 ESPN/USA TODAY)
vs. LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS
When: Saturday, September 18, 2004, at 1 p.m. EDT.
Where: Orange Bowl (natural grass; 72,319) in Miami, Fla.
TV: CSS will televise the game on tape delay at 7 p.m. Wednesday, with Frank Forte (play by play) and Dave Heffernan (analysis).
Local Radio: The Hurricanes Radio Network (WQAM 560 AM and ESPN 760 AM west Palm Beach) will carry the game live with Joe Zagacki (play by play), Don Bailey Jr. (analysis) and Brian London (sideline reporter). Josh Darrow is the studio host.
Radio En Espanol: Radio C (WSUA 1260 AM) will broadcast the game in Spanish with Roly Martin (play by play) and Joe Martinez (analysis).
Student Station WVUM (90.5 FM) will broadcast the game, with Jeremy Marks-Peltz and Adam Aizer and calling the action.
Websites: Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) and Louisiana Tech (www.latechsports.com)
MIAMI’S 2004 SEASON
Fresh off a thrilling come-from-behind overtime victory over Florida State in its season opener, the Miami Hurricanes will host the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at 1 p.m. Saturday. It will be the fourth game in the series, with Miami having won all three games previously played. The Hurricanes are now ranked No. 4 in the AP poll and No. 5 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.
In search of their sixth national championship and their first-ever ACC crown, the Hurricanes won their season opener 16-10 over then No. 4 Florida State, after trailing 10-0 in the fourth quarter. Miami kicked a field goal early in the fourth quarter, then tied the game on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Brock Berlin to Sinorice Moss with 30 seconds remaining. After stopping the Seminoles on the first drive of overtime, Frank Gore scored on an 18-yard run on the Hurricanes’ second play for the victory. It marked Miami’s sixth consecutive victory over Florida State and their inaugural win in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Miami has now won nine straight games on opening day, the longest streak in school history. Miami is 54-24-1 in season-opening games and has not lost on opening day since 1995.
Louisiana Tech is 2-0 this season, having defeated Nevada 38-21 in their season opener and winning 24-20 over Louisiana-Lafayette last Saturday. The Bulldogs, who were 5-7 in 2003, have rushed for 589 yards in their first two games, led by junior running back Ryan Moats, who has 514 of those yards (257 in each game) and four touchdowns. In the two games, Moats — who is nicknamed “Barry Sanders Jr.” — has 575 all-purpose yards (rushing and receiving). A year ago, he rushed for 1,300 yards on only 199 carries (6.5-yard average). The Bulldogs have been especially strong in the first half, outscoring their opponents 38-7.
The Hurricanes are led by quarterback Brock Berlin and running back Frank Gore, who accounted for 349 yards against Florida State. The Miami defense once again figures to be among the nation’s best. It held the fifth-ranked Seminoles to only 165 yards on offense, forcing four turnovers and collecting three sacks. Among the standouts were: S Greg Threat (10 tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception), LB Roger McIntosh (10 tackles, half sack), CB Antrel Rolle (six tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack), DE Baraka Atkins (two tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble and one sack), CB Kely Jennings (one interception, half sack), and DE Thomas Carroll (two fumble recoveries).
After Saturday’s game, the Hurricanes will have only four days to prepare for their Thursday night game at Houston. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
