Miami Set to Host No. 16 Texas A&M
Sept. 17, 2007
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MIAMI HURRICANES
vs. (16/20) TEXAS A&M AGGIES
When:
Thursday, September 20, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where:
Orange Bowl (natural grass, 72,319) in Miami
TV:
The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, with Chris Fowler (play by play), Doug Flutie and Craig James (analysis), and Erin Andrews (sideline reporter).
Tape Delay Telecast:
On CSS at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 25.
Local 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 reporter).
National Radio:
The game will be broadcast on ISP Radio, with Bill Rosinski (play by play) and Sonny Randle (analyst). it will also be aired nationally on XM Radio.
Radio En Espanol:
The game will broadcast in Spanish on WWWK 105.5 FM and WPIK 102.5 FM with Joe Pujala (play by play) and Joe Martinez (analysis).
Websites:
Miami (www.hurricanesports.com) and Texas A&M (www.aggieathletics.com)
THIS WEEK’S GAME
The University of Miami will play the Texas A&M Aggies for only the second time ever, and the first time since World War II, when the two schools play on Thursday night at the Orange Bowl. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
Miami is 2-1 after defeating Florida International 23-9 last Saturday. Texas A&M is 3-0, with victories over Montana State, Fresno State and Louisiana-Monroe.
The game is a matchup of two teams that have stellar records in Thursday night games. Miami is 10-1 all-time on Thursday nights, having won the last 10 games, while Texas A&M is 9-0 on Thursday nights since 2000. Miami is virtually unbeatable in the Orange Bowl, having won 12 of the last 15 games, including three in a row. They have not lost a game in the Orange Bowl to a team from the state of Texas since 1973.
Last Saturday, Miami defeated Florida International 23-9. Kyle Wright made his first start of the season and totaled 268 yards of total offense, with 224 passing and a career-best 44 rushing. The Hurricanes gained a season-high 428 yards on offense. RB Javarris James rushed for 92 yards, his second game this season with more than 90 yards. WR Lance Leggett caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Wright, and RB Graig Cooper scored his first collegiate touchdown.
THE OPPONENT
Texas A&M is 3-0 this season. Known for its unique tradition of “The 12th Man”, Texas A&M has had five top 10 finishes and has played in 16 bowl games since 1985. Last year, Texas A&M finished 9-4 and played in the Holiday Bowl.
THE SERIES
This will be only the second meeting ever between the two schools. On Dec. 8, 1944, Texas A&M routed the Hurricanes 70-14 at the Orange Bowl.
THE COACHES
Randy Shannon is 2-1 at Miami. Texas A&M’s Dennis Franchione is the sixth winningest coach in Division I-A, with a record of 183-96-2 in 25 seasons. He is 28-23 at Texas A&M.
A HURRICANES VICTORY OVER THE AGGIES WOULD
Give Miami a 3-1 record and close out their non-conference schedule for this season.
CANES AND THE LONE STAR STATE
Seven Hurricanes hail from the state of Texas, making Thursday night’s matchup a renunion for some of the Canes and the Texas A&M Aggies. Three Aggies and two Hurricanes share the same high school:
Booker T. Washington HS, Houston – OL Reggie Youngblood (UM)
Brownwood HS, Brownwood – QB Kirby Freeman (UM), OL Craig Raschke (TAMU), OL Lee Grimes (TAMU)
Grace Prep Academy, Arlington – WR Lance Leggett (UM)
Fossile Ridge HS, Keller – DL Chris Perry (UM), WR Howard Morrow (TAMU)
Hightower HS, Houston – OL Tyrone Byrd (UM)
Madison HS, Dallas – RB Shawnbrey McNeal (UM)
North Crowley HS, OL Jason Fox (UM)
North Shore HS, Galena Park – TE DajLeon Farr (UM)
LEGGETT BREAKS INTO THE TOP 10
Wide receiver Lance Leggett’s career-long 80-yard touchdown reception from Kyle Wright in the third quarter of last week’s win over Florida International allowed the senior to move into a tie for 10th place on Miami’s all-time list for touchdown receptions. He now has 11 career receiving TDs, tied with six other UM players.
PICKING UP YARDS
Miami’s offense finally got rolling against the Florida International Golden Panthers. The Hurricanes racked up a season-high 428 yards of total offense, which was the most by UM since a 563-yard performance in a 51-10 win over Florida A&M on Sept. 9, 2006. Miami threw for 224 yards and ran for more than 200 yards for the second time this season. In the first two games of the season, Miami had only 480 yards of total offense. UM had 341 total yards of offense against Marshall and just 139 yards against Oklahoma.
THE OB ADVANTAGE IN 2007
Miami has played well in two games at the Orange Bowl in 2007. The Hurricanes have rushed for more than 200 yards in both of their home victories: 260 yards against Marshall and 204 yards against FIU. Defensively, UM has held its opponents to 12 total points and has not allowed a point in the first half at home this season.
WRIGHT OFF TO GOOD START
Last week against FIU, senior quarterback Kyle Wright made his first start since last season’s Virginia Tech game and improved to 15-7 as UM’s starter. Wright eclipsed the 200-yard mark for the 10th time in his career while also rushing for a career-high 44 yards. Wright completed 10-of-19 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown. He finished with 268 yards of total offense. Wright also threw his 28th career touchdown which moved him into a tie for 10th place all-time.
TAKE YOUR PICK
Miami intercepted two passes against Florida International, bringing this year’s season total to six interceptions three games into the season. In 2006, the Hurricanes’ defense had only 12 interceptions. Senior safety Kenny Phillips and sophomore nickel back Chavez Grant both picked off passes against the Golden Panthers. The Hurricanes intercepted four passes against opener against Marshall, with linebackers Tavares Gooden, Spencer Adkins, defensive end Calais Campbell and defensive back JoJo Nicolas eaching getting one. The team didn`t have any interceptions against Oklahoma.
KICKIN’ IT
Senior place kicker Francesco Zampogna made a career-high three field goals in the 23-9 win over FIU. A sixth-year non-scholarship player (he received two medical redshirts), Zampogna is now 6-of-8 on field goal attempts, with a career-long 45 yarder at No. 6 Oklahoma in Week Two. Zampogna leads the team in scoring with 25 points, which also has him tied for fourth in the ACC. Zampogna is a perfect 7-of-7 on extra points.
