Football

December 5, 1998
Miami 49, UCLA 45
Orange Bowl, Miami, FL

Scoring by quartersQuarters   1st   2nd   3rd   4th   FinalUCLA         7    10    21     7    45Miami       14     7     7    21    49TIME: 3:27

The University of Miami stunned third ranked UCLA, 49-45, in the Orange Bowl, ending the Bruin’s national title hopes. The win for Miami marked the fourth time in its history the Hurricanes ended a winning streak of 20 or more games.

Edgerrin James shredded the UCLA defense for a team-record 299 yards and three scores as Miami pulled out a dramatic victory. The Hurricanes set a school record with 689 yards of total offense.

UCLA’s Cade McNown threw three of his five touchdown passes to Danny Farmer, who gained 135 yards on six catches, and completed 26-of-35 passes for 513 yards without an interception, but his “Hail Mary” pass from the Miami 30 fell out of the back of the end zone as time expired. McNown led UCLA to 24 straight points pushing the lead to 38-21 following a 59-yard scoring pass to Brad Melsby with 88 seconds left in the third quarter.

Miami then started its comeback getting a 23-yard touchdown run from Najeh Davenport with 18 seconds left in the third quarter to reduce the deficit to 10 points. On the ensuing drive, UCLA receiver Brian Poli-Dixon fumbled at the Miami 13 on the first play of the fourth quarter. Miami gave the ball to Davenport four times for 16 yards before Covington threw a 71-yard scoring pass to Santana Moss to pull the Hurricanes within 38-35.

The Bruins embarked on a 14-play, 83-yard drive on their next possession, as McNown ran the final yard for the touchdown to cap the 5:40 march and make it 45-35. Miami responded four plays later with Covington’s 29-yard scoring pass to tight end Mondriel Fulcher to again reduce the gap to three points.

UCLA was driving one more time when McNown threw a pass to Melsby at the Miami 26 yard line. Melsby fumbled and the Hurricanes recovered. Covington went 4-for-4 for 53 yards to set up James’ touchdown plunge with 0:30 left to give Miami the lead for good.

Andre King was Covington’s most effective receiver, hauling in eight passes for 124 yards.

First Quarter
UM – James 45 run (Crosland kick). Time Left: 5:40. Drive: 9 plays, 96 yards, 3:54. Key Play: Covington 17 pass to King for 1st down. Miami 7, UCLA 0.
UCLA – Farmer 77 pass from McNown (Sailer kick). Time Left: 4:33. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 1:07. Miami 7, UCLA 7.
UM – Moser 4 pass from Covington (Crosland kick). Time Left: 0:10. Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 4:23. Key Play: Covington 24 pass to King. Miami 14, UCLA 7.

Second Quarter
UCLA – Poli-Dixon 7 pass from McNown (Sailer kick). Time Left: 11:54. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:16. Key Play: McNown 44 to Lewis to Miami 16 for 1st down. Miami 14, UCLA 14.
UM – James 10 run (Crosland kick). Time Left: 7:00. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 4:54. Key Play: Covington 12 yard pass to Moss for 1st down. Miami 21, UCLA 14.
UCLA – Sailer 21 field goal. Time Left: 1:24. Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 5:36. Key Play: McNown 26 pass to Grieb to Miami 24. Miami 21, UCLA 17

Third Quarter
UCLA – Farmer 14 pass from McNown (Sailer kick). Time Left: 13:10. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 1:02. Key Play: Foster 26 rush to Miami 8 for 1st down. UCLA 24, Miami 21.
UCLA – Poli-Dixon 61 pass from McNown (Sailer kick). Time Left: 11:23. Drive: 1 play, 61 yards, 0:08. UCLA 31, Miami 21.
UCLA – Melsby 59 pass from McNown (Sailer kick). Time Left: 1:28. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:52. Key Play: Lewis 17 rush to UCLA 41 for 1st down. UCLA 38, Miami 21.
UM – Davenport 23 run (Crosland kick). Time Left: 0:18. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:10. Key Play: James 36 rush to UCLA 23. UCLA 38, Miami 28.

Fourth Quarter
UM – Moss 71 pass from Covington (Crosland kick). Time Left: 12:34. Drive: 5 plays, 87 yards, 2:12. Key Play: Blades fumble recovery at Miami 13. UCLA 38, Miami 35.
UCLA – McNown 1 rush (Sailer kick). Time Left: 6:54. Drive: 14 plays, 83 yards, 5:40. Key Play: Foster 7 rush to Miami 8 for 1st down. UCLA 45, Miami 35.
UM – Fulcher 29 pass from Covington. Time Left: 6:08. Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 0:46. Key Play: James 15 rush. UCLA 45, Miami 42.
UM – James 1 run (Crosland kick). Time Left: 0:50. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 2:34. Key Play: Covington 14 pass to Williams to UCLA 1. Miami 49, UCLA 45.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Tackles: 10-Dan Morgan
Assists: 9-Dan Morgan, Michael Smith
Total: 19-Dan Morgan
Sacks: None

DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Tackles: 7-Larry Atkins
Assists: 7-Ryan Nece, Jason Stephens
Total: 12-Ryan Nece
Sacks: 1-Ramogi Huma