|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
with Bill Curry
|
After 13 years the two heavyweights staged their 50th match,
and the series score stands at 25-25. The Sugar Bowl BCS pairing of Florida
and Miami is history, with the Hurricanes delivering a knockout punch in
the fourth quarter with a grueling, determined ground attack.
The score may have been 37-20, but the issue was very much in doubt until the Miami
offensive line took control in the fourth quarter. Bryant McKinnie, Greg Laffere, Brett Romberg, Martin Bibia and Joaquin Gonzales pounded away at a salty Gator defense until it yielded to the power thrusts of Clinton Portis, D.J. Williams and Najeh
Davenport.
Ken Dorsey was the quarterback of record and won the MVP trophy, going 22-for-40 passing for 270 yards and three touchdowns to go with two interceptions. Santana Moss was wonderful with his scintillating returns and six catches for 89 yards. But this one was decided in the trenches, and we have a new Florida State Champ. Come to think of it,
we may a half a national champ!
|
|
| |
|
| IT WAS OVER WHEN ... |
| Sebastian the Ibis joined the Hurricanes in celebration. Unfortunately for Sebastian, there was still 4:21 left in the game and the officials didn't like the fact the mascot was all over the field with the Miami players. The Hurricanes were penalized 15 yards.
|
| THE GAME BALL GOES TO .. |
| Najeh Davenport, who rushed for the clinching touchdown, but more importantly made a tremendous catch in the end zone for another score. Davenport, a fullback, has been kidded all year by teammates about his porous hands, but came through in the spotlight.
|
|
|
|
|
|
'Canes Stir Up a Storm
Miami's Jeremy Shockey, right, celebrates with Brett Romberg.
They wanted to play in the national title game, and Tuesday night the Miami Hurricanes made their point that they deserved to be there. Miami handled Florida 37-20 in the Sugar Bowl and finish the season with an 11-1 record. Still, the national title will belong to Oklahoma if it beats Florida State in the Orange Bowl on Wednesday.
• Frozen moment: Davenport makes catch that counts
• In the crosshairs: Miami's Santana Moss | BCS site
• 'Canes mascot in doghouse | Sugar Bowl notebook
• Sugar Bowl photo gallery
| INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS |
| |
MIAMI FLA |
YARDS |
FLORIDA |
YARDS |
| Passing |
Ken Dorsey |
270 |
Rex Grossman |
252 |
| Rushing |
Clinton Portis |
97 |
Earnest Graham |
136 |
| Receiving |
Santana Moss |
89 |
Reche Caldwell |
110 |
|
 'Canes case
 ESPN's Scott Walker looks at Miami's case for the national championship.
Real: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Miami vs. Florida
Ken Dorsey connects with Jeremy Shockey for Miami's first touchdown.
avi: 1170 k
Real: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Miami vs. Florida
Miami's Najeh Davenport turns an interception into a spectacular touchdown.
avi: 1260 k
Real: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Miami vs. Florida
The Gators strike first as Rex Grossman hits Kirk Wells for a 23-yard touchdown.
avi: 1290 k
Real: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
More Audio/Video
Sugar Bowl has its ties to national title
The No. 2 team in the writers' poll is in New Orleans and has title hopes of its own.
Miami and Florida resurrect a sleeping rivalry
Back in the day, Miami-Florida was the dominant rivalry in the Sunshine State before Florida opted out of it 13 years ago.
Complete Bowl Championship Series coverage
In-depth analysis from ABC Sports on the Rose, Fiesta, Sugar and Orange Bowls.
| TEAM STATISTICAL COMPARISON |
|
| |
| Total Offense |
 | 
460.8 | | | 
418.7 |
Passing Yards |
| | 266.0 | | |
308.2 |
Passing completion percentage |
| |
58.2 | | |
56.9 |
Completions |
| |
198 | | |
265 |
Attempts |
| |
340 | | |
466 |
|
|
| Scoring Offense |
| |
42.6 | | |
37.3 |
Scoring Defense |
| |
15.5 | | |
19.7 |
Rushing Yards |
| |
194.8 | | |
110.5 |
Rushing attempts |
| |
434 | | |
361 |
Key: |
| Miami Fla | | Florida |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 "What kind of bird was that Miami mascot that got his team penalized 15 yards? Is that supposed to be a giant flamingo?"
-- Ramsmachine
Post a Message
|
|
| SPORTSMALL |
|
|
|
