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Kelly to start at QB for Miami Three-game fill-in Dorsey to also see time vs. Jackets
Posted: Tuesday December 28, 1999 07:22 PM
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Miami coach Butch Davis named Kenny Kelly as the Hurricanes' starting quarterback for their New Year's Day meeting with Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl. Davis made the announcement following Tuesday's practice session at Fletcher High School in Jacksonville Beach. He also said freshman quarterback Ken Dorsey would see action against No. 17 Georgia Tech. "We're going to give both of them a chance to play in the first quarter," said Davis. "If one of them is playing better, one has demonstrated he's more efficient and he's hotter, we may go longer with him. "At the end of the ball game, it might be 50-50, it might be 80-20. It just depends on whoever is playing the best and gives our offense the best chance to play and perform." Kelly, a sophomore, led the Big East in passing with 212.6 yards per game playing in the Hurricanes first nine games. He missed the final three games after spraining his left knee against Virginia Tech. Kelly was replaced by Dorsey, who guided No. 23 Miami to lopsided wins over Rutgers, Syracuse and Temple. He completed 64 of 91 passes (.703) for 718 yards, nine touchdowns and just one interception. Davis said Kelly is fully recovered from the knee injury. "Kenny Kelly earned the starting job at the beginning of the year and he helped us win enough games to qualify us to get here," Davis said. "Then Ken Dorsey came in and did the exact same thing. Without the performance of both of those kids, we wouldn't be playing in a January 1 bowl game. So both of them have earned an opportunity to play in the game." The Hurricanes (8-4, 6-1 Big East) are playing their first New Year's Day bowl game since 1995. "The number one thing I want everyone to know and what I've told both of them, is that they are not in competition with each other for playing time or performances. Their job is to go in when they get the opportunity to play, and move our football team and be efficient." Georgia Tech (8-3, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) has a 6-2 record against Miami and is 19-8 (.704) in bowl games.
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