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Over the course of three starts, Ken Dorsey's status as a Miami quarterback changed from prodigal to controversial.
Offensive coordinator Larry Coker said he had the highly touted Dorsey pegged as a redshirt candidate for the 1999 campaign. But when starting QB Kenny Kelly sprained his left knee against Virginia Tech on Nov. 13, Dorsey filled the void like a seasoned veteran. He powered Miami to wins in the last three games of the regular season, all the while making a Kelly return seem less and less imperative.
As the dust settled after the 'Canes' 28-13 Gator Bowl win over Georgia Tech -- a game in which both Dorsey and Kelly threw for touchdowns -- something became very evident to coach Butch Davis: Miami had a quarterback controversy.
Fortunately for Davis, he never had to render a verdict. Kelly did it for him. In February he announced he was leaving Miami -- for a baseball career -- after he inked a contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
No more Kelly means no more controversy at Miami. All signs indicate Dorsey's job is secure, and the sophomore is already evoking comparisons to Miami's Great White Passers of yore.
Coker said Dorsey reminds him of Bernie Kosar, who led Miami to an epic national championship in 1984.
"[Ken]'s smart, he handles himself extremely well, and I think that's what our people think of when they think of Bernie," Coker said. "He's poised, very down to earth and really ahead of his time as far as knowing what it takes to win."
-- Luke Winn
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In his three starts as a freshman, a Dorsey-led offense produced 155 points, the highest three-game total in Miami history. Miami sports information
