Shop Fantasy Central Golf Guide Email Travel Subscribe SI About Us College Football

 

EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CENTERS
 Fantasy Central
 Inside Game
 Video Plus
 Statitudes
 Your Turn
 Message Boards
 Email Newsletters
 Golf Guide
 Cities
 

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

NCAA FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD: Recap
Recap | Box Score | This Week's Scoreboard
Miami (FL) 45, West Virginia 3
Posted: Friday October 26, 2001 12:46 AM ET
West Virginia
Related Info:
Team Page
Conference Page
City Page:
Morgantown
Message Boards:
West Virginia
Big East
 

Miami (FL)
Related Info:
Team Page
Conference Page
City Page:
Miami
Message Boards:
Miami (FL)
Big East
 

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Vinny Testaverde and Steve Walsh have company in the Miami record book.

Ken Dorsey tossed his 47th and 48th career touchdown passes to tie the school mark shared by Testaverde and Walsh as the top-ranked Hurricanes cruised to a 45-3 Big East Conference victory over Virginia Tech.

"It's a great honor for me," said Dorsey, just a junior. "That record is held by some great players of the past. Steve was at the game and we got to talk a little bit."

Dorsey, who improved to 20-1 as a starter, matched the record with a 14-yard TD toss to Andre Johnson 1:14 into the fourth quarter. He also connected with Jeremy Shockey for a six-yard TD in the second quarter.

With Walsh watching from Miami's sideline, Dorsey completed 16-of-27 passes for 192 yards with an interception. He threw a TD pass in his 22nd straight game but was held under 200 yards for the first time in 10 contests.

"I wish he could have gotten another one (TD pass)," Walsh said. "I came down to see him break the record."

Playing their first game since ending Florida State's 37-game home winning streak on October 13, the Hurricanes (6-0, 3-0 Big East) shook off some early rust to record their 16th straight victory.

The winning streak is the second-longest in Division I-A behind Oklahoma, which takes a 20-game winning streak into Saturday's show against Nebraska.

But the Hurricanes are just fourth in the BCS poll due to a weak schedule that ranks 92nd out of 117 schools.

"The win is the important thing," Dorsey said. "Hopefully, we impressed the polls. But even if we didn't, we have five more weeks to prove ourselves."

Miami managed only three points in the first quarter and found itself in a tie when West Virginia's Brenden Rauh kicked a 26-yard field goal with 17 seconds left in the period.

In the first half, West Virginia (2-5, 0-3) outgained Miami on the ground, 131-42. But it could not translate that advantage into points and the Hurricanes managed a 17-3 halftime lead on Dorsey's TD toss to Shockey and cornerback James Lewis' 75-yard interception return.

Lewis' TD was the sixth of the season scored by Miami's defense or special teams. Last year, it had 13 such scores, tops in the nation.

West Virginia suffered a blow in the first quarter when quarterback Brad Lewis left with a hyperextended neck and did not return. X-rays were negative.

The Mountaineers had some success running the ball, led by Avon Cobourne, who had 132 of West Virginia's 193 rushing yards.

But Miami allowed just 72 yards through the air. Lewis completed 3-of-5 passes for 42 yards before being forced to leave. Derek Jones was sacked five times and threw four interceptions while completing just 6-of-15 passes for 42 yards.

"Our kids battled," West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez said. "With all the injuries we had, I think we got a little tired. We're not a real good football team."

Miami pulled away in the second half with 28 unanswered points. The Mountaineers were "gored" as Miami freshman running back Frank Gore contributed to the rout with TD runs of 45 and 49 yards. Gore took over in the second half, rushing for 124 yards on just six carries.

"Frank Gore was one of the best running backs to come out of the state of Florida," Miami coach Larry Coker said. "He is a phenomenal football player. He can do it all, he can run, he can catch."

West Virginia has allowed 146 points in losing its last four games and dropped to 0-8 all-time against top-ranked teams.

Miami could not capitalize after recovering an onside kick to start the second half and was forced to punt. But the Hurricanes eventually wore down the Mountaineers, scoring on their next two possessions, and finished with a 436-235 edge in total yards.

Clinton Portis added 76 yards on 21 carries for the Hurricanes, including a four-yard TD that made it 24-3 with 7:01 left in the third period.

"I really liked how we played in the second half," Coker said. "It all boils down to winning football games. We played University of Miami football in the second half. We hope that impresses the BCS people and the people who make the decision."

The Hurricanes have won 88 straight games when scoring at least 30 points, dating to a 31-30 loss at Notre Dame in 1988.


CNNSI Copyright © 2001
CNN/Sports Illustrated
An AOL Time Warner Company.
All Rights Reserved.

Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.