MIAMI - Maybe the Florida-Miami rivalry hasn't lost its luster after all. Despite the fact that Florida has not won in Miami since 1985 and Miami has dominated the last two meetings, tickets with a face value of $50 reportedly were being scalped for more than $300 before the game.
Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley expressed disappointment over the ticket scalping, which is illegal, but said it emphasized the game's interest among fans.
"It's unfortunate that things like that are happening, but I think it shows the magnitude of this game and the excitement surrounding it," Foley said.
SPECIAL STRUGGLES: For the second consecutive week, Florida's special teams started poorly, but this week the sluggish start was more costly. Last week, San Jose State's Kendrick Starling returned the opening kickoff 57 yards to the Gators 38-yard line, setting up the Spartans' only score. Saturday night, Florida allowed 165 yards on Miami's first two kickoff returns. The Gators gave up a touchdown on Devin Hester's 97-yard return on the opening kickoff, and Miami set up a 27-yard field goal with Sean Taylor's 68-yard return on its second possession.
A RARE OCCURRENCE: Not counting games against Florida State, Florida's appearance in the Orange Bowl was its first nonconference regular-season road game in 12 years.
Last season, UF made approximately $1.6-million, after expenses, on the Miami game in Gainesville. Florida had a $400,000 guarantee for Saturday's game at the Orange Bowl, and expenses were included: $53,000 for a chartered flight, $25,000 for hotel expenses, $6,000 for chartered buses and $5,000 for cheerleaders.
LINEUP SHUFFLE: Senior linebacker Reid Fleming got his first career start, and redshirt senior linebacker Matt Farrior started for the first time this season. Linebacker Channing Crowder became the first true freshman to start this season.
Florida also shuffled its offensive line, with senior Max Starks starting at left guard and Randy Hand getting his first start of the season at right tackle. Redshirt sophomore Lance Butler also earned his first career start at right guard.
AN UNHAPPY HOMECOMING: UF linebackers coach Bill Miller coached in his first game at the Orange Bowl since he was fired as Miami's defensive coordinator after the 1998 season.
Miller joined the Gators staff this season after he was fired after four seasons as defensive coordinator at Michigan State. Unlike his experience with the Spartans - where the whole staff was fired along with coach Bobby Williams - Miller thought he was singled out when Butch Davis, then UM's coach, sent him packing.
"That's part of the profession," Miller said. "What's it like to go through that? Oh, it's hell."
Miller said he has no ill feelings toward UM coach Larry Coker, who was Miami's offensive coordinator at the time.
"Larry Coker is as good as they come as a man and football coach," Miller said.
MAKESHIFT LINE: The Hurricanes offensive line, which has been battered and bruised, opened with sophomore Rashad Butler making his first collegiate start at right tackle in place of the Carlos Joseph. Joseph has an inflamed tendon in his right ankle and spent part of last week in a cast.
UM already was without starting left guard Joe McGrath, who fractured his foot before the season and will miss at least another month. Senior Vernon Carey, who usually plays right tackle, moved to McGrath's spot. Carey, who aggravated an ankle sprain in last week's opener, was replaced by redshirt freshman Alex Pou in the second quarter.
