MIAMI - Depending on your perspective, it was glorious or agonizing, thrilling or disgusting, inspiring or deflating.
No question, Saturday night at the Orange Bowl was amazing, adding another big chapter to the storied Miami-Florida rivalry.
Make it a book.
UM quarterback Brock Berlin led the third-ranked Hurricanes to four touchdowns in the final 19 minutes to pull out a 38-33 victory over the stunned Gators in front of 79,932.
For much of the night, it appeared the 21st-ranked Gators (1-1) were going to prevail for the first time against the Hurricanes (2-0) since 1985. They took a 19-10 halftime lead, stretched it to 33-10 with 3:35 left in the third quarter and were seemingly on their way to a historic win for second-year coach Ron Zook.
But Berlin, the former UF quarterback who transferred to Miami in January 2002, shook off the boos of the home crowd to guide the Hurricanes to an unlikely victory.
"I've been around coaching a long time, this is my 34th year, and I don't know if I've ever seen character displayed like I saw on our football team," said UM coach Larry Coker. "There were many times we could have folded or quit or gave up, but we never, ever gave up. We were very fortunate to win."
Trailing by 23, Berlin directed four long scoring drives. The first was capped by a 26-yard touchdown to Kevin Beard. The second, which covered 69 yards, saw Frank Gore score from one yard out. The third covered 70 yards in nine plays, with Berlin hitting Moore with a six-yard touchdown.
That brought the Hurricanes within 33-31, but Moore was penalized for excessive celebration, a 15-yard penalty. So UM kicked the extra point, making it 33-32.
Florida, which performed admirably with quarterbacks Ingle Martin and Chris Leak, could not put together a game-clinching drive. In fact, because of a concussion suffered by Martin, Gavin Dickey saw playing time in the fourth quarter.
The Hurricanes got the ball back at their 11 with 5:43 left and took 11 plays to drive 89 yards. Berlin hit Beard for 25 yards, Sinorice Moss for 26 yards and scrambled for six yards on fourth and 1. Seemingly content to settle for a field goal, Gore scored the winning points on a 12-yard run with 1:44 remaining.
UM had to withstand one last drive. The Gators moved to the UM 20, where Leak's pass was intercepted by Alfonso Marshall.
Suddenly, all that midweek banter coming from Gainesville seems like so much bluster.
The Gators talked a good game and played an even better game, but they will be remembered for blowing a big lead. The collapse brought back memories of the 1994 game at Florida State, where Florida led 31-3 heading into the fourth quarter, only to be tied at 31. Much like that game, the Gators could not stop the Hurricanes when one defensive stand might have made the difference.
"We learned a lot more from this than if we would have won it," Zook said. "You don't play a good football team like that. They did a heck of a job. They hung in there."
Despite allowing UM freshman Devin Hester to return the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown and allowing another long return to set up a UM field goal, Florida settled down to take what seemed to be a commanding lead.
And it was a surprise, given that last year UM defeated Florida 41-16 in Gainesville and went on to play for the national championship. With a perceived advantage in talent for the Hurricanes and the relative inexperience of UF's quarterbacks, UM was a prohibitive favorite.
All of which fueled the Gators.
"We don't have anything to lose," Florida safety Daryl Dixon said before the game. "Miami is highly ranked. Nobody gives us a chance."
Given the nature of the rivalry and UM's recent success, it seemed odd for the Gators to be spouting off.
Offensive tackle Shannon Snell said he hoped the Gator defense would hit Berlin in the mouth and make him bleed. Defensive end Bobby McCray said there would be "a party in the backfield" and that UM running back Gore "is nothing compared to Willis McGahee," who rushed for 204 yards against the Gators last year.
Gore finished with 127 yards on 24 carries, but it was Berlin who hurt the Gators the most. He finished with 27 completions in 41 attempts for 340 yards. His two earlier interceptions, which seemingly put UM in a hole from which it could not emerge, were forgotten when he threw two touchdowns.
