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BOB HARIGUT 10, UM 6: Miami self-destructs for a second straight loss, ending any hopes of a national championship.
MIAMI - The final seconds had yet to tick off, and already dark clouds hovered over the Orange Bowl, a gloomy, ominous storm approaching. Lightning soon flickered over the old stadium, and fans shuffled out in stunned silence.
It turned out to be nothing compared with the thunder deep down inside.
Kellen Winslow didn't return to Miami this season to lose consecutive games in November and see the Hurricanes' national championship dreams go up in smoke so early. That's what a 10-6 loss to Tennessee meant Saturday, and soon the somber locker room was filled with a Winslow outburst.
Winslow, UM's all-star tight end, erupted with a profanity-laced tirade, criticizing officials for slapping him with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during a crucial fourth-quarter drive, then lashing back at reporters who pressed him about Miami's anemic offense. There was plenty of frustration to go around.
"The idea of a loss is sickening to be honest with you," center Joel Rodriguez said. "And when it comes at home, it adds insult to injury. It's a disappointing game, and now a disappointing season. We're out of the national championship race and have to hope for a chance at the Big East. Now we have to go out and play for pride."
That is an unfamiliar notion around here, where the sixth-ranked Hurricanes (7-2) had won 39 consecutive regular-season games before a 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech last week. They figured to right themselves against the 18th-ranked Volunteers (7-2), whom they defeated 26-3 a year ago in Knoxville, and put themselves back in the thick of the national championship race.
Instead, UM managed just two Jon Peattie field goals, the first time it had gone without a touchdown at home since a 38-3 loss to Florida State in 1984. The 13 points in consecutive games was the worst showing since the 1977 season. And 69,722 fans witnessed the first loss at the Orange Bowl after 26 consecutive victories dating to 1999.
Quarterback Brock Berlin had another shaky performance, which will lead to more scrutiny. The Florida transfer entered having thrown just nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He had three turnovers against the Vols, one on each of the last two drives that could have won the game.
"The interceptions are unacceptable," said coach Larry Coker, whose team suffered its first back-to-back defeats since the Hurricanes lost three in a row in 1999 to Penn State, East Carolina and FSU. "We had interceptions last week and had two more this week. We can't do things like that and win."
Much like the loss at Virginia Tech, the Hurricanes dominated statistically, outgaining UT 321 yards to 170. But a Berlin interception led to a UT field goal in the second quarter, and his other turnovers halted promising drives. Another fumble by Sean Taylor on a punt return with less than two minutes remaining ended any hope of a comeback.
Then there were the penalties. UM had 12 for 121 yards, including five personal foul/unsportsmanlike conduct calls that went for 15 yards each.
"All the time since I've been here, we always beat ourselves," offensive guard Vernon Carey said. "Nobody beats us, we just keep beating ourselves."
"Everyone is shooting themselves in the foot," Rodriguez said. "I hope eventually we run out of bullets."
UT's second-quarter touchdown drive was prolonged by a UM personal foul for roughing the kicker. Instead of UM getting the ball with 6:35 remaining in the half, the Vols drove for a score, with Derrick Tinsley running in from 2 yards on a fourth-down call. The drive covered 63 yards in 15 plays and took 9:19.
And that's all UT needed.
"It was probably the prettiest, ugliest win I've ever had," coach Phil Fulmer said.
"The defense played great," said quarterback Casey Clausen, who completed 11-of-18 for 81 yards. "I would have never believed we could win by scoring only 10 points."
The Hurricanes were saying the same thing, especially after two promising fourth-quarter drives came up empty. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that drew Winslow's ire occurred on a 22-yard reception that would have given UM a first down at the Tennessee 32. On the play, Winslow said, his helmet was knocked off. But the officials said he took it off and hit him with a 15-yard penalty.
"I hate refs," said Winslow, who had seven receptions for 88 yards. "They were looking at me the whole time. I can't even get hyped up after a play. I can't even hype our own crowd."
The drive eventually ended with Berlin fumbling on third down. But the Hurricanes got the ball back, drove 71 yards and had first and goal at the UT 9 when Berlin was hit as he threw and intercepted by safety Gibril Wilson.
There were plenty of questions about Berlin and his future afterward, and though most players offered support, Winslow said it was up to "the head man. He'll make the right decision." Later, Winslow offered no comment.
He already had said enough.