UM uses two 100-yard rushers to wrap up BCS berth with 28-14 win.
By Associated Press
Published November 30, 2003
PITTSBURGH - Miami is leaving the Big East the way it entered 11 years ago - on top with everyone else playing catch-up.
Tyrone Moss and Jarrett Payton became the latest running backs to exploit Pitt's weak rush defense, running for more than 100 yards each, and Miami locked up a share of its eighth conference title and a BCS game by winning 28-14 Saturday night.
Miami shares the conference title with West Virginia, but it is the Hurricanes heading to a big bowl - likely the hometown Orange Bowl, where they last played during the 1994 season.
"That's our fourth Big East championship in a row and our seniors have won four in a row," coach Larry Coker said. "That's exciting."
Moss ran for touchdowns of 30 and 6 yards and Payton had a 1-yard touchdown run as Miami scored on three consecutive first-half possessions to turn a 7-0 deficit into a 21-7 lead.
Payton, who became the starter when Frank Gore was hurt against West Virginia on Oct.2, had 17 carries for 131 yards and Moss carried 21 times for 115 yards. Pitt's rushing defense, 80th among 117 I-A schools, has allowed seven 100-yard rushers.
"There were a lot of things we wanted to attack," said quarterback Brock Berlin, an efficient 12-for-17 for 195 yards and a 45-yard TD. "The running backs played tremendously and when something works, you stick with it."
Pittsburgh was playing its biggest game since the 1982 season, when it last appeared in a major New Year's Day bowl. But the Panthers did almost nothing after driving 74 yards on their first possession for Rod Rutherford's 2-yard touchdown to Kris Wilson.
Miami has outscored the Panthers 205-76 in winning their past six matchups and is 10-1 against them in conference play.
In its last five games, Pitt allowed two 200-yard rushers and three 100-yard rushers, and it was outrushed 2,209-1,380 for the season. The Panthers also forgot how to do what they do best: get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald, enjoying one of the best seasons ever by a receiver until being limited to a season-low three catches for 26 yards.
Fitzgerald extended his NCAA record to 18 consecutive games with at least one TD reception on an 18-yarder with 2:45 remaining, his 22nd touchdown of the season.
Rutherford was sacked nine times while going 17-for-30 for 206 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. His 35 TD passes are two short of Dan Marino's 1981 school record. Fitzgerald has 86 catches for 1,595 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Miami double-teamed Fitzgerald on almost every play, with cornerback Antrel Rolle often pressuring him coming off the line of scrimmage. Pitt was down 21-7 when Fitzgerald made his first catch with 13:34 left in the third.
