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Portis happy to have a chance to succeed

Miami RB escaped without serious injury from an auto accident.

By BOB HARIG

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 10, 2001

CORAL GABLES -- The preseason prognostications suggest a successful year, and all the talk about the Miami Hurricanes and their return to glory is nice. Clinton Portis is part of the discussion, a key contributor expected to carry a big load in the backfield.

But as two-a-day practices begin today for the Hurricanes, Portis will just be happy walking onto the field. And not because his nagging injuries from last season healed.

He is alive.

Two weeks ago, Portis was a passenger in teammate Jarrett Payton's car as they traveled back to campus from CanesFest in Fort Lauderdale. Because Payton was tired, he asked former teammate Clint Hurtt to drive his BMW convertible.

A short time later, Hurtt was driving south on Interstate 95 in Miami when he found himself in a left exit lane. He jerked the car to the right, then quickly turned back to the left to avoid traffic.

Hurtt spun into a barrier wall, and was hurled into the street, along with Portis. Nobody was seriously injured.

But as Portis spoke Thursday at UM's media day, visible signs remain: a bloodshot right eye beneath recently removed stitches; scrapes and scratches up and down his arm and elbow.

"It scared me, just like it scared everybody else," Portis said. "I just thank God."

Nobody was wearing a seat belt, but Portis left his off for a reason. He said he feared being in an accident and being trapped in the car, so he lay in the back seat.

"I saw the accident before it happened," Portis said.

Hurtt broke his nose. Payton, another running back and the son of late NFL Hall of Famer Walter Payton, also escaped injury. Within a few days, both players were ready to go.

"It felt like a rough game that didn't end," said Portis, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound junior from Gainesville. "It's like instead of playing four quarters, we played two games back to back. I was sore for two nights. I think the main reason I'm alive might be because I'm a football player. My body was used to the banging.

"But after that, all the pain was gone. The swelling went down. And I was running around."

The Hurricanes expect him to be running through opposing backfields this season. Ranked No. 2 in the preseason ESPN/USA Today poll (with a similar ranking expected in the Associated Press poll when it is released Saturday), UM is counting on Portis after losing tailback James Jackson to the NFL.

Portis showed flashes of what he could do during the 2000 season, when he rushed for 485 yards and two touchdowns in just eight games. He broke three plays of 50 yards or more and in a game at Washington rushed for 91 yards on just six carries.

But Portis broke three metatarsal bones in his right foot in practice, causing him to miss three games, including UM's victory over Florida State.

"It was very frustrating," Portis said. "To start off the season the way I did and then to be sidetracked and not to be able to complete what I started. ... Who knows what could have happened? Maybe things worked out for a reason. I have an opportunity to play a full, healthy season. Hopefully I'll start this season the way I started it last year and finish it with no injuries."

Portis came back strong after his injury, and finished the season with 97 yards and 18 carries, including a game-clinching 35-yard run, in UM's 37-20 victory over Florida in the Sugar Bowl. He had 66 yards in the fourth quarter.

And the Hurricanes are expected to lean on him heavily early, especially with three relatively new receivers.

"Our running backs are going to have to take up some of the slack," coach Larry Coker said.

"If he can be successful, I think the entire offense can be successful," quarterback Ken Dorsey said. "That's the best thing for him, having the confidence, knowing that he's going to be the starting guy, yet also having the pressure of knowing he's going to have to fight hard to keep his job."

Redshirt freshman Willis McGahee is Portis' backup. Payton, who missed spring practice due to a foot injury sustained while scuba diving, is another tailback who could see action at fullback.

"I've been waiting for this opportunity for so long," Portis said. "For me, it's the same thing: go out and perform. That's all I can do. I have to prepare the way I always have and take advantage of my opportunities in the game. Being the starting running back, I know I have responsibilities.

"I'm just glad to be here with the chance."

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