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Hurricanes open with a rout

By BOB HARIG

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 1, 2000

MIAMI -- The new season couldn't arrive fast enough, the first game crawling to its beginning. The Hurricanes, intent on proving that a return to glory is imminent, were eager to show their stuff.

To show they are back, at least another week is necessary.

In a prime-time college football opener not telecast on live television and played before a barely live audience at the Orange Bowl, No. 5 Miami cruised to a 61-14 victory Thursday night against Division I-AA McNeese State.

Hardly unexpected.

A much more accurate gauge will come Sept. 9 when the Hurricanes travel to No. 14 Washington, a favorite to win the Pac-10 title.

"This was an important game, to see where we are and to see what we have to do to get where we want to be," said UM quarterback Ken Dorsey, who threw three touchdowns in the fourth start of his career. "This was a good experience. We know we're not where we want to be.

"It was great to finally get out there and get started, play against somebody else. But we know everybody here has to improve."

The Hurricanes talked the good talk about keeping their focus on this game, not looking ahead to Washington, respecting their opponent. Human nature, of course, has other ideas.

Never in any danger, UM rolled up 628 yards of offense and scored eight touchdowns, including six of their eight possessions in the first half. Senior Santana Moss created his own highlight reel, dazzling defenders and the announced crowd of 48,411 with a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 75-yard touchdown run off a reverse.

A track star, Moss compiled 204 all-purpose yards in the first half alone and barely was touched on either of his touchdown sprints, two examples of the disparity between the teams.

But that wide range in talent will lead to questions, too. How did the Hurricanes give up 409 total yards? How did they allow 197 net yards rushing, including 76 to tailback Jessie Burton and 47 to Aaron Pierce?

"I don't think we played particularly well defensively," UM coach Butch Davis said.

"I don't think we gave them enough credit," safety Al Blades said. "We didn't play the way we should have in spurts."

Yet, there was little to prove against an overmatched school that is used to playing the likes of Prairie View A&M and Alcorn State.

Dorsey didn't care who was on the other side of the line of scrimmage, as long as they weren't Hurricanes. He's been itching to get the season started since he learned he'd be the starter, when Kenny Kelly announced he was giving up football to play baseball full time in the Devil Rays organization.

Dorsey threw touchdowns of 5 and 7 yards to Reggie Wayne and a 23-yarder to Daryl Jones. Moss' two runs, and a Todd Sievers' 30-yard field goal gave UM a 37-7 halftime lead. By the end of the third quarter the lead was 47-7, and the 'Canes were substituting freely. They played 69 players.

With a No. 5 national ranking, the Hurricanes entered the season in their loftiest position since a No. 4 ranking in 1993. Miami finished 9-4 (6-1 Big East) last season and won seven of its final eight games, including 28-13 against Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl. It was the Hurricanes' first New Year's Day game since 1995, helped them finish No. 15 in the polls and gave them a big boost heading into this season.

"With all the players coming back and all the talent and depth that we have, only we can stop ourselves," Dorsey said.

Dorsey started games last season against Rutgers, Syracuse and Temple, completing 64 of 91 passes for 718 yards, including nine touchdowns.

The Hurricanes viewed that as a good sign, but with reservations. After all, Dorsey has not faced a top-notch team.

"We can't just make the assumption, "He started a couple of games last year, everything's going to be fine,' " Davis said. "He still has things to learn and do."

Dorsey did not disappoint, completing 17 of 29 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns in three quarters. He's thrown a minimum of three touchdowns in his four starts.

What kind of a test did he get from a Division I-AA team that went 6-5 last season and was playing its first Division I-A opponent since 1990? The Cowboys were no match for the speed and skill on the Hurricanes' side of the ball.

At least it was a start, something for which the Hurricanes could not wait.

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