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22-point win leaves Miami feeling empty

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 29, 2001

CORAL GABLES -- You have to admire their conviction -- and their goals.

The No. 1-ranked Hurricanes thumped Pittsburgh 43-21 Thursday night under chilly conditions at Heinz Field -- temperatures hovered close to 40 -- but after the game Miami defenders weren't happy.

"We don't like 21 points, 14 points. Shoot, we don't even want seven scored on us," cornerback Phillip Buchanon said.

Both teams had been off 19 days, which might have been a factor as Miami trailed early 7-6, its first deficit of the season. And UM had difficulty solving the Panthers' four-receiver set. UM's defense gave up a second touchdown in the fourth quarter before heading for the bench.

But Miami (3-0, 2-0 Big East) was simply too powerful for Pittsburgh. Junior Clinton Portis rushed 24 times for 131 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. UM led 40-7 in the fourth quarter before giving up 14 points.

Still, the 'Canes say that wasn't good enough.

"We try to get a shutout every game," Buchanon said. "If we don't get it, we'll settle for seven."

The Hurricanes have won 13 in a row, second only to Oklahoma's 16-game streak. Next week's opponent, Troy State, is in Division I-A for the first time. On Oct. 13, Miami plays Florida State in Tallahassee, but that game may have lost some of its luster after the Seminoles lost to previously winless North Carolina.

Still, UM likes to win with panache, and if ever there was an unimpressive rout, Thursday's game might have qualified.

"I don't think we played our best," safety Ed Reed said. "We didn't play like we wanted to be No. 1. We did not want to give up 21 points."

Although not thrilled with his team's uneven performance, coach Larry Coker put things in perspective:

"They seemed a little disappointed. I think this team likes to score 100 points and shut everybody out."

Said receiver Daryl Jones, "No one's seen the best of Miami yet."

SETTING TONE: Portis opened the scoring for Miami with a 4-yard run to cap the opening drive. After Pitt (1-2, 0-1) took its only lead, UM went on a 13-play drive that ended with Portis' 1-yard scoring run. He had been stuffed on the previous play.

Portis went right but changed direction and cut back to the left where he left two Panthers grasping air as he went into the end zone.

"That's just Clinton making a great play," quarterback Ken Dorsey said. "He's fun to watch run after he gets the ball."

He scored his third touchdown in the third quarter and sat out the final 15 minutes as Coker opted to give backups Willis McGahee and Frank Gore time in the backfield.

It was Portis' eighth 100-plus yard game and second this season.

"They had eight or nine men in the box trying to stop the run," tackle Joaquin Gonzalez said. "(Portis) finds the hole and runs behind his blockers. He's real methodical the way he runs."

Portis took the pressure off Dorsey, who was 18-for-32 for 208 yards and a touchdown to Andre Johnson. But the usually vociferous Portis credited his quarterback for making him look good.

"Dorsey checked off to all the right plays on third down for us," Portis said. "That's why we did so well on offense."

ODDS AND ENDS: Former Tampa Hillsborough High standout Andrew Williams was a force on the defensive line, forcing one fumble and recovering two. ... Pitt receiver Antonio Bryant, who returned from an ankle injury, struggled for the third time in as many meetings against his hometown team. He had three receptions for 39 yards. ... Linebacker D.J. Williams sprained his left ankle in the first quarter and missed the rest of the game. His status for the next game hasn't been determined.

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