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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 7, 2001
MIAMI -- Sophomore Kevin Beard caught his first career touchdown with 45 seconds left in the first half of Miami's 38-7 win over Troy State.
Beard, touted coming out of Class 6A power Plantation High, was standing alone in the left corner of the end zone and quarterback Ken Dorsey found him from 22 yards to make the score 17-7.
MOSS PAYS A VISIT: Former UM wide receiver Santana Moss was at the Orange Bowl. He talked with former teammates before the game.
Moss, the 16th overall pick by the New York Jets, hasn't played since injuring a knee in preseason. He is UM's all-time leader in all-purpose yards (4,394) and receiving yards (2,546).
HITTING EVERYTHING BUT THE GOAL: Troy State's kicker, Drew Boteler, had a tough first half. After the Trojans drove to UM's 32, Boteler line-drived his 48-yard field goal attempt off the right upright after a bad snap.
Later, with the score tied at 7, Boteler's attempt from 45 yards hit the crossbar and bounced away.
TEN 'CANES TO PLAY IN GRIDIRON CLASSIC: Miami's Bryant McKinnie, Joaquin Gonzalez, Edward Reed, Mike Rumph, Najeh Davenport, Martin Bibla, Daryl Jones, James Lewis, Chris Campbell and Robert Williams have been selected to play in the Rotary Gridiron Classic Jan. 26 in Orlando's Citrus Bowl.
The all-star game features college seniors from around the United States against Team Florida, which is composed of athletes who played college football in Florida or who have ties to the Sunshine State.
INJURY UPDATE: Sophomore D.J. Williams sat out with a high ankle sprain. Howard Clark was expected to start in his place, but UM opened with six defensive backs to try to counter the Troy State spread offense. Clark, a junior, played at Williams' weakside position later but sprained his left ankle in the first half and didn't return. Defensive end Cornelius Green did not dress because of a hamstring injury. Fullback Najeh Davenport left with leg cramps and didn't return.
MISC.: Markese Fitzgerald, a Dixie Hollins grad, notched his second sack of the season in the third quarter. ... Troy State's 93-31-1 record since 1991 is the best of any program in Alabama over that period. ... Before Saturday, UM had outscored its opposition 80-7 in the first half. ... Since 1990, Miami is 79-7 against unranked opponents. ... Since 1983, the 'Canes are 146-14 when scoring first. ... Dorsey's 11-yard touchdown to Andre Johnson in the first quarter extended his school record to 20 straight games with a TD pass. In addition, he has thrown one in each of his 19 career starts.