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Dreams of title on hold

Miami admits Rose Bowl visions have crept in, but it refuses to look past Virginia Tech today.

By BOB HARIG
© St. Petersburg Times,
published December 1, 2001

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Sure, the Hurricanes would love nothing more than to stop and smell the roses.

The temptation was there last Saturday night when well-meaning UM fans at the Orange Bowl showered them with red flowers after their blowout victory over Washington. Visions of a trip to California were difficult to erase.

Then Miami coach Larry Coker all but stomped on those roses. He made it clear he didn't want any of his players holding them or talking about them. Symbolism is nice, but the Rose Bowl and a national championship shot are still a game away.

"It's kind of hard to ignore because everybody's talking about it," Miami cornerback Phillip Buchanon said. "We have to go out there and try to focus and not worry about what's going on outside. We know what we have at stake. Either we go to Pasadena or we have to go somewhere else. It's up to us to make that happen."

Standing in the way today is 14th-ranked Virginia Tech (8-2) at Lane Stadium, where the No. 1-ranked Hurricanes (10-0) have not won since 1992. In fact, no member of this Miami team, including Coker, has won there.

That's why Coker was unwilling to engage in the euphoria surrounding a possible matchup with rival Florida in the Rose Bowl.

"We're not going anywhere if we don't beat Virginia Tech," Coker said. "It doesn't matter to me who we play. The important thing is that we get there. As we saw with Nebraska and Oklahoma . . . the only thing that matters to us is Virginia Tech."

Miami lost 43-10 in Blacksburg in 1999, when tailback Clinton Portis fumbled three times and freshman quarterback Ken Dorsey had to relieve starter Kenny Kelly because of an injury.

Dorsey struggled, passing for 45 yards and an interception, one of six turnovers.

Of course, that year's Tech team won the Big East title and played for the national championship. It also had quarterback Michael Vick, who is in the NFL, replaced by Grant Noel.

"This is a new year," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "I don't think what has happened in the past affects what takes place (today). I remember the last game in Blacksburg as being very tough and physical. Dorsey was a freshman and he didn't have that offensive line he has now. They were good, but this offensive line is great."

The Hokies appear to have little riding on the outcome. They have accepted an invitation to play Florida State in the Gator Bowl, win or lose.

But the Hokies would love nothing more than to ruin Miami's title dreams.

"They're down there holding the roses (in the Orange Bowl), and that's fine," senior linebacker Ben Taylor said. "When nobody gives you a chance, you give yourself more chances. This is our national championship game."

The Hokies lost consecutive games this season to Syracuse and Pittsburgh, but they lead the nation in total defense, allowing 223.3 yards per game. They do an excellent job of stopping the run and forcing teams to throw.

And if Dorsey struggles on the road again as he did three weeks ago against Boston College when he threw four interceptions, that trip to Pasadena will not be so secure.

"The Boston College game was definitely a wakeup call for us," Dorsey said. "We knew coming down the stretch against three great opponents (Syracuse, Washington and Virginia Tech) that we couldn't have a game like that and squeak out a win. We know what we're capable of, and the one thing we're concerned about is whether we actually go out and play to that potential."

Miami is riding high after lopsided victories over Syracuse and Washington. The Hurricanes have won their second straight Big East title and have the nation's longest winning streak at 20.

Now they return to the place where they last lost a Big East game.

A trip to the Rose Bowl is riding on the outcome.

"We're so close," offensive tackle Joaquin Gonzalez said. "We're one step away. It's like you're right at the doorstep, you just have to open the door and you're there."

"We need to be able to get past that wall, past that hurdle and win at Virginia Tech," guard Martin Bibla said. "If we do that, then we'll be able to stop and smell the roses."

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