"A Farewell to the BIG EAST"
by Chris Bello - CanesTime Magazine
April 2004 - Issue #9



Goodbye. Adios. So long. Farewell. Arivaderche. To Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese, good riddance.

Miami is about to embark on a new era as the latest, greatest addition to the Atlantic Coast Conference. The 2004 football season has the Canes pitted against new conference foes Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, North Carolina, Clemson, Virginia and Wake Forest. The season opener? Who other than an old foe and now ACC rival, Florida State?

Gone are late season trips to the northeast at Rutgers and Pittsburgh. Removed are meaningless games on turf at Syracuse or Temple. No more getting pelted by trash cans after laying an old school beating on West Virginia’s Mountaineer Field.

Instead Miami will experience Death Valley in Clemson. Tobacco Road in North Carolina. Newly renovated Scott Stadium in Virginia. Byrd Stadium when Maryland plays host. Former Big East foe Virginia Tech whined their way into the ACC soon after Miami’s invite, so that rivalry should kick up a notch. Boston College’s invite months later rounded out the conference to 12 schools with the hopes of an ACC Championship game at season’s end. The Eagles begin ACC conference play in 2005.

The Big East put up a hearty fight to keep Miami aboard as Hurricane Football was the cornerstone of the conference. Over the span of 13 seasons, The U won the Big East crown - or at least split the title – an unprecedented 9 times. On three occasions the Canes were the Big East runner up and only one losing season was experienced.

Miami’s tenure in the Big East is a tale of two teams – the non-probation era and the probation era.

From 1995-1999 the Canes suffered a reduction of scholarships and loss of a bowl game in which the conference record stood at 26-9. Five straight losses to rival Virginia Tech and the embarrassing 3-4 Big East record in 1997 was rock bottom for Miami - yet still managed to earn co-champion honors twice and brought home two second place finishes. Simply put, even crippled by probation, the Canes were still rolling through the Big East.

The eight seasons which Miami was at full strength, conference opponents paid a hefty price. The record, a stunning 46-2. A loss at West Virginia in 1993 and another at Virginia Tech in 2003. That’s it. Aside from that, utter dominance. A 96% winning percentage at full strength as opposed to 65% in the lean years. No comparison.

The Canes joined the Big East in 1991 on the heels of an amazing decade as an independent. In the 1980s, the Hurricanes took on – and thumped - all comers in an attempt to solidify their newfound status as college football giants. Notre Dame, Michigan, Nebraska, Auburn, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas – Miami whipped them all on the road to becoming the nation’s elite.

When the Big East called, the Canes listened. Already on board were Boston College, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia and Virginia Tech – teams that Miami had grown accustomed to playing in the 1970s and 1980s. Rumors also swirled of a pre-Big Ten Penn State program joining as well as Notre Dame, who have remained Big East participants in every sport except football. Of course that had nothing to do with the Canes beating the Irish six out of nine tries in the 80s.

In it’s inaugural season, Miami played two Big East Conference games. A pasting of West Virginia and par for the course thriller at Boston College, ending 19-14 in Miami’s favor. The Canes finished the season 12-0 and National Champions. Anyone doubting UM’s dominance that season look no further than wins at #1 Florida State, in Miami versus #9 Penn State and an Orange Bowl Classic shutout of #11 Nebraska.

In 1992, Miami fit four Big East opponents on to the schedule. The result - four more wins. Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Temple were handled with ease while #8 Syracuse gave Miami all it could handle in a 16-10 Hurricane victory at the Carrier Dome. Out of conference, UM knocked off #3 Florida State and #7 Penn State en route to a perfect regular season. Undefeated in conference play and 3-0 against Top Ten teams in 1992, Miami took home their second conference title in as many years.

Things became “official” in 1993 as the schedule included all seven Big East opponents for the first time. The Canes took down the first six opponents with ease before stumbling at #9 West Virginia, 17-14. A dozen straight wins before their first Big East loss

In 1994, Miami’s big time conference wins came over #13 Virginia Tech (24-3), #10 Syracuse (27-6) and #25 Boston College (23-7). The Canes’ third championship in four seasons was impressive, especially with the Big East fielding three Top 25 teams that season.

After a 19-1 run in their first four seasons in the Big East, Miami Football experienced a new low when probation hit. An 8-3 season in 1995 was foreign and a large slice of humble pie. Still, the Canes went 6-1 in conference play and shared a piece of the Big East crown. The 13-7 loss at Virginia Tech was a shocker, but even worse - the loss of a post season bowl game. Miami was slated to take on former rival Notre Dame in the 62nd Orange Bowl Classic but surrendered the right to play a post season game with the hopes that 1996 would yield a better opportunity.

Making another run at a conference championship in 1996, the Canes were off to a good start thumping Rutgers and Pittsburgh by a combined score of 78-0. Weeks later 4-2 Miami headed in to Morgantown to take on #12 West Virginia.

Riding a two game losing streak, the Canes needed a win while the undefeated Mountaineers were hoping a similar outcome to 1993’s match up. In the end a Tremain Mack blocked punt resulted in a 10-7 Canes win. Weeks later, Miami fell to #21 Virginia Tech, leaving the best case scenario another spilt championship. Wins over Boston College and at #16 Syracuse secured Miami’s share of the crown as they finished 6-1 in conference and 9-3 on the season.

1997 was a new low in Miami Football and a year fans would rather forget. A 5-6 season was truly highlighted – or dare I say low-lighted – by pathetic Big East play and a 3-4 conference record. The lack of depth caught up with the Canes and opponents took advantage. The Panthers struck first with their 21-17 win. Coming off an embarrassing 23-13 home loss against #24 Arizona State, Pittsburgh snuck by Miami in a nationally televised Thursday night outing. Conference opponents must’ve been watching because nine days later it was West Virginia who headed south to embarrass Miami, 28-17 – marking the only time in a 13 year span that the Canes lost back to back Big East games.

Victories over Boston College and Temple ensued, but a heartbreaking 27-25 loss at Virginia Tech sent the Canes to 4-5 on the year. A win against Rutgers and season ending loss at #16 Syracuse put Miami out of its misery. This season marked Miami’s first losing campaign since an identical 5-6 record in 1979.

A new breed of Hurricanes resurfaced in 1998. Talented recruits were finally calling Miami home again and helped propel the Canes to a 9-3 season. Virginia Tech snuck by Miami in a 27-20 overtime loss – the third time in four tries in which a touchdown or less decided the outcome.

1998’s conference bright spot was an exciting 34-31 win at #13 West Virginia. The Canes were that proverbial thorn in the Mountaineers’ side – all but twice in series history. A missed field goal as time expired was the difference maker in 1998.

Miami thumped its next three Big East opponents - Boston College, Temple and Pittsburgh - in a convincing manner. At 7-2, there was still a shot at winning the conference and earning an Orange Bowl berth against rival Florida – but instead, Miami was upended 66-13 at Syracuse. It was the Canes worst conference loss in 13 seasons as Big East members.

Second best was the case in 1998, but all was not lost for the season. A shocking 49-45 upset of #3 UCLA was a perfect way to close out the season. The Canes ended the Bruins’ 20-game win streak and snuffed out their National Championship dreams one win shy of a trip to Tempe.

The win proved the Canes were one step closer to a return to prominence. Proof came in the recruiting class Miami signed less than 60 days after the stunning upset. Names like Dorsey, Portis, Buchanon, Johnson, Payton, Sikes and McKinney were added to the list of incoming freshman. Miami was becoming Miami again.

1999’s Hurricanes were a talented bunch, suffering a few bad breaks. 9-4 could’ve easily been 11-2. A last second loss to #2 Penn State and a second half collapse against East Carolina never should’ve occurred while a 10-point loss at #1 Florida State proved closer than the final score. Regarding the Big East, one blemish – a 43-10 loss at #2 Virginia Tech. Miami wound up second in the Big East and of the four losses, two games should’ve been won while the other two were against the eventual national champion and runner up.

A tale of two seasons as Kenny Kelly quarterbacked Miami to its first three Big East wins of the season against Boston College, West Virginia and Pittsburgh. Down with injury against Virginia Tech, freshman Ken Dorsey took the reigns and never let go. Miami faced Rutgers, Syracuse and Temple in its final three conference games of 1999 with Dorsey at the helm. The result – three wins by a combined score of 155-13. A new era was underway and as far as Big East play was concerned, sheer perfection was on deck.

Fresh off of his 3-0 conference start in 1999, Dorsey carried the momentum into 2000 with a convincing 47-10 win at West Virginia. It was his first road start in Big East play and was followed up with convincing wins over conference doormats Rutgers and Temple.

Sandwiched between Big East action, Dorsey and Miami experienced their first win over #1 Florida State in five seasons. The defending champions strolled into the Orange Bowl confident and staggered out bewildered after a stunning 27-24 upset. Miami picked up steam with the win and won their next 31 contests before falling victim to a misplaced yellow hankie in the desert

Weeks after shocking Florida State, Dorsey shined again versus the nation’s elite when #2 Virginia Tech headed to the Orange Bowl. Five years of Miami frustration was taken out in a cathartic, 41-21 beating. In the coming weeks Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Boston College were handled with ease as Miami cruised to a 7-0 conference record and undisputed title in 2000.

Absolute perfection ensued in 2001. Miami was unstoppable in Big East play and across the nation. Of the seven wins, only two Big East teams came within 21 points of the Canes in 2001. Boston College kept Miami honest in an 18-7 thriller where Mike Rumph’s knee deserved the MVP. The season finale had Miami squaring off against #14 Virginia Tech on the road, where a dropped two-point conversion allowed the Canes to escape with a 26-24 win. A second straight Big East title was only eclipsed by Miami’s first National Championship in a decade coming off a 37-14 pasting of #2 Nebraska in the Rose Bowl.

Dominance continued in 2002 as Miami marched on to another 7-0 record in the Big East and 12-1 season. No conference rival came within a touchdown of the Canes. Temple and Boston College were handled with ease, while West Virginia hung with the Miami for three quarters before falling, 40-23. A week later Rutgers actually held a 17-14 lead on Miami before 28-points unanswered game the Canes a 42-17 win.

Pittsburgh scrapped it out until the game’s final pass resulted in an overthrown game tying touchdown. Syracuse went down without a fight - to the tune of, 49-7 - while #17 Virginia Tech participated in an early December shootout, ending in a 56-45 Miami win. The undefeated regular season sent the Canes to their second championship game in as many years and third straight conference title.

The Dorsey Era was a complete success at 24-0. While unfair to hold the 2003 squad to the same standards, Miami faithful did. That’s how it’s done in Coral Gables. Reload and find a way to succeed. No excuses allowed.

The Canes dealt with change at quarterback, lost their starting running back to injury and adjusted to four starters selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. The result, an 11-2 record and co-Big East Championship. Miami amassed a 6-1 conference record - with wins over Boston College, West Virginia and Temple - before heading into Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech.

The Canes’ defense kept the Hokies in check all evening, but missed opportunities and crucial mistakes on offense did Miami in, 31-7. After wins over Syracuse and Rutgers, an entire season came down to Miami at Pittsburgh. The Canes held Heisman finalist Larry Fitzgerald to three meaningless catches while storming to a 28-14 victory. Miami proved to be the real Big East champs with their 16-14 Orange Bowl Classic win over #8 Florida State while “co-champs” West Virginia suffered an embarrassing 41-7 Gator Bowl loss to Maryland.

After all was said and done, Boston College, Rutgers and Temple never beat Miami in conference play. West Virginia and Syracuse only accomplished the feat twice over 13 seasons. Only Virginia Tech experienced any real success against Miami, going 6-6 in Big East play. Cane fans of course quick to mention that five of those wins were against a depleted Miami team in the probation era of the late 90s.

Miami blew out of the Big East the same way the strutted in – on top and as winners. Here’s hoping the upcoming era of ACC style Hurricane Football is equally as dominant and even more exciting.



Born and raised in Miami, FL and a CanesTime.com guest columnist since 1996, Chris Bello now resides in San Diego, CA. Feel free to send your comments or to contact him for potential writing assignments at cbello@san.rr.com.