Gino Torretta headed to College Football Hall of Fame

He won a national championship, he took home a Heisman and now Gino Torretta is headed to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Torretta threw for more than 7,600 yards as the Miami Hurricanes quarterback. He took home the Maxwell Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Unitas Award and was a consensus All-American... though his critics love to point to a lackluster NFL career. Never mind all that as this honor is all about his NCAA run and dominance of the college landscape in the early 90s.

Though Torretta's older brother Geoff was an under the radar quarterback at Miami in the late 80s, Gino had his sights set on playing for the Stanford Cardinal.

"I knew Stanford's education was very valuable and a great degree and that's the way I looked at it. I was going to have an opportunity to get a scholarship but to me that meant it paid for my education," said the former Heisman winner. "Unfortunately, (Stanford) said I wasn't good enough -- or fortunately."

Geoff's career was mostly spent on the bench, backing up the Canes first Heisman winner, Vinny Testaverde. Miami coaches warned the younger Torretta that there was a chance he wound up a career back up, as well. Craig Erickson was the Canes signal caller and a then-unknown Brian Fortay would eventually battle Gino for the starting job.

Erickson graduated, Torretta went on to stardom while Fortay left UM, miffed and not being named starter. He eventually transferred to Rutgers, attempted to sue the University of Miami and was essentially never heard from again. As for Gino's decision to call Coral Gables home, it was a no-brainer.

"It's awful hard to turn down, when you go into their offices and the last five (starting quarterbacks) are on the cover of Sports Illustrated," Torretta said. "I wanted to have a chance to win a national championship."

Torretta started his final two college seasons at UM and went 26-2 as a starter. Now he can add 'member of the College Football Hall of Fame' to his resume.

Congrats, Gino.

Yeah, we heard... "The Streak" is over

Seems a lot of sports media outlets felt the need to chime in this week regarding Miami's first round NFL Draft streak coming to an end this week. Sad how "outsiders" feel the need to tell their version of the story, not having lived through it and basically Googling their fingers off in an effort to fact check. 

The New York Times even had their say, as sports writer Judy Battista attempted to craft a clever little tale. She spoke of the length of the streak, mustered up an anecdote about streak-starter Warren Sapp playing his entire career and even participating on "Dancing With The Stars" before the streak would end.

Like most, she got her shots in about Miami's recent demise and the fact that some smaller schools are producing some random first round talent these. As if it's so unheard of that a Delaware (Joe Flacco) or Tennessee State (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) can trap lightning in a bottle once in a blue moon. 

Credit to Judy for getting some quotes from Howard Schnellenberger, the legend who officially put Miami on the map, as well as Tom Luginbill, the recruiting expert who pinpoints the program's decline (recruiting-wise) in 2003. Schnellenberger got his digs in about Miami's previous coaching regime not focusing enough on local talent, chasing too name national big names. She even got a quote from Larry Coker, a man still in denial and defending his tenure:

“The overall talent in South Florida wasn’t as good as it has been as far as really great talent. The key for Miami is always the talent level in South Florida. When I left, I think there was good talent. Were there six first-round draft choices? Obviously not, but the talent was good.”

Keep telling yourself that, Larry. Banished to Nowheresville, Texas after two years in the TV booth.

Of course there were the cliche statements that national, non-Miami writers will make. Battista took her cheap shot at the Orange Bowl ("But just as the decrepit Orange Bowl stadium crumbled a few years ago, so did Miami’s supremacy") and dig that UM was losing recruits to smaller in state schools ("es have proliferated, more teams play on national TV. That has helped put lower-profile teams on the recruiting map. On national signing day in February, Miami Pace defensive back Kayvon Webster, who had committed to Miami, signed with South Florida").

It what should've been a pro-Miami article, applauding what has been accomplished over the past fourteen seasons -- 33 first round draft picks -- Battista instead finds a way to stroke Florida and Urban Meyer, praising the UF coach for "hurting Miami the most" by "making inroads into what had been Miami recruiting territory". She goes as far to say "everyone agrees" with this sentiment.

Battista then enters "idiot" territory when she wrongly explains the Bryce Brown situation. Forget that his signing with Tennessee has absolutely zero to do with today's NFL Draft or Miami's streak - she's quick to point out that he signed with the Vols, "even though his older brother plays for Miami". I'm sure that had nothing to do with Randy Shannon pulling Brown's scholarship offer and taking the Canes out of the recruiting battle for the top flight back. Nice fact checking, Judy.

Enough about yet another ignorant writer who followed the standard "How an outsider covers Miami" type fluff piece. Today is about celebrating the streak, acknowledging why it's coming to an end, learning from mistakes and starting a new.

Bruce Johnson will be the lone Cane drafted this year... if he's drafted at all. The last time Miami had a mere one draft pick was defensive back Gene Coleman in 1980. The last time no Canes were drafted? 1974. The 2009 Draft will either match 1980 or 1974 today. That's how far this thing has fallen.

I spent the better part of this decade longing for NFL Draft weekend; a spring time football escape. A reason to talk Canes and a day when ESPN would stroke all things UM for several hours on end. It was basically a free, subliminal infomercial for next year's recruits. "Come to Miami, become an NFL superstar someday".

A lot of folk in the anti-Shannon camp get miffed when the rest of us beat the anti-Coker drum. "How long are you going to blame Larry?", they ask. Personally, I'll blame him until his final recruit is off campus and no longer part of this team.

How can you NOT blame Coker when you watch today's draft? Today a fourteen-year old streak ends. One that even endured the late 90s probation era. Butch Davis still brought in top flight talent when UM was stripped of scholarships and on probation. Coker was recruiting when the program was reaching BCS games and riding a 34-game win streak and he still found a way to screw things up. No recruiting coordinator in place, no in roads with local high school programs and his thumb nowhere near the pulse regarding UM's culture and the way things are done.

This isn't about Urban and the Gators, Bryce and Kayvon's last minute snub or the effects of a move to the ACC. This is about an old man and first time head coach who had no business taking over one of the strongest brands in college football.

Coker ran this thing into the ground, which is why 2+ years after his departure Miami is still going 5-7 or 7-6 and it's the sole reason the Canes are matching numbers achieved in '80 or '74 on draft day, instead of enjoying the success the program has grown accustomed to.

Rebuild it, Randy. Get this thing back on track and let's start a new streak in 2011. (Yes, '11, not '10. Keep the seniors home next year as part of the rebuilding process.)

allCanes purchases a brick at A-Rod Park...

For those headed to The Light this weekend for the Virginia Tech series, check out the brick we purchased. It's located right in front of the stadium, near the ticket windows and entrance gates.

This first group of personalized bricks was laid on April 22nd and we wanted to have our name to be a small part of the new stadium's history. There are upwards of thirty or so bricks in this first installment.

Our GM Harry Rothwell said the following about the brick project: "We are very honored to be part of this great stadium and will do our part to help the baseball program. No matter who the Canes are playing or how we're doing as a team, we along with the other great fans will now 'own' a piece of UM Baseball for all visitors to see. We look forward to the day when 500 bricks line the entry way."

I'm looking for a link for those of you interested in getting a brick of your own. I checked online but couldn't find the info. I have the pamphlet we filled out and the brick drive is being headed by the Hurricane Club. The phone number listed is 305.284.6699 and the email contact looks to be ccohen@miami.edu. Let 'em know allCanes sent you. 

Support Hurricanes Baseball! Big series this weekend. Root 'em in!

One final "Classic" this week...

I've rambled on enough about epic games of yesteryear. I'm too tired to type and I'm sure you're sick of the ranting and raving at this point.

The 2002 Rose Bowl was on today and I didn't even watch the anticlimactic "battle". No. 1 Miami had No. 2 Nebraska in a 34-0 hole by halftime. The only blunder, a missed extra point by Todd Sievers.

Ken Dorsey was near perfect. Clinton Portis couldn't be stopped. Andre Johnson was a man amongst boys. Jeremy Shockey is still flexing somewhere after a touchdown grab.

James Lewis had a great pick six. Portis just broke off another run. Johnson just embarrassed the boy-sized corner who couldn't keep up with him. Halftime.

Fast forward the majority of the second half, in order to not stomach Larry Coker taking his foot off the gas and allowing two uncalled for scores. Marvel at the fact future superstars like Kellen Winslow II, Sean Taylor and Antrel Rolle are playing special teams as freshmen.

Learn the true meaning of the word 'depth' when you look at the Canes ground game. Portis as your starting tailback. Najeh Davenport injured and on the sidelines, allowing Willis McGahee to take over at fullback. Watch future NFL star Frank Gore taking some meaningless handoffs in mop up duty.

While watching, try not to let your mind wander as to how Coker let the wheels fall off a handful of years later.

The 2002 Rose Bowl is a thing of beauty. At least the first half is. I own it on DVD, I have the game on the ol' iPod for when I get drunk and want to show friends how great we were and I've beaten the 2001 highlight DVD into the dirt.

I appreciate ESPN Classic replaying this one, but next time dig a little deeper in the vault and show me something a bit more exciting. Here are five semi-recent Miami classics I'd rather have watched this week - not counting UCLA (1998), Florida State (2002) or any CBS epics that can't be shown on the Disney-owned ESPN Classic (re: FSU 2000, VT 2000, UF 2002, etc.):

5. - Miami 16, Florida State 10 (OT) - [2004] - You can literally have the first 50 minutes of this snoozefest. Give me the Devin Hester blocked field goal, the Sinorice Moss jailbreak screen, the Chris Rix OT fumble and the Frank Gore rumble to paydirt for the game winner. You could easily sub this one out for the win over West Virginia in 2003, another average game with an amazing final few minutes. The 28-21 win over Pittsburgh in 2002 could make it's way into this fifth slot as well.

4. - Miami 65, Washington 7 - [2001] - So NOT a great or entertaining football game for anyone that doesn't bleed orange and green. The epitome of the all time revenge beat down for a team you wanted to send a message to.

3. - Miami 41, Louisville 38 - [2004] - Flew from San Diego to Miami for this all time Thursday night classic comeback. One of my favorite Orange Bowl experiences ever. Something about the magic that comes from a night game, a huge deficit and the validation of making the right call to trek east. Had the Canes lost, this one would be in the vault as one of the worst weekends ever.

2. - Miami 18, Boston College 7 - [2001] - "The Immaculate Interception". Ed Reed being Ed Reed. Matt Walters displaying some of the best hands a defensive lineman has ever shown. The brilliant knee of Mike Rumph. Dorsey's struggles on a cold, windy day in Chestnut Hill. The look on the faces of all those loser Bostonians, still living in an era where the Red Sox were bums and the Pats were just starting to make some noise. I doubt it came as a shock to their fans that the Eagles gave another one away. Seeing the Canes steal a would-be loss en route to Pasadena... epic game.

1. - Miami 38, Florida 33 - [2003] - A comeback for the ages. One of my favorite all time games to put on and enjoy like a fine wine. Down 33-10 late in the third, Miami's defense shuts down the dirty Gators and scores 28 unanswered. All. Time. Classic. Just mentioning this one to a filthy Florida fan makes them squirm.


Honorable Mention - Miami 27, Virginia Tech 7 - [2005] - ESPN's theme this week was "Before They Were Stars" for the upcoming NFL Draft and the '05 Canes weren't necessarily chock full o' stars, so it doesn't fit the bill. That said, a good reminder that Miami isn't really that far away from some semi-memorable days. The win propelled the No. 5 Canes to No. 3, behind No. 2 Texas and No. 1 USC. A loss to Georgia Tech two weeks later erased all that, but for one night Miami proved that they could rise to the occasion and shine on a national stage.

Another day, another "Classic"

Sucked into another ESPN Classic gem today. Couldn't help myself, yet again. Miami v. Florida State 2002? C'mon now. One of my all time favorites, right up there with the 2000 edition of this rivalry - both of which are neck and neck, earning the title "hottest sporting event I ever witnessed in person".

Canes/Noles is always a battle, though occasionally the rivalry gets either one-sided or one team is a bit better than the other. Miami and Florida State were pretty evenly matched up from the mid 80s to early 90s. Probation hit the Canes pretty hard, making the mid to late 90s a completely one-sided rivalry, with the Noles winning five straight. By 2000, The U was back and Miami rattled off six in a row, none with more overall excitement than the 2002 contest.

Nothing will touch "The Drive" in 2000, when Ken Dorsey went 6-of-7 in the final two minutes, leading Miami to a 27-24 win - official only after a third game-defining field goal sailed 'wide right' for the third time in ten years. As cathartic and much needed as that '00 win, the Canes weren't down 27-14 early in the fourth quarter. Leading most of the game, you never really entertained the fact Miami might lose they way many did watching the second half of the '02 game.

Miami also wasn't the underdog they were two years prior when knocking off the top-ranked, defending national champions. In '02 the Canes were a year removed from their fifth title and No. 1 in the land, riding a 27-game win streak. As a program Miami needed that '00 victory to prove they were "back". One could argue that was the Canes' biggest win this decade, outside the Rose Bowl thumping of Nebraska.

When riding a win streak and defending a title, teams let their guard down. Hunger can't be fabricated and a 'fat and happy' mentality is almost unavoidable. Southern Cal has seen it at times this decade, as did Florida State, Nebraska and Miami in the 90s. Staying a top the mountain is almost harder than the initial climb. Of course that's something difficult for college kids to comprehend when 'in the moment'. You usually don't "get it" until you've lost what you had.

Miami started the 2002 campaign with a bang, throttling FAMU, 63-13 in the opener and rolling No. 6 Florida a week later at the Swamp, 41-16. After whooping Temple. Boston College and Connecticut by a combined score of 130-41, the Canes were 5-0 with the Noles headed to town.

Florida State looked like they'd roll into the Orange Bowl ranked fourth, but a Thursday night overtime loss at Louisville turned this into a No. 1 vs. No. 14 match up, instead of a Sunshine State showdown between two top five heavyweights.

Maybe the Canes were looking ahead, or the Noles had something to prove but the early goings of Miami/Florida State 2002 was all FSU and it remained that way for the majority of the game.

Miami struck first on the opening possession, a balanced seven-minute drive where Dorsey spread the ball all around effortlessly. Ethenic Sands, Andre Johnson, Kevin Beard and Kellen Winslow II all got in on the action, while Willis McGahee churned out 22 yards and the game's first score.

The Canes had a shot to add to the lead after the Noles fumbled a punt. Set up on the Noles' 16-yard line, Miami fumbled the first down snap, giving the ball back. Six plays and 86 yards later Nick Maddox tied it up, tearing off a 30-yard touchdown run.. Two possessions later, Xavier Beitia drilled a 45-yarder and it was 10-7, Noles.

Miami went three and out on their next possession, gave Florida State the ball at midfield, gave away ten yards in penalties and within minutes found itself in a 17-7 hole. The Canes responded with an 80-yard drive and five-yard strike to Winslow, cutting the halftime deficit to 17-14.

Early in third, again the Miami offense sputtered. As the ground game started opening up, Dorsey threw an ill-advised pick. The Canes defense forced a three and out, but again offensively two dropped passes sent Roscoe Parrish's way proved to be drive killers. Florida State took over on their four-yard line and rode their ground game to a 42-yard field goal, pushing the lead to 20-14.

Parrish atoned for his earlier drops, reeling in a 53-yard strike on 1st and 10, but an illegal (bogus) chop block made it 1st and 25. Momentum lost, the Canes would go three and out and the Noles would push it to 27-14 on the ensuing drive; only a thirteen-point lead as Bobby Bowden foolishly missed an opportunity for a two-point conversion.

With 9:32 left in the game, a win streak on the line and an Orange Bowl lulled to sleep by sub par play, the defending champs somehow flipped a switch and finally came to life. (Something you can do with depth and superior talent.) Dorsey to Johnson for 37 yards. A McGahee scamper for 11 more. Back to Johnson for 19 yards, a one-yard McGahee run and on 2nd and goal, Dorsey fired one to Kevin Beard in the back of the end zone, cutting the deficit to 27-21.

Again the defense held and at the 5:36 mark, one of a few plays that preserved an undefeated regular season was on deck. Dorsey found McGahee on the screen and a few blocks later, the power back rumbled 68 yards to the FSU 11-yard line. Jason Geathers finished the job, prancing to paydirt and putting Miami ahead for good, 28-27.

The final five scoreless minutes were not without drama, though. A signature Sean Taylor hit, where the late safety flew in like a missile, decleating P.K. Sam for what should've been a fumble (called incomplete.) A three-yard Freddie Capshaw punt, giving Florida State possession on their 46-yard line with just over two minutes to play. A few desperation passes from Chris Rix that resulted in miracle first down pick ups. A game clock that appeared to expire, yet wound up at 0:01, giving Beitia a shot at a game-winning 43-yard field goal which sailed wide, sucked left by the swirling winds in the open end zone.

Watching this vintage game brought up a slew of different emotions. Nostalgia for "the way we were" as well as my personal ability to recall how carefree live was at 28, as opposed to 35. It was a great era and the fact that Miami was in the midst of what would become a 34-game win streak? Unfathomable as this program sits at 18-16 in its last thirty-four games.

The saving grace for me is the fact that the talent is returning, by staying home. Randy Shannon is keeping the Miami kids in Miami and the depth gets deeper each passing off season. Miami's '02 comeback over Florida State was more about talent, depth, heart and leadership more than it was superior coaching. It wasn't the genius of Rob Chudzinski's play calling that won the game. It was the effort and ability of the players.

In 2002, a screen pass to a running back turned into a 68-yard pick up - thanks to a top flight running back, a solid offensive line and a few key blocks that made the difference Without the back, the line or the blocks, the same play loses three yards these last few seasons.

As brilliant as Dorsey looked at times, how does he fare behind the Miami offensive lines of 2004-2007? What's his overall record with the recent running game and receiving corps the Canes have sported? Certainly not 38-2.

Old will be new again and Miami will return to glory, as long as the talent in Coral Gables continues to improve. As depressed as some Cane fans might be watching these epic games of yesteryear, see the common theme -- when you're loaded with playmakers, you have a better chance at "out-talenting" the competition. Give it another year and those days will return.

As bright as the Canes future looks, for all the money in the world I truly couldn't stomach being a Florida State fan. If I were, my hatred for all things Miami would consume my every thought. I completely understand why the whackos on Warchant.com ban smack-talking Cane fans left and right. The thought of The U or the site of anything orange and green would eat me alive.

As painful as the 2002 loss was, I don't even know where to rank it if I'm a Nole. With a game winning kick on the line, it was fait accompli that the kick would wind up anywhere but straight through the uprights. As I watched from my sweat-covered seat in Section X that Saturday, just north of the West End Zone, I'll never forget the moment of silence before the teams lined up for the kick.

Out of nowhere, one of Miami's finest -- a shirtless, loud, liquored up patron -- screamed at the top of his lungs, "They've never beaten us with a f'n kick and they're not gonna do it today. No WAY this kick is good!" Within seconds, I shared a warm embrace with this rogue individual, wishing for a moment I was him solely for his confidence and Nostradamus-like prediction.

How many times has Miami's elation come at the hands of Florida State's pain? How many new ways can the Noles get so close, only to have their heart smashed in such dramatic fashion? Should Capshaw actually kick a man-sized punt, there's a good chance FSU never get's in field goal position. If Talman Gardner doesn't reel in two miracle grabs, the Noles possibly end with a fourth down incomplete, sparing the football world the legacy of "Wide Left" and keeping this epic game from every being replayed on ESPN Classic.

A similar story in 2000 after Miami retook the 27-24 lead with under a minute to play. Florida State manages to move the chains a few times, putting them in position for Matt Munyon to miss his 49-yard attempt, giving the world "Wide Right III".

Ironically enough, the Noles kicking game flourished in the late 90s with Sebastian Janikowski... when Miami was on probation and the rivalry's closest game was a ten-point contest in 1999. Where was Janakegger in the early 90s when Florida State couldn't buy a legit kicker?

Between 1983-1994, Miami took 9 of 12 against Florida State. From 2000-2008, the Canes have taken 7 of 10. The only time the Noles owned the rivalry, the Canes were suiting up a JV team thanks to probation. Florida State finally fields the best teams their program has ever seen and they don't even get the satisfaction of beating on a fully loaded Miami bunch. Classic.

If you're a Nole, the majority of the past twenty years will make you puke. A 19-3 deficit in 1987 resulted in a 26-25, Miami win. The No. 3 Canes took out the No. 4 Noles and weeks later rose to No. 2 and took out No. 1 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, securing the program's second national title.

Florida State wrapped up the season 10-1, ranked third in the country and with revenge on the brain eight months later, faced No. 6 Miami in the season opener - rolling is at the top ranked team, before losing 31-0 on national television. The fact they filmed an off-season rap video which NBC played during the beat down... nothing more than insult to injury.

The Noles got some revenge in 1989, thumping Miami 24-10 in Tallahassee... but Miami won out and went on to claim their third national championship. The Noles went 9-2 and finished ranked sixth.

All that said, no bigger heartbreak than the early 90s. In 1991, a 17-16 loss to No. 2 Miami when Gerry Thomas sent the game winner "Wide Right".

No. 1 Florida State fell from their perch and the Canes went on to win their fourth national championship and second in three seasons. A year later, No. 2 Miami staves off defeat when Dan Mowery sends his kick right. The Orange Bowl goes nuts and No. 3 Florida State falls in dramatic fashion... again. You honestly couldn't script a better ending for a half dozen of Miami's wins over Florida State the past three decades.

Floridian by birth, but a Cane by the grace of God. It's an old shirt we had back in the day at All Sports and all these years later it makes even more sense. We don't choose the teams we root for; they choose us. I have a family full of Florida State and Notre Dame fans. I look at my the cousins from generation and realize I could just as easily have become a Nole or Irish puke. It was all luck of the draw.

I put myself in a Nole's shoes watching this comeback and again I'm reminded how truly great it is to be a Miami Hurricane. Don't believe me? Just ask Mr. "Oh-for-Six" Rix.

ESPN Classic delivers again...

Ahh, the excitement of college football in April. What did we ever do before Classic Sports Network? Today, a replay of the 1998 comeback against No. 2 UCLA and tomorrow, Miami v. Florida State in 2002 and another come from behind Canes win. I have both games archived away, in full on VHS and the 'classic' versions (edited down to two hours) on DVD, yet when these games are 'live' again, I get sucked in every time.  

The upset of the Bruins still warms my heart. I was 24 in 1998 and had just moved from Florida to Southern California. I landed a job with FANSonly.com (now CSTV) as a lowly sports editor, working the 2pm to midnight shift with Tuesday and Wednesday off. A Cane in California, it seemed everyone was a Bruin back then (yet conveniently now everyone seems to be a Trojan).

I worked with a half dozen Bruins, all who started breaking my balls in September before the original match up was postponed. As the season rolled on, so did UCLA's win streak - up to 20 straight before the December 5th showdown at a half full Orange Bowl. Coming off that 66-13 beat down courtesy of Syracuse the week prior, the smack talk was at an all time high. My UM-themed cubicle had Post It notes stuck all over it, pictures pulled down and what not.

All in good nature, but definitely from a fan base who was sure their squad was going to lay a world class beating on Miami - their last hurdle between heartbreak and a national championship berth in the Fiesta Bowl. UCLA felt it was their destiny and the question wasn't IF they'd win, it was by how much?

I looked into last minute airfare, but couldn't afford it on my entry level salary, so I was stuck watching this one from home. An ESPN telecast in the pre-High Definition era. It seems like forever ago.

7-0 Canes early on. Edgerrin James was in full force, unstoppable and chewing up a weak Pac-10 defense, just as I'd hoped. As expected, UCLA made it look easy offensively as well. A 77-yarder from Cade McNown to Danny Farmer had it 7-7 in an instant. Miami was immediately back in the red zone and Scott Covington found a wide open, uncovered Aaron Moser to make it 14-7. The Bruins literally had nobody covering the back up wide out. I'd never seen anything like it.

Both teams traded blows in the second quarter and somehow Miami held a 21-17 halftime lead, which vanished almost immediately after the second half started. In a matter of minutes it was 31-21, Bruins and the Hurricane mojo was wearing off. By the quarter's waning moments, a 38-21 deficit before UM started showing signs of life. The Edge continued pounding the rock and true freshman Najeh Davenport scampered for a 23-yarder as the quarter came to a close. 38-28 with fifteen minutes left to play.

The fourth quarter kicked off and I was now officially late for work. The only thing worse than the trouble I'd be in was the verbal beat down some dirty Bruins were going to give me upon my arrival. The first play from scrimmage, a huge pass play turned into a UCLA fumble when safety Al Blades (R.I.P.) tipped the ball out of Brian Poli-Dixon's hands and recovered. Almost immediately Covington hit sophomore Santana Moss in stride for a 71-yard score. Miami trailed by three with almost a full quarter remaining.

UCLA pushed it to 45-35 on the ensuing possession and Miami answered on a 29-yard strike to Mondiel Fulcher. To his credit, then offensive coordinator Larry Coker called a balanced game - running it down UCLA's collective throat, yet finding receivers, tight ends and even the fullback.

45-42 with a few minutes to play and UCLA was again driving until a bogus fumble gave Miami possession. A bang-bang play that wouldn't have held up in the era of Instant Replay, but again the Bruins had their chances and just couldn't stop the Canes offense, who amassed 371 yards on the ground and 318 through the air, for 689 total yards on the afternoon.

Just as it started with a dump off to full back Nick Williams, Coker went back to the well once more with the full back rumbling to the one-yard line and in fitting fashion, James punched it in for his third touchdown of a 299-yard outing.

The Bruins attempted the move the ball one final drive, McNown eventually heaved a desperation pass towards the back of the end zone and in an instant, it was complete. The upset was in the books. Bragging rites were in my back pocket and I was headed to work an hour later, just thinking of all the things I'd say to any Bruin who crossed my path. I called my brother, a junior at Arizona State who had just put his fist through his apartment wall in jubilation.

Out of his mind over the Miami win, there was added incentive as the UCLA loss kept heated desert rival Arizona out of the Rose Bowl - a post season game they still haven't sniffed. ESPN's cameras cutting to a smug Trung Candidate, Keith Smith and crew made it that much sweeter for the Sun Devil Cane in my family and he was a few cocktails away from talking some smack of his own to any Wildcats he saw on Mill Avenue that evening.

Being a Saturday, not a Bruin was in sight upon my arrival to our Carlsbad, CA facility. Just a few lowly editors ready to congratulate me and ready to help me devise a smack-talking game plan that would rear it's ugly head on Monday morning. My direct superior was the biggest Bruin of all. On his desk, a picture of John Wooden holding his young son and always quick to drop a Bruinesque one-liner. ("I think I hate USC as much as I love UCLA, baby.")

After wasting every drop of overpriced colored ink in the company printer, I covered his desk and office with AP photos from the game. I also broke into his microwaved-sized PC and added the Miami fight song and other Canes-themed audio clips to his hard drive. For days, every time he opened a new window, downloaded a new email, launched a new browser - the University of Miami 'Band of the Hour' blared through the office. It was a thing of beauty. Thank God he had a sense of humor, or I'd have gotten canned like tuna.

Amazing the memories a simple football game can bring. I can still quote the commentators from that 49-45 thriller. Ron Frankin during the game. Adrian Karsten interviewing Butch Davis after the game. Hell, I still laugh at the fan who rushes the field in his one-size-too-tight #8 home jersey and throws down the WWE "Degeneration X" crotch slap as Cade sulked off the field towards the visitor's locker room.

Thanks for the memories, ESPN Classic. Can't wait to watch tomorrow's showdown with Florida State, partying like it's 2002 all over again.

Who's ready to get on board?

A week ago this time, a Miami Herald recruiting article questioned the stranglehold Randy Shannon and staff truly have on local talent. Kids from the class of 2010 that grew up all about The U are rumored to be setting their sights elsewhere, though ten months from Signing Day the pendulum could obviously shift again. 

While Cane coaches have caught some grief regarding the State of Dade County, news out of Jacksonville has another kid from Gator Country headed to Miami. 

Terry Parker High School lineman Tavadis Glenn committed to the Hurricanes officially on Wednesday. The 6'5" and 265-pound four-star recruit says his recruiting days are done. It's Miami and nobody else. 

Glenn was recently hit by a car and suffered a hip injury, which is expected to completely heal. While some other universities took their offers off the table, Miami stuck by Glenn - to which he credits the early commitment. Glenn had over a dozen offers on the table, including LSU, South Carolina, Southern Cal, Tennessee and nearby Florida and Florida State.

Glenn's commitment is also said to have had an impact on Miami recruit Louis Nix. Nix was considered a soft Canes commit, but the addition of Glenn has made Nix a solid commit. Both Nix and Glenn hail from Jacksonville and play for rival high schools and for those keeping score, the 904 is Urban Meyer country. That sound you just heard was the oft-criticized Miami coaching staff just reeling in two more would-be, should-be Gators. 

The caveat here is that Signing Day remains ten months away. I completely get that.

The same way I defend the fact that any local talent looking elsewhere could remain home, truth is both Glenn and Nix are simply verbal commits and until they're officially signed up and on campus, it's all theory. Still, it's good theory and proof that Miami coaches continue tirelessly recruiting and building for the future. Hopefully this program's toughest critics remember these small victories along the way. Seems only 'bad' news is front page news and the focus remains on the ones who got away instead of those who got on board.


IN OTHER NEWS: The University of Miami was named the top party school in the nation for 2009 by Playboy Magazine. The University of Texas-Austin, San Diego State University, The University of Florida and the University of Arizona rounded out the top five. 

The U reeled in a total score of 89, ten points higher than Texas. The five categories were worth 20 points a piece with Miami scoring a 20 in the 'bikini' category, 17 in 'sex', 20 in 'campus', 12 in 'sports' and 20 in 'brains'. UM was the only school to garner a perfect score in the 'brains' category... as well as 'bikini'. Not too shabby. 

The 'ol party school list sure means a lot more when you're actually in college, on campus and taking part in the festivities. Still, nice that Miami fans can finally cheer, "we're #1" for the first time in a few years. 

Is there REALLY trouble on the recruiting front?

I want to start by saying I'm a fan of Manny Navarro's work. As far as University of Miami football coverage goes, this guy rolls up his sleeves and gets knee-deep in it. No local beat writer covers the Canes like Navarro. He's has my respect.

Whereas this blog is editorial-style, with long distance thoughts from a long-time, opinionated Cane, Manny's reporting helps fans keep better tabs on the day-to-day regarding all things The U. No one is pretending to be something they're not.

Being that this site is all about giving opinions, let's throw another out there for discussion -- Manny's Friday rant was off base, out of character and definitely jumped the gun. 

What is the point of a mid-April piece about 'intruders' breaching UM's local recruiting wall - two months after Signing Day and ten months from the next one? Navarro claims that UM's hold over local talent "is beginning to disappear like the ozone" and says that he's hearing change in the voices of local players and their affinity for the Canes.

Ten months from now we'll find out the fate of Corey Lemonier, Jakhari Gore, Jose Jose and Ivan McCartney. All grew up Miami fans and according to Navarro, all could wind up elsewhere because all lack some cult-like adoration for the hometown program.

Godforbid some high school seniors want to explore and see something outside their beloved 305 or 954 area code.

I don't get the 'sky is falling' tone of Navarro's piece. Not now. Not when things at Miami are looking better than they have in half a decade. The Canes finally have a playmaker and leader at quarterback. A slew of talented wideouts. A stable of running backs. Depth on the defensive line. Talent at linebacker. Potential in the secondary. A veteran offensive playcaller and a capable defensive position coach that will work with a defensive minded head coach.

With an exciting season around the corner, why in God's name is Navarro sweating what some teenagers are saying regarding a decision they'll make almost a year from now?

Ten months is a lifetime to a high school senior; especially a big time football recruit. Opinions change like the weather and these kids are all about following trends, being easily influenced and even more so, talking a big game. They're kids. C'mon now, what did ANY of us really know when we were seventeen? Not a fraction as much as we thought.

Navarro asks why Booker T. Washington running back Eduardo Clements is favoring Georgia, despite the fact his former high school coach is now on UM's staff and three of his former teammates are at The U.

The Knowshon Moreno train has left Athens and the Bulldogs have both Caleb King and Richard Samuel waiting in the wings, as well as a few lesser known backs. King and Samuel come highly-touted, but rather inexperienced.

In Miami, it's the Graig Cooper and Javarris James show for at least one more year. Also waiting in the wings, Lee Chambers and newbies Mike James and Lamar Miller. Not to mention, out of nowhere safety-turned-running back Damien Berry, who tore up spring ball.

Two legit prospects at UGA versus a few proven entities and some new super freshman at UM? Might the depth chart have more to do with Clements' waning interest than some conspiracy theory that Miami's wall around South Florida is crumbling?

Same to be said for local receiver Quinton Dunbar, a recent Miami decommit from a few weeks back. Is this really an indictment on UM or simply another kid who reexamined the depth chart? Sounds more like Dunbar is trying to avoid an uncomfortable Bryce Brown-like moment and realizes an early commitment isn't the best call if he's truly looking elsewhere. 

Leonard Hankerson, Aldarius Johnson, Travis Benjamin, Thearon Collier, LaRon Byrd and Davon Johnson all made a mark in 2008 and now Kendal Thompkins and Tommie Streeter are on healthy for 2009. That's eight receivers Dunbar is looking up at depth chart-wise if he signs with Miami in fall.

Definitely not the place if you're not in the mood to compete or expect the promise of immediate starting time.

Former wideout Jermaine McKenzie -- a four-star prospect a few years back -- recently left the program because of an influx of talent at Miami and inability to crack the depth chart. Others feel the depth at receiver sent Andre Dubose to Florida, instead of to Miami with high school teammates Dyron Dye and Ray Ray Armstrong.

When hearing that, is it a big deal of Dunbar, a three-star, also seemed to flinch when sizing up the current crop of talent and reopened up his recruitment? Furthermore, what's the point of committing early anyways? Word is hardly a bond when talking about athletes and their supposed "commitment" to a university. I don't know of many committed relationships where one party is allowed to keep their options open, while being wooed by other prospects.

The recruiting game is a joke and this double-talk from the mouths of babes means absolutely nada.

There's a lot of football to be played between now and February 2010. The entire schedule and bowl season, actually. I promise everyone that Lemonier, Gore, Jose and McCartney do their fair share of flip-flopping over the next ten months. Let's see how hot Clements stays on Georgia if their two new backs light it up this fall and clog up the depth chart. Let's also wait and see Clements' reaction if the hometown Canes have a breakout season. Same with Dunbar. Will these guys really want to look elsewhere and miss out at a shot at playing for the hometown team?

According to Manny, Miami isn't the sexy pick right now. Some kids are fawning over the style and dare I say 'swagger' of former Cane Mario Cristobal over at FIU -- 1-11 two years ago and 5-7 last season.

Let's see how things play out for the Golden Panthers this year and let's measure the growth of both local programs after the season. February is a long way away and not only can a lot change between now and then, you can bet that it most certainly will.

Kids were loving on Greg Schiano and Rutgers after a big time run in 2006, but the tide quickly turned a year later and hasn't been the same since. Perception becomes reality, but as we know with high school kids, perception changes on a dime.

Let's discuss all these supposed chinks in the recruiting armor after year three of the Randy Shannon era, not before. The present is too bright to 'worry' about what some high school phenoms might or might not do. The current crop of Canes are the ones who need to win games and ensure future players get on board and keep the tradition alive.

Focus on the kids who are here, not the game players who are stringing you along for the ride. 

Orange Bowl Highlight Video & DVD...

Keeping with the recent theme, here's another compilation we've put together for a DVD that's back in stock. This DVD highlights over seventy years of Orange Bowl history, runs 67 minutes long and is in widescreen format. 

Footage from the Miami Hurricanes first home game in 1937 up through the classic Canes games this decade, not to mention a slew of Miami Dolphins footage, old Orange Bowl Classics, Super Bowls, presidential speeches and vintage concerts.

Check the clip below, make sure to watch in High Quality and click here if you want to order the video. R.I.P. OB.

Miami Hurricanes 2008 Highlight DVD

When you initially think of a 7-6 season, you assume there can't be too many "highlights". On one level, I absolutely agree. The flip side is that 2008 was a season fueled by some superstar freshman who will eventually be the guys who bring the Canes back down the road. This highlight DVD showcases all the big plays by those super frosh.

I had 31spoonerstreet compile this montage to not only feature the big plays of last year, but to give a little insight to Randy Shannon and his locker room demeanor.

A lot of folk are quick to say Shannon is too stoic on statuesque on the sideline or doesn't react enough. Watch this video, check out the pre and post game locker room stuff and see the Coach Shannon these players see on a day in/day out basis. There's more behind the scowl. Randy "gets" the Miami way and he's passing decades worth of Hurricane wisdom to every newbie that suits up.

I've made it pretty clear that I'm a Shannon supporter and watching this vid convinced me that with the right players and after a few years of his tutelage, Miami will be back.

Enjoy the clip and if you're interested, click here to order the official DVD.

(Note: Make sure to click HQ in the YouTube box and watch in HIGH QUALITY.)

Miami takes 2-of-3 from Florida State...

Miami Baseball is tough to cover from three time zones away. I still can't believe some form of PPV isn't offered or that games can't be streamed online. Watching "Gametracker" and listening on the radio seems so prehistoric in this day and age.

If there was any series to be broadcast this last weekend, it's Miami and Florida State. Once a respectful rivalry, things turned ugly last April and were downright bitter when the Sunshine State foes met months later in Omaha.

The top ranked Canes rolled into Tallahassee late last season for a three-game road series against the second ranked Seminoles. Miami rolled 11-4 the first game, fell 9-5 on Saturday and took the series on Sunday, in a curfew-shortened, 11-10 battle. Florida State faithful got a little feisty after Miami players celebrated momentarily, with the Noles refusing to shake hands.

Benches cleared and some smack talking ensued at home plate, while Tallahassee's finest hurled sodas, saliva and racial insults at the visiting Canes.

Come Omaha both teams were in the losers bracket and Miami eliminated Florida State, 7-5 in a contest where the Noles stranded a College World series record, leaving 17 runners on base. The result, more poor sportsmanship from Mike Martin, who refused again to shake hands with Jim Morris.

In their first meeting since Omaha, it was No. 7 Miami hosting No. 23 Florida State this past weekend and the Noles jumped on the Canes early, up 4-1 after one. Miami pitchers gave up seventeen hits, with starter David Gutierrez (and his then-ACC leading 1.51 ERA) yanked 2/3 of the way through the first. The Canes never got back on track, trailing 10-2 in the seventh.

Miami rebounded with a 6-4 win on Saturday, a day when the 1999 National Champion Canes were on hand for their ten year anniversary. Miami knocked off Florida State, 6-5 for the '99 title, making this the ideal weekend to celebrate. 

Chris Hernandez was on the mound game two and tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts.

Down 4-1 after 5 1/2, Miami responded with a five-run sixth inning and put the game out of reach. A quick Scott Lawson walk and Jason Hagerty home run brought it to 4-3 and no outs. John Gast relieved starter Brian Busch, but the Canes chipped away at the newbie, giving up three straight singles. Exit Gast, enter Geoff Parker, who struck out Dave DiNatale.

Ted Blackman pinch hit for Vickash Ramjit and the gamble paid off, driving in a run and breaking the Noles as a throwing error brought in two more, putting Miami ahead for good, 6-4.

The proverbial 'rubber match' proved all Canes early on, with back-to-back grand slam-fueled innings. Again, miscues by Florida State set the stage and Miami answered. UM loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the first, thanks to two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Harold Martinez sent the 1-0 pitch over the left field wall and it was a quick 5-1 Miami lead.

An inning later, a single, another hit-by-pitch a double and a walk pushed it to 6-1 with the bases against juiced. This time Yasmani Grandal fired the 0-2 offering out and it was 10-1 Miami and no looking back. A few late insurance runs pushed it to 14-7 entering the ninth and the Canes closed out a 14-8 victory, sending the Noles home losers again.

Miami is now 7-2 in the past nine meetings and Florida State hasn't won a series against the Canes since April 2007.

Next up for Miami, a Tuesday match up against Florida Atlantic and a weekend road series at Clemson. Next week, more of the same. Another Tuesday contest against the Owls and another road series against an ACC foe; North Carolina. The Canes next home stand starts April 24th when Virginia Tech heads south.