photos by Hunter Stephenson, Life & Art Editor
by Sven Barth, Life & Art Senior Writer
THE SOURCE AWARDS INVADE MIAMI ARENA
ONE PIMP AND ONE GANGSTA
Life & Art Senior Writer
To say that the Southern rap duo Dirty was still on Alabama time last Sunday night before the Source Awards is the understatement of the century. I spent four hours repeatedly asking the Radisson’s staff to ring Michael Jackson’s room and listened to enough wanna-be rappers to start my own label. Damn…plus you can’t imagine how menacing Mike Tyson can be in a perennial elevator ride.
Reaching critical acclaim in 2001 with their Universal Records release, The Pimp and da Gangsta, Dirty, while being slightly detracted for likening their sound to Outkast’s crossfire elucidation of the Dirty South, founded their ghetto personas, while establishing a signature vernacular of “smokin’ on wood,” “pulling tricks” and “bendin’ corners” in their Caddies. Come 2003, the group left Universal to sign with Rap-A-Lot, claiming on their new LP, Love Us or Hate Us, that the former got them “starving and hungry,” so they had to roll out.
Finally, Big Pimp and Mr. G’Stacka invited me to their room, subsequently stuffing a wet towel under the door and sparking a blunt before I started in on them. Here’s what they had to say:
L&A: For those who don’t know, introduce yourselves.
P: My name’s Big Pimp, aka all up in your main girl’s draws, fat ding-a-ling, the daddy hog, the fat Michael Jackson. Make sure you put that in print.
G: And I’m your boy Mr. G’Stacka, aka breakin’ ’em off all so lovely dovely, in one letter the gangsta.
L&A: On your new album you talk a lot about mainstream rappers selling out. What makes you more real?
P: Every man speaks for himself when he says his music is real ’cause every rapper that’s from the hood claims their music is real. A lot of niggas would sell they ass just to sell a million copies but niggas like us, if we just sell a hundred thousand copies in the hood, shit, that’s still platinum to us. We probably wouldn’t do no Pepsi commercial. If it’s going to take the hood away from us, we ain’t gonna do. We always want the hood behind us.
L&A: Tell me, why do you rap?
G: For the money. Any nigga that say they doing it for the love ain’t keeping it real. If they was doing it for the love then they wouldn’t accept the money. Their CDs would be free. They’d just be out there doing free shows.
P: Fuck all that love shit. We’re out there to get paid. Shit, I’m 27 and I’m not gonna be rapping for fun. I got six kids to feed.
L&A: What songs on Love Us or Hate Us have you gotten a really good response to?
P: “I Wish.” We tearin’ clubs up with that one. They banned it Birmingham already.
G: Every time it come on, a riot break out. They said, “Look man, we ain’t playin’ it no more. Take your ass on. They done tore up my club…” It’s the new “Tear da Club Up.”
L&A: On “I Wish,” ya’ll talk about “popping the trunk, the sawed off pump” (a shotgun), and all that. Is this something that happens on a regular basis?
P: Yeah. It’ll happen if it has to happen, just not on no regular basis. I don’t think nobody pops the trunk everyday. But it has been popped plenty of times, believe you me. We some head-busters. True enough, we’re rappers, but at the same time we’re some niggas.
L&A: Pimp, why do you call yourself the Pimp?
P: ‘Cause I fuck with a lot of hos. They gave me the name. I get one and just break her. Like you, I get at you and I’ll have you giving me your whole check. Get to suckin’ on them toes and you’ll come off that money.
L&A: That’s what you think.
P: Oh, so you think you could get some of my money?
L&A: Probably. Anyway, ya’ll are presenting an award tomorrow night. I know you got some tight outfits lined up.
G: I’ll be representin’ Alabama to the fullest. You know, my Alabama throwback, all that.
P: And I got some pimp shit. My suit’s made out of nanny goat hair, the pants and the jacket.
L&A: Before I could leave, Big Pimp decided that he had a question for me. “Answer me this,” he says, “If a rooster is the man and the hen is the woman, what is the chicken?” “That’s easy,” I said, “Both.” Then G’Stacka comes in with the one-liner: “It’s the bulldagger, the sissy, the homosexual, the gay one. You didn’t know that, did you?”
Actually, Dirty, I didn’t, but thanks for enlightening me anyway.
Tiffany Rainey can be reached at rainey305@hotmail.com
Hustle In His BLOODLINE: Cash Money’s Lil’ Wayne is a marked bill 4 life
Life & Art Editor
By the time he was sweet 16, Lil’ Wayne was off the street selling crystals in the 17th Ward community of Hollygrove, New Orleans, and on top of the indie charts selling 400,000 indie copies with the Hot Boys.
‘Member them? There was Juvenile (“Back Dat Azz Up”), B.G. (“Bling Bling” – coined it), Turk (whatev) and Lil’ Wayne – that cocky cornrowed rookie. Juvenile blew up soon after and started asking for loot that Cash Money execs Baby and Ronald “Godfather” Williams weren’t about to shove forth. B.G. got hooked back on the H, got all skinny and started seeing black choppers. And then Turk – well, who the hell knows and cares? Though at one point, every white high schooler in America was claiming dude like Raphael on the Ninja Turtles – what cool kids we were.
…And Lil’ Wayne, well, he stood firmly and smartly by the CMR fam, keeping watch, loot and limelight, becoming their blue chip all-star, and toppling SoundScan with last year’s 500 Degreez.
But this isn’t some kiss ass brief. Who cares how many Hummers, asterisk-inducing-photo necklaces and master tapes this clique has wrapped around their Southern world and probably locked up in Swiss safes? Fuck that. I’m tired of seeing Baby and Mannie on “Cribs” while I’m at home, swigging a Corona, eating Ramen noodles and (Winn-Dixie brand) beefaroni. I mean, who should really have tears tatted beside their eye?
Well, in all honesty, Wayne should. After a life of crime, his pops died when he was much lil’-er – before that Wayne shot himself in the chest, after that he spent requisite years on the block slinging bottles and baggies. After all that and plenty more – no press release, just fact – Dwayne Carter has gone on to stash a few mil’, hone a flow that is nasal like banana fish flowing through a wave, and now oversees a mucho-stable label to boot. Leaping such harsh odds diminishes your boy’s “filler” criticism – so save that talk for his new album – then we’ll see who is fugazi, wankstas.
Lil’ Wheezy is finally of matter-age now, pushin’ ‘Rarris, not even scribblin’ down his rhymes anymore on some Jigga shit – from the dome.
Say what you will, Wayne is a down dude, a cursive ‘C’ between his eyes for his moms, the struggle with going ghetto-to-rich while dealing with the white-as-hell-top-bracket life continues. And that’s what rap is, at least should, be all about. Somebody wrap a flag around this dude. Christ.
L&A: So, you’re about to hit the studio in North Beach, that’s what’s up?
Wheezy: They [Mannie Fresh, Baby and CMR posse] already at the studio. I don’t really know what they doing over there. Shit, they got Juveie in the studio.
L&A: What, he’s back with y’all? When did that shit happen?
Wheezy: Yeah, yeah, yeah, over this year or something, shit, got back. I don’t really know.
L&A: So Juveie’s back and Turk right?
Wheezy: Nah, not no Turk.
L&A: What? He’s up on the [Cash Money Entertainment] Web site. [laughing]
Wheezy: Naaaah. [smirks shadily]
L&A: He’s done huh? And B.G.? Done?
Wheezy: [silence, a smirk] [the “Nah” motion]
L&A: Shit. Let’s talk about Young Money, ’cause that shit’s gonna blow up, right? Young Money Entertainment.
Wheezy: Yeah. That shit there, new label, know what I’m sayin’? Something to make a lil’. I guess I did this rap shit enough, I see how the rap money come, now it’s time for me to make some big money, bigger money, bigger than what I did. Shit’s through Cash Money, yeah, so we can’t go wrong. I’m the CEO. Our first group, Squared Up [pronounced Squr’d Up], that’s my first group off my label. I’m in that group also; that’s me, and six more people. It’s a way to explode, exploit it and then put us all out.
L&A: Like Hot Boys?
Wheezy: Exactly.
L&A: You’re 20 right?
Wheezy: 21.
L&A: Damn, congratulations on that. What’d you do for your birthday?
Wheezy: Shit, I had a party. I had a prom party. It was like a prom. I ain’t never been to no prom, so I figure I get my shit, nigga, and get a prom. It was in New Orleans.
L&A: Who won king and queen? [laughing]
Wheezy: Shit, I was the king. [laughing]
L&A: Who was the queen? [laughing]
Wheezy: Every bitch in there.
L&A: How’s it been with the Miami girls so far?
Wheezy: Strap up! Keep moov-in! Gang of times, Miami, it’s the same old shit, but right now it’s kinda poppin’ tho. Bitches everywhere.
L&A: What’s the best place you’ve traveled to so far?
Wheezy: I come to Florida a whole lot, man, really. But they show me a whole lot of love in Ohio, Cincinnati and Columbus, a whole lotta love. I can’t front.
L&A: Ohio? How you going to say that? [laughs]
Wheezy: That’s your thing right? [laughs] But y’all cool right now, so they can’t do shit. I fuck with Miami though, dog. I really wish y’all’s homie, Frank Gore, hadn’t a got fucked up. Y’all got that boy, he lookin’ nice, Jarrett Payton.
L&A: Our quarterback is kinda spaz though huh? It’s like the dude is thinking “RICH GIRLS” as he’s throwing interceptions.
Wheezy: Who Berlin? That nigga from my city. Yeah, he played back home for Tulane, word. [laughs]
L&A: You ever think about dropping the Lil’ on the Wayne?
Wheezy: Naah. Nah, that’s me, shit. I mean shit, unless I grow a hundred feet tomorrow, I’m going to be a small dude. Lil’ Wayne – I’m me. That’s just me. I came into the game with my name, rap or no rap, that’s what people call me. My daddy named Big – my daddy named Wayne – so I was a Lil’ Wayne, Lil’ Wayne forever.
L&A: Do you think Southern hip hop’s blowing up ’cause it’s more real? Is there a deficiency right now in New York hip hop?
Wheezy: That’s how we know how to do, know what I’m sayin? I think up North, got a lot of personalities up there man, know what I’m sayin? So they got a lotta more things, a lotta more access up there, so they get the chance to react and act like something else and put on a front. They get that chance. In the South, you don’t get the chance to do that. In the South, you put on a front, you get murdered. So you gotta be real, so that’s why our music’s so real. I mean they got some real motherfuckers up there, sure, they cool. But there’s some shit that they do that we just don’t understand and vice versa.
L&A: So, they show love up North when you visit?
Wheezy: I don’t even look for no love from no New Yorker.
[Publicist cuts in. She’s from Queens]
Publicist: Wayne, you know we show you love.
Wheezy: [laughs] Yeah, you show me love, but I don’t know about nobody else up there.
Lil’ Wayne has a new album dropping in early December called The Carter – as in New Jack City. Mannie Fresh is on the boards, of course, and Wayne says Juveie might appear or might not. Quote him, “I feel like my new album’s that crack, get high.” For more info, visit CashMoney-Records.com.
Hunter Stephenson, born in Pinebluff, North Carolina, can be reached at Huntlaed@hotmail.com.
YOU FAKE NIGGAS EAT KID MEALS TO HIM
Life & Art Editor
Why’s the devil in it? Enter Ghostface Killah, the god himself, the Wu-Tang Versace “dusted like the black Boy George on his honeymoon.” Tony Starks is here to let America know that rap isn’t all about f-u-n and giggles and dumb white bitches crunk on Thug Passion.
No. Colored subway hoodlums from Staten Island were thinkin’ bigger than that way back in the early ’90s, blowin’ minds of NYU academics, local gangstas, and soon enough, suburban white kids country-wide alike. Wu-Tang Clan possessed the minds of elitists and the poetics of the meek streets, free from the Hamptons coke-slut fakery, but cream slaves to lowerclass black archetypes, the Clan taught the children right and then blew out like candles in a monastery.
Such is time to the rap artist. It’s a young man’s game. Those who are hungriest get fed. This is America, protect yr. neck and all that – there are no fucking exceptions here, less you may think.
Let’s not get caught up in Wu history – that’s simply a Random House scroll desperately waiting to be written, untapped veins more purpled with stories than Iggy Pop’s arms.
Here sits the Ghost Deini, Tony Starks, the God-body, Iron Man all that, surrounded by an MTV film crew at the Source Awards in a pressroom in the Miami Arena – more like a bitch room, bland blue curtains and no DSL connections. Nicely kempt beard, geared-out in a misty green velour robe, NY Jets cap tilted, black Reebok Classics, Jordan shorts, huge chain plate and sparkly diamond knuckles that blatantly read: GHOST.
Publicist is all like, “LL is in the next room.” Exactly bitch. You don’t get it. Ghost is rap. Nelly and Murphy Lee are outside hopping around like Band-Aid-ed rabbits, Lil’ Jon and Bone Crusher are on the TVs humpin’ girls live on stage and jiggling jellyrolls. Fine, 2003. Do what you do – have a huge Psychology of Gender metrosexual “whatever” complimentary of that gelled-haired dude in front row on us.
The point is, dig that pop shit if you wanna. Go to the Grove, live those college lives if you wanna, still blasting [insert a fave Nelly track], but you are living the lie, you are living the molded Lyor Cohen-UM alum skyscraper version of what rap music was founded on. Fuck punk – it’s dead. Rap is about slitting throats on the up-and-up – be it business or literal – the patriotic counterpoint to Michael Moore’s stellar Bowling for Columbine.
Sing-a-long to those anthems all two-beer-Tavern-drunk-like, but remember that poverty is right behind you, staring into your SUVs, into your privy lives of GAP and bullshit. Enter the 36 Chambers and Liquid Swords have been out for long enough.
Ghostface has been wanderin’ around like that wondrous kid in class, the cat who the schoolgirls dig but are intimidated by, that genius, the bugg-eyed innerly-confident visionary. Cop his albums, study that melty provolone vocab. Turn on, Tune in, Drop Out. This is a Life & Art interview with Tony Starks behind thin blue curtains after plenty of Corona Lights and drunken “Lil’ Kim has a plastic fucking head, err, everything” back stage observation.
Ghost is one of the top three rappers of our time: Big, Pac, Tony. But I’m only a white kid attending UM, so my opinion doesn’t count, agreed…yet.
L&A: What happened to your golden bird?
Tony: I got that. That’s in the cage right now, he locked up, he resting right now. I didn’t really feel like it was that type of event right now. Save it for the holidays. Save it for some big shit.
L&A: Word. What in the hell happened to Cappadonna?
Tony: Cap’s driving a cab you know what I mean? Cabadonna, that’s the craziest shit. Cap would say some shit like that too. But you can’t believe everything you read, that’s not really our fault about the royalties and all that. His money is his money.
L&A: Hit us with some new slang.
Tony: You know, I can’t really, a lot of things I say just come out my mouth most of the time. So, it just comes to my head and then I might forget it. It’s not like “Oohh shit yo, that’s the word!” But you know, when we puff our weed, instead of me saying, “We got murders,” I’ll say, “Yo, we got gurders.” We got the gurders. “That’s the gurders.” ‘Cause it’s stronger than murders, knowwhutImean? “This is gurders!” That’s what we dealin’ with right now. [laughs]
L&A: Earlier you said you’d challenge any rapper in Madison Square Garden. For real?
Tony: Yo, I’ll challenge anyone in Madison Square Garden, knowwhutImean? Anybody. It’s like, whatever, this is entertainment, it’s like WWF. I’m confident. Just for the goodness of it, we can shake hands afterwards. It don’t have to be violent. I know the good hip hop from back in the day.
L&A: How do you feel about Southern hip hop dominating every facet right now?
Tony: It’s all good. It’s like hip hop is one nation under whatever you wanna call it. You wanna call it God, or whatever. It’s like, yo, everybody, just do good music. And to each his own. Some brothers enjoy that type of Southern music, some brothers don’t.
L&A: Do you think Southern hip hop artists are advancing hip hop or taking it back a bit?
Tony: I don’t know. I wouldn’t say that, I’d just say that the minds of the people, that’s the state of the mind of the people is in right now.
L&A: Don’t you think the state of the mind of the people today, you know…these are deeper times? Like what you’re doing lyrically, it’s just more thought out, complex, all that.
Tony: It is deeper times and I am aware of the times. Certain brothers are aware of it, but don’t give a fuck about it, youknowwhutImean? And how we live today is the outcome of everything. I guess that’s what it is.
L&A: Where do you see the world going?
Tony: It’s going down. It’s going down. It’s going down. There’s never been a time in history where things ever got great, even or a period of time. Day one, things, as you grow you get older, things age, like your body. So, it’s like, I never seen a time where the devil’s – where that time was good. You might look back at the good old days, your good ol’ days. Right now, I don’t think the children has a good ol’ days. This is what I say. I say what we’re living right now is the last two pages of the Bible, maybe it might be over in a thousand years, two thousand years, but then I think it’s finished.
L&A: A couple cats are worried now that you’ve signed to Def Jam. Is it r&b from here on?
Tony: It’s like, they might have a better machine than certain companies. But you know? It’s whatever is whatever. I’m just bending with the wind right now, wherever it takes me, that’s that. Whatever Def Jam does, all praises, it’s good, but Ghostface is Ghostface. I’m just happy to be here doing this, feeding my peoples. When I’m gone, it’s like, that was Ghostface.
L&A: What’s that chain? Whose face is that?
Tony: It’s just jewelry. It was a Versace symbol. See, what happened was, one day I was staying in this crib out here in Miami, and there was this statue of the face. And I was like, yo, I want that, I want a chain like that. So, it looked like a big fucking rock with a face on it, so I took a picture of it, sent it to the dude, like, “Just make it.”
Ghost’s fourth album, Pretty Tony is dropping in February on Def Jam.
Hunter Stephenson can be reached at Huntlaed@hotmail.com.
REPORT CARD Miami vs. Florida State
Offense: The offense made some questionable turnovers, but was able to move the ball well on certain drives. The unit still needs to improve in the red zone if the ‘Canes want to remain undefeated.
Grade: C+
Quarterback: Despite the win, Brock Berlin still has a world of work to do. His three interceptions could have been costly if the defense didn’t keep bailing him out. The positives for Berlin were that he didn’t fumble any snaps, continued to spread the ball around the field (six different receivers had at least one catch), and engineered a nice scoring drive in the second quarter.
Grade: C
Running Back: Jarrett Payton had his finest game as a Hurricane, gaining 97 yards on 26 carries. He was a valuable weapon out of the backfield, hauling in a 14-yard touchdown catch, the ‘Canes’ only offensive touchdown. His fumble in the second quarter was his only mistake. Quad Hill had two catches as well.
Grade: B+
Wide Receivers: Kellen Winslow had another great effort, with seven catches for 106 yards. He did have a costly fumble, however, and Ryan Moore was limited to one catch. Roscoe Parrish had two catches before getting injured from a viscous hit in the second quarter.
Grade: C
Offensive Line: A makeshift offensive line that is still coming together had its best performance against the Seminoles, opening up holes for Payton all game and protecting Berlin from harm. Berlin was never sacked and rarely hurried.
Grade: A-
Defense: The entire unit came together in a crucial game and helped the Hurricanes overcome an inconsistent offense to shock their rivals.
Grade: A
Defensive Line: Chris Rix was never able to get comfortable, and the credit for that must go to the d-line. Thomas Carroll had a breakthrough game with a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, and was constantly in Rix’s face. Baraka Atkins, Vince Wilfork, and Orien Harris all had phenomenal games.
Grade: A+
Linebackers: Seminole running back Greg Jones gained only 15 yards on 13 carries, and when an elite tailback has such poor numbers it means the linebackers must have had a great game. Jon Vilma, D.J. Williams, and Darrell McClover were all outstanding.
Grade: A
Secondary: With two interceptions and a touchdown, Sean Taylor deserves to be considered one of the best players in the nation and a shoo-in for the Thorpe Award. He could have easily had five picks. Greg Threat did a tremendous job filling in for the injured Maurice Sikes. There were a couple of big plays made by Florida State receivers, however.
Grade: A-
Special Teams: Jon Peattie hit three out of four field goals, but missed a 22-yarder, which is inexcusable no matter what the weather is. The kickoffs and punting of Brian Monroe need plenty of work, as Mark Gent replaced him on kickoff duty in the second half. Jarrell Weaver’s punt block set up the Hurricanes’ first field goal.
Grade: B-
State Supremacy Taylor leads ‘Canes to 22-14 victory
TALLAHASSEE-On a day where it never stopped raining, the Hurricanes brought their own storm to Doak Campbell Stadium as they shocked their intrastate rival Florida State 22-14.
The ‘Canes entered the game as seven-point underdogs after barely escaping against West Virginia a week ago, but were dominant throughout, building up a 22-point lead in the third quarter. The ‘Canes defense was too much for the Seminoles, as they forced five turnovers, including a Sean Taylor 50-yard interception return for a touchdown which made the score 19-0.
Junior quarterback Brock Berlin completed 15 of 28 passes for 181 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. The Florida transfer was helped by Jarrett Payton, who rushed for 97 yards on 26 carries in his first start as a Hurricane.
“I think that [the running game] was probably the difference in the game today,” Head Coach Larry Coker said after the game. “I think Jarrett had almost 100 yards, and their team had about 60. I think that pretty much says it all right there.”
Kellen Winslow led all receivers with seven catches for 106 yards, and Jon Peattie kicked three field goals for the ‘Canes.
Seminole quarterback Chris Rix struggled mightily, completing 20 of 42 passes for 235 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Rix had trouble handling the constant pressure coming from the Hurricane defensive line, and was booed by the Florida State crowd several times.
Coker was impressed with the all-around performance of his team.
“It was a great team win for us,” Coker said. “Offense, defense, and special teams. Nobody has run the ball against Florida State, and Jarrett Payton really stepped up. Our offensive line really stepped up in tough conditions.”
Coker also gave credit to the entire coaching staff for their extensive research of the Seminoles and the meticulous game planning during the week.
“Phenomenal job by our scout team throughout the course of the week, giving us a great look and preparing us for a tough opponent like Florida State,” Coker said. “Randy Shannon and our defensive staff did a tremendous job of studying them and really trying to put them in bad situations.”
Sophomore defensive end Thomas Carroll, who had a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, said that the defensive line’s ability to hurry Rix’s throws and hold running back Greg Jones to 15 yards on 13 carries gave playmakers like Taylor the opportunity to intercept passes.
“It starts up front,” Carroll said. “The d-line got good pressure and the linebackers were there to back us up. We were able to wrap him [Jones] up before he broke any tackles.”
The ‘Canes opened up the scoring with a Peattie field goal with 5:16 left in the first quarter, which was set up by Jarrell Weaver’s blocked punt, recovered by Taylor. Peattie added another field goal to give the Hurricanes a 6-0 lead after one quarter.
Taylor made his first of two interceptions on the first play of the second quarter, giving the ‘Canes the ball at their own 25-yard line. Berlin led the offense down the field for their finest drive of the game, resulting in 14-yard touchdown catch by Payton, which was set up by an 18-yard reception by Winslow and a Roscoe Parrish reverse for 17 yards.
Despite losing their star running back for the season, Coker never lost faith in Payton’s ability to step in and lead the rushing attack.
“Jarrett believes in himself, and from what he’s shown us, he’s really stepped it up. When he has had opportunities, he has done well with them,” Coker said. “For him to have a day like he had today was just huge for his confidence and huge for our football team.”
Taylor’s aforementioned interception return gave the Hurricanes a 19-point lead at halftime, and left Seminole fans wondering what went wrong.
Florida State Head Coach Bobby Bowden was particularly impressed with Taylor’s performance.
“It was obvious that we could not throw long,” Bowden said. “You can’t hang the ball up there for No. 26 [Taylor]. I haven’t seen a safety that good in a long time. He hits as good as he covers.”
The Seminoles were able to make the game interesting in the second half, as Rix threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Willie Reid in the third quarter, cutting the Hurricanes’ lead to 15. The touchdown was set up by a Leroy Smith interception.
The Hurricane defense was able to withstand the late charge by the Seminoles, not allowing another score until Rix found Chris Davis in the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown with no time left in the fourth quarter, making the final score 22-14.
The win gives the Hurricanes their second-straight Florida Cup, which they earned by beating both Florida State and Florida this season.
“That was one of our goals at the beginning of the season, to win the Florida Cup,” Berlin said. “We’re just excited and we’re going to celebrate this right now.”
Coker said that the team was angry about their performance against West Virginia and the fact that they entered the game as underdogs to their hated rivals.
“We didn’t come in here on a high note,” Coker said. “We got a lot of criticism, even though we won, from a close loss. Not a lot of people gave us a chance to win this game.”
Coker praised the mettle and feistiness of this year’s squad, and said that UM has always been able to overcome adversity.
“Miami has traditionally been this way,” Coker said. “When their backs are [against] the wall, and maybe not respected, it seems to really get to our players, and they respond.”
Hurricanes strike early
The Hurricanes dominated the Florida State Seminoles from start to finish during Saturday’s 22-14 victory. Most of the ‘Canes’ scoring took place in the first half, and their defense was able to shutout the Seminole offense until midway through the third quarter. The first half shutout was the Seminoles’ first since their game against Georgia Tech, which they were able to come back and win 14-13. The last time UM shut out Florida State for an entire half was in 2000, which resulted in a 27-24 win for the Hurricanes. Before the 2000 game, the ‘Canes hadn’t held the Seminoles scoreless in a half since September 3, 1988, a game that the Hurricanes won 31-0. The ‘Canes had more points in the first half than any team had scored on the Seminoles in an entire game. Georgia Tech’s 13 points was the previous high for an FSU opponent this season. The Seminoles turned the ball over four times in the first half, despite having only two turnovers in the first halves of their first five games.
Rainy Days
The Hurricanes were able to take advantage of the fact that Florida State normally does not do well in rainy games. It rained for hours leading up to Saturday’s game, and continuously poured for all four quarters. The last time it had rained during an FSU game was its loss to Louisville last season. Playing in Miami, the Hurricanes are better able to adapt in rainy and sloppy conditions. It was evident that the weather was having an effect on quarterback Chris Rix, who fumbled several snaps. Hurricane quarterback Brock Berlin did not fumble any snaps. The Seminoles finished with six fumbles and the ‘Canes had three.
Payton Comes Through
In his first start for the Hurricanes, senior running back Jarrett Payton had a career day, gaining 97 yards on 26 carries. Payton broke off several big runs in the first half, and caught two passes out of the backfield for 15 yards and a touchdown, his first career touchdown reception. Payton’s only blemish came in the second quarter when he coughed the ball up at Florida State’s 20-yard line, but the defense was able to stop the Seminoles on their next drive.
Success Against the Seminoles
Dating back to 1987, 10 of Florida State’s last 29 losses have come from the Hurricanes. The 10 wins are the most by any team in the nation against Florida State over the last 16 seasons. Miami is one of only three schools to defeat the Seminoles more than once since 1987. Florida and N.C. State are the other two teams. The Seminoles have had eight one-loss seasons since 1987 with five of those losses coming from the ‘Canes. The win gives UM an eight-game winning streak against teams from Florida, and the Hurricanes have won 21 of their last 29 games against opponents from the Sunshine State. The ‘Canes improve to 55-45-1 in games against schools from the Atlantic Coast Conference, which the Hurricanes will become a part of in the 2004 season.
Miscellaneous
Miami now leads their all-time series with Florida State 27-20, which dates back to 1951. The Hurricanes have won the last four meetings after the Seminoles had won five straight from 1995-99. The game was the fifth of the series in which both teams are in the top five. The ‘Canes are now 4-1 in those games…ESPN’s Gameday crew was in attendance at Doak Campbell Stadium, and Lee Corso donned a headdress and face paint, much to the delight of the Seminole fans…FSU had an attendance of 84,336, a Doak Campbell record…All-Pro cornerback of the Tennessee Titans and former Seminole Samari Rolle was on the sidelines for the game… UM President Donna Shalala was on the sidelines at the end of the game, cheering on the ‘Canes…A total of 638 credentials were given to the media for the game, which was broadcast on ABC.
Hurricanes sweep Georgetown and ‘Nova
Another successful weekend in the Big East has brought the Hurricanes (15-4, 5-0 in conference play) two steps closer to where they want to be. They swept Georgetown (6-13, 1-4) on Friday and Villanova (5-13, 2-4) on Sunday at the Knight Sports Complex.
The ‘Canes extended their win streak to seven matches, while they remain undefeated in the last nine home conference matches.
Senior outside hitter Leyre Santaella Sante finished with 16 kills and a career-high eight digs against Georgetown. Junior outside hitter Valeria Tipiana added 13 kills and 10 digs on Friday as well.
Against Villanova, the ‘Canes made it look easy, posting a total of 52 kills, 45 assists, and 45 digs. They also aced four serves and added six blocks. Santaella Sante led the team with 15 kills and 24 total attacks, while freshman setter Jill Robinson had 24 assists. Robinson and libero Jamie Grass each pulled 11 digs. Santaella Sante, Tipiana, and Biz Tyson each added a service ace.
Miami ran away with game one, a mix of a ferocious offense and one-too-many mistakes by a shaky Villanova team. A block by Wildcats Katie Lanting and Megan Bye made for a short glimpse of hope that proved to be inadequate, and the ‘Canes pulled ahead 30-12. Santaella Sante had five digs and eight total attacks during the game. Robinson posted six digs to start the match.
‘Nova pulled out in front to start the second game, which yo-yoed between tie scores and one-point leads for the first 14 points. The ‘Canes looked very cohesive from that point on. Sophomore middle blocker Karla Johnson got them back on the right foot with a kill that widened the gap to 15-7. The Wildcats attempted to stage a quick comeback but Miami put an end to them as a Francheska Savage kill helped the Hurricanes up by nine, and they continued to a 30-17 victory.
A one-handed diving dig by Mallorey James turbocharged the ‘Canes’ momentum, putting them ahead 13-7. A collection of Villanova double hit violations prevented the Wildcats from reaching a fourth game. Two Tyson kills crushed ‘Nova’s last hopes, and a Tipiana shot finished it 30-22.
“Just about everything worked,” said Head Coach Nicole Lantagne Welch. “We hit over 400, which is outstanding.”
The return of Mallorey James after being out for several weeks with a foot injury proved to be positive.
“I think it’s awesome,” said Santaella Sante. “She’s a great setter, teammate, and great for the team.”
“It’s great to have her back,” added Lantagne Welch.
Although her numbers may not the highest, Tyson’s impact was far-reaching in crucial kills made.
“Biz did a really great job,” said Santaella Sante. “If we get her to play like that every day, no one could ever beat Miami.”
UM faces South Florida in Tampa tonight at 7:00. Defeating the Bulls in Coral Gables was a crucial victory last season, according to Lantagne Welch.
Miami returns to Big East play at UConn on Saturday, October 25.
Melissa Teich can be reached at melissateich@hotmail.com
BRIEFS
Cross Country
University of Miami sophomore Alex Brutvan finished seventh with a time of 25:28 to lead the UM men’s cross country team to a third-place finish at the 8th Annual Walt Disney Cross Country Classic in Orlando, FL.
On the women’s side, sophomore Melanie Schultz finished 14th to lead the UM women’s team to an eighth-place finish.
The men’s and women’s cross country teams return to action on October 17 at the Stetson Invitational in DeLand, FL.
Soccer
The University of Miami soccer team earned a 2-0 shutout victory over Big East Northeast division opponent Virginia Tech Friday night in Blacksburg, Va.
The Hurricanes improve to 8-5-0 overall and 2-1-0 in conference play, while the Hokies fall to 7-6-0 overall and 1-3-0 in conference.
The win over VT puts the Hurricanes in a three-way tie for first place with Syracuse and No. 10 Connecticut in the Big East Northeast division.
Freshman Sheuneen Ta scored the first goal for Miami in the second half at the 58-minute mark. Ta’s goal was a shot played after the ball went off of a VT player.
The second goal of the night was from UM leading scorer sophomore Lindsey Yach. Teammate junior Britney Butcher passed Yach the ball in the 81st minute to give the Hurricanes the 2-0 lead.
Freshman goalie Alex Alford made six saves in 90 minutes of action for the Hurricanes.
Miami took a total of 16 shots on the night, while the Hokies took 18. Ten of Miami’s 16 shots were on goal compared to six shots on goal for VT.
The Hokies managed nine corner kicks in the match the most allowed by a Miami team but were still unable to score.
The Hurricanes have five shutouts on the season, improving to 2-0-1 in the all-time series with the Hokies.
Miller deserves more recognition and exposure
The University of Miami has many great athletes in a variety of sports. Not many people consider Tina Miller to be one of the best, mainly because of a lack of exposure.
Miller, the captain of the women’s golf team, is perhaps the best athlete at the school and may have the most professional potential. She won her first tournament of the season at the Cougar Fall Classic and earned a No. 4 national ranking, the highest for any women’s golfer at UM in a long time.
So why is it that while everyone notices the stars of football, basketball, and baseball, no one notices Miller, who could possibly be the best athlete at this school?
Miller is the Hurricanes’ female version of Tiger Woods, dominating the women’s golf field.
Miller burst onto the golf scene two years ago when she finished in the top 10 in six out of eight tournaments. Last year she won two tournaments and was runner up twice. She also finished tied for the lead in the Big East Championship. Miller ended last season with 19 consecutive rounds in the 70s and has picked up right where she left off this season.
Miller even has the typical superstar family background. She comes from a golfing family, as her great-grandfather was a professional golfer and her dad owns a golf course. Miller has grown up in the sport, which has helped her learn to play it well.
The typical women’s sport superstar is personable, friendly, looks good, and is great at her sport. Miller has all of these qualities. She is kind, easy to get along with, and as her coach, Lela Cannon said, Miller always looks good and plays well.
Miller is well-respected by her teammates, her coach, and those who follow women’s collegiate golf. However, the average student or UM sports fan has no idea who she is. Most people would not recognize her if she walked by them, or even if they saw her playing golf. If Kellen Winslow or Darius Rice walks by, however, everyone recognizes them.
Arguably, Miller has achieved as much as anyone in her sport. Six top 10s in eight tournaments her freshman year was an amazing achievement. Her sophomore year was even more impressive, winning or coming in second in four out of 10 tournaments. As a junior this year, she has already won a tournament and will probably win a few more titles by the time her UM career is over.
So the primary reason that no one knows Miller is that she is female and plays golf. If Tiger Woods was female, would anyone care about how good he was? Probably not.
The bottom line is that women’s sports continue to slip under the radar, and golf is a collegiate sport that is not closely watched anyway. The problem with this is that Miller’s UM career will come and go, and most people will never even notice that she was here. They will have missed out on a great athlete and a great person. Sometimes the best things in life go unnoticed.
Some see patriotism and loyalty as relative qualities
In the immediate aftermath of the September 11th attacks, there appeared to be an outpouring of patriotism that even surpassed what I witnessed when I went off to the Persian Gulf in 1990. It was gratifying to see that Americans still believed – even if for only a fleeting moment – that America was a great country deserving of their love and loyalty. Obviously many did not see it that way. Their first question was about what the US had done to make someone that angry. Not surprisingly, where do you think that question emanated from? You guessed it – the college campus!
Just when you thought it was safe to go outside – free from the intellectual stylings of college professors who occupy the fantasy world of academia, as well as college students barely out of their Pampers – the height of this ridiculousness reared its ugly head. Having said that, I will say that everyone in this country has the right to criticize the government. You can go ahead and claim that your “blame America first” mentality is equal to an act of patriotism. You can even call us “the rogue state,” as you sit with your friend the talking rodent. The one thing you can’t do however is claim that you’re loyal to anyone but yourself. You take full advantage of all the rights and benefits available to you, but you don’t want to ever do anything to earn them. You make fun of people like me who have, by characterizing us as jingoistic automatons, ranting incomprehensibly, wholly dispossessed of the intellect that you have. You dislike this nation because you don’t like its leadership. Fine. Just stop acting like you’re some kind of great patriots. You’re not, and it’s insulting to people who actually stepped up and served this country to hear you equate yourselves to us. You are nothing like us.
Patriotism is indeed about standing up for the principles on which this country was founded. Unfortunately, for those of you of whom I speak, you wouldn’t know what those were if you tripped over them. Patriotism is not a relative concept, as many Americans think, nor is it a dirty word… unless of course those people I spoke of are the ones claiming it.
Scott Wacholtz is a senior and served in the Marine Corps from 1987 – 1994. He can be contacted at aramis1642@hotmail.com.
The time has come to reverse the Cubs/Sox curse
Two teams in baseball are supposedly cursed: the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs. This year, both teams have reached their respective league’s championship series, and there is a chance for them to meet in the World Series. For all of us baseball fans, this is huge.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a diehard Marlins fan. That being said, however, I intend to put these feelings aside for now.
The history of the curses is legendary. Let’s start with Boston and the Curse of the Bambino. In 1920, two years after winning the World Series, Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold then-pitcher George Herman “Babe” Ruth (the Bambino) to the New York Yankees. Babe Ruth went on to become one of baseball’s greatest sluggers of all time, and since 1920, the Yankees have won 25 pennants. The Red Sox have won none. In fact, the Red Sox have not won a title in 85 years.
The Cubs, on the other hand, won the World Series in 1908 and reached it several times after that. However, the last time they reached it, in 1945, a Cubs’ fan wanted to attend Game 4 with his pet goat. After the goat was denied entry, his owner cursed the team and said they wouldn’t win again. They haven’t, since. So, the Cubs haven’t won a title in 95 years.
Think about it. Eighty-five years ago, World War I was coming to a close, the October revolution had just begun in Russia, and women still weren’t able to vote in the U.S. Ninety-five years ago, the Theory of Relativity had only been known for a year, the first true skyscraper was built in New York City, and automobiles still weren’t produced in assembly lines. For Red Sox and Cubs fans, it has certainly been awhile.
Perhaps the upside is that Red Sox and Cubs fans are some of the most loyal in the world. These are people that have had to deal with their team being known as the Lovable Losers, as the Cubs are affectionately called, people that have said, “Wait ’til next year” during their entire lifetimes, and yet they still pack their stadiums season after season. I would like to see how loyal we would be to our ‘Canes if they hadn’t been victorious in the recent past.
I will be cheering for the Fish. But, if for some reason it’s not their year, then let one of the curses be broken. Next year might be here.
Patricia Mazzei can be contacted at pmazzei@umsis.miami.edu.