Miami’s bid for another run at the national championship next year will come without two of its top playmakers, both of whom decided to bolt to the NFL.
Junior wide receiver Andre Johnson’s departure had been expected. But sophomore tailback Willis McGahee’s decision came as a surprise.
McGahee, a Heisman trophy finalist who set school records with 1,753 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns, seemed destined to return to the ‘Canes next season after tearing two ligaments in his knee in the Fiesta Bowl. He also was named first team All-American and a finalist for the Doak Walker Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
But McGahee chose to take his chances in the NFL by announcing to CBS-4 on Monday that he has opted to forgo his final two years of eligibility at UM.
“It was something I prayed on and something I discussed with my family,” McGahee told CBS-4. “I feel I can go up to the next level and give it my best I was told I can make a 100 percent recovery and that’s what I am planning on doing. It was my childhood dream and I am going to fulfill my dream.”
McGahee suffered the injury with only 10 minutes remaining in the Fiesta Bowl. After catching a screen pass from Ken Dorsey, McGahee turned up field before he was tackled by Ohio State cornerback Will Allen.
McGahee underwent surgery the following day at Health South Doctors Hospital where doctors repaired his torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments and gave him a positive prognosis.
But McGahee, once projected to go as high as the first round before his injury and command big money, now looks to a long rehabilitation. It is most likely that he will be placed on injured reserve for his first year in the pros – lowering his draft prospects — and salary — considerably.
There is no question that McGahee’s injury has cost him millions of dollars in the immediate future. And while it is uncertain he will ever be the same football payer he was before the injury, he is still expected to go somewhere in the mid-rounds of the draft when pro teams who have an extra pick to spare may choose to take a chance on him.
If he is unable to return to football however, McGahee is poised to collect $2.5 million from an insurance policy he took out before the Fiesta Bowl game. The policy states that if McGahee is unable to play football again he can collect the money one year from the date of injury (Jan. 3). He is allowed to play in three pro games before the policy becomes void.
Johnson’s decision to turn pro was expected even before the season began. During his three years at Miami, he has emerged as a premiere receiver in college football. This season he caught 52 passes for 1,092 yards and nine touchdowns. In last year’s Rose Bowl, Johnson shared MVP honors with quarterback Ken Dorsey after catching seven balls for 199 yards and two touchdowns – all career bests.
At 6’3, 227 pounds, Johnson fits the mold of a prototypical NFL receiver. With Michigan State’s Charles Rogers expected to be the first receiver taken in the draft, Johnson could go second or third. But he is still expected to be a first round choice.

Jordan Rodack can be reached at j.rodack@umiami.edu.

Critics can question Ken Dorsey’s future as a star in the NFL, but no one can question the heart and dedication that he just could not leave on the field after the devastating 31-24 double-overtime loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.
“I take all the responsibility for the loss,” said a teary eyed Dorsey in the locker room after the defeat. “If I didn’t turn the ball over we would have been in great shape to win our second consecutive national championship.”
Dorsey clearly struggled in his last game as a Hurricane. Ohio State’s game plan was to shut down Willis McGahee and force Dorsey to beat them in the air while facing constant pressure. Dorsey was unable to answer the challenge in college football’s largest showcase.
Dorsey threw two costly interceptions, lost a fumble and was sacked four times en route to what concluded the ‘Canes’ 34-game win streak. He finished 28-of-43 for 296 yards, but the turnovers overshadowed those statistics.
Dorsey started off well, giving Miami a 7-0 lead in the first quarter with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Roscoe Parrish.
Dorsey was able to connect on numerous occasions with tight end Kellen Winslow, who finished with a game high 11 receptions for 122 yards.
To give credit where credit is due, Dorsey did rally the ‘Canes from a 10-point deficit to tie the game at 17-17 when Todd Sievers made a 40-yard field goal on the final play of regulation.
In the first overtime, Dorsey gave the ‘Canes their first lead since the second quarter, when he found Winslow in the end zone. Yet, the Buckeyes tied the game after the infamous pass interference call that took away the victory for the ‘Canes, and eventually went on to score the game winning touchdown.
Yet, Dorsey still had a chance to lead Miami to tie the game in the second overtime. However, a ferocious hit by Ohio State senior linebacker Matt Wilhem forced Dorsey to the sideline for a play. After backup signal caller Derrick Crudup completed an eight-yard pass to Quadtrine Hill on third down, Dorsey came back to the field with the game – and the national title – in his hands.
Dorsey completed a first-down pass to Winslow, but then faced a fourth and one from the one-yard line. Ohio State linebacker Cie Grant came through the line untouched and Dorsey, unable to overcome the pressure, missed a wide-open Eric Winston in the end zone.
Dorsey dropped to his knees after suffering only his second career collegiate loss and then jogged to the locker room with his head down and helmet still on.
Reporters waited anxiously outside the Miami locker room and when we were finally allowed in, Ken Dorsey sat in his locker with a towel over his head, tears running down his face and 20-some odd tape recorders up in his face.
“I just didn’t get it done today,” Dorsey said in a quiet voice. “Our defense fought incredibly. I turned the ball over and ruined our chance to take home the victory.”
Dorsey took the loss extremely hard, as he was unable to hold in his emotions. Some may say that holding his head down and crying after the devastating loss was a bad example for his young teammates. However, I strongly believe that Dorsey’s emotions after the game showed his unmatched desire to win.
Dorsey concluded his great college career 38-2. His only other loss came in his sophomore season at Washington in 2000.
Critics have questioned his statistics and his overall play. They say Dorsey lacks arm strength, accuracy and mobility. Many believe that anyone with sufficient skills could run the Miami offense because of the immense amount of talent on the team. In addition, how can Dorsey be the best player in the country, when he wasn’t the best player in his backfield?
Ohio State agreed with the former statement, as they put most of its energy on stopping McGahee, who was limited to 67 yards on 20 carries before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury.
Dorsey dismissed the critics who questioned his numbers. He finished the regular season with 3,073 yards and 26 touchdowns, was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, the Davey O’Brien and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards as the nation’s best all-around player and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
Dorsey missed out on winning all of the awards and was unable to win a second consecutive championship. Winning the title was what Dorsey put emphasis on.
The verdict is still out if or how well Dorsey will perform in the next level. But don’t for one second question his heart or desire to win.

You can reach Brian Poliakoff at b.poliakoff@miami.edu.

The Miami Hurricanes went into their first ever game at the Convocation Center riding an eight-game win streak. Unfortunately, all good things have to come to an end.
Boston College spoiled the debut of the ‘Lady Canes in the new facility, handing Miami a 79-61 defeat. The Eagles jumped out to an early 13-0 lead and prevented the Hurricanes from getting within single digits after that point. BC had a big height advantage coming in and took advantage of the ‘Canes in the paint the entire evening.
“We got down big early and we panicked a little bit and took bad shots,” coach Ferne Labati said.
Miami trailed by 21 at the half, 45-24, and could never get back into the game. The team embarked on a brief second half run that cut the deficit to 11 with about nine minutes left to play. From there, BC went on a 7-0 run of their own to seal the victory.
The big reason for the ‘Lady Canes struggles was in the rebound department. Boston College outrebounded UM 28-13 in the 2nd half, and 46-30 for the game.
“It wasn’t so much about getting outrebounded,” Labati said. “It was about hustle and effort. They outhustled us and we have to do a better job of giving full effort and getting after the boards.”
Miami could not find the answer for the one-two punch of Becky Gottstein and Jessalyn Deveny. Both contributed with 20 points, while Gottstein also grabbed 12 rebounds, earning a double-double in the process.
Tamara James, the five-time Big East Rookie of the Week and the conference’s leading scorer at 24.8 points per game, struggled against the taller BC frontcourt. Often finding herself double teamed, James was held to just 17 points, shooting five of 17 from the field.
“I got frustrated and got taken out of my game,” James said. “I started forcing shots….I don’t think we were nervous, we just didn’t get the job done.”
The Hurricanes entered the contest on an impressive run. Miami’s eight-game winning streak, their longest since 1992, included an impressive 3-0 record on an early January road trip with wins over Georgetown, Syracuse, and #6 Notre Dame.
However, on what should have been a great day with the opening of the Convocation Center, instead found Miami unable to defend their home court.
“This is our house,” Labati said. “We are proud of it and wanted to defend it, but we just didn’t do a good job tonight,” said Coach Labati.
The Canes fall to 11-4 on the season and 3-1 in the Big East, while BC goes to 11-3 and 3-0 in the Big East with the win. Miami will look to bounce back from the loss and record a tough road victory against Pitt next Wednesday before coming back to the Convocation Center for games against Syracuse and Virginia Tech
Meanwhile, Miami’s chance at redemption versus BC will come in a March 1st meeting up in Chestnut Hill, MA. That is a game that the ‘Lady Canes vow will be different.
“We are going to try to go up there and give it to them,” guard Meghan Saake said. “This loss will motivate us to play that much harder on March 1st.”

You can reach Darren Grossman at DRG215@aol.com.

After their consistent success in developing one of the country’s best rushing attacks, as well as its rock-solid protection of Ken Dorsey, the offensive line was perhaps the last position any of the Miami consensuses worried about entering the Fiesta Bowl.
Head coach Larry Coker, however, thought otherwise.
“They’re very good at what they do, and we’re going to have to be patient,” said Coker in the days leading up to the national championship game. “We’re going to not have to get frustrated if we don’t get the big plays.”
The concerns of Coker rang true during the national championship game as Miami’s offensive line was consistently dominated in the Hurricanes 31-24 double overtime loss. The unit, which allowed just 11 sacks in the regular season, surrendered four against the menacing Buckeyes’ defensive line, including one that resulted in a Dorsey fumble.
Dorsey’s two interceptions could also be partially blamed on the offensive line’s inability to consistently handle Ohio State’s blitzes, particularly on the right side, where Will Smith and Kenny Peterson had a field day.
The Buckeyes front four also outmaneuvered Miami’s offensive line in the running game, where the Hurricanes mustered just 65 yards, nearly a third of their average.
“We didn’t protect the quarterback, and we didn’t establish a running game,” offensive line coach Art Kehoe said. “In the end, it all showed. We all have to take blame for that.”
Entering the game, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel pointed to the Hurricanes running game as being the key weapon for their success, and the most important thing for OSU’s defense to shut down. During the first half, it was evident that the Buckeyes spent a considerable amount of time dissecting the Miami’s ground game and were familiar with the various schemes that Coker and offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski had implemented throughout the season, as they held McGahee to under 30 yards rushing.
The sophomore tailback would have more success in the second half, as the offensive line improved on its run blocking, giving McGahee more room to maneuver towards the outside.
“[Ohio State] were moving and blitzing every single down like they were trying to stop the run, and they were stopping the pass at the same time,” right guard Chris Myers said. “We did better with the running game in the second half – the first half we just [stunk].”
Individually, the Hurricanes offensive lineman struggled in their matchups as well. In addition to Myers and Carey, seniors Sherko Haji-Rasouli and Brett Romberg had problems as well. Romberg allowed his first career sack to Ohio State’s Tim Anderson, and was in no mood to express much verbal communication after the game.
“Romberg was quiet, very quiet,” lineman Ed Wilkins said. “I’ve never seen him at a loss for words.”
The ‘Canes offensive line also struggled mightily during Miami’s final possession. The Hurricanes could not punch the ball into the end zone on four attempts from the one-yard line. On fourth down, blitzing linebacker Cie Grant broke through the line, getting to Dorsey and causing the UM quarterback to rush a throw from his back foot, which would fall incomplete.
“I don’t want to take anything away from Brett or Sherko, because they gave so much to this program, but they’d be the first ones, myself included, to put the heat on us,” Kehoe said. “We didn’t protect the quarterback and we didn’t establish a running game. We had a chance to put them away at the 1-yard line [twice in overtime] and didn’t get it done.”
The lackluster performance in the Fiesta Bowl does not take away from the offensive line’s growth throughout the season. The trio of Vernon Carey, Chris Myers and Carlos Joseph, none of who had a collegiate start entering the 2002 season, blossomed into more than capable starters. The continued growth of the three will be important with the departure of the ‘Canes two best linemen, Romberg and Haji-Rasouli. For now, junior Joel Rodriguez and senior Joe McGrath are the favorites to fill the open slots.
“If Joel gets a little tougher, and McGrath comes back and goes to work, we’re going to be good next year,” Kehoe said. “But it all starts with the maturity process. If you’re not playing, some guys have a tendency to kind of just sit back, not working as hard as they should be, and that’s what some guys have been doing.”

You can reach Jeremy Marks-Peltz at jmp310@hotmail.com

The first couple of months of the Hurricane men’s basketball team’s 2002-2003 season seemed like a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs.
On some nights, the 7-6 (0-2 Big East) ‘Canes showed that they can play with anyone in the nation. Other nights, coach Perry Clark’s team looked like they still have a long way to go before becoming a major contender.
The Hurricanes, led by captains James Jones and Darius Rice, have been very competitive in the majority of their games thus far. Clark says the future looks bright, especially with the success of the team’s five freshmen (Armondo Surratt, Robert Hite, Gary Hamilton, Eric Wilkins, and Ismael N’Diaye), who have all contributed key minutes while learning the rigors of Big East play very quickly.
“Our five freshmen have all been integrated into the rotation and are consistently improving,” Clark said. “Armondo Surratt has grown already, Gary Hamilton has come out of nowhere to give us some big minutes, and Robert Hite has already had to guard some of the best players in the country.”
Along with the continuing progress of the youngsters, the steady leadership of Jones and Rice has kept the team together and on task. Both are amongst the conference leaders in scoring and help the team in every aspect of the game.
“Leadership is an action and James and Darius have both displayed that,” Clark said. “Darius has really stepped up in the big games and James is the consummate leader on and off the court. They both have tremendous character.”
“I just try to give my teammates confidence by going out and playing hard every night,” Jones said. “If I do that it sets a positive example for everyone else.”
The ‘Canes started their non-conference schedule in late November with convincing wins over New Hampshire, Texas A&M, and Savannah State, raising expectations for the upcoming Big East season. However, the following three games, all losses to Florida Atlantic, Florida State, and Charlotte, revealed weaknesses in the team’s defense and a lack of consistency.
“We were burnt early in a couple of games that we shouldn’t have lost,” Clark said. “We aren’t as consistent defensively as last year and we still need to develop a third scoring threat to go along with James and Darius.”
After the three disappointing setbacks, the ‘Canes responded with quality performances against premier teams, losing by a point (94-93) to Florida in double-overtime, followed by a 64-61 win over North Carolina in OT at the opening of the brand new Convocation Center, and a hard fought 83-80 loss in Connecticut. With a 7-6 record, the ‘Canes need efforts like those to make a run at the NCAA tournament.
“With our current record we can’t afford to take any games lightly,” Clark said. “We can’t look past anyone because we learned earlier in the season that teams can sneak up on you that way.”
Clark feels that this year’s Big East conference should play out very similar to the last couple of years, which means that no one team will be able to run away with the title.
“The Big East is a ‘dog eat dog’ type of conference,” Clark said. “In our first two games with Connecticut and West Virginia we have already been exposed to how strong of a conference we play in.”
Jones is eager to see how the next few weeks of the season play out.
“We are looking forward to the Connecticut and St. John’s games,” Jones said. “They are our rivals and we want to play hard for our fans in the new building and make a run at the Big East title.”
The Canes travel to Seton Hall Saturday before returning home for a rematch with Connecticut on Monday night at 7:00, a game that will be televised on ESPN.
“We need the fans to support us for these upcoming home games,” Jones said. “It gives us a special advantage when the crowd is energetic.”

You can reach Eric Kalis at elk777bc@hotmail.com

In the years that follow the 2003 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, every player wearing a Miami Hurricanes jersey will eventually realize the success and accomplishment of helping pad one of the longest streaks in college football history.
For now, the mood among Hurricane players and coaches is still one full of gloom, and the talk consists of words like “failure” and “missed opportunities.”
Miami’s 34-game win streak and national championship hopes came to an end two weeks ago in a 31-24 double-overtime loss to Ohio State at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, dropping their all-time Fiesta Bowl record to 0-4. After the defeat, the Miami players showed reluctance to talk to the media, other than to share one-sentence answers on the disappointment of the final result.
“We’d be able to appreciate [the game] a lot more if we were on the winning side,” said quarterback Ken Dorsey.
As if the loss and the disheartening task of watching Ohio State hoist the national championship trophy wasn’t enough, the Hurricanes saw running back Willis McGahee go down with two torn knee ligaments after a questionable hit from OSU’s Will Allen. Quarterback Dorsey was knocked out for play in the second overtime by Buckeye linebacker Matt Wilhelm. Miami’s senior QB would later spend much of the night in the hospital.
Overshadowing the Miami injuries, though, was a pass interference in the first overtime. With the Hurricanes leading 24-17 in the first overtime, Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel attempted a pass into the end zone on fourth down without success. However, field judge Terry Porter, standing on the opposite side of the play, ruled that Miami’s Glenn Sharpe interfered with Michael Jenkins, even though replays would clearly indicate that the contact came after the ball reached Gamble’s hands. Krenzel would score three plays later to send the game into the second overtime.
“The loss was, without question, devastating,” said head coach Larry Coker, whose career record fell to 24-1 after the game. “Especially when you’re down, you come back and have a chance to win, think you have it won and then you don’t. It’s one of those things that will take a long time to get over. You may never get over it.”
Injuries and bad calls aside, the Hurricanes turned the ball over five times, leading to 17 Ohio State points. Dorsey was directly involved in three of the miscues, throwing two interceptions and fumbling once, all of which overshadowed the departing senior’s 296 yards. The final two Miami turnovers both negated potential game-turning plays. On one play, Sean Taylor coughed up the football after picking off a Krenzel pass in the end zone, while Roscoe Parrish fumbled the ball at the end of a long reception on the other play.
“We were the better team, but they were just destined to win,” said tight end Kellen Winslow, who set a new Fiesta Bowl record with 11 receptions. “They didn’t beat us, we beat ourselves.”
Miami had an opportunity to send the game into a third overtime, but were unable to punch the ball into the end zone on four opportunities from the one-yard line. According to running backs coach Don Soldinger, the result of the drive might have been attributed to McGahee’s injury.
“I would have liked to have a healthy Willis McGahee on third-and-one and fourth-and-one,” Soldinger said. “I’d give it to him. You’d think he’d make it.”
Backup tailback Jarrett Payton could not score, and the Hurricanes left Tempe empty-handed and amid comparisons to the 1986 Miami Hurricanes, who fell 14-10 to an underdog Penn State team at the Fiesta Bowl. Like that squad, it took a while for the loss to hit many of the Miami players and coaches, and some still haven’t recovered.
“If you ever have something bad happen to you, as we all have, when you wake up at 4 or 5 in the morning, then it all of a sudden hits you,” Coker said. “It’s a gut-wrenching feeling. That’s what I had [the following morning].”
Others, like Jarrett Payton, are now using the loss to motivate them towards making a statement in 2003.
“None of us wanted to lose, and in the huddle everybody thought we were destined to win, but this just makes us more determined to come back and work harder for next season,” Payton said. “We’ll be back.”

You can reach Jeremy Marks-Peltz at jmp310@hotmail.com.