2001 Miami Hurricanes football team
Encyclopedia
The 2001 Miami Hurricanes football
team was the national champion of the 2001 college football season
and is considered by many to be the greatest team in college football history.
BCS
National Championship Game by the BCS computers. Despite Miami beating Florida State
head-to-head that season and being higher ranked in both human polls, it was Florida State, and not Miami, that BCS computers selected to challenge the Oklahoma Sooners
for the national championship (Oklahoma would win, 13–2). This was because Miami had lost to #15 Washington 34-29, while the Seminoles' lone loss was on the road to the #3 team in the country by 3. The experience led to alterations in the BCS rankings system to ensure that the situation would not repeat itself in the future. Nevertheless, Miami was left with a bitter sense of disappointment, believing they had been deprived of a shot at a potential national championship, and stewed over an early-season loss at Washington
, 34–29, that was their only slipup in an 11–1 season (it is also worth noting that Washington also finished 11-1 and was also disappointed about being excluded from the title game). That off-season, the team resolved to take the matter entirely out of the discretion of the computers by going a perfect 12–0. However, they had to do so under a new head coach, Larry Coker
, who was named to the post after Butch Davis
left to become head coach of the NFL's Cleveland Browns
.
Ken Dorsey
, running back
Clinton Portis
, free safety Ed Reed
, wide receiver
Andre Johnson
, tight end
Jeremy Shockey
, offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie
, and free safety Sean Taylor
Miami won the 2001 national championship.
The Hurricanes began the season with a nationally televised primetime win over Penn State in Beaver Stadium
. With a 30-0 halftime Miami lead, Coker pulled his starters and Miami cruised in the second half to a 33-7 victory. The 26-point margin tied for Penn State's worst home loss under Joe Paterno
. Miami followed up the victory with wins over , Pitt
, and . After building up a 4-0 record, Miami won over Florida State
in Doak Campbell Stadium, 49-27, ending the Seminoles' 54-game home unbeaten streak. The Hurricanes then defeated West Virginia
, 45-3, and , 38-0, before heading to Chestnut Hill to take on (BC).
Miami started with a 9-0 lead over the Boston College Eagles, but Miami's offense began to sputter as Dorsey struggled with the swirling winds, throwing four interceptions. The Hurricane defense picked up the slack by limiting BC to just seven points. However, in the final minute of the fourth quarter, with Miami clinging to a 12-7 lead, BC quarterback Brian St. Pierre
led the Eagles from their own 30-yard line all the way down to the Hurricanes' 9-yard line. With BC on the verge of a momentous upset, St. Pierre attempted to pass to receiver Ryan Read at the Miami 2-yard line. However, the ball ricocheted off the leg of Miami cornerback
Mike Rumph
, landing in the hands of defensive end Matt Walters. Walters ran ten yards with the ball before teammate Ed Reed
grabbed the ball out of his hands at around the Miami 20-yard line and raced the remaining 80-yards for a touchdown. Miami won 18-7.
After the close win over Boston College, Miami went on to win over #14 , 59-0, and #12 Washington, 65-7, in consecutive weeks in the Orange Bowl. The combined 124-7 score is an NCAA record for largest margin of victory over consecutive ranked opponents.
The final hurdle to the Rose Bowl
BCS
National Championship Game was at . Miami jumped on Virginia Tech early, leading 20-3 at halftime, and 26-10 in the fourth quarter. But despite being outgained by the Hurricanes by 134 yards and being dominated in time-of-possession, the Hokies never quit. After a Virginia Tech touchdown and two-point conversion cut Miami's lead to 26-18, the Hokies blocked a Miami punt and returned it for another score, cutting Miami's lead to just two points. But with a chance to tie the game with another two-point conversion, Virginia Tech sophomore Ernest Wilford
dropped a pass in the endzone. Still, the resilient Hokies had one more chance to win the game late, taking possession of the ball at midfield and needing only a field goal to take the lead. But a diving, game-saving interception by Ed Reed sealed the Miami victory, 26-24. Defeating Virginia Tech earned the top-ranked Hurricanes an invitation to the Rose Bowl to take on BCS #2 Nebraska
for the national championship.
Nebraska proved to be no competition for Miami, which opened up a 34-0 halftime lead en route to a 37-14 final score. Miami won its fifth national championship in the last 18 years, and put the finishing touches on a perfect 12-0 season. Dorsey passed for 362 yards and 3 touchdowns, while wide receiver Andre Johnson
caught 7 passes for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns. Meanwhile, the stifling Miami defense shut down Heisman-winner
Eric Crouch
and the Huskers vaunted option offense, holding Nebraska 200 yards below its season average. Dorsey and Johnson were named Rose Bowl co-Most Valuable Players.
winner, Ken Dorsey
, and Outland Trophy
winner, Bryant McKinnie
. Dorsey was also a Heisman finalist, finishing third.
Among the numerous stars on the 2001 Miami squad were: quarterback Ken Dorsey; running back
s Clinton Portis
, Willis McGahee
, Najeh Davenport
, and Frank Gore
; tight end Jeremy Shockey
; wide receiver Andre Johnson
, and Kevin Beard; tackles Bryant McKinnie
and Joaquin Gonzalez; defensive linemen Jerome McDougle
, William Joseph, and Vince Wilfork
; linebackers Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams; and defensive backs Ed Reed
, Mike Rumph
, and Phillip Buchanon
. Additional contributors included future stars Kellen Winslow II
, Sean Taylor, Antrel Rolle
, Vernon Carey
, and Rocky McIntosh
. In all, an extraordinary 17 players from the 2001 Miami football team were drafted in the first-round of the NFL Draft (5 in the 2002 NFL Draft: Buchanon, McKinnie, Reed, Rumph, and Shockey; 4 in 2003: Johnson, Joseph, McDougle, and McGahee; 6 in 2004: Carey, Taylor, Vilma, Wilfork, Williams, and Winslow; 1 in 2005: Rolle; and 1 in 2006: Kelly Jennings
).
Prior to the 2006 Rose Bowl
, ESPN
's SportsCenter
ran a special in which the 2005 USC Trojans
, led by stars Matt Leinart
, Reggie Bush
, and LenDale White
, were compared with the greatest college teams of the past 50 years, as picked by sports fans voting on ESPN.com, to determine their place in history. The 2001 Miami Hurricanes were the only team picked by fans to defeat the '05 Trojan squad, reflecting the esteem with which the 2001 Hurricanes are held in the college football world.
First Team All-Americans
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
team was the national champion of the 2001 college football season
2001 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the University of Miami winning the national title for the fifth time.The Hurricanes were led by Larry Coker, who was in his first year as head coach after five years as Miami's offensive coordinator under Butch Davis...
and is considered by many to be the greatest team in college football history.
Pre-season motivation
In 2000, Miami was shut out of the Orange Bowl2001 Orange Bowl
The 2001 FedEx Orange Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game and BCS National Championship match between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Florida State Seminoles on January 3, 2001, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida...
BCS
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
National Championship Game by the BCS computers. Despite Miami beating Florida State
2000 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2000 Florida State Seminoles football team was the champion of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The team finished with a 11-2 record, and lost in the 2001 BCS National Title Game to the Oklahoma Sooners...
head-to-head that season and being higher ranked in both human polls, it was Florida State, and not Miami, that BCS computers selected to challenge the Oklahoma Sooners
2000 Oklahoma Sooners football team
The 2000 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football season of 2000-2001. This season was Bob Stoops's second as head coach. The Sooners finished with a 13-0 record winning the Big 12 Conference and the national championship, the seventh national...
for the national championship (Oklahoma would win, 13–2). This was because Miami had lost to #15 Washington 34-29, while the Seminoles' lone loss was on the road to the #3 team in the country by 3. The experience led to alterations in the BCS rankings system to ensure that the situation would not repeat itself in the future. Nevertheless, Miami was left with a bitter sense of disappointment, believing they had been deprived of a shot at a potential national championship, and stewed over an early-season loss at Washington
2000 Washington Huskies football team
The 2000 Washington Huskies football team represented the University of Washington in the 2000 NCAA Division I-A college football season. The Huskies won the 2001 Rose Bowl.-Regular season:...
, 34–29, that was their only slipup in an 11–1 season (it is also worth noting that Washington also finished 11-1 and was also disappointed about being excluded from the title game). That off-season, the team resolved to take the matter entirely out of the discretion of the computers by going a perfect 12–0. However, they had to do so under a new head coach, Larry Coker
Larry Coker
Larry Edward Coker is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at the University of Texas at San Antonio, whose Roadrunners football team begins play in 2011. From 2001 to 2006, Coker served as the head coach at the University of Miami...
, who was named to the post after Butch Davis
Butch Davis
Paul Hilton "Butch" Davis, Jr. is an American football coach and former player in the United States. He was the head coach at the University of Miami from 1995 to 2000, the Cleveland Browns of the NFL from 2001 to 2004, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2007 to 2011.-Early...
left to become head coach of the NFL's Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Schedule
| Date | Result | Miami Rank# | (Rank#)Opponent | Stadium · City | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2001 | W 33-7 | #2 | @ Penn State | Beaver Stadium Beaver Stadium Beaver Stadium is an outdoor college football stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, United States, on the campus of The Pennsylvania State University. It is home to the Penn State Nittany Lions of the Big Ten Conference. The stadium is named for James A... - State College, PA |
|
| September 8, 2001 | W 61-0 | #1 | * | Orange Bowl Miami Orange Bowl The Orange Bowl, formerly Burdine Stadium, was an outdoor athletic stadium in Miami, Florida, west of downtown in Little Havana. Considered a landmark, it was the home stadium for the Miami Hurricanes college football team... - Miami, FL |
|
| September 27, 2001 | W 43-21 | #1 | @ Pittsburgh 2001 Pittsburgh Panthers football team The 2001 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2001 college football season.-Schedule:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:... * |
Heinz Field Heinz Field Heinz Field is a stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves as the home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers American football teams, members of the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association respectively... - Pittsburgh, PA |
|
| October 6, 2001 | W 38-7 | #1 | Orange Bowl - Miami, FL | |
|
| October 13, 2001 | W 49-27 | #2 | @ #14 Florida State 2001 Florida State Seminoles football team The 2001 Florida State Seminoles football team represented the Florida State University in the college football season of 2001. The team was coached by Bobby Bowden and played their home games in Doak Campbell Stadium.-Schedule:... |
Doak Campbell Stadium - Tallahassee, FL | |
| October 25, 2001 | W 45-3 | #1 | West Virginia 2001 West Virginia Mountaineers football team Under new Head Coach Rich Rodriguez the 2001 West Virginia Mountaineers football team suffered their worst season since 1978, finishing with a mark of 3–8. The season's lowest point was a home loss to Temple, the schools first loss to the Owls since 1984 and first home loss to the school since... * |
Orange Bowl - Miami, FL | |
| November 3, 2001 | W 38-0 | #1 | * | Orange Bowl - Miami, FL | |
| November 10, 2001 | W 18-7 | #1 | @ * | Alumni Stadium Alumni Stadium Alumni Stadium is a football stadium located on the campus of Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, approximately sixmiles west of downtown Boston. The stadium lies within the city limits of Boston, although its postal address is Chestnut Hill. It is the home of the Boston College Eagles... - Chestnut Hill, MA |
|
| November 17, 2001 | W 59-0 | #1 | #14 * | Orange Bowl - Miami, FL | |
| November 24, 2001 | W 65-7 | #1 | #12 Washington | Orange Bowl - Miami, FL | |
| December 1, 2001 | W 26-24 | #1 | @ #14 * | Lane Stadium Lane Stadium Lane Stadium/Worsham Field is a stadium located in Blacksburg, Virginia. It is the home field of the Virginia Tech Hokies. It was rated the number one home field advantage in all of college football in 2005 by Rivals.com... - Blacksburg, VA |
|
| January 3, 2002 | W 37-14 | #1 | #4 Nebraska 2001 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team The 2001 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Frank Solich and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:... |
Rose Bowl Rose Bowl (stadium) The Rose Bowl is an outdoor athletic stadium in Pasadena, California, U.S., in Los Angeles County. The stadium is the site of the annual college football bowl game, the Rose Bowl, held on New Year's Day. In 1982, it became the home field of the UCLA Bruins college football team of the Pac-12... - Pasadena, CA |
|
| *Conference Game $BCS National Championship Game #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. | |||||
Season Recap
Led by quarterbackQuarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Ken Dorsey
Ken Dorsey
Kenneth Simon "Ken" Dorsey is a former football quarterback. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami. A two-time Heisman Trophy finalist at Miami, Dorsey played for the Cleveland Browns from 2006–2008...
, running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Clinton Portis
Clinton Portis
Clinton Earl Portis is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
, free safety Ed Reed
Ed Reed
Edward Earl Reed Jr. is an American football free safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens 24th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
, wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Andre Johnson
Andre Johnson
Andre Lamont Johnson is an American football wide receiver currently playing for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Through the 2010–11 NFL season, Johnson currently ranks first all-time in NFL history in receiving yards per game for a career...
, tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Jeremy Shockey
Jeremy Shockey
Jeremy Charles Shockey is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants 14th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
, offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie
Bryant McKinnie
Bryant McKinnie is a American football offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
, and free safety Sean Taylor
Sean Taylor
Sean Michael Maurice Taylor was an American football free safety who played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Taylor was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Redskins...
Miami won the 2001 national championship.
The Hurricanes began the season with a nationally televised primetime win over Penn State in Beaver Stadium
Beaver Stadium
Beaver Stadium is an outdoor college football stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, United States, on the campus of The Pennsylvania State University. It is home to the Penn State Nittany Lions of the Big Ten Conference. The stadium is named for James A...
. With a 30-0 halftime Miami lead, Coker pulled his starters and Miami cruised in the second half to a 33-7 victory. The 26-point margin tied for Penn State's worst home loss under Joe Paterno
Joe Paterno
Joseph Vincent "Joe" Paterno is a former college football coach who was the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions for 46 years from 1966 through 2011. Paterno, nicknamed "JoePa," holds the record for the most victories by an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football coach with...
. Miami followed up the victory with wins over , Pitt
2001 Pittsburgh Panthers football team
The 2001 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2001 college football season.-Schedule:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:...
, and . After building up a 4-0 record, Miami won over Florida State
2001 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2001 Florida State Seminoles football team represented the Florida State University in the college football season of 2001. The team was coached by Bobby Bowden and played their home games in Doak Campbell Stadium.-Schedule:...
in Doak Campbell Stadium, 49-27, ending the Seminoles' 54-game home unbeaten streak. The Hurricanes then defeated West Virginia
2001 West Virginia Mountaineers football team
Under new Head Coach Rich Rodriguez the 2001 West Virginia Mountaineers football team suffered their worst season since 1978, finishing with a mark of 3–8. The season's lowest point was a home loss to Temple, the schools first loss to the Owls since 1984 and first home loss to the school since...
, 45-3, and , 38-0, before heading to Chestnut Hill to take on (BC).
Miami started with a 9-0 lead over the Boston College Eagles, but Miami's offense began to sputter as Dorsey struggled with the swirling winds, throwing four interceptions. The Hurricane defense picked up the slack by limiting BC to just seven points. However, in the final minute of the fourth quarter, with Miami clinging to a 12-7 lead, BC quarterback Brian St. Pierre
Brian St. Pierre
Brian St. Pierre is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College....
led the Eagles from their own 30-yard line all the way down to the Hurricanes' 9-yard line. With BC on the verge of a momentous upset, St. Pierre attempted to pass to receiver Ryan Read at the Miami 2-yard line. However, the ball ricocheted off the leg of Miami cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Mike Rumph
Mike Rumph
Michael Jamaine Rumph is a retired American football free safety and cornerback.-High school:...
, landing in the hands of defensive end Matt Walters. Walters ran ten yards with the ball before teammate Ed Reed
Ed Reed
Edward Earl Reed Jr. is an American football free safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens 24th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
grabbed the ball out of his hands at around the Miami 20-yard line and raced the remaining 80-yards for a touchdown. Miami won 18-7.
After the close win over Boston College, Miami went on to win over #14 , 59-0, and #12 Washington, 65-7, in consecutive weeks in the Orange Bowl. The combined 124-7 score is an NCAA record for largest margin of victory over consecutive ranked opponents.
The final hurdle to the Rose Bowl
2002 Rose Bowl
The 2002 Rose Bowl, played on January 3, 2002, was a college football bowl game. It was the 88th Rose Bowl game and was the BCS National Championship Game of the 2001 college football season...
BCS
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
National Championship Game was at . Miami jumped on Virginia Tech early, leading 20-3 at halftime, and 26-10 in the fourth quarter. But despite being outgained by the Hurricanes by 134 yards and being dominated in time-of-possession, the Hokies never quit. After a Virginia Tech touchdown and two-point conversion cut Miami's lead to 26-18, the Hokies blocked a Miami punt and returned it for another score, cutting Miami's lead to just two points. But with a chance to tie the game with another two-point conversion, Virginia Tech sophomore Ernest Wilford
Ernest Wilford
Ernest Lee Wilford, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
dropped a pass in the endzone. Still, the resilient Hokies had one more chance to win the game late, taking possession of the ball at midfield and needing only a field goal to take the lead. But a diving, game-saving interception by Ed Reed sealed the Miami victory, 26-24. Defeating Virginia Tech earned the top-ranked Hurricanes an invitation to the Rose Bowl to take on BCS #2 Nebraska
2001 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 2001 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Frank Solich and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
for the national championship.
Nebraska proved to be no competition for Miami, which opened up a 34-0 halftime lead en route to a 37-14 final score. Miami won its fifth national championship in the last 18 years, and put the finishing touches on a perfect 12-0 season. Dorsey passed for 362 yards and 3 touchdowns, while wide receiver Andre Johnson
Andre Johnson
Andre Lamont Johnson is an American football wide receiver currently playing for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Through the 2010–11 NFL season, Johnson currently ranks first all-time in NFL history in receiving yards per game for a career...
caught 7 passes for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns. Meanwhile, the stifling Miami defense shut down Heisman-winner
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
Eric Crouch
Eric Crouch
Eric Eugene Crouch is an American quarterback for the Omaha Nighthawks. He also is a TV sports analyst and recreational equipment vendor....
and the Huskers vaunted option offense, holding Nebraska 200 yards below its season average. Dorsey and Johnson were named Rose Bowl co-Most Valuable Players.
Legacy
The 2001 Miami Hurricanes are considered by some experts and historians to be one of the greatest college football teams in college football history. The Hurricanes scored 512 (42.6 points per game) points while yielding only 117 (9.75 points allowed per game). Miami beat opponents by an average of 32.9 points per game, the largest margin in the school's history, and set the NCAA record for largest margin of victory over consecutive ranked teams (124-7). The offense set the school scoring record, while the defense led the nation in scoring defense (fewest points allowed), pass defense, and turnover margin. Additionally, the Hurricane defense scored eight touchdowns of its own. Six players earned All-American status and six players were finalists for national awards, including Maxwell AwardMaxwell Award
The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
winner, Ken Dorsey
Ken Dorsey
Kenneth Simon "Ken" Dorsey is a former football quarterback. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami. A two-time Heisman Trophy finalist at Miami, Dorsey played for the Cleveland Browns from 2006–2008...
, and Outland Trophy
Outland Trophy
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
winner, Bryant McKinnie
Bryant McKinnie
Bryant McKinnie is a American football offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
. Dorsey was also a Heisman finalist, finishing third.
Among the numerous stars on the 2001 Miami squad were: quarterback Ken Dorsey; running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
s Clinton Portis
Clinton Portis
Clinton Earl Portis is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
, Willis McGahee
Willis McGahee
Willis Andrew McGahee III is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, Najeh Davenport
Najeh Davenport
Najeh Trenadious Monté Davenport is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
, and Frank Gore
Frank Gore
Franklin Gore is an American football running back who plays for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami. NFL Network analysts have nicknamed Gore "The Inconvenient Truth".-High school career:Gore attended Coral Gables High...
; tight end Jeremy Shockey
Jeremy Shockey
Jeremy Charles Shockey is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants 14th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
; wide receiver Andre Johnson
Andre Johnson
Andre Lamont Johnson is an American football wide receiver currently playing for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Through the 2010–11 NFL season, Johnson currently ranks first all-time in NFL history in receiving yards per game for a career...
, and Kevin Beard; tackles Bryant McKinnie
Bryant McKinnie
Bryant McKinnie is a American football offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
and Joaquin Gonzalez; defensive linemen Jerome McDougle
Jerome McDougle
Jerome McDougle is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles 15th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.McDougle has also played for the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles...
, William Joseph, and Vince Wilfork
Vince Wilfork
-2004–06 seasons:The Patriots drafted Wilfork with the 21st overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. In his rookie 2004 season with the Patriots, he compiled two sacks, 42 tackles, and three deflected passes...
; linebackers Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams; and defensive backs Ed Reed
Ed Reed
Edward Earl Reed Jr. is an American football free safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens 24th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
, Mike Rumph
Mike Rumph
Michael Jamaine Rumph is a retired American football free safety and cornerback.-High school:...
, and Phillip Buchanon
Phillip Buchanon
Phillip Darren Buchanon is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders 17th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
. Additional contributors included future stars Kellen Winslow II
Kellen Winslow II
Kellen Boswell Winslow, II is an American football tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns sixth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
, Sean Taylor, Antrel Rolle
Antrel Rolle
Antrel Rocelious Rolle is an American football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami...
, Vernon Carey
Vernon Carey
Vernon A. Carey is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins 19th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early years:Carey lettered in football and basketball at Miami...
, and Rocky McIntosh
Rocky McIntosh
Roger A. "Rocky" McIntosh is an American football linebacker for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early life:...
. In all, an extraordinary 17 players from the 2001 Miami football team were drafted in the first-round of the NFL Draft (5 in the 2002 NFL Draft: Buchanon, McKinnie, Reed, Rumph, and Shockey; 4 in 2003: Johnson, Joseph, McDougle, and McGahee; 6 in 2004: Carey, Taylor, Vilma, Wilfork, Williams, and Winslow; 1 in 2005: Rolle; and 1 in 2006: Kelly Jennings
Kelly Jennings
Kelly Jarrod Jennings is an American football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early years:Jennings graduated from Suwannee...
).
Prior to the 2006 Rose Bowl
2006 Rose Bowl
The 2006 Rose Bowl Game, played on January 4, 2006, was a football game that served as the national championship of the 2005-2006 Bowl Championship Series...
, ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's SportsCenter
SportsCenter
SportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
ran a special in which the 2005 USC Trojans
2005 USC Trojans football team
The 2005 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the college football season of 2005–2006, winning the Pacific-10 Conference , and playing for the NCAA Division I-A national championship...
, led by stars Matt Leinart
Matt Leinart
Matthew Stephen Leinart , is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League...
, Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, and LenDale White
LenDale White
LenDale Anthony White is an American football running back. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California....
, were compared with the greatest college teams of the past 50 years, as picked by sports fans voting on ESPN.com, to determine their place in history. The 2001 Miami Hurricanes were the only team picked by fans to defeat the '05 Trojan squad, reflecting the esteem with which the 2001 Hurricanes are held in the college football world.
Offense
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| QB | Ken Dorsey Ken Dorsey Kenneth Simon "Ken" Dorsey is a former football quarterback. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami. A two-time Heisman Trophy finalist at Miami, Dorsey played for the Cleveland Browns from 2006–2008... |
| FB | Najeh Davenport Najeh Davenport Najeh Trenadious Monté Davenport is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
| HB | Clinton Portis Clinton Portis Clinton Earl Portis is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
| TE | Jeremy Shockey Jeremy Shockey Jeremy Charles Shockey is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants 14th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft... |
| WR | Andre Johnson Andre Johnson Andre Lamont Johnson is an American football wide receiver currently playing for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Through the 2010–11 NFL season, Johnson currently ranks first all-time in NFL history in receiving yards per game for a career... |
| WR | Kevin Beard Kevin Beard Kevin Donald Warren Beard is an American Football player formerly of the University of Miami.-High school years:... |
| LT | Bryant McKinnie Bryant McKinnie Bryant McKinnie is a American football offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
| LG | Sherko Haji-Rasouli Sherko Haji-Rasouli Sherko Haji-Rasouli is a professional Canadian football player who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for six seasons with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.- College career :... |
| C | Brett Romberg Brett Romberg Brett Christopher Romberg is an American football center for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Miami.... |
| RG | Martin Bibla Martin Bibla Martin John Bibla is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
| RT | Joaquin Gonzalez Joaquin Gonzalez (American football) Joaquin Antonio Gonzalez is a former professional National Football League offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts.... |
Defense
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| RE | Andrew Williams Andrew Williams (American football) Andrew B. Williams is a former American football defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League.... |
| DT | Matt Walters Matt Walters Matthew Jeremy Walters is a former American football player.While at Eau Gallie High School, Walters lettered in three sports, including golf and basketball. Scouted by Baylor University as well as the universities of Florida and Virginia, he chose the University of Miami... |
| DT | William Joseph William Joseph (American football) William Joseph is a free agent American football defensive tackle who last played for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft... |
| LE | Jerome McDougle Jerome McDougle Jerome McDougle is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles 15th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.McDougle has also played for the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles... |
| OLB | D.J. Williams |
| MLB | Jonathan Vilma |
| OLB | Chris Campbell |
| RCB | Mike Rumph Mike Rumph Michael Jamaine Rumph is a retired American football free safety and cornerback.-High school:... |
| FS | Ed Reed Ed Reed Edward Earl Reed Jr. is an American football free safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens 24th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft... |
| SS | James Lewis |
| LCB | Phillip Buchanon Phillip Buchanon Phillip Darren Buchanon is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders 17th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft... |
Special Teams
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| K | Todd Sievers |
| P | Freddie Capshaw |
| KR | Daryl Jones |
| KR | Andre Johnson |
| PR | Phillip Buchanon Phillip Buchanon Phillip Darren Buchanon is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders 17th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft... |
Statistics
- QB Ken DorseyKen DorseyKenneth Simon "Ken" Dorsey is a former football quarterback. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami. A two-time Heisman Trophy finalist at Miami, Dorsey played for the Cleveland Browns from 2006–2008...
: 207/354 (58.47%) for 3,029 yards (8.56) with 26 TD vs. 10 INT (2.82%). - RB Clinton PortisClinton PortisClinton Earl Portis is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
: 240 carries for 1,304 yards (5.43) with 11 TD. 16 catches for 151 yards and 1 TD. - RB Willis McGaheeWillis McGaheeWillis Andrew McGahee III is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
: 69 carries for 321 yards (4.65) with 3 TD. - TE Jeremy ShockeyJeremy ShockeyJeremy Charles Shockey is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants 14th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
: 45 catches for 604 yards (13.42) and 8 TD. - WR Kevin Beard: 29 catches for 450 yards (15.52) and 2 TD.
- K Todd Sievers: 22 FGM and 60 XPM.
First Team All-AmericansCollege Football All-America TeamThe College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
- Phillip Buchanon, PR
- Joaquin Gonzalez, RT
- Bryant McKinnie, LT (consensus)
- Ed Reed, SS (consensus)
- Jeremy Shockey, TE
- Todd Sievers, K
All-Conference Selections (First Team)
- Martin Bibla, LG
- Phillip Buchanon, CB
- Freddie Capshaw, P
- Ken Dorsey, QB
- Joaquin Gonzalez, RT
- Jerome McDougle, DE
- Bryant McKinnie, LT
- Clinton Portis, RB
- Ed Reed, SS
- Brett Romberg, C
- Jeremy Shockey, TE
- Todd Sievers, K
- Jonathan Vilma, MLB
Awards Finalists
Bold indicates winners- Larry Coker, Coach - Paul "Bear" Bryant Award
- Phillip Buchanon, PR - Mosi Tatupu AwardMosi Tatupu AwardThe Mosi Tatupu Award was given annually to the College Football Special Teams Player of the Year by the Maui Quarterback Club and the Hula Bowl, from 1997 to 2006....
- Freddie Capshaw, P - Ray Guy AwardRay Guy AwardThe Ray Guy Award is presented annually to college football's top punter by the Greater Augusta Sports Council. The award is named after punter Ray Guy, a former All-American at Southern Mississippi and an all-pro player for the Oakland Raiders.-Criteria:...
- Ken Dorsey, QB - Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
, Heisman TrophyHeisman TrophyThe Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
(3rd), Big East Offensive Player of the Year - Joaquin Gonzalez, RT - Academic HeismanDraddy TrophyThe William V. Campbell trophy, formerly the Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy, is a trophy awarded by the National Football Foundation that is given to the American college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance...
- Bryant McKinnie, LT - Outland TrophyOutland TrophyThe Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
, Heisman Trophy (8th) - Ed Reed, SS - Jim Thorpe AwardJim Thorpe AwardThe Jim Thorpe Award, named in memory of multi-sport legend Jim Thorpe, has been awarded to the top defensive back in college football since 1986...
- Brett Romberg, C - Rimington Trophy
- Jeremy Shockey, TE - John Mackey AwardJohn Mackey AwardThe John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end.The award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey....
- Todd Sievers, K - Lou Groza AwardLou Groza AwardThe Lou Groza Award is presented annually to the top college football placekicker in the United States by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The award is named after former Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns player Lou Groza.-Winners:...
(4th)
NFL Draft selections
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL Club |
| Andre Johnson Andre Johnson Andre Lamont Johnson is an American football wide receiver currently playing for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Through the 2010–11 NFL season, Johnson currently ranks first all-time in NFL history in receiving yards per game for a career... |
Wide Receiver | 1 | 3 | Houston Texans 2003 Houston Texans season The 2003 Houston Texans season was the second season in franchise history and saw the expansion club make a one-game improvement on its previous season record.-2003 NFL Draft:-Staff:-Preseason:-Schedule:-Standings:... |
| Sean Taylor Sean Taylor Sean Michael Maurice Taylor was an American football free safety who played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Taylor was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Redskins... |
Defensive Back | 1 | 5 | Washington Redskins 2004 Washington Redskins season The 2004 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 5-11 record from 2003. It was also the season of Joe Gibbs's return as Head Coach after coming out of retirement.-Schedule:-Standings:... |
| Bryant McKinnie Bryant McKinnie Bryant McKinnie is a American football offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
Tackle | 1 | 7 | Minnesota Vikings 2002 Minnesota Vikings season 2002 was the 42nd year of season play for the Minnesota Vikings and the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.On January 10, 2002, Mike Tice was named the sixth Head Coach in Vikings history. Tice was the third of the six Vikings head coaches to be promoted from within the team's... |
| Jonathan Vilma | Linebacker | 1 | 12 | New York Jets 2004 New York Jets season The 2004 New York Jets season saw the team try to improve on its 6–10 2003 record. The Jets started the season by winning their first five games, which was a franchise record. They ultimately finished 10–6, and clinched the fifth seed in the playoffs, reaching the postseason for the third time in... |
| Jeremy Shockey Jeremy Shockey Jeremy Charles Shockey is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants 14th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft... |
Tight End | 1 | 14 | New York Giants 2002 New York Giants season The 2002 New York Giants season was the team's 78th season in the National Football League. The team improved upon their previous season's output of 7–9, winning ten games and making a playoff appearance. They ended the season on a four game winning streak.... |
| Phillip Buchanon Phillip Buchanon Phillip Darren Buchanon is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders 17th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft... |
Defensive Back | 1 | 17 | Oakland Raiders 2002 Oakland Raiders season -AFC Championship Game:-References:... |
| D. J. Williams | Linebacker | 1 | 17 | Denver Broncos 2004 Denver Broncos season The 2004 Denver Broncos season was the team's 45th year in professional football and its 35th with the National Football League.-Staff:-Schedule:-Playoffs:-References:* *... |
| Vince Wilfork Vince Wilfork -2004–06 seasons:The Patriots drafted Wilfork with the 21st overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. In his rookie 2004 season with the Patriots, he compiled two sacks, 42 tackles, and three deflected passes... |
Defensive Line | 1 | 21 | New England Patriots 2004 New England Patriots season The 2004 New England Patriots season was the 35th season for the team in the National Football League and 45th season overall. They finished with their second straight 14–2 record before advancing to and winning Super Bowl XXXIX, their third Super Bowl victory in four years.Following a Super Bowl... |
| Ed Reed Ed Reed Edward Earl Reed Jr. is an American football free safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens 24th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft... |
Defensive Back | 1 | 24 | Baltimore Ravens 2002 Baltimore Ravens season The 2002 Baltimore Ravens season was the team's seventh season in the NFL. They were unable to improve upon their previous output of 10–6, instead winning only seven games and missing the playoffs for the first time in three years.-Schedule:-References:... |
| Mike Rumph Mike Rumph Michael Jamaine Rumph is a retired American football free safety and cornerback.-High school:... |
Defensive Back | 1 | 27 | San Francisco 49ers 2002 San Francisco 49ers season The first season following divisional realignment, the Niners won the new-look NFC West title with a 10–6 record; they swept new division rivals Seattle and Arizona while splitting with the Rams; the Niners lost to former division rival New Orleans... |
| Clinton Portis Clinton Portis Clinton Earl Portis is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
Running Back | 2 | 51 | Denver Broncos 2002 Denver Broncos season The 2002 Denver Broncos season was the team's 43rd year in professional football and its 33rd with the National Football League.-Staff:-Schedule:-References:* *... |
| Martin Bibla Martin Bibla Martin John Bibla is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
Guard | 4 | 116 | Atlanta Falcons 2002 Atlanta Falcons season The 2002 Atlanta Falcons season was their 37th in the league. The team improved upon their previous season's output of 7-9 and qualified for the playoffs for the first time in four years. The team was also involved in a rare tie, matching the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-34 at the end of overtime... |
| Najeh Davenport Najeh Davenport Najeh Trenadious Monté Davenport is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft... |
Running Back | 4 | 135 | Green Bay Packers 2002 Green Bay Packers season During the 2002 Green Bay Packers season, the team completed a 12-4 regular season with before losing in the Wild Card playoff round to Michael Vick's Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field... |
| James Lewis | Defensive Back | 6 | 183 | Indianapolis Colts 2002 Indianapolis Colts season The 2002 Indianapolis Colts season was the 50th season for the team in the National Football League and 19th in Indianapolis.The 2002 season marked the first for the Colts in the new AFC South after competing for 32 seasons in the AFC East.... |
| Daryl Jones | Wide Receiver | 7 | 226 | New York Giants 2002 New York Giants season The 2002 New York Giants season was the team's 78th season in the National Football League. The team improved upon their previous season's output of 7–9, winning ten games and making a playoff appearance. They ended the season on a four game winning streak.... |
| Joaquin Gonzalez Joaquin Gonzalez (American football) Joaquin Antonio Gonzalez is a former professional National Football League offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts.... |
Tackle | 7 | 227 | Cleveland Browns 2002 Cleveland Browns season The 2002 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 50th season with the National Football League.-Regular season:- Playoffs :-Standings:... |
| Ken Dorsey Ken Dorsey Kenneth Simon "Ken" Dorsey is a former football quarterback. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami. A two-time Heisman Trophy finalist at Miami, Dorsey played for the Cleveland Browns from 2006–2008... |
Quarterback | 7 | 241 | San Francisco 49ers 2003 San Francisco 49ers season The 49ers entered their 2003 season attempting to improve upon their 10-6 output from the previous year.-Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears:Sunday, September 7, 2003 at San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point, San Francisco, California... |