|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
MIAMI (AP) -- Miami's good plays overshadowed the bad ones.
Barely.
|  | | Miami wide receiver Santana Moss had 158 all-purpose yards and two TDs to lead the Hurricanes. |
James Jackson ran for 185 yards and two touchdowns and Santana
Moss added 158 all-purpose yards and two scores as Miami (No. 5 ESPN/USA Today, No. 4 AP) beat
Louisiana Tech 42-31 on Saturday night.
The Hurricanes (6-1) kept their national title hopes alive with
their fifth straight win, but they'll have to play better to stay
in the hunt for the championship. Miami, which plays No. 2 Virginia
Tech at home next Saturday, had four turnovers, committed 12
penalties and allowed the Bulldogs (2-7) to gain 485 yards.
Ken Dorsey, a sophomore who came into the game having thrown
just two interceptions in his career, threw three and Jackson
fumbled once.
"We got the win, no matter how ugly it was," Dorsey said.
"Those were probably the worst 42 points in history. I don't think
anybody was happy with this. I think everybody in the stadium would
agree that this was the poorest performance of my career."
Still, Miami -- a 41½-point favorite -- was able to overcome the
miscues.
"Not every one of your performances are going to be absolutely
beautiful. We're glad to get this game over with," Hurricanes
coach Butch Davis said before abruptly ending his postgame news
conference after just a few questions.
The 'Canes scored on three of their first four possessions to
take a 21-3 lead, but Louisiana Tech outscored -- and outplayed --
Miami the rest of the way. It just wasn't enough for an upset.
"It was a little tougher than I expected," defensive tackle
Damione Lewis said. "I knew they would come in and play us tough,
but I didn't think it would be like this."
Miami made it look easy early. Jackson had two 1-yard scoring
runs and Moss scored on a 43-yard end around. Jackson had 26
carries and finished 2 yards shy of his career high.
Moss added a 69-yard punt return for a score in the second
quarter. The speedy senior split two blocks, broke a tackle and
sprinted down the right sideline for his third punt return
touchdown this season. It also was the fifth of his career,
breaking the Big East record shared by Moss and Syracuse's Quinton
Spotwood.
Moss touched the ball seven times, finishing with 43 yards
rushing, 37 yards receiving and 78 yards on two punt returns.
Clinton Portis, who missed the last three games with broken
toes, carried 14 times for 86 yards -- all in the second half.
Tech cut the lead to 11 points three times in the second half,
but Miami twice answered with touchdowns.
The Hurricanes marched 71 yards in less than two minutes to put
the lead back to 18 points with 3:43 to play in the third. Dorsey,
4-of-4 passing on the drive, threw a perfect 16-yard fade to Wayne
in the corner of the end zone for a 35-17 lead.
It was the only time Dorsey looked sharp all night. He finished
16-of-31 for 185 yards.
"The fans won't like it," Dorsey said. "They're not going to
be happy for an entire week. I feel for them. But if I don't learn
from this, then there's no point for me being out here."
Luke McCown threw three touchdowns and ran for another for
Louisiana Tech. He finished 42-of-72 for 418 yards, breaking the
NCAA freshman record for attempts in a game. The previous record of
71 was set by Northwestern's Sandy Schwab in 1982.
McCown also threw three interceptions, but the Bulldogs had
three receivers with 10 catches.
"He has a lot of poise," Bulldogs coach Jack Bicknell said.
"He made some mistakes, but to do what he is doing as a true
freshman is really something. It's unbelievable what he is doing
and who he is doing it against."
|
|
ALSO SEE
College Football Scoreboard
Louisiana Tech Clubhouse
Miami (Fla.) Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Santana Moss returns the punt 69 yards for the touchdown.
avi: 1754 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Santana Moss takes the fake 43 yards for the TD.
avi: 1245 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Luke Mccown finds Faheem Ali for the 14-yard touchdown.
avi: 630 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Delwyn Daigre walks his way into the end zone.
avi: 707 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
James Jackson rushes in his second touchdown of the game.
avi: 635 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
|
