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with Bill Curry   

After 13 years the two heavyweights staged their 50th match, and the series score stands at 25-25. The Sugar Bowl BCS pairing of Florida and Miami is history, with the Hurricanes delivering a knockout punch in the fourth quarter with a grueling, determined ground attack.

The score may have been 37-20, but the issue was very much in doubt until the Miami offensive line took control in the fourth quarter. Bryant McKinnie, Greg Laffere, Brett Romberg, Martin Bibia and Joaquin Gonzales pounded away at a salty Gator defense until it yielded to the power thrusts of Clinton Portis, D.J. Williams and Najeh Davenport.

Ken Dorsey was the quarterback of record and won the MVP trophy, going 22-for-40 passing for 270 yards and three touchdowns to go with two interceptions. Santana Moss was wonderful with his scintillating returns and six catches for 89 yards. But this one was decided in the trenches, and we have a new Florida State Champ. Come to think of it, we may a half a national champ!

 
IT WAS OVER WHEN ...
Sebastian the Ibis joined the Hurricanes in celebration. Unfortunately for Sebastian, there was still 4:21 left in the game and the officials didn't like the fact the mascot was all over the field with the Miami players. The Hurricanes were penalized 15 yards.
THE GAME BALL GOES TO ..
Najeh Davenport, who rushed for the clinching touchdown, but more importantly made a tremendous catch in the end zone for another score. Davenport, a fullback, has been kidded all year by teammates about his porous hands, but came through in the spotlight.

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SUGAR BOWL HISTORY| MESSAGE BOARD
Miami (11-1)
Roster
Statistics
Season Results
Bowl History


New Orleans, La.
Jan. 2, 2001
Miami 37
Florida 20

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Florida (10-3)
Roster
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Season Results
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'Canes Stir Up a Storm
Jeremy Shockey
Miami's Jeremy Shockey, right, celebrates with Brett Romberg.
 
They wanted to play in the national title game, and Tuesday night the Miami Hurricanes made their point that they deserved to be there. Miami handled Florida 37-20 in the Sugar Bowl and finish the season with an 11-1 record. Still, the national title will belong to Oklahoma if it beats Florida State in the Orange Bowl on Wednesday.
 
• Frozen moment: Davenport makes catch that counts
• In the crosshairs: Miami's Santana Moss | BCS site
• 'Canes mascot in doghouse | Sugar Bowl notebook
• Sugar Bowl photo gallery

 
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS
  MIAMI FLA YARDS FLORIDA YARDS
Passing Ken Dorsey 270 Rex Grossman 252
Rushing Clinton Portis 97 Earnest Graham 136
Receiving Santana Moss 89 Reche Caldwell 110

 A U D I O  /  V I D E O
 
'Canes case
ESPN's Scott Walker looks at Miami's case for the national championship.

Real: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Miami vs. Florida
Ken Dorsey connects with Jeremy Shockey for Miami's first touchdown.

avi: 1170 k Real: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Miami vs. Florida
Miami's Najeh Davenport turns an interception into a spectacular touchdown.

avi: 1260 k Real: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Miami vs. Florida
The Gators strike first as Rex Grossman hits Kirk Wells for a 23-yard touchdown.

avi: 1290 k Real: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

More Audio/Video
 

 M O R E   F E A T U R E S
 
Sugar Bowl has its ties to national title
The No. 2 team in the writers' poll is in New Orleans and has title hopes of its own.


Miami and Florida resurrect a sleeping rivalry
Back in the day, Miami-Florida was the dominant rivalry in the Sunshine State before Florida opted out of it 13 years ago.
Complete Bowl Championship Series coverage
In-depth analysis from ABC Sports on the Rose, Fiesta, Sugar and Orange Bowls.

TEAM STATISTICAL COMPARISON
 
 Total Offense
   460.8  
   418.7  

 Passing Yards
  266.0  
   308.2  

 Passing completion percentage
   58.2  
   56.9  

 Completions
   198  
   265  

 Attempts
   340  
   466  
 Scoring Offense
   42.6  
   37.3  

 Scoring Defense
   15.5  
   19.7  

 Rushing Yards
   194.8  
   110.5  

 Rushing attempts
   434  
   361  

 Key:
 Miami Fla
 Florida




"What kind of bird was that Miami mascot that got his team penalized 15 yards? Is that supposed to be a giant flamingo?"
-- Ramsmachine
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 HEADLINE NEWS
Butch Davis says he's staying put with Hurricanes
 
Florida, Miami players clash in Bourbon Street brawl
 
Hurricanes arrive for Sugar Bowl -- in an assortment of ways
 
Reserve Florida DT declared ineligible
 
Florida's top rusher Gillespie undergoes knee surgery
 
Bowl picture complete: OU vs. FSU in Orange Bowl
 
Sooners finish regular season as No. 1 team
 
AP Top 25: Oklahoma, Miami finish 1-2
 


 SPORTSMALL





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