Pickin' Splinters » Miami Hurricanes

10 games and the national title

Casey — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:07:01 +0000

By Paul Casey Gotham

Shhhhhh….did you hear that? Tick, tock, tick, tock…The time is drawing near. College pigskin kicks off on Thursday, September 2nd with 18 games including openers for Ohio State, Miami, Pittsburgh and even Lane Kiffin’s folly. There is no playoff, so, as the talking heads say: EVERY GAME MATTERS. Here are a few games that might matter more than others.

10. Boise State at Virginia Tech – September 6: Gentlemen start your engines! A top 10 tilt in the first weekend – the Hokies and Broncos are wasting no time with a soiree on Labor Day. Plenty of time to recover from a loss and get into the BCS, but the blemish could exclude from the title game.

9. South Florida at Miami – November 27: The Bulls won’t be competing for a national title, but the Hurricanes might. Skip Holtz should have his gang focused by this time. Miami won by 21 last year. Not so easy this time.

8. Oregon State at TCU – September 4: Geez. Gone are the days when teams opened against the sisters of mercy. If the Horned Frogs want a shot at the title game, they have to beat a school from a “power” conference. Then, they need to go on and beat another school from a “power” conference – Baylor (Big 12). And they need to beat BYU. Oh yeah, and they have to beat Utah. Don’t forget SMU – June Jones is there now. And they have Air Force on the ledger. Hmmmm…maybe the Mountain West isn’t for patsies after all. Back to the point, TCU better beat Oregon State and make it interesting.

7. Pittsburgh at Notre Dame – October 9: I know. I know. Pittsburgh? Notre Dame? National title? Don’t forget. Last year, the Panthers lost at West Virginia by 3 and to #5 Cincinnati by one. They went on to win a bowl game over UNC. Pitt has beefed up the schedule with an opening weekend game at Utah and a game against Miami. The Big East gets a spot in the BCS. Pitt could earn it. If Pitt is 4-0, ND could come bearing pumpkins.

6. Georgia Tech at North Carolina – September 18: Both are ranked in pre-season polls, and both want to take out the Hurricanes. Let’s see. Last year, the Ramblin’ Wreck won by 17 in Georgia. It’s going to be different this time around. If the Heels open with a win over LSU, this could be very interesting.

5. Stanford at Oregon – October 2: Someone from the Pac 10 is going to get a BCS game. The Ducks have some unfinished business after falling to the Cardinal last year.

4. Florida at Alabama – October 2: A spot in the SEC title will be at stake. How good is Mark Ingram?

3. Texas at Nebraska – October 16: The Longhorns get a week to rest before this one. Mack Brown’s crew will need it. After a three-year absence from the polls, the Cornhuskers finished in the top 20 last year and almost look relevant again. Some are suggesting this is a bigger game than the Red River shootout. Nahhhh!

2. Texas at Oklahoma – October 2: It’s the Red River Shootout. It’s Mack Brown and Bob Stoops. It’s the end of the Big 12 as we know it. Whooaaaaaa Nellllllllllllllllllllie!!!!!!!!!!

1. Ohio State at Iowa – November 20: Last year, the Hawkeyes looked past Northwestern and fell on their collective face. For good measure, Iowa followed that with an OT loss to the Buckeyes. This could be a late-season battle of two undefeated teams.

This Date in College Football Belt History – January 1

Casey — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:52:21 +0000

January 1, 1985 -For the first time in Belt history, the Fiesta Bowl was the site of The Belt championship battle. Coach Terry Donahue & the 14^th ranked UCLA Bruins at 8-3 met the 13^th ranked, 8-4 Miami Hurricanes of coach Jimmy Johnson. Miami had held The Belt earlier in the season having defeated Auburn in the opener but lost the title at Michigan two weeks later. This game featured 7 lead changes as both teams apparently left their defenses at home. UCLA’s RB Gaston Green, making his first career start, ran for 144 yards with 2 touchdowns while QB Steve Bono threw for 2 touchdowns & All-Pac 10 PK John Lee kicked 3 field goals including a 22-yarder with 0:51 to play in a 39-37 UCLA win. Green opened the scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run but the Hurricanes responded with a 34-yard touchdown run by RB Darryl Oliver & a 68-yard punt return by All-American WR Eddie Brown. When Miami’s QB Bernie Kosar found WR Brian Blades for a 48-yard touchdown pass it looked like the Hurricanes had the momentum with a 21-7 lead. Green broke loose for a 72-yard touchdown run & UCLA’s S Josh Shinnick tackled Miami’s P Rick Tuten in the end zone for a safety. Lee then hit field goals from 51 & 33 yards giving the Bruins a 22-21 halftime lead. In the 3^rd quarter, the Hurricanes got the lead back when PK Greg Cox hit a 31-yard field goal but UCLA retook the lead with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Bono to WR Mike Sherrard for the 29-24 Bruin advantage. In the 4^th quarter, a 33-yard touchdown pass from Bono to WR Mike Young pushed the lead to 36-24 but the Hurricanes were ready to rally. Miami’s RB Melvin Bratton got loose for a 19-yard touchdown run with 2:58 left & the Hurricanes defense held on the next UCLA possession. Kosar drove Miami 79 yards finding Bratton for the 3-yard touchdown pass giving the Hurricanes a 37-36 lead. With just 2:07 to play, Bono drove the Bruins 61 yards to the Miami 7-yard line setting up Lee’s field goal attempt. The drive was highlighted by Sherrard’s 28-yard reception to the Miami 11-yard line that replays showed should have been ruled out-of-bounds. Lee’s 22-yard field goal with 0:51 to play appeared to be the clincher but Kosar was not done. After completing two passes to the Miami 48-yard line, Kosar fumbled as UCLA’s NG Terry Tumey sacked him; Bruins LB Eric Smith recovered & UCLA ran out the clock. Bono finished with 243 yards passing with his 2 touchdowns while Kosar had 294 yards passing & Brown was held to just 4 catches for 54 yards, all in the 4^th quarter, for the Hurricanes. UCLA finished the season 9-3; ranked 9^th nationally while the Hurricanes finished 8-5 & ranked 18^th nationally in Johnson’s first season. Miami would play for The Belt again in 1987.

The College Football Belt

This Date in College Football Belt History – November 10

Casey — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:40:47 +0000

November 10, 2001 – The top-ranked, 7-0 Miami Hurricanes of coach Larry Coker met the 6-2 Boston College Eagles & coach Tom O’Brien. This proved to be a much tougher test than the Hurricanes had anticipated, as the Eagles defense was ready for an upset. Boston College played without All-American RB William Green, the nation’s leading rusher, who was suspended for a violation of team rules. A critical interception late in the 4^th quarter helped the Hurricanes avoid the upset with an 18-7 win to retain The Belt. Both defenses ruled the 1^st half with Miami able to manage only 3 field goals from All-Big East PK Todd Sievers & Boston College unable to score. The Eagles finally got on the board with 5:50 to play in the 3^rd quarter when QB Brian St. Pierre hit TE Sean Ryan on a 9-yard touchdown pass. Sievers added his 4^th field goal of the game, this one from 47 yards, with 14:50 to play in the game giving Miami a 12-7 lead. Each team missed a field goal attempt & exchange punts before Miami took possession at their 12-yard line with 6:09 to play. With 2:09 left, Hurricanes’ RB Frank Gore fumbled at the Boston College 30-yard line & Eagles’ S Ralph Parent recovered it giving Boston College one last chance to win the game. St. Pierre drove the Eagles to the Hurricanes’ 20-yard line with 0:22 to play. His pass for WR Ryan Read deflected off Miami’s CB Mike Rumph & was intercepted by Hurricanes’ DT Matt Walters who gave the ball to All-American S Ed Reed. Reed ran the final 80 yards for the touchdown as Miami escaped with an 18-7 win. Miami’s All-Big QB Ken Dorsey threw for 222 yards but with 4 interceptions & All-Big East RB Clinton Portis added 160 yards rushing. St. Pierre finished with 162 yards passing with a touchdown in the losing effort. Miami finished the season 12-0; Big East & National Champions while the Eagles finished 8-4 & ranked 21^st nationally. Boston College would play for The Belt again in 2002.

The College Football Belt

This Date in College Football Belt History – October 12

Casey — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:27:20 +0000

AP Photo/Phil Coale

The 9^th ranked, 5-1 Florida State Seminoles of coach Bobby Bowden provided the Homecoming opposition for the top-ranked, 5-0 Miami Hurricanes & coach Larry Coker. Miami had taken The Belt from Florida State 2 years earlier in the game known as “Wide Right III” & had easily won the rematch last season but now the Seminoles hoped to end the 24-game Belt reign of the Hurricanes. Florida State again suffered a missed field goal attempt that could have won the game as Miami held on for a 28-27 victory. After a Florida State punt, Miami took their opening drive 89 yards with All-American RB Willis McGahee scoring from 4 yards giving the Hurricanes a 7-0 lead. Neither team was able to score the rest of the 1^st quarter. After recovering a fumble by Miami’s All-Big East QB Ken Dorsey at their 16-yard line, Florida State drove 84 yards in 4 plays with RB Nick Maddox scoring on a 30-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7. Seminoles’ PK Xavier Beitia’s 45-yard field goal gave Florida State a 10-7 lead & a 10-yard touchdown pass from QB Chris Rix to WR Talman Gardner put the Seminoles up 17-7. Miami took their next possession 80 yards in 12 plays in 2:08 with Dorsey connecting with All-Big East TE Kellen Winslow, Jr. on a 5-yard touchdown pass as the teams went to intermission with Florida State leading 17-14. The Seminoles got the only 3^rd quarter points on a 42-yard field goal by Beitia. With 11:44 to play, Florida State’s RB Greg Jones scored on an 11-yard run & the Seminoles had a 27-14 advantage. Miami’s belt reign was in jeopardy but the Hurricanes would not go away without a fight. After exchanging punts, Dorsey lead a 70-yard drive hitting WR Kevin Beard for a 2-yard touchdown with 8:10 to play making the score Florida State 27, Miami 21. Miami’s defense forced a Seminoles’ punt on their next possession & the Hurricanes went 79 yards in 2 plays – a 68-yard screen pass from Dorsey to McGahee & 11-yard touchdown run from RB Jason Geathers giving Miami a 28-27 lead. Each team punted again & Florida State took possession at their own 46-yard line with 2:05 to play. Seven plays later, the Seminoles set-up for the winning field goal at the Miami 25-yard line as time was expiring. Beitia’s 43-yard field goal attempt was wide left & Miami had held on for a 28-27 victory. Dorsey finished with 362 yards passing with 2 touchdowns & 2 interceptions. For Florida State, Rix threw for just 83 yards with a touchdown while Jones finished with 189 yards rushing with a touchdown in the losing effort. Miami finished the season 12-1; Big East Champions, ranked 2^ndnationally while the Seminoles finished 9-5, ACC Champions, & ranked 21^st nationally. Florida State has not played for The Belt again.

The College Football Belt

This Date in College Football Belt History – October 7

Casey — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:44:06 +0000

The top-ranked ranked, 5-0 Florida State Seminoles of coach Bobby Bowden battled the 7^th ranked, 3-1 Miami Hurricanes of coach Butch Davis. The teams had a history of playing close games with Florida State holding a recent edge winning the past five games. Miami liked to focus on the 1991 & 1992 games that came to be known as “Wide Right I” & “Wide Right II” when Florida State kickers missed late field goals that would have won the games. The Hurricanes got 2 touchdown passes from All-Big East QB Ken Dorsey & survived another missed field goal attempt by a Florida State kicker to claim The Belt with a 27-24 victory. Miami controlled the first half with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Dorsey to RB Najeh Davenport in the 1^st quarter, a 1-yard score from RB D.J. Williams & 31-yard field goal from PK Todd Sievers giving the Hurricanes a 17-0 halftime edge. Florida State rallied in the 3^rd quarter as PK Matt Munyon hit a field goal from 18 yards & Heisman Trophy winning, All-ACC QB Chris Weinke found WR Anquan Boldin for a 48-yard touchdown making the score Miami 17 Florida State 10. Sievers added a 37-yard Hurricane field goal, as Miami went to the 4^th quarter with a 20-10 lead. Most of the quarter saw the teams trade field position but with 3:15 to play, Weinke hit Boldin on a 2-yard touchdown pass. The Seminoles got a break when LB Brian Allen recovered a Davenport fumble at the Miami 48-yard line. Florida State took advantage of the break when Weinke hit WR Atrews Bell from 29 yards for a touchdown to give the Seminoles a 24-20 lead with 1:37 left in the game. Miami got the ball back at their own 32-yard line & Dorsey went to work. Hitting 6 of 7 passes on the drive, Dorsey connected with All-Big East TE Jeremy Shockey on a 13-yard touchdown pass with 0:46 to play. Weinke was able to get the Seminoles in position for a tying field goal try but, as time expired, Munyon’s 49-yard kick sailed to the right of the upright & “Wide Right III” was born with the 27-24 Miami victory. It was Miami’s second Belt reign & first since 1984. For the Seminoles, Weinke finished with 496 yards passing with 3 touchdowns but 2 interceptions both inside the Miami 5-yard line while All-American WR Marvin “Snoop” Minnis had 7 catches for 145 yards, Bell had 6 catches for 146 yards, & Boldin had 6 catches for 108 yards with 2 touchdowns. Miami’s Dorsey threw for 328 yards with 2 touchdowns & All-American WR Santana Moss had 7 catches for 115 yards. The Seminoles finished the season 11-2; ACC Champions, ranked 5^th nationally while the Hurricanes finished 11-1, Big East Champions, & ranked 2^nd nationally in Davis’ final season. Florida State would play for The Belt again in 2001.

The College Football Belt

This Date in College Football Belt History – October 5

Casey — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:40:01 +0000

In their first season in Division 1-A, the 2-3 Connecticut Huskies of coach Randy Edsall met the top-ranked, 4-0 Miami Hurricanes of coach Larry Coker. Miami used this game to get ready for their match-up with Florida State the following week as the Huskies, playing without leading rusher RB Terry Caulley, were no match for the defending national champions in a 48-14 Miami win. Hurricanes’ All-American RB Willis McGahee scored twice in the 1^st quarter, both on 15-yard runs. McGahee added an 11-yard touchdown run in the 2^nd quarter & DE Andrew Williams scored on a 56-yard fumble recovery giving Miami a 28-0 advantage. Hurricanes’ All-Big East QB Ken Dorsey hit WR Kevin Beard for touchdowns of 5 & 8 yards as Miami pushed their lead to 42-0 at the intermission. Dorsey connected with WR Ethenic Sands from 15-yards on the first drive of the 2^nd half & the Hurricanes rested most of their frontline players the rest of the game. Connecticut scored near the end of the 3^rdquarter on a 14-yard pass from QB Dan Orlovsky to TE Tommy Collins. The Huskies other score came when CB Ezra Carey returned a blocked punt 5 yards for a touchdown in the 4^th quarter. Dorsey finished with 216 yards passing with 3 touchdowns & McGahee finished with 107 yards rushing with 3 touchdowns on just 11 carries. Orlovsky threw for 100 yards with a touchdown but the Huskies were held to 190 total yards with 6 sacks in the blowout. Miami finished the season 12-1; Big East Champions, ranked 2^nd nationally while the Huskies finished 6-6. Connecticut has not played for The Belt again.

The College Football Belt

NCAA FB: Stunner of a Saturday

Casey — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:30:13 +0000

AP Photo/Don Ryan

By Paul Gotham

To be or not to be. Or something like that. A Saturday of college pigskin saw the unranked teams acting like they were at a five-year-old’s birthday party treating the top 25 like the pinata.

Oregon 42 #6 California 3

Scratch out October 3rd on the calendar of games to watch. Instead, insert October 31st. The Bears might have looked ahead to next week’s game with USC. (Okay, anyone who was having trouble saying national title and California in the same sentence doesn’t have to worry anymore.) Now the game to decide the PAC 10 could come on Hallow’s Eve when the Trojans make a trip north to Eugene. Oh, the tricks and treats to be had.

Oregon held Bear Heisman hopeful, Ahvid Best, to 55 yards on 16 carries. The tail back came in averaging over 137 yards per game for the Golden Bears who managed just 205 yards of offense. Meanwhile, the Ducks pounded out 524 yards of offense. LaMichael James led the ground attack with 118 on 21 carries. Jeremiah Masoli went 21-25 for 253 yards in the air.

The loss was Cal’s worst since 2001 when they lost to the Trojans, 55-14.

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Iowa 21 #5 Penn St. 10

The legions who contributed to a ‘white-out’ at State College left unhappy. For the second straight year the Hawkeyes dealt the Nittany Lions their first loss of the season, 21-10.

Iowa scored 16 points in the fourth quarter including a blocked punt and return by Adrian Clayborn. Adam Robinson’s 13-yard touchdown run gave the Hawkeyes an 18-10 lead with 8:32 remaining.

Iowa defeated Penn State 24-23 last season. The upset came one week after the Nittany Lions defeated Ohio State, 13-6. Penn St. entered last year’s matchup with a record of 9-0.

#11 Virginia Tech 31 #9 Miami 7

AP Photo/Steve Helber

The outcome of this game wasn’t so stunning: the manner was. The U went to Blacksburg with national title hopes. The Hurricanes left with dreams washed away in a Hokie downpour.

In a driving rain, VT’s offense rushed for 272 yards while Miami gained 59 yards in 34 attempts. Miami quarterback, Jacory Harris, entered the game as a Heisman hopeful. The Hokie defense limited the sophomore to nine completions on 25 attempts and one fumble. Dorian Porch forced the turnover in the first quarter on Miami’s fifth snap of the game. The Hokies took possession on the Miami 11. Ryan Williams scored one of his two touchdowns en route to 150 yards on the ground. The Hokies held a 21-0 lead at half.

Miami had previously beaten two ranked opponents, Georgia Tech and Florida State.

South Florida 17 #18 Florida St. 7

AP Photo/Phil Coale

B.J. Daniels played with a chip on his shoulder. And why not. The Seminole staff ignored the Tallhassee native in high school. There’s no ignoring the red shirt now. Daniels accounted for 341 of USF’s 368 yards as the Bulls beat the Seminoles in the first-ever meeting between the sunshine state schools.

Daniels rushed for 126 yards and threw for 215 including two touchdowns.

USF’s D held the Seminoles to 19 yards on the ground.

This Date in College Football Belt History – September 8

Casey — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:39:35 +0000

The top-ranked, 2-0 Miami Hurricanes & coach Jimmy Johnson traveled to Ann Arbor to meet the 14^th ranked Michigan Wolverines of coach Bo Schembechler. Michigan was opening their season while Miami were playing their third ranked team in just 12 days. This Wolverines’ team was in a down cycle but still included All-Big Ten players DT Kevin Brooks & LB Mike Mallory. Michigan used a ball-control offense led by 35:53 in time of possession with 3 rushing touchdowns from RB Bob Perryman while the Wolverines’ defense recovered 2 fumbles & intercepted Miami’s QB Bernie Kosar 6 times as Michigan claimed The Belt with a 22-14 upset of the Hurricanes. The only points of the 1^st half came when the Wolverines recovered a Miami fumble on their opening possession & Perryman scored on a 6-yard touchdown run. The missed extra-point attempt left the Wolverines with a 6-0 lead that they held through halftime. The Hurricanes took the lead early in the 3^rd quarter when Kosar hit All-American WR Eddie Brown for a 32-yard touchdown pass giving Miami a 7-6 lead. Perryman’s 3-yard touchdown run in the 3^rd quarter put Michigan back in front at 12-7. Michigan’s DT Mike Hammerstein intercepted Kosar at the Miami 24-yard line & the Wolverines scored in 7 plays with Perryman carrying in on a 1-yard run for a 19-7 lead with 7:01 left in the game. The Wolverines were helped on the drive when Miami was called for a roughing the kicker penalty giving Michigan a first down at the Miami 3-yard line instead of a field goal. Perryman scored the touchdown 2 plays after the penalty. It took the Hurricanes just 0:36 to drive 80 yards on their next drive with Kosar hitting WR Stanley Shakespeare for a 44-yard touchdown pass making the score Michigan 19 Miami 14. The Wolverines ran 3 minutes off the clock before punting back to the Hurricanes but Michigan’s LB Rodney Lyles intercepted Kosar for the third time in the game to stop the rally. The Wolverines got a 27-yard field goal from PK Bob Bergeron for the final margin of victory. Michigan’s QB Jim Harbaugh threw for 163 yards but 2 interceptions. Kosar threw for 228 yards with 2 touchdowns but 6 interceptions, a fumble, & was sacked 3 times. Shakespeare had 6 catches for 111 yards with his score, & Hurricanes’ RB Alonzo Highsmith rushed for 126 yards in the loss. Miami finished the season 8-5; ranked 18^th nationally while the Wolverines finished 6-6. Miami would play for The Belt again in 1985.

The College Football Belt

This Date in College Football Belt History – September 1

Casey — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:51:18 +0000

The 17^th ranked Florida Gators of coach Charley Pell traveled to Tampa to meet the 10^th ranked, 1-0 Miami Hurricanes with coach Jimmy Johnson in their annual battle & this time the game included The Belt. Florida again had an array of stars including All-American OT Lomas Brown, All-SEC players C Phil Bromley, NG Tim Newton, & LB Alonzo Johnson. Miami scored 2 touchdowns in the final 0:41 to retain The Belt with a 32-20 win & claim the Seminole War Canoe. Each team got a field goal in the 1^st quarter with Miami’s PK Greg Cox hitting from 29 yards while Florida’s PK Bobby Raymond hit from 44 yards. Early in the 2^nd quarter, Florida’s RB Lorenzo Hampton took a pitchout & ran 64 yards for a Gators’ touchdown giving Florida a 10-3 lead. Cox’s 20-yard field goal came before RB Darryl Oliver’s 21-yard touchdown run gave the Hurricanes a 13-10 lead. Another field goal by Cox, this one from 27 yards, sent the teams to intermission with Miami leading 16-10. Cox & Raymond again traded field goal in the 3^rd quarter as Cox hit from 25 yards while Raymond’s kick was good from 30 yards leaving the score Miami 19 Florida 13. The Gators then missed 2 opportunities to take the lead. After Florida’s QB Kerwin Bell hit WR Gary Rolle for a 26-yard gain, Rolle fumbled the ball when he was tackled at the Miami 1-yard line & Miami’s S Ken Calhoun recovered the ball with 11:50 left in the game. Florida got another chance when Miami’s P Rick Tuten fumbled while attempting to punt giving the Gators the ball at the Miami 31-yard line. The Hurricanes’ defense stiffened & Raymond missed a 46-yard field goal attempt. Miami punted again giving the Gators the ball at their own 48-yard line with 4:27 left in the game. Florida drove the 52 yards, converting two 4^th down plays to keep the drive alive, & Bell hit WR Frankie Neal for a 5-yard touchdown pass with 0:41 left giving Florida what appeared to be a 20-19 win. Kosar drove the Hurricanes 72 yards, including a 36-yard pass to TE Willie Smith, in 0:34 hitting All-American WR Eddie Brown on a 12-yard touchdown pass with 0:07 left in the game. The final points came when Miami’s CB Tolbert Bain intercepted Bell with 0:01 left & returned it 59 yards for a touchdown. Kosar finished with 300 yards passing with a touchdown as he tied the Miami school-record for completions in a game with 25 & Smith tied the school-record for receptions in a game with 11 catches for 152 yards. Bell threw for 159 yards with a touchdown & an interception in the loss. Miami finished the season 8-5; ranked 18^th nationally while the Gators finished 9-1-1, SEC Champions & ranked 3^rd nationally. Pell was fired/resigned after the 3^rd game of the season & the SEC Championship was forfeited for NCAA violations. Florida would play for The Belt again in 1986.

College Football Belt

This Date in College Football Belt History (1/2)

Casey — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:23:20 +0000

January 2, 1987

The 2nd ranked, 11-0 Penn State Nittany Lions & coach Joe Paterno came to Tempe as underdogs to the supremely confident, top-ranked, 11-0 Miami Hurricanes of coach Jimmy Johnson. The star-studded Hurricanes featured Heisman Trophy winning, All-American QB Vinny Testaverde, All-American DB Bennie Blades, & All-American DT Jerome Brown. Nearly everyone expected the Hurricanes to walk over the Nittany Lions. Brown & his Hurricane teammates, dressed in army fatigues, walked out of a Fiesta Bowl dinner saying they didn’t want to break bread with the enemy. This swagger had served them well all season but the Nittany Lions let their defense do the talking. The Hurricanes were held to their lowest point total of the season while Testaverde was sacked 5 times & intercepted 5 times including one by Penn State’s LB Pete Giftopoulos at the goal-line with 0:13 to play to seal a 14-10 Penn State upset.

Read more about the history of The Belt & a preview of the Oklahoma/Florida match-up at http://collegefootballbelt.com