NATIONAL CHAMPS.NET
Coach: Butch Davis
30-19, 4 years
1999 Record: 9-4
Aug 29 @Ohio State Won 23-12
Sep 04 Florida A&M Won 57-3
Sep 18 Penn State Lost 23-27
Sep 25 @East Carolina Lost 23-27
Oct 09 @Florida State Lost 21-31
Oct 23 @Boston College Won 31-28
Oct 30 West Virginia Won 28-20
Nov 06 @Pittsburgh Won 33-3
Nov 13 @Virginia Tech Lost 10-43
Nov 20 Rutgers Won 55-0
Nov 27 Syracuse Won 45-13
Dec 04 Temple Won 55-0
GATOR BOWL
Jan 01 Georgia Tech Won 28-13
1999 Final Rankings
AP-15, BCS-NR, Coaches-15
2000 Outlook

For Miami it all boils down to the quarterback spot. Ken Dorsey was a USA Honorable Mention as a high school QB in California and now the pressure of being the next great Hurricane passer will fall on his shoulders. He has the talent and skills but lacks much needed experience in the big games. An injury at QB will leave The Canes scrambling. With the quality and quantity of running backs and receivers returning the offense will have the capability to score points. How cohesive the OL becomes by September will be Miami's second biggest key. The whole defensive backfield is stellar and with Dan Morgan at linebacker opponents will be forced to punt frequently. The defensive key will be finding a solid set of starters on the line to help stop the run. Miami did lead the Big East in the turnover margins but on the other end finished worst with 96 penalties in 1999. A huge test looms the second game at Washington in Huskie Stadium and Virginia Tech and FSU have both dominated the Canes the last six years.
Projected finish: 9-3

Miami 2000 Schedule

MIAMI
*POWER RATINGS
Offense
Defense
QB - 2.5 DL - 2.5
RB - 5 LB - 4
WR - 5 DB - 5
OL - 3  



MIAMI HURRICANES
2000 PRESEASON PREVIEW

2000 OFFENSE
Strengths: Carrying the pigskin will not be a problem as Miami possesses the deepest list of tailbacks in the nation. Fifth year senior James Jackson returns as well as Najeh Davenport, who created a big disappointment after going down for the year in the first game of 1999 with a torn ACL. Walter Payton's son Jarrett Payton is back from a solid frosh season. With so much talent the teams leading rusher in '99, Clinton Portis, may find himself at third or fourth on the chart in 2000. The receivers are superb. Santana Moss, Heisman candidate and UM indoor track record holder for the 60 meters, teams with three year starter Reggie Wayne who is as solid as they come. Kick returner Andre King provides some good depth at the spot. Tackle Joaquin Gonzalez is an All-American candidate as a two year starter. Gonzalez, Bibla, and Laferre make up the backbone of the OL but watch for freshman Vernon Carey to get his shot as he was one of the highest rated lineman out of high school.
Weaknesses: QB Kenny Kelly left early to play baseball with the Devil Rays. The next in line is sophmore Ken Dorsey who did start three games at the end of last season and scored 155 points. That set a three game span record surpassing Jim Kelly and Bernie Kosar. The bad news is the defenses were the likes of Rutgers and Temple. Beyond Dorsey is Ethenic Sands who switched over from wide receiver for the spring. Depth is a concern. The offensive line took a big hit with the loss of All-American's Richard Mercier and tight end Bubba Franks, who left for the NFL. All conference center Ty Wise is also a big loss. Kicker Andy Crossland finally departs and finding a new replacement will come from the inexperienced category.
OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
QB Ken Dorsey 6-5 195 So. Ethenic Sands 6-0 185 So.
TB James Jackson 5-11 215 Sr. Najeh Davenport 6-2 235 Jr.
FB Will McPartland 6-0 230 Sr.   Nick Nettles 6-2 250 So.
WR Santana Moss 5-10 175 Sr.   Andre King 6-0 200 Sr.
WR Reggie Wayne 6-1 195 Sr.   Daryl Jones 5-10 190 Jr.
T Sherko Haji-Rasouli 6-6 310 So.   Bryant McKinnie 6-9 330 Jr.
G Greg Laferre 6-5 305 Sr.   Vernon Carey 6-5 340 Fr.
C Scott Puckett 6-3 275 Jr.   Brett Romberg 6-3 290 So.
G Martin Bibla 6-4 285 Jr.   Joe McGrath 6-5 285 Fr.
T Joaquin Gonzalez 6-5 290 Jr.   Ed Wilkins 6-4 300 So.
TE Ivan Mercer 6-7 245 Sr.   Dan Smith 6-4 245 Jr.
K Todd Sievers 6-3 215 So.          
Returning starters in bold.

Key Losses: Kenny Kelly-QB, Mondriel Fulcher-FB, Daniel Franks-TE, Ty Wise-C,
Richard Mercier-OL, Eric Schnupp-OL, Robert Hall-OL, Andy Crossland-K


2000 DEFENSE
Strengths: Hands down, or up as the case may be, The Canes defensive backfield is flat out the best in the country man for man. All four starters return with three of them earning All Big East honors in 1999. Al Blades, brother of Bennie and Brian, is back for his senior year. Cornerback Mike Rumph led the team in interceptions with four and finished with 75 tackles and partner Leonard Myers, who is having a great spring, added three more picks. Ed Reed managed four sacks and 74 tackles in '99 from the strong safety spot. Butkis semi-finalist Dan Morgan will return at linebacker and team with starter Chris Campbell creating a very dangerous duo. Senior Damione Lewis anchors the line as he nailed down six sacks and 57 tackles, 12 for a loss, while competing there last fall. Youngster William Joseph started every game last season and adds some good talent to the defensive end position.
Weaknesses: The defensive line must find some replacements for Matt Sweeney and Michael Boireau so starters and depth will need to be found during the spring. Although alot of good talent returns, probably the teams best defensive player in 1999 has left early for the NFL in Nate Webster. So the middle linebacker spot will also be a major key heading into next season. Hopes are Sheven Marshall recovers from neck injury and takes over at that position. Also look for 1999 USA Today High School Player of The Year D.J. Williams to push for playing time at linebacker come fall.
DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
DE Quincy Hipps 6-4 265 Sr. Jamaal Green 6-3 250 So.
DT Damione Lewis 6-3 290 Sr. Brian Stinson 6-3 270 Sr.
DT Adrian Wilson 6-2 315 Sr.   Matt Walters 6-5 260 So.
DE William Joseph 6-5 290 So.   Jevon Rhodes 6-2 245 Sr.
OLB Dan Morgan 6-3 230 Sr.   Howard Clark 6-1 220 So.
MLB Sheven Marshall 6-2 235 Jr.          
OLB Chris Campbell 6-2 225 Jr.   Ken Dangerfield 6-2 225 So.
CB Mike Rumph 6-2 200 Jr.   Delvin Brown 6-0 210 Sr.
CB Leonard Myers 6-0 200 Sr.   Phillip Buchanon 5-11 175 So.
SS Edward Reed 6-0 190 Jr.   Aaron Moser 6-0 190 Sr.
FS Al Blades 6-2 200 Sr.   James Lewis 5-11 190 Jr.
P Freddie Capshaw 5-11 180 So.   Jesse Ohliger 6-4 217 So.
Returning starters in bold.

Key Losses: Michael Boireau-DE, Matt Sweeney-DT, Nate Webster-LB, Michael Smith-LB,
Rod Mack-LB