GAME <strong>12</strong> - NOV. 29, 2008MIAMI VS. <strong>NC</strong> STATE2008 GAME NOTESHURRICANES ARE BOWL ELIGIBLEWith <strong>Miami</strong>’s 24-17 overtime win against Virginiaon Nov. 1 in Charlottesville, the Hurricanes becameeligible to go to their 23rd bowl <strong>game</strong> in the last 26seasons.Here is a list <strong>of</strong> potential bowl <strong>game</strong>s the Hurricanescould appear in, depending on how the remainder <strong>of</strong>the season plays out for UM and the rest <strong>of</strong> theAtlantic Coast Conference.Eagle Bank Bowl (ACC vs. Navy)Saturday, Dec. 20, 11 a.m., ESPNRFK Stadium (45,000)Washington, D.C.Meineke Car Care Bowl (ACC vs. BIG EAST)Saturday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m., ESPNBank <strong>of</strong> America Stadium (73,367)Charlotte, N.C.Champs Sports Bowl (ACC vs. Big Ten)Saturday, Dec. 27, 4:30 p.m., ESPNFlorida Citrus Bowl (65,438)Orlando, Fla.Emerald Bowl (ACC vs. Pac-10)Saturday, Dec. 27, 8 p.m., ESPNAT&T Park (40,184)San Francisco, Calif.Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl (ACC vs. WAC)Tuesday, Dec. 30, 4:30 p.m., ESPNBronco Stadium (30,000)Boise, IdahoGaylord Hotels Music City Bowl (ACC vs. SEC)Wednesday, Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m., ESPNThe Coliseum (67,000)Nashville, Tenn.Chick-fil-A Bowl (ACC vs. SEC)Wednesday, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., ESPNGeorgia Dome (71,149)Atlanta, Ga.Konica Minolta Gator Bowl(ACC vs. BIG EAST/Big <strong>12</strong>/Notre Dame)Thursday, Jan. 1, 1 p.m., CBSJacksonville Municipal Stadium (73,000)Jacksonville, Fla.FedEx Orange Bowl (ACC vs. BCS)Thursday, Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m., FOXDolphin Stadium (72,230)<strong>Miami</strong> Gardens, Fla.After the BCS makes its selections, the selectionorder is as follows:1. Chick-fil-A Bowl2. Konica Minolta Gator Bowl3. Champs Sports Bowl4-6. Gaylord Hotels Music City BowlMeineke Car Care BowlEmerald Bowl7. Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl8. EagleBank BowlPAGE 6DEFENSIVE DOMINA<strong>NC</strong>EThe <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Miami</strong> has always taken pride in its defense, and after a down year on that side <strong>of</strong> theball, the Hurricanes appear to be regaining the success they enjoyed since the turn <strong>of</strong> the century. UM isranked 20th in total defense nationally heading into Saturday’s <strong>game</strong> with <strong>NC</strong> <strong>State</strong>. The ‘Canes haven’tallowed a second-half touchdown in two <strong>of</strong> its last four <strong>game</strong>s and are currently ranked eigthth nationally inpassing yards allowed per <strong>game</strong> (164.73).<strong>Miami</strong> Defenses From 2001-2008Year Total Rank Scoring Rank Rushing Rank Passing Rank2008 304.55 20th 22.91 49th 139.82 57th 164.73 8th2007 345.9 33rd 26.0 52nd 133.8 40th 2<strong>12</strong>.2 35th2006 255.5 7th 15.5 13th 67.9 4th 187.9 40th2005 270.1 4th 14.3 4th 117.9 23rd 152.2 1st2004 328.1 28th 17.0 13th 155.0 67th 173.1 9th2003 257.5 2nd 15.1 4th 114.0 21st 143.5 1st2002 285.0 7th 19.1 22nd 165.3 72nd 119.7 1st2001 270.9 6th 9.4 1st 132.7 40th 138.2 2ndFRESHMEN FRENZYEight <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Miami</strong> freshmen have scored a touchdown this season, easily the highest total in thecountry. Michigan is second with six, while Idaho is third nationally with five freshmen and Florida <strong>State</strong> isfourth with four. Travis Benjamin, who is second on the team with four touchdowns this season, leads a pack<strong>of</strong> UM freshmen that includes Aldarius Johnson (3 TDs), Jacory Harris, Robert Marve and Laron Byrd (2TDs apiece) and three more that have reached paydirt once (Davon Johnson, Thearon Collier and SeanSpence).Below is a list <strong>of</strong> the schools with the highest number <strong>of</strong> freshman that have scored at least one touchdownthis season:Rank School Touchdowns1. <strong>Miami</strong> 82. Michigan 63t. Idaho 5Arkansas 55t. Florida <strong>State</strong> 4UCF 4Georgia 4Northern Illinois 49t. Alabama 3USC 3UCLA 3Colorado 3Arizona 3Houston 3Georgia Tech 3Notre Dame 3Texas A&M 3TCU 3UNLV 3COOPER PASSING CAREER MARKSSophomore running back Graig Cooper surpassed one career mark against Virginia Tech and anotheragainst Georgia Tech. Cooper, who was UM’s leading rusher as a freshman in 2007, again leads theHurricanes’ ground attack in ‘08. This season, he has three 100-plus yard rushing <strong>game</strong>s, including a 131-yard performance against Virginia in Charlottesville. He has a team-high six touchdowns this season - onemore than he had all <strong>of</strong> last year. Below is a comparison <strong>of</strong> Cooper’s numbers from last year to this season:Graig Cooper 2007 2008 DifferenceRushing Yards 682 730 +48Receiving Yards <strong>12</strong>9 93 -36All-Purpose Yards 887 904 +17MIAMI FOOTBALL GAME NOTES
GAME <strong>12</strong> - NOV. 29, 2008MIAMI VS. <strong>NC</strong> STATE2008 GAME NOTESUSA TODAY COACHES’ TOP 25Nov. 23, 2008No Team Record Pts. LW1. Alabama (56) 11-0 1,518 <strong>12</strong>. Oklahoma (4) 10-1 1,4<strong>12</strong> 53. Florida (1) 10-1 1,401 34. Texas 10-1 1,370 45. Southern California 9-1 1,288 66. Penn <strong>State</strong> 11-1 1,157 87. Utah <strong>12</strong>-0 1,153 78. Texas Tech 10-1 1,073 29. Boise <strong>State</strong> 11-0 1,033 910. Ohio <strong>State</strong> 10-2 994 1011. Missouri 9-2 896 11<strong>12</strong>. Oklahoma <strong>State</strong> 9-2 858 <strong>12</strong>13. Georgia 9-2 842 1314. TCU 10-2 695 1715. Ball <strong>State</strong> 11-0 673 1616. Cincinnati 9-2 572 2017. Oregon <strong>State</strong> 8-3 544 2118. Oregon 8-3 397 2219. Brigham Young 10-2 321 1420. Northwestern 9-3 310 2421. Michigan <strong>State</strong> 9-3 296 1522. Boston College 8-3 290 2523. Georgia Tech 8-3 241 NR24. Florida <strong>State</strong> 8-3 204 NR25. West Virginia 7-3 83 NRARV: Pittsburgh (7-3) 43; Mississippi (7-4) 40; LSU (7-4) 30; Iowa (8-4) 26; Western Michigan (9-2) 20; Connecticut (7-3) 15; Maryland (7-4) 9; Tulsa (9-2) 6; Nebraska (7-4) 3; South Florida (6-4) 3; California(7-4) 2; <strong>Miami</strong> (Fla.) (7-4) 2; South Carolina (7-4) 2; Virginia Tech (7-4) 2; Wake Forest (6-5) 1.ASSOCIATED PRESS TOP 25Nov. 23, 2008No Team Record Pts. LW1 Alabama (63) 11-0 1622 <strong>12</strong> Florida (2) 10-1 15<strong>12</strong> 33 Oklahoma 10-1 1486 54 Texas 10-1 1482 45 Southern Cal 9-1 1352 66 Penn St. 11-1 <strong>12</strong>38 77 Texas Tech 10-1 <strong>12</strong><strong>12</strong> 28 Utah <strong>12</strong>-0 <strong>12</strong>06 89 Boise St. 11-0 1064 910 Ohio St. 10-2 1043 1011 Oklahoma St. 9-2 997 11<strong>12</strong> Missouri 9-2 917 <strong>12</strong>13 Georgia 9-2 874 1314 TCU 10-2 750 1515 Ball St. 11-0 731 1416 Cincinnati 9-2 640 1917 Oregon St. 8-3 604 2118 Georgia Tech 8-3 339 NR19 Oregon 8-3 320 2420 BYU 10-2 309 1620 Boston College 8-3 309 NR22 Michigan St. 9-3 274 1723 Florida St. 8-3 214 NR24 Northwestern 9-3 145 NR25 Mississippi 7-4 <strong>12</strong>7 NRARV: West Virginia <strong>12</strong>0, Pittsburgh 108, Iowa 54, LSU 35, California11, Tulsa 8, W. Michigan 8, Cent. Michigan 5, South Carolina 5,Connecticut 2, Nebraska 1, Rice 1.PAGE 7ITS ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINOne a team full <strong>of</strong> freshmen standouts, its hard to argue that anyone has stood out more than widereceiver/return man Travis Benjamin. Benjamin leads the Hurricanes in all-purpose yards (968), punt returnyardage (173) and kick return yardage (477) while ranking second in receiving yards (276) despite missingmost <strong>of</strong> the last two <strong>game</strong>s with an ankle injury. The Belle Glade native has played a crucial role on<strong>of</strong>fense and in the return <strong>game</strong> in <strong>Miami</strong>’s 7-4 start.Below are some highlights and <strong>notes</strong> about Benjamin’s first 11 collegiate <strong>game</strong>s:After collecting just 183 all-purpose yards through <strong>Miami</strong>’s first four <strong>game</strong>s (45.75 ypg), he had 753 hisin UM’s next five contests (150.6 ypg) before missing most <strong>of</strong> the last two <strong>game</strong>s.He ranks second on the team with four touchdowns, trailing only sophomore running back Graig Cooper,who has six thus far.His 968 all-purpose yards through 11 <strong>game</strong>s is the most by a Hurricane since Frank Gore had 971 allpurposeyards heading into the <strong>12</strong>th <strong>game</strong> <strong>of</strong> the 2004 season.Benjamin had his best <strong>game</strong> <strong>of</strong> his young career against rival FSU (10/4), collecting an impressive 274all-purpose yards agai`nst the Seminoles. In an increased role, Benjamin finished with 185 yards on kickreturns, 71 yards receiving and 18 yards rushing against the Seminoles.His 274 all-purpose yards against FSU was the most by a Hurricane since Edgerrin James had 310 allpurposeyards (299 rushing, 11 receiving) against UCLA in 1998.He scored his first two touchdowns <strong>of</strong> his career against the Seminoles with an 18-yard rushing TD anda 51-yard receiving TD on a pass from running back Graig Cooper.Against UCF on Oct. 11, Benjamin led the Hurricanes again in all-purpose yardage, collecting 1<strong>12</strong> (34receiving, 62 kick returns, 16 punt returns) against the Knights. Against Duke in Durham, he had 170 allpurposeyards (3 rushing, 45 receiving, 92 kick returns, 30 punt returns) and in the <strong>game</strong> against WakeForest, he had 115 (10 rushing, 72 receiving, 31 kick returns, 2 punt returns).At Duke on Oct. 18, Benjamin’s versatility was on full display when the Hurricanes ran a double reverseand he completed his first career pass to quarterback Jacory Harris for a 17-yard reception.Benjamin’s 93.6 all-purpose yards per <strong>game</strong> ranks seventh in the Atlantic Coast Conference through thispast weekend’s <strong>game</strong>s.Benjamin ranks second in the ACC and 25th nationally in punt return average (11.5) and seventh in theACC and 58th nationally in kick return average (23.4).He owns the team’s longest kick<strong>of</strong>f return (57 yards) and longest reception (51).He is averaging 16.7 yards every time he touches the football, whether it be rushing, receiving, kickreturns or punt returns.The Hurricanes have 22 plays <strong>of</strong> 30 or more yards this season and Benjamin has played a part in eight<strong>of</strong> those 22 plays. In fact, five <strong>of</strong> the team’s seven-longest plays this season have involved Benjamin,including a pair <strong>of</strong> 50+ yard plays against FSU and two more over 40 yards against Wake Forest on Oct.25.2008 Longest Plays (30+ yards)Yards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Opponent66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Graig Cooper . . . . .Punt Return (TD) . . . . . . . .Charleston Southern57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Travis Benjamin . . . . . .Kick Off Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florida <strong>State</strong>51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Graig Cooper . . . . . . . . . . .Rush (TD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Texas A&M51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Travis Benjamin . . . . . .Reception (TD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florida <strong>State</strong>48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Travis Benjamin . . . . . . . . . .Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wake Forest45 . . .Travis Benjamin (10), Sam Shields (35) . . . . . .Kick Off Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wake Forest44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Travis Benjamin . . . . . . . . .Punt Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Texas A&M43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thearon Collier . . . . . . . . . . .Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Virginia43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Robert Marve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rush . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wake Forest41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brandon Harris . . . . . . .Kick Off Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Texas A&M37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Travis Benjamin . . . . . . . . .Punt Return . . . . . . . . . . . .North Carolina37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Graig Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Duke37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kayne Farquharson . . . . . . . . . . .Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Virginia Tech36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dedrick Epps . . . . . . . . . . .Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Texas A&M35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dedrick Epps . . . . . . . . . . .Reception . . . . . . . .Charleston Southern34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Derron Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Texas A&M32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Travis Benjamin . . . . . .Kick Off Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Duke31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shawnbrey McNeal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rush . . . . . . . .Charleston Southern31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Graig Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rush . . . . . . . . . . . . .North Carolina30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Travis Benjamin . . . . . . . . . .Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Virginia30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jacory Harris . . . . . . . . . . .Rush (TD) . . . . . . . .Charleston Southern30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dedrick Epps . . . . . . . . . . .Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Georgia TechMIAMI FOOTBALL GAME NOTES
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- Page 53 and 54: Miami (Fla.) (7 - 4 - 0)Thru: 11/22
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