Clemson vs. Miami Football Game Notes

Oct. 19, 2009

Clemson vs. Miami (FL) Series This will be the eighth meeting between Clemson and Miami (FL) on the gridiron. Miami (FL) has a 5-2 edge in the series that dates to 1945. This will be just the eighth meeting, but the fifth time Clemson has faced a top 15 Miami team. Both teams have been ranked in the top 25 entering the game three times, including the last meeting at Clemson in 2005 when 13th ranked Miami (FL) defeated 20th ranked Clemson, 36-30 in triple overtime. That is the longest game in Clemson history in terms of overtime periods.

The last time Clemson defeated Miami (FL) in 2004, Clemson’s defensive coordinator was John Lovett. Now Miami’s defensive coordinator against Clemson this week will be John Lovett. He was Clemson’s defensive coordinator between 2002-04. He worked at Bowling Green in 2005 and at North Carolina in 2007-08.

The last two meetings between the two teams have been decided in overtime. Both times the road team gained victory. Clemson won at Miami in one overtime in 2004 and Miami won at Clemson in three overtimes in 2005. The two teams have not met since those two games. Miami will come to Clemson in 2010. This is not the only ACC series Clemson has played two consecutive overtime games. Clemson lost two consecutive overtime games to Boston College in 2005 and 2006.

Prior to the 2004 season, the two schools had not met since the 1956 season, a 21-0 Miami victory. Clemson went on to finish with a 7-2-2 record in 1956, and was ranked 19th in the final AP poll, while the Hurricanes finished 8-1-1 and were ranked sixth. The Tigers also played in the Orange Bowl that year against Colorado and lost 27-21. Thus, both of Clemson’s losses in 1956 came in the same Stadium, the Orange Bowl.

Clemson’s first victory in the series took place in the Orange Bowl game at the end of the 1950 season. Frank Howard and the Tigers won that game, 15-14, when Clemson middle guard Sterling Smith tackled Miami running back Frank Smith in the end zone for a safety with under two minutes left. It is one of just two times Miami (FL) has lost an Orange Bowl game since 1950. The only other time Miami (FL) has lost an Orange Bowl postseason game since 1950 was in 1995 (end of the 1994 season) when Nebraska defeated the Hurricanes, 24-17.

The two teams also met in the 1951 Gator Bowl and the Hurricanes came away with a 14-0 victory. That was also a battle of top 20 teams. Jim Dooley had four interceptions to lead the Miami (FL) defense, an NCAA record for interceptions in a bowl game.

The first five games of the series were played between 1945-56 and Frank Howard was Clemson’s coach in all five meetings.

Clemson’s greatest victory in its history took place in Miami, FL. The Tigers didn’t beat Miami to record the victory, however. Clemson won the 1981 National Championship with a 22-15 victory over Nebraska in the 1982 Orange Bowl, then Miami’s home facility.

Milestones in Range, Streaks C.J. Spiller needs one reception to reach 100 for his career. He needs just seven receptions to become Clemson’s career leader for a running back. He has 99 and record is 105 by Travis Zachery (1998-2001).

Michael Palmer has 16 receptions and needs just four to become the first Clemson tight end to have 20 catches in a season since 1984 (K.D. Dunn).

Jacoby Ford has now caught at least one pass in 21 consecutive games he has played.

Saturday will mark Chris Chancellor’s 34th consecutive start at cornerback. It will be Crezdon Butler’s 32nd consecutive start at the opposite cornerback.

Crezdon Butler’s needs 80 interception return yards to become Clemson’s career leader.

Saturday will be Thomas Austin’s 31st consecutive start in the offensive line.

Clemson team has made 104 consecutive extra points. Current kicker Richard Jackson is 16-16 this year following 88 in a row by Mark Buchholz in 2007-08. Last miss was in the Music City Bowl at end of the 2006 season by John Early.