Chad Capellman's Various Articles


	Return to Clips Index SPORTS UM happily earns another game Blowout of Temple nets Hurricanes a New Year's Day meeting against Georgia Tech in Gator Bowl. CHAD CAPELLMAN 12/05/1999 St. Petersburg Times SOUTH PINELLAS 8C (Copyright 1999) The Hurricanes wrapped up the longest regular season in program history exactly the way they wanted Saturday - by handing a struggling Temple program the longest day of its season. Miami set up a Jan. 1 meeting against Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville with a 55-0 victory against the Owls in front of 20,319 at the Orange Bowl. The return of James Jackson helped provide some intrigue in a game that was decided early in the second quarter. Jackson, along with freshmen Clinton Portis and Jarrett Payton, put on an entertaining display of "anything you can I can do better." The three combined for 216 rushing yards, 83 receiving yards and four touchdowns. In his third career start Ken Dorsey completed 23 of 34 passes for 288 yards, four touchdowns and his first career interception, and the defense earned its second shutout. "This is pretty much every person's dream, to come out of high school and play in a major bowl game with a major football program," Dorsey said. "My dream for this year has come true." The Hurricanes (8-4, 6-1) have outscored their past three opponents 155- 13. The point total is the highest in a three-game span in program history. Portis, who started but really was just the first to appear in coach Butch Davis' three-man rotation, got the rout started. With a nifty cut in the open field, the freshman pulled away for a 38-yard touchdown. Portis, who finished with 61 yards on eight carries, later converted a screen pass from Dorsey into a 22-yard touchdown. Jackson (8 carries, 77 yards, 2 TDs), playing for the first time after missing the past three games with a sprained right knee, scored on an 11-yard run during the Hurricanes' second offensive series. In the second quarter, he rattled off a 56-yard touchdown that is the Hurricanes' longest run from scrimmage this season. "I'm just happy," Jackson said. "The coaches gave me the time off to get healthy, and I felt good out there today." Payton had the longest afternoon of the three, despite leading the three backs with 83 yards on nine carries. In addition to fumbling on the Temple 5-yard line in the second quarter, he left the game with a right ankle sprain with 12 minutes, 32 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Defensively, the Hurricanes were led by linebackers Nate Webster, Dan Morgan and Matt Sweeney as Temple was held to 138 total yards. Morgan led the Hurricanes with 12 tackles and Sweeney had two sacks for 15 yards. Webster, meanwhile, followed up last week's Big East Defensive Player of the Week performance with seven tackles, two pass deflections and an interception. One of those tackles was a resounding hit on Sean Dillard that likely will live on in Hurricane highlight videos for a long time to come. "It's a unit that's playing with confidence," Davis said. "After you really get your roles defined then the kids can really focus." Said Webster: "We just wanted to send the seniors out with a bang today. We wanted to show them seniors that they are greatly appreciated." After the game, Gator Bowl officials invited the Hurricanes to play in their New Year's Day game against Georgia Tech. The team eagerly accepted.With the season having begun at the end of August and extending to December after Hurricane Irene postponed the scheduled Oct. 16 date of the Temple game, Davis is welcoming the break before the post-season. "This football team needs some time off right now," Davis said. "I think our kids, to some extent, are tired emotionally and physically. I think the time off the next week to 10 days before we get into bowl practice will be very valuable to our players."


	Return to Clips Index SPORTS Seniors rebuilt UM's future The class wants its last regular-season game to be one of celebration over beating adversity - and, of course, the Owls. CHAD CAPELLMAN 12/04/1999 St. Petersburg Times SOUTH PINELLAS 5C (Copyright 1999) This year's Miami senior class knows it can't go back in time and erase the bad memories accrued over the past four or five seasons. As the 16 seniors prepare for their last game in the Orange Bowl today against Temple, they will focus on the positive. "We've really put in a lot of work," offensive lineman Richard Mercier said. "We went from being 5-6 to being 9-3 (last year), and if you look at our schedule and we finish our season out at 9-4, it'll be a good foundation for this team." This class, which has a 38-19 record over the past five seasons, has suffered through bowl bans, a reduction in scholarships and UM's first losing season in 18 years (5- 6 in 1997). Since then, the 'Canes have two second-place Big East finishes and will have played in two bowl games. "This wasn't the place to come at the time," UM coach Butch Davis said. "Probation was staring the program in the face and we couldn't go to bowl games and there was a lot of off-field controversy. These guys did something that took a lot of courage and a lot of guts." Said defensive tackle Matt Sweeney: "We've been here for all of it and we've suffered for things we weren't the cause of. We hope that people will remember that we're one of the classes that helped turn things around here. "I would have changed some of the wins and losses, but that's about all I'd change." While the seniors take their last bows in front of a home crowd, freshman quarterback Ken Dorsey will be making his third straight start. Led by Dorsey and freshman running backs Clinton Portis and Jarrett Payton, Miami has 100 points in its past two games, a school record for back-to-back conference contests. That, and the probable return of junior running back James Jackson, should give the Hurricanes an added offensive boost today in a game that was postponed seven weeks ago by Hurricane Irene. "We've basically practiced all three of those guys this week," Davis said. "James (Jackson) hasn't had much contact. But if he warms up and feels good, we certainly are going to give him the opportunity to play (today). Clinton Portis, along with Jarrett Payton, has done an outstanding job the last couple weeks and has posted some big performances. Hopefully, we can re-create that three-headed monster (Jackson, Edgerrin James and Najeh Davenport) that we had last year." Jackson, despite seeing limited playing time, was one of 10 Hurricanes named to the All-Big East team as a second-team selection by the league's coaches. Tight end Bubba Franks, Mercier, linebacker Nate Webster and center Ty Wise were named to the first team, as was junior wide receiver Santana Moss. Moss also made the second team as a kickoff and punt returner. Safeties Al Blades and Ed Reed, cornerback Mike Rumph and linebacker Dan Morgan were named to the second team. A win over Temple would solidify a meeting with Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, the first New Year's Day bowl game for the senior class. The road got a little easier for the Hurricanes this week when four Owls, tailback Elmarko Jackson, linebacker Taylor Suman and offensive linemen Terrence Mathews and Derek Henson, were declared academically ineligible for the season finale. But if there's one thing the Hurricanes should have learned in a loss to East Carolina and a closer-than-expected victory over Boston College, it's that they have no room to look past any team. "It's kind of easy to overlook them with their record and everything," receiver Reggie Wayne said. "But if you overlook them, they'll come out and surprise us. They beat Boston College, and we struggled with Boston College for three quarters." Besides, there's no better way to finish a bittersweet regular season than with a victory. "We want to finish the conference with one loss," Davis said. "I think the kids know where they want to go. I think from a prestige standpoint, they know what they'd like to accomplish."


	Return to Clips Index SPORTS With Kelly injured, Dorsey's the starter Series: UM NOTEBOOK CHAD CAPELLMAN 11/29/1999 St. Petersburg Times SOUTH PINELLAS 3C (Copyright 1999) There is no quarterback controversy right now at the University of Miami. At least not while Kenny Kelly remains sidelined with a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Freshman Ken Dorsey, who improved to 2-0 as a starter with a 45-13 victory over Syracuse, will start for the Hurricanes in Saturday's regular-season finale against Temple. Dorsey completed 22 of 31 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns as Miami (7-4, 5-1) clinched second place in the Big East and a bowl berth. Saturday's win also put the Hurricanes back in the Associated Press Top 25 at No. 23. The Hurricanes are No. 24 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll. Dorsey matched the UM record for touchdown passes in a game by a freshman, joining Gino Torretta, Bernie Kosar and Jim Kelly. "We did a good job of getting the ball into the hands of people who can make plays," coach Butch Davis said Sunday. Davis was not solely referring to the play of Dorsey, but the statement did a lot to sum up what often has been missing from the Hurricanes offense this season. If Miami beats Temple on Saturday, it would play Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl. Davis didn't rule out the possibility Kelly could play in that game, but implied it was unlikely. "If he's at 75 or 80 percent, regardless of when the next game is, you'd be a little bit foolish to run the risk of putting a quarterback out there who could get hit in the knee and maybe completely end his career," Davis said. Davis, while not ruling out the possibility that Dorsey could take over the starting quarterback spot on a permanent basis, would not bite on questions that sought his preference. "I don't think (Dorsey has) grasped (the offense) any better than Kenny (Kelly). The opponents were dramatically different in the first half of the season than the second," said Davis, who emphasized that Kelly faced national champion contenders Florida State, Penn State and Virginia Tech this season. "And that's not to take anything away from Dorsey's performance. I think Kenny would have done the same thing. It's all about performance. Whether it's now or in the spring time, the best 22 guys are going to play." MANY HAPPY RETURNS: In addition to being on the receiving end of one of Dorsey's touchdown passes, Santana Moss had a 61-yard punt return for a touchdown. It was the second in as many weeks for Moss, who became the first Hurricane to score a touchdown on a punt return in back-to-back games since Kevin Williams did so in three consecutive games in 1991. Miami had another fruitful return when Leonard Myers scored on a 54- yard interception in the second quarter. The last time Miami returned a punt and an interception for touchdowns was on Sept. 13, 1986, when Kevin McCutcheon had a 42-yard punt return and Bubba McDowell had a 30-yard interception in a 61-11 win over Texas Tech.- CHAD CAPELLMAN, TIMES WIRES


	Return to Clips Index SPORTS Spotlight shines on future at UM Injuries have forced an accelerated schedule for Hurricane freshmen. CHAD CAPELLMAN 11/24/1999 St. Petersburg Times SOUTH PINELLAS 1C (Copyright 1999) Jarrett Payton surveyed the scene in the interview room of the Orange Bowl shortly after Miami's 55-0 rout of Rutgers during which he scored his first collegiate touchdown. "All the way up here?" he said wryly when directed to the lectern. "It feels like I was doing a report, like when I was in high school." Those days were less than a year ago. Now Payton, along with running back Clinton Portis and quarterback Ken Dorsey, find themselves playing as freshmen on a team trying to salvage what's left of its season before focusing on the future. The three likely will constitute the offensive backfield for the second consecutive week when the Hurricanes host Syracuse on Saturday, looking to lock up a bowl berth. Portis, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound Gainesville native, was the first to have his number called this season. He filled in when Najeh Davenport went down with a knee injury and James Jackson was unable to practice because of several ailments. Portis turned in his fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing performance Saturday, breaking Jackson's UM freshman rushing record set two years ago. Portis has 679 yards on the season. "Me and J.J. had been joking around," Portis said. "I told him I'd get his record. Now I'm trying to get the yards he got last year." Payton, a 6-2, 205-pounder from Arlington, Ill., had seen limited action as a kickoff returner and running back. There was a lot more on his mind than football. His father Walter, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, was dying of bile duct cancer brought on by liver disease. He died Nov. 1, and Jarrett played little in his first game back Nov. 13. Wearing his father's No. 34 on Saturday, Jarrett rumbled into the end zone for his first collegiate touchdown. In a move that Walter surely would have enjoyed, the younger Payton made sure the touchdown was his. He pounced on the ball when it was lying on the ground in the end zone, even though the score already was in the books. Payton believes he is developing on schedule. "I always said that when I first got here, that I didn't feel that I was ready; I needed time," Payton said. "And it wasn't an easy situation for me, what I was going through. I couldn't really concentrate on what I was here to do and that was to play football because I had family matters to think of. "For me, now I can focus a lot better, knowing everything's over with and my dad's in a better place now. So it's a lot easier for me to focus on what I have to do." Dorsey said focus was the biggest adjustment for him when moving into the starting spot. Injuries to starter Kenny Kelly have put Dorsey on notice several times, but until Saturday, when Kelly was sidelined with sprained ligaments in his left knee, they all had been false alarms. Dorsey completed 19 of 26 passes passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. "It's definitely been a little hard," said Dorsey, from Orinda, Calif. "But when I look back it's probably the best thing that could happen to me. Early in the season, you don't know what to expect. Being the backup you've got to prepare, but when you're the starter, you've got to prepare even more." With Davenport, Jackson and Kelly likely coming back next season and expecting to start, it's too soon to tell what the future holds for these freshmen. But the promise of depth at the quarterback and running back positions for years to come is a positive in an otherwise disappointing 6-4 season. "There's definitely a bright future ahead," Dorsey said. "With all the guys who are playing right now you expect great things, especially with the number of underclassmen we have coming back next year."


	Return to Clips Index SPORTS Dolphins manhandle Pats Five INTs and a ball-control offense key a 27-17 win over division rivals. CHAD CAPELLMAN 11/22/1999 St. Petersburg Times SOUTH PINELLAS 7C (Copyright 1999) A week after catching heat for a lackluster performance, the Dolphins atoned by catching almost everything. They added five interceptions to two touchdown catches by Oronde Gadsden and the first 100-yard rushing performance of J.J. Johnson's career and swept the New England Patriots 27-17 Sunday. The victory, before 74,297 at Pro Player Stadium, helped the Dolphins ease memories of being swept a week earlier by Buffalo, and it kept them in a tie with Indianapolis for first place in the hotly contested AFC East. "After last week and the setback we had I think it brought us back into focus," Dolphins defensive end Trace Armstrong said. "We knew we couldn't just show up and play." Damon Huard, making his fifth start in place of an injured Dan Marino, completed 18 of 30 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns before leaving late in the third quarter with a broken nose. Huard may not have much time to heal. The Dolphins are at Dallas on Thanksgiving. It is not clear whether Marino, out since Oct. 17 with an injured right tapezius, or Huard will start. "Dan's going to jump back in," coach Jimmy Johnson said. "He really didn't take any of the offensive work (last) week. I talked to him yesterday and said, 'Let's plan on Monday getting right back into practice,' and we'll roll them in and out and make a decision on Thursday." "If Dan can't play and I have to play Thursday, I'll be fine," said Huard, who left after being sacked for the second time with 1:30 left in the third quarter. The Dolphins held a 24-17 lead when third-string quarterback Scott Zolak replaced Huard. The ninth-year veteran was 0-for-4, but he did not lose the football as the offense ran down the clock while the defense preserved the victory. In the first quarter, the Dolphins looked as if they might be suffering the lingering effects of their 23-3 loss at Buffalo. A miscommunication between Huard and J.J. Johnson on a shovel pass resulted in a turnover that New England's Terry Allen converted into a touchdown two plays later. Late in the quarter, Kevin Faulk had a 43-yard run during a seven-play, 69-yard drive that ended with an Adam Vinatieri field goal to give New England a 10-3 lead. The run was the longest of the season for the Patriots. That drive appeared to wake up the Dolphins, who answered with a 12-play, 76-yard drive that highlighted Gadsden's strengths. After making a leaping 14-yard sideline catch on third and 10, he caught a 4-yard pass from Huard in traffic six plays later for a touchdown. Huard found an outstretched Gadsden again for a 3-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive of the second half to give the Dolphins their first lead. From that point, the game was in the hands of Johnson and Miami's dominating defense. Johnson, who finished with 106 yards on 31 carries and a touchdown, gained 65 in the second half. The only time New England threatened came late in the third quarter, when Drew Bledsoe connected with Shawn Jefferson for a 68-yard touchdown that pulled the Patriots to 24-17. That pass - another season long for the Patriots - was the lone bright spot for Bledsoe, who was sacked twice and completed 15 of 34 passes for 201 yards. "The story of the game is simple," Bledsoe said. "When the ball's in my hands it's my responsibility to take care of it, and when I turn it over five times, we've got no chance." Four of Bledsoe's interceptions were returned for at least 13 yards, the exception being the one caught by Jason Taylor. The third-year defensive end snagged Bledsoe's pass at the line of scrimmage and was brought down quickly at the New England 21. Despite the quick end to the play, which set up an Olindo Mare field goal that gave Miami a 27-17 lead, Taylor danced to the music and trotted to the end zone, using his 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame to dunk the ball over the goal post. "The offense came on the field too quick," Taylor said. "We weren't done celebrating."


	Return to Clips Index SPORTS Defense is praised for continuing solid play Series: MIAMI NOTEBOOK CHAD CAPELLMAN 11/22/1999 St. Petersburg Times SOUTH PINELLAS 4C (Copyright 1999) Coach Butch Davis has said all season that the defense is the one constant. And Saturday's 55-0 victory over Rutgers did a lot to back up that assertion. The shutout was Miami's first in three years, the last one 45-0 over Pittsburgh on Sept. 28, 1996. "In the games that we've won, they've been a major factor. In the games that we've lost, they've taken it right to the wire for the most part," Davis said. "They continue to create turnovers, sacks and tackles behind the line of scrimmage." With nine sacks, the Hurricanes finished two shy of the school record. Miami had 11 against San Diego State in 1989 and North Carolina State in '82. Nate Webster had nearly a third of Saturday's total, 2.5 sacks for 25 yards. He and fellow LB Dan Morgan - who played with a broken left index finger and had a sack - were taken out of the game early in the third quarter. Among the other standouts: DB Mike Rumph. The sophomore has recovered nicely since being beaten on the game-winning touchdown pass in Miami's 27-23 loss to then-No. 2 Penn State. He got his fourth interception Saturday, the most by a Hurricane since Carlos Jones had five in 1994. HART CHECKS IN, KELLY GETS CHECKUP: Junior QB Zachary Hart made his second appearance, and usual starter Kenny Kelly will be making another appearance before a doctor. Hart, a 6-3, 210- pound lefty from Washington, entered late in the third quarter and went 3-for-3 for 29 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett Payton. Kelly will have his cast removed so doctor John Uribe can evaluate the redshirt sophomore's progress in recovering from sprained ligaments in his left knee. FLASHES OF GREATNESS: Senior FB Mondriel Fulcher had one of the best games of his career with five catches for 59 yards and a touchdown. Santana Moss returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown with 1:20 remaining in the first half. The return was longest of Moss' career and the first Hurricane punt return for a touchdown since Duane Starks' 85-yarder against Baylor on Aug. 30, 1997. HONOR AMONG 'CANES: Former Hurricanes Ottis Anderson, Don Bosseler, Bernie Kosar and Burgess Owens were inducted into UM's Ring of Honor. Anderson (1975-78) was the first player in Miami history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season (1,266 in '78); Bosseler (1953-56), a fullback, finished his career with 1,642 rushing yards; QB Kosar (1982-84) guided the 'Canes to their first national title in 1983-84 and set school records for attempts (416), completions (262) and passing yards (3,642) in '84. Owens (1970-72), an All-America defensive back, finished his career with 160 tackles and eight interceptions. The Ring of Honor was established in 1997. This year's class joins Jim Dooley, George Mira Sr., Ted Hendricks and Vinny Testaverde.- CHAD CAPELLMAN


	Return to Clips Index SPORTS Tampa's Alonso stays unbeaten with decision Series: BOXING; FANFARE CHAD CAPELLMAN 11/21/1999 St. Petersburg Times LATE TAMPA 2C (Copyright 1999) Tampa's Jose Alonso remained unbeaten by taking a four-round unanimous decision over Pedro Riverson in a light heavyweight match before an estimated 1,500 Saturday night at the Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort. Alonso is 3-0 with two knockouts. Riverson is 4-8 with two knockouts. The fight was an undercard bout for Joel Casamayor vs. David Santos. Santos, a St. Petersburg native, lost in 12 rounds as Casamayor successfully defended his WBA interim super- featherweight title for the second time. "I thought I stole every round at the end," said Santos (36-3, 24 knockouts). "(The judges) have got to give you credit for defense and they didn't." Twice in the fight, Casamayor (20-0, 12 KOs) went down, but both times referee Tom Kimmons ruled Casamayor had slipped. Santos maintained they should have been ruled knockdowns, as did a vocal throng of more than 200 Santos supporters. Despite looking fatigued during the latter portions of several rounds, Casamayor came out with a flurry to open the final round. "It caught me off guard," Santos said. Feeling he had done what he needed to do to retain his title, Casamayor avoided Santos in the final minute and provided a little dance for the fans of his adopted hometown just before the final bell. Despite 12 career knockouts and a clearly more aggressive approach, Casamayor said he was not surprised by the way the fight played out. "I knew it was going to go 12 rounds," Casamayor said through an interpreter. "I don't go in trying to knock people out. Whatever happens, happens." It was the first fight Santos has lost in Florida since November 1996. "There's going to be bigger and better for me," Santos said. "This just proves I belong there, ranked in the top 10." NOTES: The Santos-Casamayor bout will be televised at 7 tonight on Fox Sports Net. Felix Trinidad and David Reid were on hand to promote their March 4 WBA junior middleweight title fight in Las Vegas.


	Return to Clips Index SPORTS St. Petersburg's Santos loses to WBA champ Series: BOXING; FANFARE CHAD CAPELLMAN 11/21/1999 St. Petersburg Times SOUTH PINELLAS 2C (Copyright 1999) David Santos had a plan of attack and executed it the way he wanted in the biggest fight of his 39-bout professional career Saturday night. Unfortunately for the St. Petersburg native, that was not enough as Joel Casamayor successfully defended his WBA interim super-featherweight title for the second time before an estimated 1,500 at the Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort. "I thought I stole every round at the end," said Santos (36-3, 24 knockouts). "(The judges) have got to give you credit for defense and they didn't." Twice in the fight, Casamayor (20-0, 12 KOs) went down, but both times referee Tom Kimmons ruled Casamayor had slipped. Santos maintained they should have been ruled knockdowns, as did a vocal throng of more than 200 Santos supporters. Despite looking fatigued during the latter portions of several rounds, Casamayor came out with a flurry to open the final round. "It caught me off guard," Santos said. Feeling he had done what he needed to do to retain his title, Casamayor avoided Santos in the final minute and provided a little dance for the fans just before the final bell. Despite 12 career knockouts and a clearly more aggressive approach, Casamayor said he was not surprised by the way the fight played out. "I knew it was going to go 12 rounds," Casamayor said through an interpreter. "I don't go in trying to knock people out. Whatever happens, happens." It was the first fight Santos has lost in Florida since November 1996. "There's going to be bigger and better for me," Santos said. "This just proves I belong there, ranked in the top 10."


	Return to Clips Index SPORTS Hurricanes put it all together Series: COLLEGE FOOTBALL Freshmen Dorsey, Payton contribute as UM beats Rutgers 55-0. CHAD CAPELLMAN 11/21/1999 St. Petersburg Times SOUTH PINELLAS 24C (Copyright 1999) Once again, Ken Dorsey saw action for the Hurricanes in a lopsided game. This time, however, the 18-year-old freshman was the starting quarterback and watched the final moments of Miami's 55-0 victory against Rutgers from the sideline. Dorsey couldn't have asked for a much better performance in his first collegiate start. Filling in for an injured Kenny Kelly, Dorsey completed 19 of 26 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns. The Hurricanes (6-4, 4-1) moved to within one victory of locking up a bittersweet second place in the Big East and a likely berth in the Gator Bowl Jan. 1 in Jacksonville. "It's a great feeling to be in there and have a part in a victory," said Dorsey, who has played in mop-up situations in victories against Florida A&M and Pittsburgh and last week's loss at Virginia Tech. "To be able to start the and be able to put points on the board like we did today is a great feeling. Everything just went well today." Dorsey had completions on the first two plays of the game, and led the Hurricanes on an eight-play, 72-yard scoring drive. Dorsey capped the drive with a 20-yard pass to Ivan Mercer on fourth and 1. The whole team celebrated on the next score as Jarrett Payton rumbled in from 16 yards for his first career touchdown. It was the first significant action the freshman saw since returning to the team after the death of his father, NFL Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton. "Every time I got into the game before, my father would tell me not to try so hard to score," said Payton, who finished with 87 yards on 20 carries. "So today I just let it happen. I know he is very happy right now." By day's end, several Hurricanes were very happy. Six scored touchdowns and kicker Andy Crosland had field goals of 30 and 43 yards and converted on all five extra points. Said Miami coach Butch Davis: "Almost everybody that drew a breath got a shot today." The Scarlet Knights (1-9, 1-6) were coming off their first victory of the season - and just their eighth in four years - last week, a 24- 21 upset of Syracuse in overtime. But they were playing without their leading rusher, Jacki Crooks, who was suspended by coach Terry Shea for violating team rules. Crooks' presence likely would not have made much of a difference against a defense that had nine sacks and limited Rutgers to 64 yards. "Our defense has played well almost all season long," Davis said. "The kids wanted to get a shutout. They're kind of a prized possession by defenses." NOTE: Freshman Clinton Portis again started in place of injured James Jackson, and used the opportunity to break Jackson's freshman rushing record. Portis, who also scored a touchdown, finished with 133 yards on 17 carries to bring his season total to 679. Jackson rushed for 595 yards two years ago.