Boston College Athletics
Boston College
Miami (FL)
Football Falls To No. 1 Miami, 38-6
September 21, 2002 | Football
Sept 21, 2002
By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer
MIAMI (AP) - Willis McGahee had 221 total yards and top-ranked Miami scored three touchdowns during a three-minute span of the fourth quarter to beat Boston College 38-6 Saturday night and extend the Hurricanes' winning streak to 26 games.
McGahee ran 17 times for 135 yards and caught three passes for 86 yards. He had three huge plays that led to three of Miami's five touchdowns. McGahee, who ran for 204 yards at Florida two weeks ago, now has 533 yards rushing in four games.
Ken Dorsey finished 13-of-26 for 202 yards and two touchdowns as Miami (4-0, 2-0 Big East) won its 19th straight conference win and 13th straight victory over Boston College (2-1, 0-1).
McGahee and Dorsey helped the Hurricanes hold off the Eagles in a game that was much closer than the final score indicated.
Boston College nearly upset the 'Canes last season, but Matt Walters intercepted a pass on a first-and-goal play with about 30 seconds to play. Ed Reed grabbed the ball from Walters and ran 80 yards for a touchdown and an 18-7 victory.
The win propelled the Hurricanes to the Rose Bowl, where they beat Nebraska to win their fifth national championship.
The loss stayed with the Eagles throughout the offseason, and they were prepared to give Miami another scare Saturday night.
Led by senior quarterback Brian St. Pierre, B.C. used a good mix of runs and passes to keep Miami's talented defensive line off balance and out of the backfield.
The Eagles had scoring drives of 11 and eight plays, but both ended with field goals. They also constantly pressured Dorsey: He was sacked just once but was hurried, harassed and hammered several times.
The result was a 6-3 lead late in the second quarter. That's when McGahee took over.
With Miami on the verge of trailing at halftime for the first time in two years, McGahee broke four tackles and ran 48 yards to set up a first-and-goal at the B.C. 1-yard line with less than a minute left. He scored on the next play to give Miami a 10-6 lead at halftime.
On Miami's second play of the third quarter, McGahee started right, cut back to the left and ran 32 yards to set up a first-and-10 from the 18. He scored five plays later.
Then in the fourth quarter, McGahee took a screen pass in the right flat and ran 77 yards to set up a first-and-goal at the 3. Dorsey hit Kellen Winslow for a 1-yard touchdown three plays later.
The Hurricanes added two more touchdowns in the next three minutes.
D.J. Williams caused a fumble, and fellow linebacker Jonathan Vilma picked it up and ran 2 yards for a score and a 31-6 lead.
On the Eagles' ensuing possession, Maurice Sikes caused another fumble and Antrel Rolle recovered at the Boston College 30. Dorsey hit Andre Johnson on the next play for a touchdown.
