Miami 41 Florida 16 @ the Swamp 2002

Miami returned to the Swamp after a 16 year absence as a two point underdog against Ron Zook's sixth ranked Florida Gators. Miami, the defending national champions were breaking in an entirely new secondary which Rex Grossman thought he could tee off on. But early in the game it was obvious Miami's new corners, Antrel Rolle and Kelly Jennings weren't going to be pushed around. Despite taking a 10-6 lead thanks to some good special teams play and some suspect officiating, Florida never seemed to be a threat to compete in this game. Miami led by Ken Dorsey began to really move the ball late in the second quarter. But Dorsey wasn't at his best in this game, throwing three interceptions and missing a few other open targets. It was really the day which Willis McGahee, whom Running Backs coach Don Soldigner felt had the best talent of any back he has seen at Miami made a name for himself. McGahee ran for over 200 yards and Jason Geathers also had a big game rushing for close to 100 yards himself and scoring a TD on a screen pass. Even when Florida sustained a long drive, Grossman was picked off by Mo Sikes whose 97 yard TD return was perhaps the signature moment of this rout.

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