A rivalry renewed between Miami and Ohio State, defined by the most controversial call in college football history.
When the Canes and the Buckeyes share the field on New Years Eve, the game for the Hurricanes faithful is never only about the present. No matter how many years pass, January 3rd of 2003 continues to loom large – a 6th national championship for the University of Miami that was taken away by Terry Porter.
Fast forward 22 years later, and the stakes are at an all-time high again with Miami and Ohio State meeting up with two programs with completely different rosters from what we saw two decades ago. Despite this, emotions still remain the same. For Miami, this game is a reminder of a dynasty that was taken away. For Ohio State, it’s a reminder of a championship that will forever be connected to controversy.
Larry Coker and his Hurricanes entered the 2003 Fiesta Bowl as the most dominant force in the country, entering the game on a 34-game winning streak and looking to repeat as national champions from the year before.
Led by Quarterback Ken Dorsey and other future NFL legends such as Sean Taylor, Vince Wilfork, and Andre Johnson, it was an even contest for much of the game, and then the Hurricanes momentum began to build in the 4th quarter. It was until then, star running back Willis McGahee went down with a devastating knee injury.
As overtime began, Miami struck first pushing their lead to 24-17. With a 4th & goal coming for the Buckeyes, Miami’s defense held strong as Glenn Sharpe in coverage helped knock away the dropped ball from Chris Gamble. Miami stormed the field as fireworks shot off. The celebration began.
Then came the flag.
A late defensive pass-interference call on Sharpe well after the play was over, giving Ohio State another shot at scoring, in which they did so. To this day, that call remains one of the most controversial moments in college football history, as former players, analysts and fans have argued for years that the call should have never been made.
Ohio State took their moment, scored, and won their first national championship in 32 years. Miami walked off the field stunned.
After that point, one of the greatest dynasties from 2000-2003 was short-lived. A program that had all the tools to continue to dominate was taken away by a piece of yellow fabric.
“That’s the note you’re leaving this legacy on? You built this giant empire of the University of Miami with hundreds of other players that gave their souls, and that’s the way you guys are going to leave this program was on a bulls*** referee throwing a flag after 8 second,” said former Miami OL Brett Romberg (30 for 30: The U Part 2).
Miami and Ohio State have faced twice since the game, with both teams splitting the series 1-1, but none of those games held the implications that Wednesday night does. While both programs have moved on and hold modern day goals, the weight that 2003 will forever carry is impossible to ignore for both schools.
As kickoff is just one sleep away, the question isn’t whether Miami remembers the impact on the program that was caused due to that flag all those years ago, but instead, whether the Hurricanes can turn that history into fuel on the field tomorrow night.
For the University of Miami, this historic rivalry will never be just another game.
It’s unfinished business.
(Photo: Getty Images)
