Hurricanes hold off Nevada in MPC Computers Bowl

The Miami Hurricanes survived sub-freezing temperatures, snow squalls and a last-minute drive by Nevada for a 21-20 MPC Bowl win that sent fired coach Larry Coker out a winner and preserved the program’s ninth consecutive winning season.

Coker finished his six-year Miami career with a 60-15 record, one national championship and a bowl win on turf fittingly blue for the nation’s only cold weather college post-season game. Defensive coordinator Randy Shannon, who did not coach in this game, took over the program Jan. 1.

Temperatures in the high 20s, with a wind chill in the teens, greeted the warm-weather ‘Canes and more than 28,000 bundled-up fans Sunday night. Five minutes into the first quarter a snow squall of light, dense flurries moved off the Boise Front and into Bronco Stadium, providing an odd backdrop for what looked like a baseball score. After Miami quarterback Kirby Freeman was called for intentional grounding from his own end zone, the resulting safety cut the Hurricane lead to 7-2 with five seconds left in the first quarter.

Freshman ‘Cane defender Chavez Grant picked off Nevada’s Jeff Rowe at the Miami 36 with 22 seconds left in the game to ice the one-point win.

“I don’t know what grade Chavez is, but I think he’s a veteran now,” Coker joked after the game. Each team had one interception and Nevada fumbled once for the game’s only turnovers.

“That last pass Jeff just threw a 10th of a second late,” Wolfpack coach Chris Ault said. “We had our chances. But our guys played hard for four quarters. That’s what is tough. We had our opportunities and just didn’t make the right play at the right time.”

While Miami’s nationally fifty-ranked defense held Nevada to 90 yards rushing, the Wolfpack stopped the ‘Canes running game cold, allowing only 28 Miami rushing yards. The ‘Canes scored on big pass plays of 52 yards from Freeman to Ryan Moore and 78 yards to Sam Shields.

Kicker Brett Jaekle kept Nevada in the game, booting four field goals that included 44- and 40-yarders in the fourth quarter. The Wolfpack were moving into what Jaekle called “chip shot range” for the winning field goal when Grant picked off Rowe’s pass and the ‘Canes let the clock run out.

“We had noticed their kicker was a little erratic coming into this game,” Coker said. “But he was kicking everything in sight today.I’m very happy for the win.”

Nevada’s offense spent far more time on the field than its defense. The Wolfpack’s time of possession was 34 minutes compared to the ‘Canes’ 26 and Nevada had 23 first downs to Miami’s 13. Both teams punted six times. Nevada ran 20 more plays but finished with 297 total yards to Miami’s 300. The ‘Canes scored three touchdowns to Nevada’s four field goals and stopped the Wolfpack’s last-second drive with Grant’s interception.

Ault opened his post-game press conference with an effusive gratitude speech for the MPC Bowl and host city. “Let me first say what a classy school and classy city this is. Our players felt strong support from the community all week. This school is as classy as its football team and Boise is a classy town. We’re grateful for all the support.”

When asked if the cold weather affected the ‘Canes, Miami quarterback Kirby Freeman emphatically stated, “Yes! I’m still freezing!” Coker said the team had adjusted to the cold by game time, but he and the players would always remember their first practice on the blue turf when the temperature was 17 degrees.

Official attendance for the 10th MPC Bowl was announced at 28, 652.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score

—————– — – — – —–

Miami…………… 7 7 7 0 – 21

Nevada………….. 2 9 3 6 – 20

Scoring Summary:

First Quarter

UM – Freeman,K. 1 yd run (Peattie,J. kick) 04:20

NEV – TEAM safety, 00:05

Second Quarter

NEV – Mitchell, Marko 27 yd pass from Rowe, Jeff (Rowe, Jeff rush failed) 03:38

UM – Moore,R. 52 yd pass from Freeman,K. (Peattie,J. kick) 01:46

NEV – Jaekle, Brett 33 yd field goal, 00:05

Third Quarter

NEV – Jaekle, Brett 31 yd field goal, 06:22

UM – Shields,S. 78 yd pass from Freeman,K. (Peattie,J. kick) 05:59

Fourth Quarter

NEV – Jaekle, Brett 44 yd field goal 14:05

NEV – Jaekle, Brett 40 yd field goal, 09:25

UM NEV

FIRST DOWNS 13 23

Rush Yards 28 90

Rush Att. 31 38

Pass Yards 272 207

Comp-Att-Int 11-19-1 21-32-1

TOTAL OFFENSE 300 297

Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-0

Penalties-Yards 6-76 1-10

Punts-yards6-237 6-224

Kickoff-yards 5-318 6-307

Possession Time 25:58 34:02

Sacks-Yards 1-8 4-39

Barry Lewis

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