Miami Hurricanes Football: Will Saturday Vs Florida State be Brad Kaaya’s Defining Moment?

We all remember it like it was yesterday.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 16 years since this happened......

UM was trailing FSU 24-20 with just 1:32 left on the clock, and Ken Dorsey went to work.

Perfectly placed quick slant to to Santana Moss for almost 20. Dorsey looking calm, cool, and collected.

A few plays later, 5 step drop and KD hits a diving Reggie Wayne on a deep in to the ‘Noles 32.

Bobby Bowden paces anxiously.

Next play, Dorsey to Moss again down the middle, inside the FSU 15. Florida State defenders are talking to each other and clearly on their heels.

Then with just 50 seconds remaining, the kid from California drops back and puts the ball right on the mitts of Jeremy Shockey for the game winner.

A legend is born, and a dynasty begins....

Ken Dorsey will forever go down in ‘Canes lore for that clutch drive.

He had help no doubt from a talented cast around him, but it was his accuracy and cool under pressure that made it happen for the Hurricanes in 2000.

Fast forward to the present.

Brad Kaaya is another West Coast product looking to make history as the signal caller for the Hurricanes.

He’s already on pace to break every passing record in program history.

But he’s yet to put his name next to legends like Dorsey, Shockey, Moss, and Wayne with a win over UM’s arch rival and a moment that lasts forever.

Saturday Night affords him another opportunity.

Let me make this clear, this game is not solely on the shoulders of Kaaya.

The play in the trenches on both sides of the ball is going to determine the winner.

And perhaps the game gets lopsided in one direction or the other, and there is no last minute chance to shine.

We’ll see.

But if Miami finds themselves down late and the ball is in BK’s hands, he needs to do whatever it takes to direct this team to victory.

For the record, Kaaya’s played well in his meetings with the Seminoles.

Last season he went 29-49 for 405 yards with 3 TD’s and no picks.

As a freshman in 2014 he connected on 16 of 34 for 316 with 2 scores and 1 (costly) pick.

But the Hurricanes lost both games, despite having the ball in the closing moments with chances to take the lead.

Those last minute drives were snuffed out by aggressive FSU defenses (Jalen Ramsey is still in my nightmares).

If UM finds itself in a similar position this weekend, Kaaya and the O absolutely must find a way to rise above whatever they face.

Ending a miserable 6 year run depends on it.

The junior QB is equipped for it.

And his legacy as a Hurricane, arguably depends on it.