Twenty Reasons: Canes Edition

Yesterday there were 20 days until Miami kicks off the season at home against UAB. We still don’t know if fans will be allowed at games, but even if we aren’t, Miami fans can still cheer and celebrate at home and via social media.

With 20 days to go, it’s time to give you 20 reasons why It’s Great To Be a Miami Hurricane.

20. The number Ed Reed wore during his illustrious career at Miami. Reed would finish his Miami career with 21 interceptions and 4 touchdowns. One of the greatest football players in the history of college football.

19. 19-3, many remember the 87 game vs FSU. Canes were down 19-3 before a furious rally sparked by a Danny Stubbs interception and a Michael Irvin TD reception leading to a 26-25 comeback win and National Title number two.

18. Eighteen years since Miami played for a National Championship. 2002 was a great year but the Canes were robbed two different ways. Willis McGahee should’ve won the Heisman Trophy and we know how the title game ended.

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

17. Seventeen is the margin of victory in Miami’s last bowl win, a 31-14 triumph over West Virginia. This win would help springboard a 10-0 start to the 2017 season.

16. The Turnover Chain, all three editions have been trend setting and often copied. The first year of the chain saw the Canes create 29 turnovers and help them go 10-3. The Turnover Chain has become a cultural phenomenon that screams Miami.

15. Brad Kaaya, one of the more under appreciated QBs in Miami history. Kaaya would leave Miami as the all time passing yardage leader with 9968 yards and 69 TDs.

14. The number of Miami’s 1st Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde. Also, the number of consecutive years a Hurricane was drafted in the 1st round of the NFL draft(an NFL record)

13. Lucky number 13 for Gino Torretta Miami’s second Heisman Trophy winner, who was a member of two National Title teams. 1989 and 1991.

12. Twelve is for the great Jim Kelly. Along with Howard Schnellenberger, Kelly was part of the rise to National Prominence for Miami. Engineered the 1st major upset in 1979 at Penn St.

11. Eleven for the incomparable Ken Dorsey. For four seasons Dorsey led Miami to unmatched heights. 38-2 as a starter and we all know the second loss was a robbery.

10. Ten, for the great 10-0 start in 2017. Yes it didn’t end like all Canes fans wanted, but man those ten wins in a row felt great. Here’s to more Saturday nights like the VT and ND games that year.

9. Nine for Brian Blades, one of four Miami Hurricanes from the Blades family. Brian was a integral art of the great teams of the mid 80s

8. Eight is for my main man Duke Johnson. Duke came to Miami with all kinds of accolades and met every single one of them. One of the best running backs in Canes history.

Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

7. Seven is for Craig Erickson who is often overlooked as one of QBU. Erickson won a title as a starter and probably should’ve won another in 1990.

6. Six is for Santana Moss who came to Miami on a track scholarship and became one of the great receivers in Miami history. Six is also the record for most 1st round picks in a single draft.

5. Five National Championships. 83,87,89,91 and 01. Each one is special and unique in their own way. Also, 5 for Edgerrin James who was part of the late 90s rebuild.

4. Four for Steve Walsh and Devin Hester. Walsh was 23-1 as a starting QB and if not for a nonsense fumble against Notre Dame he would’ve been 24-0 with two National Titles. Devin Hester is the greatest return man in Miami history and may end up a Hall of Famer in the NFL.

3. Three straight vs FSU. Nothing better than beating little brother the way Miami has over the past 3 seasons.

2. Two for Willis McGahee who had the greatest single season RB performance in Miami history. Should’ve won the Heisman in 2002.

1. One finger tip of Kenny Calhoun to start the dynasty. In the words of the late great Sonny Hirsch “deflected away, deflected away.” Play gives me chills to this day

Go Canes