Miami Wins Sugar Bowl 37-20

Jan. 2 -- Backing up their claim that they deserve a share of the national championship, the Miami Hurricanes stormed past rival Florida to win the Nokia Sugar Bowl 37-20 in New Orleans.

Fullback Najeh Davenport scored two touchdowns and quarterback Ken Dorsey threw for 270 yards in the Hurricanes’ first game against the Gators in 13 years.

No. 2 Miami has been vocal about its belief that it deserved to be in Wednesday night’s Orange Bowl, the Bowl Championship Series national title game, and should share the national championship if it triumphed over Florida.

With the win — Miami’s 10th-straight this season — the Hurricanes gave The Associated Press writers reason to name them No. 1 in their poll. However, the issue is moot if No. 1 Oklahoma defeats No. 3Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

“We beat the No. 1 team in the nation, the No. 2 team in thenation and six teams with winning records,” Miami coach ButchDavis said, recalling victories over Florida State and VirginiaTech. “I think our kids deserve every opportunity to be callednational champions.”

A few factors voters will consider: Florida State’s 30-7victory over Florida in the final regular-season game and, ofcourse, Miami’s 27-24 win over the Seminoles back in October. Miami’s one loss this season came at the hands of Washington, a team that was then-No. 15 in the nation but finished the season ranked fourth.

They’ll also look at Miami’s winning streak, an offense thataveraged 42 points a game and a defense that made big plays when ithad to all season — including tonight.

Miami Dominates Game of Rivals

The Gators were admittedly riled at all the praise being heaped upon Miami and at being perceived as a mere obstacle in Miami’s road to a split national championship. Tempers flared on the teams’ first day in New Orleans last week, when approximately 40 players shoved and taunted each other on Bourbon Street.