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Even Miami's freshmen appreciate rivalry with Florida State

By Santos A. Perez, Times Correspondent
In print: Wednesday, October 1, 2008

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CORAL GABLES — First-year Miami players usually don't appreciate a rivalry until the annual game with Florida State.

This year's freshmen have their first experience playing the Seminoles on Saturday at Dolphin Stadium.

The Miami-Florida State game remains a much-hyped and anticipated event. The current teams far from resemble the nationally ranked ones from the 1980s to the early 2000s that defined the rivalry. But Miami-Florida State still has allure with players, fans and TV executives.

"It's always going to be a marquee game because it's two Florida teams going against each other," Miami freshman quarterback Jacory Harris said.

Harris said that contributing to the rivalry's appeal is familiarity among players. Many were recruited by both schools.

"There are a lot of people on this team that know people at Florida State," Harris said.

Harris recently lost his cell phone, whose directory featured the phone numbers of several Florida State players, including fellow freshman quarterback E.J. Manuel. They struck up a friendship while attending an offseason camp.

"I wish I still had my other phone," Harris said. "E.J. Manuel will be someone I would have been calling because me and him built a close-knit relationship."

Harris, a Parade All-American at Class 6A state champion Miami Northwestern High, appreciated the Seminoles as a youngster, especially 1993 Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward.

"I used to watch highlights, and he was somebody that I admired," Harris said. "I liked his style of play."

Quarterback Robert Marve, who makes his first start against Florida State, also recognizes the game's importance. Growing up in Tampa, where Gator and Seminole fans outnumber Hurricane fans, Marve will have partial bragging rights if Miami wins.

"All you hear about is Florida, Florida State and Miami, so playing both in the same year really means a lot," said Marve, whose team lost to Florida on Sept. 6.

"People talk about the 'it' factor. Florida State and Miami have the 'it' factor. It's going to be a lot of fun. It's going to be a hard-hitting, fast game."

Upperclassmen have never grown tired of playing Florida State.

"I'll definitely talk to (the freshmen) … and remind them how big of a game this is for us," junior offensive tackle Jason Fox said.

Fox remembers his first Miami-Florida State game, two years ago in the now-demolished Orange Bowl.

"I was shaking in my very first play," Fox said. "It is that type of game.

"You definitely want to come out and get a win."

Last season in Tallahassee, the Hurricanes rallied from a 29-24 deficit with two touchdowns in 11 seconds for a 37-29 victory. Tight end Dedrick Epps caught the go-ahead touchdown pass with 1:15 left.

"Once I signed, I knew I was going to be part of something special," Epps, a junior, said. "Each time we match up, it's a big game."

Not lost in the pageantry and history is the urgency to win at this early stage of the ACC schedule. Both teams are 0-1 in league play, and a loss Saturday seriously damages one team's title hopes.

Miami lost its conference opener 28-24 to North Carolina on Saturday on a touchdown with 46 seconds left. FSU lost 12-3 to Wake Forest on Sept. 20.

"The good thing is now we don't have time to think about it and dwell," Miami coach Randy Shannon said. "We have to snap back and play another ACC game, and it's FSU.

"I think those guys will respond quickly."