Vols shock Hurricanes; Sooners destroy Aggies

Published 12:00 am Sunday, November 9, 2003

MIAMI (AP) - Tennessee knocked Miami out of the national championship picture Saturday for the first time in four years.

Derrick Tinsley scored on fourth down and the No. 18 Volunteers upset the sixth-ranked Hurricanes 10-6, ending the nation's longest home-winning streak at 26 games. It was the first time since 1997 that Miami (7-2) failed to score a touchdown in a game.

Brock Berlin threw two interceptions and fumbled once. The Hurricanes also had 12 penalties for 121 yards, including a key one that helped Tennessee score its only touchdown. On second-and-goal from the 9, defensive back Mark Jones blitzed up the middle and hit Berlin just as he released the ball. His fluttering pass was intercepted by Gilbril Wilson. The Volunteers (7-2) tried to run out the remaining 4:11, but were forced to punt with 1:55 to play.

Email newsletter signup

Sean Taylor fumbled the punt - Miami's fourth turnover of the game - and the Vols ran out the clock from there.

No. 1 Oklahoma 77, Texas A&M 0

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - Jason White tied a school record with five touchdown passes and Oklahoma's defense didn't allow a touchdown for a second straight week in the top-ranked Sooners' 77-0 rout of Texas A&M on Saturday.

The Sooners (10-0, 6-0 Big 12) exacted revenge against the team that derailed their national title hopes in a 30-26 upset last season. They also remained on the fast track to the Big 12 title and the national championship game - the Sugar Bowl.

It was Oklahoma's most lopsided victory since a 77-0 win over Missouri in 1986 and was A&M's worst loss ever. The Aggies (4-6, 2-4) didn't cross their own 40 all game, while Oklahoma scored touchdowns on 10 of its first 11 possessions.

White completed his first 15 passes and finished 16-of-18 for 263 yards.

Clemson 26, No. 3 Florida St. 10

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) - Charlie Whitehurst threw for one touchdown and ran for another and Clemson likely ended Florida State's national title aspirations with its first victory ever over a top three team, 26-10 Saturday night.

The Tigers (6-4, 4-3 ACC) snapped an 11-game losing streak to the third-ranked Seminoles and gave Tommy Bowden his first win in five tries over his father, Bobby. Fans tore down both goalposts after Clemson's biggest win in years.

Aaron Hunt added four field goals and the Tigers held the Seminoles (8-2, 6-1) to their fewest points of the season and just 11 yards rushing.

Chris Rix missed his target on several throws and was intercepted by Tye Hill in the first quarter to end Florida State's only first-half drive inside Clemson territory.

Down 16-0 in the third quarter at Clemson's 30, Rix threw three straight passes nowhere near his receivers and the Seminoles settled for Xavier Beitia's 46-yard field goal. Rix ended 16-for-31 for 194 yards and two interceptions.

No. 25 Pittsburgh 31, No. 5 Virginia Tech 28

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Lousaka Polite finished off a 70-yard Pittsburgh drive with a 2-yard touchdown run with 47 seconds remaining, rallying the No. 25 Panthers past No. 5 Virginia Tech 31-28 Saturday night.

Pitt led 24-14 late in the third quarter, only to fall behind 28-24 as Kevin Jones scored on runs of 80 and 13 yards. Jones and ran for a school-record 241 yards and scored all four Tech touchdowns.

With the Hokies in position to close it out, Marcus Vick threw incomplete on fourth-and-4 from the Panthers 30 late in the fourth quarter.

Pitt quarterback Rod Rutherford, who was 24-for-31 for 303 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score, then directed the winning drive that kept the Panthers (7-2, 4-0) as the only unbeaten team in Big East play.

Pitt receiver Larry Fitzgerald made three catches for 49 yards on the drive. He finished with eight catches for 108 yards and a 5-yard touchdown that extended his NCAA record to 15 consecutive games with a scoring reception.

Virginia Tech (7-2, 3-2) failed to follow up on last week's 31-7 rout of previously unbeaten Miami and dropped out of contention for the national championship.