Following the 27-24 win for the Miami football team over Florida State in 2000 to break a five-game losing streak to the Seminoles, legendary Hurricanes wide receiver Santana Moss gave the legendary line “big-time players, step up in big games.” That win began a six-game Miami winning streak against Florida State.
Moss finished his Miami football career as the all-time leader with 2,547 receiving yards. Moss set the record in the 2001 Sugar Bowl against Florida passing teammate Reggie Wayne. Wayne finished his Miami career with 2,510 receiving yards from 1997-2000, the same years Moss played for the Hurricanes.
Moss finished that 2000 afternoon in the Orange Bowl with seven receptions for 115 yards receiving and added four punt returns for 29 yards. James Jackson led the Miami football team on the ground with 23 carries for 98 yards. A memorable 13-yard touchdown pass from Ken Dorsey to Jeremy Shockey won the game late.
Moss had a big catch on the final drive set up the late heroics. The game against Florida State was the first of three 100 yard receiving games Moss had in 2000 as Miami began a 34 game winning streak after losing early in the season to Washington. Moss and Wayne helped Miami return to the elite of college football.
"“There was really nothing quite like The U in its prime. After Miami beat FSU in 2000, wide receiver Santana Moss was interviewed by an on-field reporter and expounded on his performance saying, “big time players, step up in big games…”The quote is not actually attributed to Washington Football Team legend, Moss. Rather he was championing (former Miami linebacker) Rohan Marley. The more you know. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go watch “The U” and “The U Part 2.”"
ESPN named Moss’ one liner one of the 10 best in the history of sports that included LeBron James’ “I am taking my talents” to South Beach. Moss’ comment following another missed field goal by Florida State to end the game against Miami is one of many that fit the brash Miami Hurricanes attitude.
Howard Schnellenberger made the “State of Miami” a critical mantra as he built the Hurricanes into a national championship contender in the 1980s. Jimmy Johnson succeded Schnellenberger and made his team believe that “the fourth quarter is ours” as part of their domination of college football from 1983-1992.
Current Miami head coach Manny Diaz has honored the past by wanting to return to South Florida players becoming a priority in recruiting. Diaz has met with Johnson in his 2.5 years as head coach. Some of the comments can become mantras as Diaz has made rebuilding the Hurricanes culture a priority for the future.