Billy Corben: The Making Of "The U"

Last Wednesday I had a chance to participate in a media conference call coordinated and hosted by ESPN to discuss the making of the soon to be released movie "The U". 

The film, which was created and directed by UM grad Billy Corben, focuses on the University of Miami's rise to glory in the 1980's.  

The movie is part of the highly regarded "30 For 30" film series produced by ESPN and will premiere on December 12 at 9 PM right after the Heisman Trophy ceremony.  

Canespace has been invited to be on the "orange carpet" and attend a special screening of the film on December 9 in Miami.  Reporter Mary Clark and a guest will conduct interviews and photograph the event for Canespace.  The event will be attended by some of Miami's elite and many famous players and coaches from UM's "Decade of Dominance" which spanned from 1981-1991.

Corben (seen here with former UM WR Santana Moss) was open and honest during the one hour interview and shed some light on what the making of the movie was like.  He spoke of the incredible interviews (all 41 of them) that he conducted to bring a first person perspective to the film as the former UM coaches and players poured out their hearts and souls about The U and what it means to them. 

Corben also touched on the initial resistance he received from UM on making the film.  In fact the UM Athletic Department went so far as to actually call former coaches and players and ask them not to be interviewed for the film.   Amazing as that seems we firmly believe that Miami's past cannot be ignored and it's future is bright. 

So unashamed and unapologetically Canespace brings U Billy Corben, unplugged:

Q: So how were you able to set up all of these interviews?  Did you have contacts with these players?  With UM?

A: It actually all started with Melvin Bratton.  That led to Alonzo Highsmith.  It is a tight network of guys who stay in touch with each other even though they live all over the Country.  After that it was like a domino effect and all of the interviews just started happening. I conducted 41 interviews for the film.  I could have probably done 140!  I see film making as a perpetual process, but eventually you have to stop.  At a certain point the project has to be done.   But that is what the DVD is for.   When we release it it will have a lot more game and interview footage that we had to edit for the film.

Q: So when you started the production of this film were you surprised that you met resistance from UM, especially with the fact that you are a UM grad?

A: Yes I was.  I was very disappointed.  Some people at UM went as far as to call former coaches and players and ask them not to grant interviews.  When I called Dennis Erickson he told me that UM asked him not to comment.  He granted us an interview for the film and told us that.  I was surprised.

Q: Was there one interview that you didn't get that you would have liked to have had?  Warren Sapp?

A: Actually it would have been Jerome Brown, may he rest in peace.  He was the classic UM player of that era.  He personified everything that Miami stood for.  Bold, brash, dominant.  He was the one interview I wish I could have done that wasn't possible for the film.

Q: What about the early days Under Schnellenberger for 1979-83.  What did U learn about what brought Miami to the top of college football in 1983?

A:  Schnellenberger was as much a salesman as he was a coach.  He is the program, without him there is no Miami program.  When he took over he realized that the Miami Dolphins were drawing 70,000 every week to the Orange Bowl and the Hurricanes were lucky to get 17,000.  He knew he had to sell the team to the city.  He developed "The U" into a brand.  It was a tough time in Miami with riots, racial unrest and he used the Hurricanes as the glue that brought the City together.  He recruited many of the tough inner-city kids to play for Miami.  Their parents and family would go to games.  That was what built the bond between the team and the City.  

Q: What was unique about the program or the team that led to Miami's success?

A: Well you have heard the saying: "It's a Canes Thing, U wouldn't understand."  That is more than just a saying.  It is absolutely true. 

When I interviewed the former players the bond between them was nothing like I have ever seen.  They are members of a family.  Nothing about it is fake or forced.  It is a real family and even though they may be scattered across the Country whenever they are together, even if they haven't seen each other in years, they are like family.

Jeremy Shockey may have said it best when he said: "It's like you are a crip or blood.  Once you are in you are in for life." The association, the affection these guys feel for each other is very real.  The "us against the world" mentality is not a put on.  It is a VERY real thing.

Q: During your interviews were you able to determine a turning point when the coaches and players knew they had arrived?

A: Yes, it was the 1981 Peach Bowl game with Jim Kelly at QB (Miami won 20-10 over VT).  The coaches and players knew that once they had reached and won a bowl game the sky was the limit.  Schenllenberger used that game to sell the team.  He went to the news conference with a can of peaches and put it on the table.  He won the City of Miami's hearts and minds with that game.  Kelly was recruited by Joe Paterno as a LB, but he wanted to play QB.  Howard gave him that chance at Miami.  The rest is history.

Q: There is a big debate among UM fans about which team is the greatest of all time.  When you interviewed the players and coaches was there any consensus about which UM team of that era may have been the best?

A: Well Jimmy Johnson told me that the 1986 team was the best team that never won a National Championship.  He said it was the finest talent he was ever associated with.  Alonzo Highsmith (seen below with Canespacers MiamiMike01 and RandyCane) got very emotional when he talked about that season.  He said the team was devastated when they lost the Fiesta Bowl to Penn State.  Many players told me that the 1986 team was the best ever. 

Several players and coaches who went on to the NFL and even won Super Bowls said that that was the most memorable year and game they ever were associated with.  The disappointment from losing that game stayed with them forever.

Q:  During your interviews was there a common thread of focus that ran trough the Canes dominance on the field?

A:  Competition.  The players knew that if they took a play off, or slacked off in practice, or even if they got hurt, there was someone right behind them ready to take their place.  They knew that the second string at Miami could start on any other team they faced.  Even the third string players were better than most teams they faced.  Competition is what drove the players and the team. 

You had Vinny Testaverde sitting behind Bernie Kosar. 

Jimmy Johnson was a master motivator.  Michael Irvin told me that one day Jimmy walked into the weight room and said that everyone was saying "How are we (the Canes) going to replace the wide receivers that are graduating?" 

He told Irvin: "I can't wait to introduce them to Michael Irvin!" 

Michael Irvin became the hardest working player at Miami after that.  That was Jimmy's brilliance at work.  He loved competition.

For more on the movie including the video trailer and music from the movie click on the link below:

http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2009/11/espn-films-presents-the-u/

Comments

[DZ8]

1st

[Old Skool]

Hurray

[coldcane]

LOL...come on Canespacers...we've known for more than 24 hrs now that we are playing Wisconsin and no one has posted a detailed breakdown of their strengths and weaknesses? You boys and girls are slackig!!! Where you at Calvin? JSQ? By the way JSQ I am in love with you..lol

[canesteeler]

Great article!

[DZ8]

Anybody know if their is a limit to the number of early enrollees?

Posted by: DZ8 | December 07, 2009 at 08:05 PM

[DZ8]

Awesome interview! This past saturday was ok because fla got beat. This upcoming saturday will be great because of this documentary. Right after the Heisman, we'll get a recruit or two next week.

[RandyCane]

NO ONE WILL EVER UNDERSTAND, IT'S A CANE'S THING" The family thing will never be duplicated. There have been other teams who have had runs similiar to the Canes but No One will ever duplicate what these young men did. They made the "U" and I was proud to be a Canes fan then and now!

[DZ8]

Posted by: coldcane | December 07, 2009 at 08:20 PM

Your love JSQ posted a good link to an article from a wisconsin fan. I'll see if I can find it.

To sum it up, they can run the ball and stop the run.

[coldcane]

Hey JSQ...its not like a stalker love...its like a you are a woman that lives and breathes Hurricane football so anything else you do can be overlooked type love

[RandyCane]

The 86 team versus the 2001 team. Now thats a game I would like to see.

[coldcane]

I appreciate that DZ8...I'll wait

[CaniaK aka True Canes]

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports/highschool/recruiting/blog/2009/12/um_showing_interest_in_atlanti.html

He will switch from Ole Miss to the canes if he gets an offer

[Old Skool]

Rank 'em Worse losses

1 Ohio State and Terry Porter
2. 1986 Fiesta Bowl
3. Flutie's Hail Mary
4. Washington ending the home win streak
5. The blowout to UVA in the OB's last game.
6. The Florida flop.

I'm sure there are others that still irritate people. These come to mind first.

[JSQ]

JSQ? By the way JSQ I am in love with you..lol

Posted by: coldcane | December 07, 2009 at 08:20 PM

Thanks, coldcane. As said before, I posted a link earlier. Let me find the article. brb

[JSQ]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/304115-wisconsin-miami-champs-sports-bowl-could-be-a-high-scoring-affair

We are going to LIGHT UP their secondary. I can't wait!

[JSQ]

Rank 'em Worse losses

1 Ohio State and Terry Porter
2. 1986 Fiesta Bowl
3. Flutie's Hail Mary
4. Washington ending the home win streak
5. The blowout to UVA in the OB's last game.
6. The Florida flop.

I'm sure there are others that still irritate people. These come to mind first.

Posted by: Old Skool | December 07, 2009 at 08:33 PM

The last minute one to Penn State in 1999 was the first time football made me cry. Not one of the top 10 irritating losses, but it broke my heart nonetheless and is very rememberable to me. Wasn't that upset again until Clemson this year.

[JSQ]

I am SO EXCITED about The U premier and so honored to cover it for Canespace - the best 'Canes website out there, for the fans, by the fans!

Please let me know if there are any particular questions you would like me to ask if I get the opportunity to interview anyone. I am going to try my best to get as many interviews and pictures as possible, but I'm not sure of the set-up. I will definitely get Lamar, and if Steve is there, probably him too.

What do you guys want to know? Please post questions!

GO 'CANES!!!!

IT'S ALL ABOUT "THE U!!!!"

[DZ8]

Good article on our bowl matchup from the Badgers' perspective:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/304115-wisconsin-miami-champs-sports-bowl-could-be-a-high-scoring-affair

Posted by: JSQ | December 07, 2009 at 05:51 PM

Dam IT! It took me like ten minutes to find the link. Beatin' by the Queen.

[JSQ]

I get weekly e-mails from the Bleacher Report and I saved that one in my e-mail for the future "Mary Knows Football" season recap and bowl picks - you are not slow, I just sort of cheated, DZ8! :-)

[tortugacane]

Totally cool article 86, as all your previous ones. You have done it again. CaneSpace just gets better as each day goes by. Go Spacers & Canes!

[JSQ]

86, where did the picture of my husband go?

wait - Kirk Herbstreit is my imaginary husband . . .

Jeremy Shockey is my imaginary illegitimate baby 'Cane daddy.

Put Shockey back up! You guys get to see pictures of chicks on here all the time! I want my man-candy!!! ;-)

[raizecane]

I think so CSM. It all depends on traffic and hopefully people will be on vacation that week so it may not be too bad.

Email me at tlwflores@hotmail.com
so we can exchange numbers.

Posted by: canechic | December 07, 2009 at 07:30 PM

I think its going to be crazy that day. The ideal thing to do is to all meet some place early and then all drive in together and try to go into parking lot U. We can tailgate and eat before we head into the stadium.

I am off that day and can be there at any time.

Is 10 AM to early to start drinking?

[KLCaneFan]

I second that, Mary! Give us our man eye-candy!!! :)

[404Canes404]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/treyc/tim-tebow-crying-motivational-poster-uw5

A picture as sweet as candy! How's that?

[JSQ]

Is 10 AM to early to start drinking?

Posted by: raizecane | December 07, 2009 at 08:59 PM

Never. If anything, it is too late.

Cautionary tale: I started at 5:30am for the UVA game. That, friends IS too early to start drinking. I sat on the field for that game in the HOT sun after drinking for 7 hours, gave my number to a former player who asked for it (my buddies still laugh when I ask to whom) and have NO MEMORY of it. Next thing I remember with complete clarity is wrestling my buddies aside for a peice of p'zone while watching the end of the GA Tech/Wake game.

I knew there was a school house rock episode I missed - the one that teaches kids not to drink jello shots before the sun comes up. BAD NEWS!

[Rashad Reed]

I am in........looks like Rashad and I will be a couple that day, lmao.

Posted by: raizecane | December 07, 2009 at 01:25 PM

Its a date..LMAO!!

[JSQ]

A picture as sweet as candy! How's that?

Posted by: 404Canes404 | December 07, 2009 at 09:03 PM

It's not a shirtless Jeremy Shockey, but it's definitely mental porn in my book!

[JSQ]

Re-read my post and just to clarify: I remember the game, just not the identity of the former player.

He must not have been that important, right?

Ah, jello shots.

[86Cane]

Wasn't that upset again until Clemson this year.

Posted by: JSQ | December 07, 2009 at 08:38 PM

Don't we all remember that vividly. It was not pretty...suicidal was the word I would use to describe that event.

[JSQ]

Don't we all remember that vividly. It was not pretty...suicidal was the word I would use to describe that event.

Posted by: 86Cane | December 07, 2009 at 09:33 PM

Penn State '99 or Clemson '09?

Suicidal, huh? I was completely mentally stable after the Clemson loss. No one had to stop me from running into traffic or anything.

;-)

[CaneSawMassacre]

Nooo Raise or Rashad.. I can't get there that early and canechic was saying it isn't great to tailgate.. Better to meet somewhere.

There are a lot of places where we could get a bitr to eat and somethin to drink an a few hours before the game, then get a nice little convoy line going, or maybe carppol from the bar to the stadium.

Canechic - I'm sending you an email now. Worst case scenario if the rest of the crew doesn't want to meet up it could be my posse and your posse. I like tailgating if the situation is right, but I LOVE to eat at places in Orlando, they have so many great options and it gives us an opportunity to not waste moeny for food and drinks in the stadium

[Rashad Reed]

Just let me know CSM. Im out of work at noon thta day, so I have the whole day.

[Hurriphin]

Hurriphin......the U.

Wide Right II on ESPN Classic gang.

Excellent article there. Can't wait for this 30/30 deal! Love to see the "Bada$$ Cane Era" that I was too young to appreciate. Canes---Setting trends.

The most disheartening UM loss that I've witnessed personally has the be the OB finale. Pathetic is an understatement. That team on that field should have been collectively burned at a stake. Can't ever forget how ashamed Mike Irvin said he was of that 07' team. don't even think he attended the game.

I know he aren't suppossed to geek over highlight films, but that Mireles kid is a lightning bolt. If you didn't see the youtube link I put up a couple days ago, go peep his footage out. This kid MUST get an offer.

[Rashad Reed]

CSM:
You can look me up on Facebook if you have it. Rashad Reed.

[Hurriphin]

---"we aren't"

[CaneSawMassacre]

Canechic ------ YOU'VE GOT MAIL!

[CaneSawMassacre]

Rashad I'm getting into Orlando around 4 that day.. I'm working something with Canechic to set-up at a local bar around the stadium probably a couple miles or so..

Once she gives me a couple spots, I'll call over and see if they can arrange for some sort of CANESPACE specials...

You interested? If you need a ride from the spot to the stadium we could probably arrange something. We have like 3-4 spots in my father's big Toyota Tundra.. But just be ready to roll out immediately after the game because we have to head back to Tampa and work early the next day.

[86Cane]

U have to get to the stadium early to park in a safe area. The Wisconsin fan will be there at dawn.

If U don't get there early U will park in the hood. Good luck with that!

I will have NO PART OF THAT!

[CaneSawMassacre]

Rashad I'm not afraid to post my number 8139448570.. Text me buddy. I look at my Canespace/ a.k.a. Cane family as second tier to my immediate family

Hit me up ASAP, and then I'll know I have another brother from another Cane mother for LIFE!!!

[MR TROUTMAN]

I ATTENDED TWO NIGHTMARE GAMES LSU IN THE Ga dome and the beat down in Atlanta by Ga Tech.. both were the two worst games we played in the last 5 years.

[raizecane]

I will go with what everyone decides. I was more concerned about parking. If you wait, you will find yourself parking in the outskirts...and would not recommend that. There are plenty of places to eat but parking in downtown is a pain in the ass.

There is a KERS Wing House and an Ale House in Altamonte (north of orlando) which is about 15 minutes from downtown. But I myself would like to be parked by 1 or 2. I am sure 86 and Canechic will come up with a plan so that we can all try to meet before the game.

[Rashad Reed]

Ok, just hit you up with a text CSM.

[CaneSawMassacre]

If you buy a parking pass ahead of time SOUP, will you not be provied parking inside the lot? If you come later?

Cause I sure as hell will raise h8ll if I just wasted 25 bucks???

An answer would be appreciated as quickly as possible.

[CaneSawMassacre]

Gotcha Rashad, hit you back.

Now I'm just waiting for an update on the parking situation.

Cause I'm going to be P*SSED if I bought 25 bucks for reserved parking only to get shafted..................

[NativeCane]

Old Skool, The 1992 whoopin alabama put on us was a heartbreaker, we had the heisman curse and Hurricane Andrew made that a bad year all the way around.

[solarcane]

Mary, Soup excellet exposure getting invited to the screening , proud of both of you.

peace

[Rashad Reed]

Im just glad I'll be with everyone this time. At the UCF game that place was so big, I had no idea where I was..haha

[Hurriphin]

On a slightly milder scale..........last year's loss to UNC had me salty as well.
I remember throwing the little hurricanes football (after Farq' got the TD TAKEN form him) I have, as hard as I could, at my TV. It bounced off the tele, and knocked over my cup of iced tea, all over the carpet. I had to scrub like a slave to get it clean before my wife got home.

[JSQ]

CSM:

Can I arrive anytime before or during the event and still be able to park?

Can I arrive anytime before or during the event and still be able to park?
Event and parking times vary. Please check your permit details to see when your selected parking lot opens. Your parking permit is valid during and up through the end of the event, after which time lot owner retain the right to re-sell your parking spot.

Is my parking space guaranteed?
Yes. Once purchased, your parking space will be waiting for your arrival. In case a parking lot becomes unusable due to inclement weather, Click and Park reserves the right to re-direct you to another parking lot.

From

http://www.clickandpark.com/faq.shtml

[pb(CSROH10)]

Posted by: JSQ | December 07, 2009 at 08:38 PM

I'll never forget that monsoon game either. Ed Reed and Mike Rumph smack into each other and let the PSU wide receiver catch that bomb to beat us.

But we got sweet revenge by pummeling them the next time we met.

BTW,the OSU game next season will be the way this team announces to the nation that it's in trouble.

[solarcane]

CSM,

you are like the angry young man personified lately. lol!

You know you're my boy but dude,
every since the Bowden thing you been in a rage about everything, your gonna blow a vein right out out of your head, man it's gonna be alright,

You will get parked, your car may get boosted or mashed but hey your gonna see the Canes!
Canechic is giving you good advice about hanging close to familiar faces when you get there. Canesteeler and his crowd would be who I would walk in with.

peace

[CaneSawMassacre]

Thanks JSQ

Funny story Hurriphin!! Sounds like me.

I'll be out for a bit Rashad.. LMAO I'm going to put the wife to bed!!! hehe, funny for me I'll more than likely actually be putting her to bed (a.k.a. rubbing her hair to help her sleep)

but who knows...

The parking information makes me feel better but I'll let you know what happens if anything changes.

[SOUP]

Im just glad I'll be with everyone this time. At the UCF game that place was so big, I had no idea where I was..haha

Posted by: Rashad Reed | December 07, 2009 at 10:11 PM

Rashad...we gotchU bro! U wanna stay at my house the night before the game just to be sure? LOL

[CaneSawMassacre]

LMAO thanks Solar... I never know how to take your sarcastic advice.

I apologize if I have been to passionate. I've been trying to keep the pace of the site moving since it has been slow, and I was away for awhile.

But I'm just trying to get something going because this is my last chance to see the faces of a lot of great canes fans before the season ends.

I didn't mean to come off angry (aside from when I was talking about the Gator Bowl/ Idaho coach/ and Nix - and the rest of the JAX recruits.) but I was trying to bring the passion and apparently it came out too strong.

So I'll tone down.

Canechic you gor your email. LOL If I'm not to angry sounding let me know if you got an idea. IF nothing comes up we can always just try and find a nice tailgating party (though I prefer a sports bar/restraunt).

Anyways Solar I think sometimes things get lost in translation through cyberspace. I say a lot of stuff in caps or with curse words to try and exaggerate or highlight a comment but most of the time I'm trying to be funny; obviously I'm seriously lacking the wit that you portray through the internet.

[JSQ]

Rashad...we gotchU bro! U wanna stay at my house the night before the game just to be sure? LOL

Posted by: SOUP | December 07, 2009 at 10:22 PM

Don't fall it, Rashad. A few incriminating pictures later, he'll force you to write a weekly article for Canespace.

[raizecane]

Parking Info...

Public Parking
Public Parking is $20. On game day all stadium lots are manned and reserved for permit parking, recreational vehicles, charter buses, disabled patrons and a limited amount of public parking. Only vehicles with parking permits sold in advance will be allowed into the immediate vicinity of the stadium. Advance Parking Permits can be purchased through www.clickandpark.com or by calling 866.330.7275. Lots will sell out. City-controlled parking lots open at 10:00 a.m.

[SOUP]

Solar...no lie about CSM, that dude is gonna bust a vein sooner than later. LOL

What the heck are U doing for the bowl game? We have invited MM01 and Randy to possibly to stay here with us if they don't hang at The Hampton.

[CaneSawMassacre]

ok, now I'm the crazy go..

Way to go and make me feel like the last kid picked in a kickball game (me-loer).

When anybody else brings itttttttttttttttt, they are passionate, intense and well informed..

Me, I'm just too much or, I I haven't figured out how to cement my spot in

[solarcane]

CSM,
no man, it's cool to see you going off,You said that stuff from the heart, mm01 & cat5 are like that lots of time, I get a kick out of it, I just meant try and enjoy the positives of the bowl experience and don't let the bast*rds get you down!

peace

[SOUP]

Don't fall it, Rashad. A few incriminating pictures later, he'll force you to write a weekly article for Canespace.

Posted by: JSQ | December 07, 2009 at 10:25 PM

Don't give away all my secrets! U are going to a movie premiere courtesy of Canespace so shut yo mouf. Or should I just publish those photos?

OK Mrs. 86, I'm coming to bed, I was just kidding, really. Oh damn, it's looks like a 9 iron this time, or is that a pitching wedge? LOL

[CaneSawMassacre]

When CAV/ LOCO/ SIX/ Truth

Do the same thing they are passionate and cool, I guess I haven't mastered that art yet, or garnered that amount of respect to go on long rants or post passionate comments.

I'll figure it out one day..

[solarcane]

soup,

I just started a really nice job for a heart surgeon, and his wife who is head of a trauma unit. They are adding more renovations daily to their house so things are going great.
I might be able to slip down, I'll keep in touch via email.

peace

[CaneSawMassacre]

I'm going to enjoy it Solar, it will be my fist live bowl appearance since I was a kid.

I'm very sxcited for this program and hope they have ALOT more focus than I do LOL>..

I just find it amusing that the ACC changed the rules now. Why not fight the garbage that occured before hand???

BUt I'm done with that, I'm on to procuring an amazing pregame event for my Hurricanes and immediate family.

[Six]

Boisie has 10 chances to schedule real games with the big boys every year and they don't. I feel no sympathy for them whatsoever. If OSU played their schedule they'd be undefeated too.

Until Boisie and those other schools schedule five or six real teams every year they have no room for any sort of argument.

TCU has a little bit of room since they played Clemson at home and beat them. But why don't they play the TX schools...TT, A&M at least??

You get no respect until you earn respect and playing one ranked team a year when you have a month to prepare for it is not impressive.

I think the world of Petersen as a coach but at some point he's got to play some, not just one a year, legitimate teams to deserve that lofty BCS ranking.

Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | December 07, 2009 at 10:20 AM

What the hell does that have to do with the BCS not scheduling Boise State or TCU to play in other BCS Bowls besides playing each other in a BCS Bowl? The BCS completely covered their own ass by doing that, b/c if they did schedule Boise State or TCU to play other teams in other BCS Bowls, and they both won - then that would be an enormous wrench thrown into their bullsh*t system

If you don't think so, you're in the 2% of all of America that thinks that way.

TCU vs Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. That's crap.

How can you schedule 10 games with out of conference teams. Boise can't help what conference they're in, just like TCU. Even Herbstreit said that Boise has trouble getting people to schedule a home-and-home with them b/c they don't want to travel up there

How can you also think the world of Peterson, if he does nothing but schedule patsies like you say

The BCS is complete sh*t. They covered their asses by making Boise State and TCU play each other - b/c god forbid they make them play one of the "big" boys and embarrass them

It's about that one game that you play against your opponent and if you can beat them. Just like a heavyweight title fight. It doesn't matter who you fight on the way up to that title fight - it's if you can beat the person across the ring from you in the title fight. No one cares who you fight on the way up, if you're good enough to get a shot and take that shot and win - that's all that matters

March Madness is a perfect example. You have lower tier teams that can't help what conference they're in, but when they get in the tourney, they beat teams from the bigger named conferences. Who gives a crap what conference your school is in - it's about whether or not you can play when it counts and I'd take Boise State or TCU beating Ohio State, Iowa, Cincinnati, Oregon and maybe even LSU or Penn State

One team doesn't define an entire conference and they can't help that they're in the conference. That's why I could give a crap about how the ACC does - I'm not a ACC fan, I'm a Canes fan.

You think Boise State and TCU just sit back every single year and say, hey, let's not try and schedule anyone that is considered big time, so we can just play pansies and hurt our own cause. I doubt it

You don't think Boise State or TCU could handle Ohio State's schedule?

You don't think Boise State or TCU could beat: Navy, USC, Toledo, New Mexico State?

How about Ohio State's schedule last year, with: Youngstown State, Ohio, USC, Troy and come out with the same result that Ohio State did?

How about 2 years ago when Ohio State's first four game schedule spelled out YAWN? B/c that's what it was, a freaking yawn fest of games: Youngstown State, Akron, Washington and Northwestern

Why not place Boise State and TCU up against other teams in other BCS Bowl games, instead of playing each other in a BCS Bowl Game?

[roachcane77]

Great article 86!

JSQ see if you can get some of the past players to relate what they feel their role is for our current and future players.

Also, how are they treated by the current regime when they come into town? (I remember reading here on the Space about how "shabbily" some of the former FSU players were treated when they would return to Tallahassee.)

Also, if you see Kirby H. ask him if there is EVER a chance for an on-campus stadium.

Once again... great job... and enjoy the "Orange Carpet" Wednesday.

[solarcane]

"garnered that amount of respect to go on long rants or post passionate comments."

aqua and Canez1, both guys I respect immensely can translate their passion and rage with a simple

"fug them byches!"

peace

[CaneSawMassacre]

LOL I guess I'm a long winded ranter!!

[SOUP]

I might be able to slip down, I'll keep in touch via email.

Posted by: solarcane | December 07, 2009 at 10:37 PM

Dude, for $25/ticket in Orlando U gotta make it work. let me know!

[pb(CSROH10)]

Someone on this blog is wound a little too tight.

Funny stuff.

[Six]

Oh, and Ohio State's out of conference schedule the year that spelled YAWN for their first 4 games was:
Youngstown State, Akron, Washington and Kent State

Tremendous pants wetting out of conference schedule right there

[JSQ]

Don't give away all my secrets! U are going to a movie premiere courtesy of Canespace so shut yo mouf. LOL

Posted by: SOUP | December 07, 2009 at 10:33 PM

Technically, it is Ben who is the recipient of your generosity since I already had a ticket . . .

. . . um, courtesy of Ben.

Thanks again for making it so we both could go, 86.

[JSQ]

JSQ see if you can get some of the past players to relate what they feel their role is for our current and future players.

Also, how are they treated by the current regime when they come into town? (I remember reading here on the Space about how "shabbily" some of the former FSU players were treated when they would return to Tallahassee.)

Also, if you see Kirby H. ask him if there is EVER a chance for an on-campus stadium.

Once again... great job... and enjoy the "Orange Carpet" Wednesday.

Posted by: roachcane77 | December 07, 2009 at 10:42 PM

Roach, I doubt Kirby will be there since the University does not support or endorse the movie. From my talks with Kirby in the past, I can tell you in short: no.

To answer your second question, I have discussed this with former players: Randy welcomes them with open arms. Several former players (LT 36, for example) were not Butch Davis fans because of how he closed the field to them. Randy lets EVERYBODY down there. There are dudes down there who I am friends with who never even started in the late 90s/early 00s. I think that's the way it should be, all-inclusive, but I understand Butch's reasons for doing things how he did after how crazy things got in the Erickson era.

I will ask the first question to whomever I can talk to besides Lamar and Steve. We discussed this exact question during the football kickoff event and they feel their role, in short, is to continue the U Family. Support, mentor. As far as future 'Canes - there is a reason these guys are coaching. LT said at my event "if there is a guy at Boynton Beach I think could play for the U, you better believe Coach Shannon is going to hear about him!"

[solarcane]

soup i hear ya,
if I'm not Christmasing(?) in Hickory NC I'll make it down.

Six

good points on the scheduling debate.

When we were racking up all those home wins in the OB over half were wins against teams that were 7-6 or worse.

The great part of it was we scheduled plenty of big power house programs at home or away that during that same stretch.

peace

[pb(CSROH10)]

I might be able to slip down, I'll keep in touch via email.

Posted by: solarcane | December 07, 2009 at 10:37 PM

Solar if you come down your ticket is on me!!!

[moneycane]

Great write up 86. I cant wait to see the actual movie. Can't wait for the bowl game to get here as well. This will be my first ever bowl game.

I agree with JSQ about the 1999 Penn State game. As a matter of fact that whole season was a heartbreaker. After we stomped Ohio Stank in the first game of the season I though my Canes were poised for great things. Last second loss to Penn State. Getting shutdown after halftime and losing to FSU. Losing to ECU with David Guarrad at the helm. Man that season sucked. We all know what happened the following year

[JSQ]

We should be starting out around 4pm. If y'all want to stop by for some jello shots and BBQ, I suggest you purchase a lot S pass now before they sell out.

I'm out for the night. Sebastian says it's time to give our full attention and support to the Ravens and go to bed.

GO 'CANES! BEAT THE BADGERS!

[JSQ]

Sorry, I meant we are starting out at 12 noon. I don't know where I got 4pm. Very, very tired.

[solarcane]

peeb thanks brudd,
We definitely gotta sit side by side through a game soon

peace

[SJMPARMAN]

My top 10 disappointing losses.

1. Flutie. No excuse for that one.
2. PSU in Fiesta Bowl. To this day still wonder whether Vinnie threw that game.
3. Ohio State. It should never have come down to that 4th down play but to have it come down to that, to start jumping up and down for five seconds and then hear about a late flag sucked.
4. Maryland in 1984. Canes lead 31-0 at half, lose 42-40 behind Frank Reich's 6 TD passes.
5. Sugar Bowl 1986 v Tennessee. Still hear Rocky Top after all these years.
6. "Catholics v Convicts" 31-30 Notre Dame. Worst officiated game before Ohio State bowl game.
7. Tie. Last OB game against VA 48-0 and FSU 47-0. Although team wasn't expected to win either game, shutouts are unacceptable.
8. LSU Bowl game 40-3 in 1985. When we all realized maybe this Coker guy sucks.
9. Syracuse 66 - Miami 13 in 1998. Yes it was against Donovan McNabb and at Syracuse but 66 points???
10. Miami bowl game against UCLA in 1984. UCLA 39-37. Third consecutive 2 point loss to end a miserable season.

Also, is it me or does anyone else think the ACC bowl tie ins for the future are pretty lame?

[pb(CSROH10)]

Posted by: JSQ | December 07, 2009 at 08:38 PM

Is this the game you are talking about?

\/ \/

I'll never forget that monsoon game either. Ed Reed and Mike Rumph smack into each other and let the PSU wide receiver catch that bomb to beat us.

But we got sweet revenge by pummeling them the next time we met.

BTW,the OSU game next season will be the way this team announces to the nation that it's in trouble.

[JCane]

You guys have short memories re: the worst individual games. The Flutie game sucked, but in 1984 the loss to Maryland was even worse. The Canes were up 31-0 in the first half before Maryland backup Frank Reich brought the Twerps back for a 42-40 win. Yes, the same backup who covered for Jim Kelly in the largest playoff comeback in NFL hx when Reich brought the Bills back over the old Houston Oilers in 1992.

Also, 1988 UM at NDU, the Canes with the potential for a second straight championship season, and that dang fumble call vs. Cleveland Gary at the Irish 1 yd. line. He was absolutely down, with this being one of the worst calls ever (probably second worst in UM hx after the Terry Porter flag). If there is no fumble, the U likely scores on the next play and ties the game, instead of @ 6 or 7 min. later scoring with under a min. left and going for 2 to win (obviously the conversion failed). Final was 31-30, NDU. I much preferred the first major 31-30 outcome for the U, in the Jan. 1984 OB and national championship win over Nebraska.

Okay. I'm done with my nightmare down memory lane. Great article/interview, 86. Looking forward to seeing the doc. on 12/12.

[321canes]

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[JCane]

Okay. I guess I finished my little essay after you, SJMParman. I see we agress in the inclusion of these two horrible games! Ugh. Definitely the 1986 Fiesta was about the worst bowl loss ever, along with the Fiesta for the 2002 squad, as the 1986 team was absolutely loaded. I don't know what got into Testeverde that night....

[JCane]

I guess I should have typed "agree" rather than "agress." Dang keyboard.....Yes. That Cath. vs. Convicts game was ridiculous from the officiating end. My favorite part of the Catholics vs. Convicts stuff was that the U actually had more Catholics on its team than NDU.

[CaneSawMassacre]

Wow PB see you just love to try and throw fuel on a fire.

[CaneSawMassacre]

It is not like I flipped out to their comments, I understood them....

I think they just misunderstood what I was getting at...

You on the other hand are just trying to instigate something b/c you are like that. I'm not going to sit and get into a p*ssing contest with you you!

GoCANES!

[JCane]

I have to apologize for leaving out another great 31-30 Canes game, the 1988 comeback win over UMichigan. The Canes scored 17 in under 6 minutes to finish the game and the amazing comeback. Unfortunately this happened a few weeks earlier than the NDU loss, so it led to a "bad" season for the U, losing a game and finishing #2 behind NDU when NDU got a chance to play WVa in the bowl game instead of getting a rematch with the U. Imagine how that team would have been remembered had it won that NDU game and went on for another championship. They had been on I think a 36 game win streak going into South Bend.

Okay. Truly enough of this. It still ticks me off. Night all.

[raizecane]

321 - Very nice listing but you left out a few places.....like the Doll House and Pure Platinum which are all close.

And for you Tiger Woods wanna be's........you can probably find a nice "lady of the night" 5 blocks east of the stadium on good ole 441 (aka OBT). hehe

[CaneSawMassacre]

Nighth everybody! Canechic and Rashad I'll speak with you guys later.

Solar/86 and the rest of the crew let me know if anything else gets more finalized for the game.

[JCane]

For those interested in the old C vs. C shirts:

http://www.zazzle.com/catholics_vs_convicts_miami_vs_notre_dame_1988_tshirt-235516971716778241

[321canes]

Posted by: raizecane | December 07, 2009 at 11:35 PM

LOL NOOO don't do it!!!!!!!! TRUST!

[pb(CSROH10)]

For me the Cleveland Gary it wasn't a fumble/wasn't a first down/wasn't a touchdown screw job at Notre Dame is one of the toughest losses I will ever have.

Worked with a die hard ND fan and watched it at his house.

Ugh!!

[Hassan]

Canes stadium might get upgrades!!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=An7jkVYAU7U.rDRVw3qffPur0op4?slug=ap-goodell&prov=ap&type=lgns

[Rashad Reed]

Rashad...we gotchU bro! U wanna stay at my house the night before the game just to be sure? LOL

Posted by: SOUP | December 07, 2009 at 10:22 PM

Don't fall it, Rashad. A few incriminating pictures later, he'll force you to write a weekly article for Canespace.

Posted by: JSQ | December 07, 2009 at 10:25 PM

LMAO!!!!!!

[SOUP]

you can probably find a nice "lady of the night" 5 blocks east of the stadium on good ole 441 (aka OBT). hehe

Posted by: raizecane | December 07, 2009 at 11:35 PM

And U know this because???

[Rashad Reed]

I remember that loss to ND back in 1988. I cried as hard as Tebow did the other night. Only difference, I was 8 years old, not 22..lol

[pb(CSROH10)]

Posted by: Rashad Reed | December 08, 2009 at 12:02 AM

Funny stuff!

Even Gator fans have to be embarrassed by that look at me show he put on.

[Calvin]

The losses in order that bother me the most and until this day:
1. The penn st. game 86 squad
2. The bullshat fiesta bowl against ohio st.
3. The highway robbery in notre shame as pb stated, where cleveland gary didn't fumble, it definitely was a 1st down at worse.
4. Tonight i go into the monday night game with about 5 people in the running for the football pool, i got the ravens and 40 points total, everybody else had the packers and high points, i go back and check the sheet again after celebrating just to make sure, and i find this one guy who had green bay and 41 points, you talking about bullshat.

Had i known they were playing in green bay at night i would've picked the packers. I didn't even look at that and the case would have been closed, $605 dollars down the drain, i just had to pick buffalo, i only had buffalo and pittsburgh wrong until monday night, and now the ravens, damyum. I was already for tomorrow i was going to go to burger king in the morning and although i haven't had 1 probably since the 80's i was going to go to burger king just to get a crown hat and wear that shat around all day tomorrow.

[Calvin]

The losses in order that bother me the most and until this day:
1. The penn st. game 86 squad
2. The bullshat fiesta bowl against ohio st.
3. The highway robbery in notre shame as pb stated, where cleveland gary didn't fumble, it definitely was a 1st down at worse.
4. Tonight i go into the monday night game with about 5 people in the running for the football pool, i got the ravens and 40 points total, everybody else had the packers and high points, i go back and check the sheet again after celebrating just to make sure, and i find this one guy who had green bay and 41 points, you talking about bullshat.

Had i known they were playing in green bay at night i would've picked the packers. I didn't even look at that and the case would have been closed, $605 dollars down the drain, i just had to pick buffalo, i only had buffalo and pittsburgh wrong until monday night, and now the ravens, damyum. I was already for tomorrow i was going to go to burger king in the morning and although i haven't had 1 probably since the 80's i was going to go to burger king just to get a crown hat and wear that shat around all day tomorrow.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

"The last minute one to Penn State in 1999 was the first time football made me cry. Not one of the top 10 irritating losses, but it broke my heart nonetheless and is very rememberable to me.

Posted by: JSQ | December 07, 2009 at 08:38 PM"

I wanted Coker fired after that game JSQ, his offense was too conservative for my tastes.