Ken Dorsey, University
of Miami
Miami cornerback Phillip Buchanon recalls the first time he saw quarterback Ken Dorsey
on the practice field. 
"I thought, we aren't going to make it
with this guy," Buchanon said, referring to the 6-5, 195 pound Dorsey. "He
was so tall and skinny. I couldn't understand what the coaches were thinking when
they got him."
Once Dorsey had a chance to play, he
answered all those questions, leading the Hurricanes to an unbeaten season and the
undisputed national championship in 2001-02, capped by a 37-14 rout of Nebraska in the
Rose Bowl. Tonight, he received the 65th Maxwell Football Club College Player of the
Year Award, joining Gino Torretta (1992) and Vinny Testaverde (1986) as Miami quarterbacks
sharing this honor.
In the win over Nebraska, Dorsey completed
22 of 35 passes for a career-high 362 yards and three touchdowns. Only a junior,
Dorsey already holds the Miami record for career touchdown passes with 58, surpassing
Testaverde, Torretta, Jim Kelly, Steve Walsh and Bernie Kosar. Even more impressive
is Dorsey's glittering 26-1 record as a starting quarterback with the Hurricanes
"You take Ken out of the mix and we're
a different team," coach Larry Coker said. "He's probably the best
quarterback I've ever seen at leading a team to victory. He always finds a way to
win."
Dorsey was a receiver when he began playing
organized football in Orinda, CA, but he switched to quarterback as a freshman at
Miramonte High School. He found a home at Miami, directing the Hurricanes' explosive
offense. Prior to this season, Miami lost its top runner (James Jackson) and top two
receivers (Santana Moss and Reggie Wayne) to the NFL, yet Dorsey still led the Hurricanes
to a 12-0 finish, making them the only unbeaten team in Division One football.
"Ken Dorsey can throw on the move, he
can change plays at the line of scrimmage and he is partially responsible for the
excellent running game the Canes enjoy with Clinton Portis and Najeh Davenport," said
ESPN football analyst Bill Curry.
"Some people say anyone can run the
exceptionally talented Miami offense, but this Mr. Anyone would not throw with Dorsey's
accuracy, nor would he get rid of the ball as quickly. When a quarterback has great
skill athletes around him, he has to throw the ball on their break while they are running
at lightinng speed. Dorsey would not have a 58 percent completion rate if he didn't
anticipate as well as he does while avoiding flying bodies and smashing helmets."
"To say an average quarterback could
execute Miami's offense is the height of absurdity," Curry said. "Dorsey
has conducted the Hurricane offense nearly flawlessly. The guy simply does not
lose."
Dorsey is famous for his superstitions,
which include wearing two rubber bands on his left wrist and wearing the same torn T-shirt
under his jersey on game day. But it is hard to argue with his record of
success. If something works, why change?
"The statistics, the (individual)
records don't mean that much to me," Dorsey said. "I'll just hand the ball
off all game and be happy as long as we win. I don't think people believe me, but I
really don't care, that's just me."
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