HUSKERS HIT HARD BY HURRICANE D. Miami defense shuts down Huskers, Canes cruise to 37-14 Rose Bowl win. By Jim D. Berryman Content Editor The Miami Hurricanes proved why they are the nation's elite college football team Thursday night with a punishing 37-14 win over Nebraska in the Rose Bowl. The Hurricanes finished the season at 12-0 and won the national championship. Jumping to a 34-0 halftime lead, the Hurricane defense was overwhelming, and the Huskers could not overcome the five-touchdown halftime deficit, even though the Huskers outscored Miami in the second half 14-3. The Nebraska Blackshirts simply could not stop Miami's stinging passing attack and were out for the count before the halftime show hit the field. The Hurricanes scored 27 points in the second quarter. Miami’s 34 first half points were the most ever scored against a Nebraska team in a bowl game. It was an impressive performance by the Hurricanes. Not only did they combine for 472 in total yards, but they held the Huskers to just 259 yards, 62 of which came on passes. The Huskers out-rushed the Canes 197-110 yards. But the damage was done through the Canes’ air attack led by Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey, who was 22 of 35 for 362 yards. Nebraska’s Eric Crouch spent much of the game being rushed, blitzed, hurried, and chased. The Miami defense was unrelenting. Even so, Crouch managed to rush 22 times for 114 yards. Crouch’s passing stats were not as good, completing just 5 of 15 passes for 62 yards. Dahrran Diedrick rushed 15 times for 47 yards. The Husker offense managed just one offensive touchdown, which came in the third quarter. Dejuan Groce returned at 71 yard punt return early in the fourth quarter for the other Husker score. The Rose Bowl was a sea of red Thursday night. Most estimates indicate about 70,000 of the 90,000 plus fans were cheering for the Big Red. But it was the other 20,000 people in the stands, the ones wearing green and orange that did most of the cheering. With the victory, Miami wins its fifth national title. There will be no debate as to which team is number 1. Nebraska finishes the season at 11-2, a great season, despite two lopsided losses to close it out. The Huskers finish number 7 in the USA Today-ESPN coaches poll, number 8 in the AP Poll. So another Top 10 finish for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Game Story from Lincoln Journal-Star Lincoln Journal Star: Turnovers costly for Husker offense. Lincoln Journal Star: Husker defense sees painful repeat performance. Journal Star Column: Crouch is worthy of better. Game Story from Omaha World Herald World Herald: Home crowd can't help Huskers. More from ESPN Rose Bowl Stats Eric Crouch Season Stats USA Today-ESPN Final Poll AP Final Poll HUSKER HOT PICS UPDATED STORIES: 01-06-02: Who steps into Crouch's QB shoes at NU? More from Omaha World Herald NU ponders life A.C. (After Crouch). More from Grand Island Independent 01-05-02: Big Quesions for Big Red? More from Omaha World Herald No major changes, Solich says. More from Omaha World Herald Hurricanes too fast for Husker blackshirts. More from AP and Yahoo! Big crowd greets Huskers at Lincoln Airport. More from Lincoln Journal-Star Feedback