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Miami Hits The Road To Face California

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The Associated Press

Published: December 8, 2008

CORAL GABLES - Miami coach Randy Shannon has taken plenty of recruiting trips to San Francisco's Bay Area during the years, so he knows the area well.

Maybe he can be his team's tour guide.

The Hurricanes (7-5) accepted an invitation Sunday to play in the Emerald Bowl on Dec. 27, when California (8-4) will be awaiting. The Golden Bears' campus is a mere 13 miles from the bowl site, meaning it essentially becomes a road game for Miami.

"The alumni base for the University of Miami in California is kind of big," Shannon said. "That will give us support. It is on the road, but I think we'll have a lot of support from some fans in that area."

Miami will be playing for the eighth time in California. The most recent was Jan. 3, 2002, when the Hurricanes beat Nebraska in the Rose Bowl for their fifth national championship.

Miami leads the series with Cal 2-1, with wins in 1989 and 1990. Cal prevailed in 1964.

"It was in the back of my mind that Miami's reputation is to take on challenges like this, go into the other team's backyard and see if they can stir up some trouble," Emerald Bowl director Gary Cavalli said.

Miami didn't make the postseason last year, struggling to finish 5-7. The Hurricanes ended this season on a two-game losing streak and missed out on a chance to play for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship and potential spot in the Orange Bowl.

But the Emerald Bowl has had a serious eye on Miami for several days, and when finally given the chance, jumped at the chance to pick the Canes.

"Our strategy is to select a Pac-10 team that brings fans and an ACC team with a name that will appeal to the casual Bay Area football fan and the national TV audience. And Miami gives us a lot of national appeal," Cavalli said.

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