2008 Woodie Awards
Brawl Between College Teams
Juan Bernal
Issue date: 10/23/06 Section: Sports
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On Saturday October 14, the game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida International Golden Panthers was supposed to be the first between two schools whose campuses were nine miles apart. It was supposed to be a friendly affair between two schools which heavily recruit in the South Florida area, arguably the best county in the nation for football prospects. The result of the game wasn't supposed to be close as Miami, despite their struggles this season was favored by three plus touchdowns against the Golden Panthers who came into the game winless.
For the Golden Panthers, they had played about as well as they could play. Until about nine minutes left in the third quarter, when Hurricane fullback James Bryant caught a seven yard touchdown pass from Kyle Wright, he took a bow, in which the Golden Panther bench seemed to take offense. After Bryant was flagged and scolded by Miami head coach Larry Coker, all hell would break loose after Jon Peattie kicked the extra point to put the Hurricanes up 14-0.
After Miami holder Matt Perrelli was crashed into by an FIU player, the fight began with several punches being thrown at first. The fight, which lasted approximately five minutes featured punches, kicks, helmets being swung, an FIU player being suplexed and a little bit of everything else. If you like brawls, this one didn't disappoint.
This season has been a struggle at Miami, and the brawl showed that it is going to be a long rest of the season at Miami. Many alumni and fans have called for the resignation of head coach Larry Coker. Coker, who won his first 23 games at the U, has struggled by Hurricane standards the past two seasons. Last season, Coker led the Hurricanes to a 9-3 season, which was considered "unacceptable" by many. This past season Coker overhauled some of the coaching staff, hiring four new coaches including a new offensive coordinator. However, instead of progressing, Miami has regressed. For the first time in 107 weeks Miami is unranked, and they started this season 1-2 with a home loss to FSU and an embarrassing loss to Louisville on the road, in which Miami players taunted Louisville by stomping on their midfield logo before the game started.
For the Golden Panthers, they had played about as well as they could play. Until about nine minutes left in the third quarter, when Hurricane fullback James Bryant caught a seven yard touchdown pass from Kyle Wright, he took a bow, in which the Golden Panther bench seemed to take offense. After Bryant was flagged and scolded by Miami head coach Larry Coker, all hell would break loose after Jon Peattie kicked the extra point to put the Hurricanes up 14-0.
After Miami holder Matt Perrelli was crashed into by an FIU player, the fight began with several punches being thrown at first. The fight, which lasted approximately five minutes featured punches, kicks, helmets being swung, an FIU player being suplexed and a little bit of everything else. If you like brawls, this one didn't disappoint.
This season has been a struggle at Miami, and the brawl showed that it is going to be a long rest of the season at Miami. Many alumni and fans have called for the resignation of head coach Larry Coker. Coker, who won his first 23 games at the U, has struggled by Hurricane standards the past two seasons. Last season, Coker led the Hurricanes to a 9-3 season, which was considered "unacceptable" by many. This past season Coker overhauled some of the coaching staff, hiring four new coaches including a new offensive coordinator. However, instead of progressing, Miami has regressed. For the first time in 107 weeks Miami is unranked, and they started this season 1-2 with a home loss to FSU and an embarrassing loss to Louisville on the road, in which Miami players taunted Louisville by stomping on their midfield logo before the game started.
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