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No. 16 Miami brings memories into Clemson

Oct 1, 2010 - 5:49 PM By PETE IACOBELLI AP Sports Writer

No. 15 Miami (FL) (2-1) at Clemson (2-1), 12:00 p.m. EDT

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) -- Miami hasn't forgotten its upset loss to Clemson last year - or what it did to the Hurricanes' plans for getting back on top.

No. 16 Miami (2-1) hopes not to repeat that on Saturday when it opens Atlantic Coast Conference play at Clemson.

Cornerback Ryan Hill remembers watching the 40-37 overtime loss from home because he was injured and knew the impact it could have on the Hurricanes' goals. "It was a tough loss, probably one of the losses that kept us out of the BCS game," Hill said. "That's going to be in the back of our mind."

The Hurricanes already let a chance to stamp themselves as national contenders slip away in a 36-24 loss to No. 2 Ohio State. They rebounded a game later, routing Pittsburgh 31-3. Now the team heads into one of the ACC's most difficult venues with a championship chip on their shoulders - one knocked off by Clemson (2-1) a year ago.

"We got the short end of the stick on that one," Miami receiver LaRon Byrd said. "It's definitely going to be like revenge out there."

Miami seemed to have everything going its way when these teams met in 2009. The 'Canes were ranked eighth in the country, quarterback Jacory Harris was a breakout star and Miami carried that South Florida swagger.

Yet, they could not contain Tigers star C.J. Spiller or first-year passer Kyle Parker. Spiller finished with a school-record 310 all-purpose yards, including a 90-yard kickoff return score right before halftime that gave the Tigers confidence they could hang with Miami.

Parker had a career-high 326 yards and three touchdowns, the last a walk-off laser to wide receiver Jacoby Ford for the 26-yard game winner.

"For me it did a lot, and it did a lot for our team," Parker said. "We can remember it a little bit but then have to forget about it when we come out Saturday because that's probably some good motivation for them, too, wanting to knock us off after we beat them last year."

Clemson's missing several stars from last season's win, including Spiller, Ford and tight end Michael Palmer, who had five catches and a touchdown a year ago. The Tigers lost their last game, giving up a 17-0 lead in a 27-24 OT defeat at Auburn.

The past two weeks have been about fixing mistakes and moving forward.

"We've played three games, and I like our personnel and the chemistry on this team," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said.

The Tigers might not find it as easy to come back on Miami if they fall behind. The Hurricanes lead the conference in overall defense and are second in sacks this season. Clemson has given up the fewest sacks in the ACC so far, but Swinney says his club hasn't gone up against a unit like Miami's.

"Something's got to give one way or another," Swinney said.

Clemson says its defensive key is harassing Harris into mistakes. It's a job the Tigers defensive did well for three quarters against Auburn and its star quarterback, Cam Newton. But Newton led three touchdown drives in the third quarter to put his Tigers in front.

"For us, we have to get after the quarterback," Swinney said. "We can't make it a comfortable day for him."

Harris has had his struggles with six interceptions - four against Ohio State - this season, but improved in the Pittsburgh victory. In Miami coach Randy Shannon's mind, only the Buckeyes' first pick was Harris' fault. The others he blamed on receiver mistakes or receivers not fighting hard enough to make the play.

"We're fine with Jacory, those things he understands," Shannon said. "He works on it. Receivers understand we have to run the routes like we need to and be on the same page."

If they are, the Hurricanes could take that step toward the top they couldn't against Clemson last fall.

"It's going to be a tough game for us," Shannon said. "A big game that we have to play at a level that we've never played before."

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AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami, Fla., contributed to this report.