MPC Computers Bowl: Miami sends Larry Coker Out a Winner; Hurricanes Secure 21-20 Win Over Nevada

Miami’s Chavez Grant interception in the closing seconds of the game secured a 21-20 victory for the Hurricanes over the Nevada Wolf Pack and sent Larry Coker out a winner.

Miami got on the board in the first quarter when quarterback Kirby Freeman plunged 1-yard for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Nevada was able to cut the deficit to 7-2 when they recorded a safety with 5 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The Wolf Pack then grabbed the lead in the second quarter when Jeff Rowe hit Marko Mitchell on a 27-yard touchdown pass for an 8-7 advantage. Their two-point attempt failed which proved to loom large in the outcome of the game.

Kirby Freeman was able to find Ryan Moore on a 52-yard touchdown pass with 1:46 remaining in the half and Miami reclaimed the lead 14-8.

The Wolf Pack were able to tack on a field goal to close the half and cut the Miami lead to 14-11.

In the third quarter Brett Jaekle kicked another field goal to even the score at 14-14 but Miami answered quickly. Freeman found Sam Shields for a 78-yard touchdown and the Hurricanes were back on top 21-14.

Jaekle kicked a pair of fourth quarter field goals to bring the score to 21-20 and Nevada seemed on the brink of getting one last opportunity but Rowe was picked off with 18 seconds remaining in the game.

Kirby Freeman finished the game with 272 yards passing and two touchdowns and Sam Shields had 101 yards receiving in the win. Larry Coker, who was fired on November 24, finished his six year tenure at Miami with a 60-15 record and one national championship.