Miami Rolls Over BC, Can See National Title

The biggest cheer Saturday at the Orange Bowl came with 5:34 left and the Miami Hurricanes nursing a 30-point lead on their way to a 42-12 victory over Boston College.

The excitement was caused by a public-address announcement that Penn State had just defeated top-ranked Notre Dame, 24-21.

That upset improved Miami’s chances to become the first team with two losses to be voted the national championship.

Miami led Boston College only 14-12 before Craig Erickson threw three touchdown passes in a 28-point third quarter. The defending national champions improved to 7-2 with regular-season games left against Syracuse at home and at San Diego State.

Miami could rise to No. 2 in this week’s poll behind Colorado.

Miami Coach Dennis Erickson isn’t pleased that the Orange Bowl has already paired Notre Dame against Colorado.

“This just goes to prove that when you start screwing around with bowl games as early as they’re screwing around with bowl games now, somebody is going to look like an idiot,” Erickson said.