Erickson a Winner at Miami

Dennis Erickson remains tough to beat in Miami.

On a rainy Sunday, the former Miami Hurricanes’ coach came away with a much-needed victory for his Seattle Seahawks. New starter John Friesz threw three long touchdown passes, including an 80-yarder to Brian Blades with 2:03 remaining, for a 22-15 victory over the stunned Miami Dolphins.

“This one was extra special,” Erickson said. “It’s meaningful for me. No. 1, it’s here against the Dolphins, but aside from that it makes us 2-4.”

Friesz, starting for the first time this season after Erickson benched Rick Mirer, connected on touchdown pass plays of 65 and 51 yards to Joey Galloway as Seattle built a 14-3 lead.

Erickson led the University of Miami to two national championships before leaving a program plagued by controversy in January 1995. When he was introduced before the game, the crowd booed.

“I wouldn’t know,” Erickson said when asked about the jeers. “I had my headphones turned way up high.”

The Dolphins fell to 3-2. Coach Jimmy Johnson, Erickson’s predecessor at the University of Miami, lost in Florida for the first time in 33 games. His last defeat in the state came in 1985 when the Florida Gators beat the Hurricanes.

“Obviously we didn’t play very well,” Johnson said. “There’s no way you can give up three big plays on pass defense and expect to win.”

Friesz, who completed 18 of 32 passes for 301 yards with one interception, didn’t seem bothered by the heavy rain that had players slipping and sliding and left the stands less than half full.

His performance could silence speculation that the Seahawks will acquire suspended Atlanta quarterback Jeff George prior to Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.

“Until something happens, I can’t really comment on that,” Erickson said. “All I can say is John Friesz is our starting quarterback right now.”

“I expect to be the quarterback here,” said Friesz, 29. “I know I can do the job.”

Craig Erickson, making his first start for Miami in place of the injured Dan Marino, completed 16 of 28 passes for 243 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown to Randal Hill. But he was sacked four times, threw an interception and fumbled four snaps from center, losing two.

He did not blame the weather.

“I’ve played a lot of high school football in the rain,” said Erickson, a Florida native. “It’s just my fault. I’ve got to take care of the ball a little better.”

The Dolphins have lost eight consecutive games when Marino doesn’t start. He is expected to sit out another two to four games because of a fractured ankle.

The Dolphins took a 15-14 lead late in the third quarter with their best drive of the day. It covered 80 yards and was capped by Irving Spikes’ two-yard touchdown run.