NFT Overview

This artistic rendering of the 2001 Ring, commemorates the Miami Hurricanes Football National Championship versus the University of Nebraska.

The Hurricanes' fifth national championship may have been the program's most rewarding. A veteran senior class that had endured a losing season in 1997 and had rebuilt the program - inside and out - led this team. Miami returned to the top in 2001 by showing character, class and poise. How good was this team? Many argue it may have been the greatest college football team ever assembled. These Canes beat opponents by the largest average margin in UM history (33.2 points per game); produced the biggest two-game rout of any pair of ranked teams in history by defeating Syracuse and Washington by a combined 124-7; set a new UM record for scoring; and featured a defense that scored eight touchdowns and led the nation in pass defense, scoring defense and turnover margin. An astounding seven Canes were named to at least one All-America team's first unit. Six players were finalists for national awards, led by Outland Trophy winner Bryant McKinnie at offensive tackle and Maxwell Award winning quarterback Ken Dorsey. The 2001 Canes started with a stunning rout of Penn State on the road before the largest crowd (109,313) ever to see a Miami game. They ended Florida State's 54-game unbeaten streak in Tallahassee, Fla., with a resounding 49-27 win. The power of this team was evident for all to see in its 37-14 Rose Bowl rout of Nebraska. Miami roared to a 34-0 halftime lead en route to the program's fifth national title, erasing any doubts about college football's best in 2001 - and perhaps ever.

The original championship ring was produced by Herff Jones.