College Football: UM's Winslow takes his benching in stride

The University of Miami tight end caught warm-up passes from quarterback Derrick Crudup, just like always.

Then the game started. And Winslow sat.

Definitely just not like always.

Winslow sat out the first five offensive series of Miami's 17-10 win over Syracuse Saturday after being benched by head coach Larry Coker for numerous personal foul penalties.

"I've been benched before," Winslow said. "You just take your punishment and move on."

Once he got in the game, Winslow's play was a mixed bag. He blocked a Syracuse punt, but also dropped a pass and fumbled. He finished with one reception for 6 yards, his lowest catch total of the season.

"We went out and tried to run the ball today," Winslow said. "Our job today was to get in there and pound it."

Coker said he felt the punishment fit the crime.

"The thing I didn't want to do is take away his enthusiasm and desire to play," Coker said. "As far as his play, I think he blocked pretty well."

And there was plenty of blocking to do. The Hurricanes ran the ball a season-high 49 times.

MUSICAL CHAIRS: Injuries and the benching of usual starting center Joel Rodriguez forced the Hurricanes to line up four of their five offensive linemen in different places Saturday.

Left guard Chris Myers moved over to center. Tackle Eric Winston filled in for Myers at guard, with Rashad Butler over at left tackle and Joe McGrath filling in for the injured Vernon Carey at right guard.

"It's something we do every day," Myers said. "That's the one thing people don't realize. Coach (Art) Kehoe shifts us around. We're used to it."

Miami moved the ball 30 yards on its first possession, though the drive ended with Crudup being intercepted by Syracuse's Rich Scanlon.

By the second drive, Rodriguez was back in at center, with Myers and Winston back in their normal spots, moving Butler to the sidelines.

"It really doesn't have that much effect," Winston said. "We've been hurt so much this year, you better be able to play different positions."

CLASS REUNION: Thirty-nine members of Miami's 1983 national championship team were honored in a pregame ceremony.

Among those at midfield were quarterback Bernie Kosar and running back Melvin Bratton.

Bratton, wearing a Kosar throwback jersey, said he still remembers what it was like to rush the field following Miami's 31-30 victory over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.

"It was crazy," Bratton said. "It's one of those things you dream about and then when it happens, you don't know what to do."

ETC: Miami place-kicker Jon Peattie's 44-yard field goal to tie the game at 10 in the fourth quarter was a career-long. "I think it was my biggest kick of the year," said Peattie, who kicked a game-winner against West Virginia on Oct. 1. "It was a tight situation." ... Miami wide receiver Roscoe Parrish sat out the game with a knee injury. ... Syracuse linebacker Rich Scanlon recorded 17 tackles and intercepted a pass, but was unable to stop Tyrone Moss on his game-deciding touchdown run. ... Forget Virginia Tech's Kevin Jones and West Virginia's Quincy Wilson. Miami safety Mo Sikes said he saw the Big East's best running back Saturday in Syracuse's Walter Reyes: "Let's face it, they have the best back in the league. He is an awesome talent and we saw that last year." Reyes finished with 89 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.