Miami 41, Florida 16

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Ken Dorsey threw four touchdown passes and Willis McGahee ran for 204 yards Saturday night as the top-ranked Miami Hurricanes extended the nation's longest winning streak to 24 games with a 41-16 victory over sixth-ranked Florida.

A visit to Florida Field, one of the most hostile venues for a visitor in all of college football, was expected to be another tough test for the defending national champions.

But the Hurricanes (2-0) ran all over the Gators, collecting 320 ground yards and improving their road winning streak to 12 games, including bowl appearances.

"It was a very big win for the team and for the football program," Hurricanes coach Larry Coker said. "I am very proud of them since it was such a tough environment to play. To put it all in perspective, we are 2-0."

Dorsey was the winner in his personal battle with fellow 2001 Heisman Trophy finalist Rex Grossman, completing 16 of 32 passes for 202 yards.

Dorsey completed touchdown passes of seven yards to Andre Johnson and 10 yards to Ethenic Sands in the second quarter to help the Hurricanes build a 20-10 halftime lead. He added scoring tosses of 18 and 19 yards to Jason Geathers in the second half.

Dorsey threw three interceptions but still got the best of Grossman, who was just 19 of 45 for 191 yards with two interceptions, including one that turned the game.

"I think our defense didn't let them run away with it," Dorsey said. "They took an early lead and we were composed and able to play through it."

The Gators managed to stay in the game until late in the third quarter when Grossman threw an ill-advised pass over the middle that was returned 99 yards for a score by Maurice Sikes, increasing Miami's lead to 34-16. Sikes added another interception in the fourth quarter.

Miami has won its first 14 games under Coker and has not lost since a 34-29 setback to Washington on Sept. 9, 2000.

While the Hurricanes met another challenge, the Gators (1-1) lost for the first time under coach Ron Zook, who replaced Steve Spurrier.

"In this position it's going to be sooner or later, mine just happened sooner," Zook said. "Maybe it was a blessing in disguise. Our football team is only going to get better. The great thing about this is that it's early in the year and we have a lot of football to play."

A victory for Zook would have gone a long way toward earning the acceptance of Gator fans who have become accustomed to victory. Florida hosts Ohio next week and Zook's next chance at redemption will come Sept. 21, when the Gators visit No. 4 Tennessee.

The Hurricanes have won 30 of their last 31 games against teams under the helm of a first-year coach.

Miami entered the game with questions in the running game and in the secondary, but any doubts were erased by the end of the night. The Hurricanes were thought to be thin at running back with the departure of Clinton Portis and an injury to Frank Gore. McGahee carried 24 times and was more than an adequate replacement while Geathers carried 13 times for 72 yards.

"I feel really good about myself tonight. I had a lot of confidence coming into the game," McGahee said.

Grossman was held without a touchdown pass for the first time since Nov. 18, 2000 against Florida State.

"Rex is a winner and a player. This may be a blessing in disguise for him," Zook said. "Rex will come back here ready to go. He win a winner and a competitor."

Todd Sievers kicked field goals of 53 and 38 yards to give the Hurricanes a 6-0 lead before the Gatord answered on an 18-yard touchdown run by Earnest Graham and a 35-yard field goal by Matt Leach.