MIAMI, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Ken Dorsey threw four touchdown passes Saturday, two each to Andre Johnson and Jeremy Shockey, as second-ranked Miami coasted to a 59-0 rout of Syracuse that clinched at least a share of the Big East Conference title.
The Hurricanes (9-0, 6-0 Big East) needed a bizarre interception return to escape with a win at Boston College last week. Dorsey contributed to the close call by throwing a career-high four interceptions.
Miami had no such trouble Saturday and extended the nation's longest current winning streak to 19 games.
Currently second in the Bowl Championship Series ratings, Miami also maintained control of its national title fate. The Hurricanes close the regular season with games against Washington and Virginia Tech.
Clinton Portis added to the rout with 18 carries for 132 yards and one score. Frank Gore carried eight times for 148 yards.
Syracuse (8-3, 5-1) was expected to pose a serious threat to the Hurricanes but looked nothing like the team that had won its previous eight games. The Orangemen suffered their worst loss since a 62-0 defeat to Virginia Tech in 1999.
Syracuse has lost eight of the 10 meetings since the schools joined the Big East, and the Hurricanes finally may have made amends for a 66-13 loss to the Orangemen in 1998.
Dorsey threw for three touchdowns in the first half to help the Hurricanes build a 24-0 lead at intermission.
Todd Sievers, who kicked four field goals against Boston College, booted a career-best 48-yarder 4:59 into the game to open the scoring.
Dorsey, who completed 13 of 20 passes for 224 yards and was not picked off, found Johnson in the corner of the end zone to make it 10-0 after the first quarter. Dorsey connected with a wide-open Shockey over the middle for an eight-yard touchdown 6:17 into the quarter and hooked up with Johnson on a 31-yarder with 21 seconds left in the first half.
Miami kept up the pressure in the second half with Dorsey again finding tight end Shockey over the middle for a 10-yard score.
Najeh Davenport scored on a three-yard run and Portis went in from 15 yards to make it 45-0 after three quarters.
Cornerback Phillip Buchanon returned an interception 73 yards for a score early in the final period to increase the lead to 52-0. Backup quarterback Derrick Crudup capped the scoring with with a 13-yard run.
