Ken Dorsey talks UM-Ohio State rematch, memories of 2002

CORAL GABLES — Ken Dorsey is going to have to settle for updates during Miami’s game against Ohio State on Saturday.

Unfortunately for the former ‘Canes  QB, who’s now backing up former Dolphins QB Cleo Lemon with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, his team will kick off against the B.C. Lions 20 minutes after UM-OSU.

It wouldn’t be easy to find the game on TV anyhow. The Canadians love pro football, especially the NFL. But as I learned the past five falls, you have better luck finding shuffleboard or junior hockey on TV than college football. 

Anyhow, I spoke to Dorsey on the phone today about UM-Ohio State.  But first, we talked about the CFL.

“I’m not the starter, but it’s been a great thing for me because I get to work with the coaching staff and be like an assistant coach,” said Dorsey, who signed with the Argos in late May. “I work a lot on game planning and different things, so I’m really enjoying it.”

Dorsey, who was with the 49ers for three seasons and the Browns for three more, said he viewed going to the CFL as an opportunity that’d help him become a future college/NFL coach.

“I got to know the staff before I signed and it was a great fit for me because they were going to let me do a lot of stuff that I’m going to do later on in coaching,” Dorsey said. “It’s perfect because I still get to go out and practice and prepare for games as a player, but also as a coach.” 

As for the ‘Canes game Saturday  in Columbus, Ohio, there would be a certain satisfaction for him beyond revenge for the 2003 Fiesta Bowl loss.
When he was played for the Cleveland Browns from 2006-08, he said, Ohio State fans brought up that ‘02 national title game to him a lot. Most were ”pretty respectful” about it. Then there were those that were “less than cordial to you.”

“Especially for those type of people,” Dorsey said, “you’d like to see Miami win.”

Like the rest of the ‘Canes, Dorsey was devastated by the 31-24 loss to OSU in two overtimes seven years ago.

But, he noted today, “I would rather have been in that game and had the outcome we had than not be in it at all.”

“It was a great game,” Dorsey continued. “No matter how the game ended, what the situation was or anything like that, it was a great game. I am just really proud to be a part of that team. It meant something.”

Dorsey said he doesn’t think about that 2002 national title game much anymore unless someone brings it up.

“I like to think about the Rose Bowl game a lot more,” he said. “Every once in a while, you think about it. You see Ohio State play or something like that and you think about that game. But as time went on, you remember the good times and all the things we were able to do as a group rather than just hang on the one unfortunate thing.”

Dorsey added, “We had a hell of a run with great players, great chemistry, great group of players as well as people. Nobody can ever take that away from you.”

All of this noted, a ‘Canes win Saturday still would ease some of the pain from eight seasons ago, Dorsey said.

“After what happened in the national title game, it would mean something. Yeah, it really would,” he said. “But for those guys [current 'Canes], this is a big step for the program, from where it was [a few years ago] to where it’s going. That’s the important thing for these guys.

“I don’t want them to get caught up in having to win this game for anybody but themselves. This is a huge game for them personally and one I hope they will always remember. It’ll be special if they can go in there and beat Ohio State up there.”



(sun-sentinel.com)