Miami

Entering 1972 Curci was disillusioned and angry as the facilities eroded and monies were slashed. The forest green helmet was changed as the numerals were removed from the sides and a "U" logo in burnt orange with white trim replaced them. The team demonstrated slight improvement with a 5-6 record behind the defensive play of future Denver Bronco DT Rubin Carter, one of football's first 500 pound bench pressers and NG Tony Cristiani who was part of his family's high-wire circus act. Chuck Foreman again led the offense before going to the Vikings as their first round draft choice as sturdy guard Dennis Harrah cleared the way. Harrah eventually played eighteen years with the Rams. With dwindling home-game attendance and facing an uphill financial battle, Curci left his alma mater at the end of the season for Kentucky amid cries that he was abandoning ship. Curci was also accused of unethical conduct as he tried to convince a number of his new Miami recruits to abandon their commitment to the 'Canes, telling them that "Miami's athletic program was in danger of collapsing."

SPOTLIGHT ON CHUCK FOREMAN:

Excellent as a defensive back, superb as a running back, terrific as a wide receiver, all accurately describe the collegiate career of Miami's Walter Eugene "Chuck" Foreman. Recruited out of Frederick (Maryland) H.S. he had already proved himself talented enough to play any position on the field and his frosh season was spent in both the offensive and defensive backfields for the Hurricane freshmen team. The 196 yards he rushed for in the disastrous 1970 season gave little indication of his true ability but when Fran Curci took the head coaching reins for '71 and Foreman gained ten pounds in the off-season, he became an offensive terror, running for a Hurricane record 951 yards and ten touchdowns. He even took the time to throw for a TD. Foreman could catch as well as anyone on the squad and was a strong blocker. Curci built the 1972 offense around him with altered blocking schemes. Foreman was a frightening kickoff return man in both 1971 and '72, averaging almost 24 yards per return. Lining up as both a running back and receiver, Foreman also caught thirty-seven passes in 1972, adding 557 yards to his overall output. An All American, he was the number one draft choice of the Vikings in 1973 and named NFC Rookie Of The Year. A two-time All Pro with a reputation of being able to "do it all" Foreman appeared in five consecutive Pro Bowls and was a feared opponent until slowed in '78 by a severe knee injury. He played eight seasons with the Vikings and finished his fine pro career in 1980 with the Patriots. With number 44 an ever-lasting icon in Minnesota, the number 32 Chuck Foreman wore at Miami too is immediately associated with football excellence.