Tornado Conquers Hurricanes
(AP) Manhattan, Kan. -- The Miami Hurricanes football team expected to lose by several touchdowns in Saturday's game against the #12 Kansas State Wildcats and LHC Bill Snyder's gutsy players did not disappoint, but Al Golden's squad received a much bigger surprise from Mother Nature. Kickoff of the gridiron matchup was delayed for 94 minutes due to a tornado in the area. Fortunately it missed the greater Manhattan area, but there was some damage to the runway of Manhattan Regional Airport (MHK). However, the biggest victim of the tornado was the chartered jet that Miami's team took directly to MHK. Eyewitness reports confirm that there is nothing left of the plane but scrap metal. Due to severe financial penalties from the NCAA's punishment of the outrageous Nevin Shapiro scandal, Miami's already-cash strapped athletic department was unable to charter another plane on such short notice. Miami players, coaches and support staff could not be individually flown back home on commercial flights due to the prohibitive cost of buying airplane tickets the same day they will be used. The university is renting a fleet of cars from Hertz and they are expected to reach Miami by Tuesday afternoon. When asked about the situation, Miami head coach Al Golden commented "For a major college with the history of Miami to be unable to afford plane tickets is absolutely bush league. I would expect this out of my old school (Temple), but Miami? Seriously?"
Following their 45-17 victory over the unranked Hurricanes, Kansas State now prepares for one final warmup game against North Texas before playing their first major opponent of the season, the #4 Oklahoma Sooners. When Miami's players eventually get home, they will play an opponent more suitable to their talent level - FCS Bethune Cookman.
