CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -Margaret Belch still has the picture she snapped of the American flag being unfurled moments before Miami played Ohio State for the national championship game eight seasons ago.
Another flag, however, is the one she can't forget.
From her spot at the 2003 Fiesta Bowl - Section 228, row 27, seat 18 - the Miami graduate thought she witnessed the Hurricanes beating Ohio State 24-17 in overtime to win their second straight national championship. In one crazed moment, nearly everyone on the Miami sideline rushed the field, players threw helmets in celebration, and even fireworks started illuminating the night.
And then ...
``What is THAT?'' Belch, now a member of Miami's athletic communications staff, remembers shrieking.
That, of course, was a late-arriving penalty flag. The game wasn't over. Moments later, Ohio State was the national champion.
Nearly eight years later, the Hurricanes and Buckeyes will play again, set to meet Saturday in Columbus, Ohio. Miami coach Randy Shannon insists it's just another big game, that the national championship that slipped away won't be a motivating factor for his team as it prepares for the nation's No. 2 club.
He's probably wrong.
``It's like everyone is making sure,'' quarterback Jacory Harris said, ``that we remember what happened.''
Ohio State's 31-24 double-overtime win on Jan. 3, 2003, was a Miami debacle in many ways. There was running back Willis McGahee getting his knee shredded on a tackle in the fourth quarter. The season-highs of five turnovers and four sacks allowed.
On the biggest stage, Miami played its worst game of the 2002 season.
So it's odd that something most Hurricanes considered to be a great play is perhaps the only one many recall.
``I just remember walking off the field,'' said Miami baseball coach Jim Morris, who watched from the Hurricanes' sideline. ``I thought we had won.''
He wasn't alone.
Fourth down from the 5-yard line, overtime, Miami up 24-17. Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel throws to the right corner of the end zone, intended for Chris Gamble. Miami cornerback Glenn Sharpe defends, and the ball tumbles to the turf.
``I couldn't have done it any better,'' Sharpe said in 2008.
Line judge Derick Bowers, nearest the play, motioned the pass was incomplete and the Hurricanes started jumping for joy. Sean Taylor threw his helmet in the air, parts of it breaking upon landing. Krenzel sat on the turf, clearly distraught. Miami coach Larry Coker started walking across the field to shake Ohio State coach Jim Tressel's hand.
Field judge Terry Porter ended the party. From the back of the end zone, Porter threw a flag that arrived late. He motioned Miami was guilty of holding, then made the pass-interference sign instead.
ABC immediately started showing replays.
``Bad call. Bad call!'' analyst Dan Fouts said.
``Well, he waved it incomplete and then threw the flag,'' offered play-by-play man Keith Jackson.
Ohio State scored later in that extended possession, then again in the second overtime. Miami's crown was gone.
``You had to give a little bit of credit to the guys at Ohio State,'' said Stewart Cramer, Miami's video coordinator who was perched atop the stadium for that Fiesta Bowl. ``And I hate to say that. I'm born and bred in Detroit. It's bred into us to not like Ohio State. Every time someone plays them, I just wish them defeat.''
Only the most ardent Miami fans may recall what happened the next night.
The Hurricanes opened their on-campus basketball arena Jan. 4, 2003, beating North Carolina 64-61 - in overtime, naturally.
Miami's basketball win came tinged in irony: Replays showed Paulo Coelho fouled the Tar Heels' Jawad Williams as he tried what would have been a game-tying 3-pointer, and then-Carolina coach Matt Doherty was livid over the non-call.
``The people in Miami can understand that better than anybody,'' Doherty said.
Along the same lines, it's understandable why the Hurricanes of today have been getting calls, e-mails, text messages, even handwritten notes, from the Hurricanes of yesteryear about why Saturday's trip to Ohio State carries a bit more weight than just any other big game.
Shannon said he won't discuss the 2003 title game this week, unless to say he doesn't want his team thinking about something that happened years ago.
He won't have to say anything. It's all already been said.
``All the alumni who comes back to train, they all leave us with that note,'' Miami cornerback Brandon Harris said. ``'Go get 'em for us. We owe them one.' So we feel this game isn't just for us. It's going to be for the fans and the former players who played in that game.''
