IT'S AN EXCELLENT REED MIAMI SAFETY BEGAN VS. UCLA AND HASN'T STOPPED.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

Just three seasons ago, All-American safety Edward Reed was an obscure redshirt freshman at the University of Miami. The team wasn't well-known either, after a 5-6 record in 1997 and a humiliating 66-13 loss to Syracuse in the next-to-last game of '98.

Enter undefeated and third-ranked UCLA, which had a 20-game unbeaten streak and designs on a national championship. With the Bruins leading 45-42 and driving for a clinching score, Reed made the play that got him and the Hurricanes noticed.

It started when UCLA receiver Brad Melsby caught a pass from quarterback Cade McNown on a crossing route.

``The thing I remember about that play was they threw it over the middle, and (Melsby) juked one of our guys,'' Reed said. ``I was like, `Oh my gosh, our guy got juked!'

``And then, I hit him.''

The ball came loose and Miami's Al Blades recovered. The Hurricanes went on to a 49-45 victory and have been building on the momentum ever since. They went on to win the Micron PC Bowl, then posted nine-, 10- and 11-win seasons, setting up this year's national-title shot.

Now, both Reed's and the Hurricanes' reputations precede them. He's the two-time All-American safety and the school's career leader in interceptions with 21. The Hurricanes are the guys riding a 21-game winning streak into Thursday's Rose Bowl against Nebraska, where they'll play for a fifth national championship.

But Reed nearly wasn't around for any of it. He was advised he'd be a certain first-round NFL draft pick at the end of last year. What's more, coach Butch Davis was fielding job offers and the Hurricanes were reeling from getting aced out of a national-title shot in the Orange Bowl by Florida State, which they had defeated earlier in the year.

The money was there. His degree in liberal arts would be in hand by May. But helping to finish the Hurricanes' revitalization was too strong a lure.

``There were a lot of reasons, but this has got to be No. 1,'' he said. ``To get to this point, and now we're here. I didn't have any regrets then, and none now.''

The 'Canes certainly delivered.

They led the nation in points-allowed per game (9.4), shutouts (three), interceptions (27) and turnovers forced (45). The secondary, which features at least three potential NFL players in Reed and starting corners Mike Rumph and Phillip Buchanon, gave up just 138 passing yards per game.

And there's little doubt from whom the entire defense takes its cue.

``(Reed) can coach in the middle of a play,'' said Markese Fitzgerald, who had two interceptions as Miami's third cornerback this season. ``Some guys might be lost. He can coach a defensive lineman where to be. It's amazing to see a guy who knows so much, from the front seven to the defensive backs.''

If Reed's freshman season created his big-play image, his senior season enhanced it. Reed picked off nine passes this year, and his biggest contributions came in Miami's most important games.

Perhaps the signature play of Reed's career and Miami's season came against Boston College. The Eagles drove to Miami's 9-yard line trailing 12-7 with less than 40 seconds left.

And Reed nearly gave Miami's coaching staff a heart attack.

On the ensuing play, a pass bounced off Rumph's knee and into Matt Walters' arms. The defensive tackle lumbered downfield and heard Reed behind him, imploring him to hand off the ball.

Walters could have fallen to the turf and victory would be assured. But when Reed talks, his teammates listen.

``I never even thought about that,'' Reed said. ``I was so caught up in the moment. I was just thinking, `Do not drop it. Do not drop it. Get it into the end zone.'''

Of course, he did get there, completing a 90-yard return for the clinching score, capped by an emphatic spike.

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(color) Miami safety Edward Reed, a two-time All-American, is the school's career interception leader with 21.

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press