Developing Gonzalez looms as a true Hurricane.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

LOS ANGELES _ Joaquin Gonzalez waited five years to get where he is today. Waited through his 5-6 freshman football season in 1997. Waited through the bewilderment of friends who believed Harvard was a better choice than the University of Miami. Waited through his junior season, when the Hurricanes' lone loss to Washington prevented them from playing in the national championship.

But, as Gonzalez tells himself everyday, no wait could have been more gratifying.

``All those doubters,'' said the 6-5, 298-pound All-American right tackle, ``are calling me today and asking for Rose Bowl tickets.''

Sorry. None left. This fifth-year senior from Miami has at least 30 family members and friends in California to watch him play Thursday for the national title against Nebraska in the last game of his career.

``I'm very excited,'' he said Tuesday, ``and very emotional. All my family is going to be there. They've followed my career for five years. To end it with a national championship would be a perfect story.''

Not without some home cooking, even 3,000 miles away from Miami.

``Mom is probably buying some food right now and trying to cook it in their hotel room,'' Gonzalez said with his trademark grin. ``Everyone else's parents are coming up to me and saying, `What's your parents' cell phone number?' They love to tailgate and eat lots of food.''