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| Note David Klingler's kicks(Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated) |
Written By: Nathan Skinner (@Canedude08)
Canes Rising Contributor
Editor's Note: Classic 'Canes is a fond look back at classic games, games that have been overlooked.
High top Nikes, Cheers, pagers, and the Run N' Shoot. If you don't understand the link between those four items, you are most likely under the age of twenty-five, for all of those items were hot as firecrackers in the early 90s. While we'd all love to talk about Norm, or reminisce about how much fun it was to wear sneakers that looked(and felt) like combat boots, those are conversations for another time. This article is about the offense that turned college football on its collective ear, an offense that evolved into what some consider the modern spread. The Run 'N Shoot was exciting, prolific, and capable of driving defensive coordinators insane. While many schools ran the complicated offense, few ran it as well as the Houston Cougars. Head Coach John Jenkins was considered a genius, the coach who found a way to take the Run N' Shoot, and make it unstoppable. He termed his system the Multiple Adjusting Passing Offense(MAPO), but for all intents and purposes it was the Run N' Shoot. Andre Ware rode the system to a Heisman Trophy, and entering the 1991 season, the Cougar faithful were confident that David Klingler was going to join Ware in the Heisman fraternity. There was only one problem: the 'Cougs had to travel to the Orange Bowl on a Thursday night and face the 'Canes.
The atmosphere surrounding the game was electric, with the game billed as a game between two elite teams. 'Cougs quarterback David Klingler built his reputation on demolishing weak competition. Miami challenged him early and often, sending waves of defensive linemen at him. Players such as Rusty Medearis, Kevin Patrick, Anthony Hamlet, and Mark Caesar overwhelmed Houston's inexperienced offensive line, and forced Klingler out of his comfort zone. Most teams were forced to blitz Houston, which created passing lanes for the Cougars, but the 'Canes was able to create pressure with four down linemen, smothering Klingler's unit. How effective was Miami's defense? The Cougars had 76 yards of total offense in the first half. Those numbers are bad for a team running the Wing-T, much less an offense that averaged 446 yards per game in 1991. Houston's problems went beyond their offense, they couldn't stop Gino Torretta either. Coming into the 1991 season, people didn't know who Gino was, and wondered whether he could continue Miami's run of outstanding signal callers. While it's easy to look back with the value of hindsight and wonder why anyone ever doubted Gino, at the time it was a valid question. Torretta answered that question easily, riddling Houston's mediocre defense to the tune of 263 yards passing in the first half. The quarterback flashed his immense talent, connecting on multiple deep passes to Lamar Thomas and Kevin Williams. Miami's offense moved the ball at will against an aggressive, blitzing Houston defense. This game was over at halftime, with the 'Canes leading 30-3 at intermission. The second half wasn't much better for Klingler, as Miami continued to dominate the line of scrimmage. Klingler continued to throw, and throw, and throw, but most of his passes were of the short variety. The 'Canes weren't as dynamic offensively in the second half, choosing to run the football with fullback Stephen McGuire. Had Miami not been so conservative, the score would have been far worse than the 40-10 final.
The aftereffects of this game were far reaching. Houston's reputation as a rising program was ruined in one night, and the Southwest Conference suffered another blow to their crumbling credibility. It wasn't the first time Miami dominated a conference power, the 'Canes embarrassed the SWC Champion Texas Longhorns in the 1991 Cotton Bowl. In just a few short years, the SWC disbanded, forcing the 'Cougs out of big time college football. Houston has never been the same since 1991, suffering multiple losing seasons, and rarely appearing in the national conversation.. The 'Canes continued to dominate the competition in 1991, finishing the regular season undefeated, needing only to defeat the Nebraska Cornhuskers to clinch a national championship. Miami dominated the Big Eight Champs, clinching a split title with the Washington Huskies, the undefeated champion of the Pacific-10 conference. David Klingler, the one time surefire prospect went on to an extremely disappointing NFL career, with most attributing his collegiate success to John Jenkins' system. That system couldn't save Jenkins, who was eventually fired after his program collapsed following the slaughter in the Orange Bowl. The Run N' Shoot never became a widely utilized system, but elements of the offense have been included in every significant philosophy. It's amazing that an early season regular season game could have this kind of impact. This game was not only an affirmation of Miami's greatness it also signaled the end of an exciting, yet flawed fad.
* This video is a telecast, broadcast, and production of ESPN. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This video is intended for historical and educational viewing purposes. All trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.
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