Canes-Nole Classics 1985 and 1986

An often forgotten game broadcast regionally by ABC was one of the true classics in the history of the series. The lead see-sawed back and forth but this was the game that really made both Vinny Testeverde and Michael Irvin. On the FSU side, Danny MacManus and Chip Ferguson both played QB and played well in a shootout at the then 57,000 seat Doak Campbell Stadium. Miami's Running Backs played wonderfully well and the Canes won 35-27. This was one of the onlyr eal shootouts between the teams in the 80s and 90s as often times the Defense would get the best of Miami-FSU matchups.

A year later the teams met in the Orange Bowl with Miami ranked #1 in the nation and looking invincible. CBS Broadcast this game live nationally. However, FSU took the opening kickoff back for a TD by Dexter Carter on a reverse. The Noles defense also frustrated Miami and led until late in the 3rd Quarter when Vinny Teseteverde hit Brett Perriman in the end zone to take a 27-23 lead. Miami eventually won 41-23, but for those first four quarters FSU showed why beginning the very next season (1987) they would build one of the great dynasties in the history of the college game.