Hurricane Bowl History: The 1980s /Part II

By Kartik Krishnaiyer
Canes Rising Staff

Howard Schnellenberger left the University of Miami after a failed power play with the University's administration in the Spring of 1984. Jimmy Johnson a little known former Arkansas player was hired away from Oklahoma State. Following a legend is difficult, but it was particularly difficult for Johnson who was 0-10 lifetime versus Nebraska or Oklahoma as a Head Coach. But the hire would prove to be inspired: sure Johnson wasn't Schnellenberger, but who was? Has Schnellenberger stayed at UM chances are he'd be mentioned in the same breathe as Bear Bryant, his mentor. But it wasn't to be, and the Hurricanes had to make the best of the situation.

Jimmy Johnson was initially over his head coaching Miami. In 1984, the Canes played one of the most difficult schedules in NCAA history, carrying the added burden of being the defending national champions. Miami defeated Auburn, Florida and Notre Dame away from the Orange Bowl in 1984, but yet still lost in Ann Arbor to Michigan, and at home to Florida State, Maryland, and Boston College the later two games being classics to finish the regular season 8-4. Then the Canes lost another shootout in the Fiesta Bowl to UCLA to end the season on a three game losing streak even though the team had scored at least 37 points in every game during that streak.

Bernie Kosar left Miami for the NFL after his redshirt sophmore season: Kosar an exceptional student had already graduated from UM and thus was able to enter the supplemental draft. In addition, Johnson's interaction with the staff he inherited from Schnellenberger was disastrous. A staff purge ensued and Johnson was able to bring in his own assistants including future Dolphins Head Coach Dave Wannstedt, future Cowboys Head Coach Dave Campo and future UM Head Coach Butch Davis.

Entering 1985, the thinking was that Miami would be lucky to make a bowl game. Without Kosar and with many concerns on defense the Canes were unranked. After a season opening loss to Florida at home, Miami rattled off 10 straight wins including a shocking win at #2 Oklahoma and am absolute crushing of Notre Dame in the final regular season game. It was this game that made the hatred of Miami in the national media fashionable.

The Hurricanes represented the classic outsiders. Upstarts running an unconventional offense and openly expressing themselves on the field. Notre Dame were college football's elite, blue blood: the establishment. A 58-7 victory where Jimmy Johnson blatantly ran up the score on national television hardened the battle lines. It was Miami and to a lesser extent Florida State against the rest of College Football. It was that simple.

Miami lost to Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl and was denied a second national title. But a year later, Miami was back rolling through the opposition. Road wins at South Carolina, Florida, West Virginia and Pitt were accompanied by home wins against Oklahoma and Florida State. Miami QB Vinny Testerverde won the Heisman Trophy and WRs Michael Irvin, Brian Blades and Brett Perriman were nearly unstoppable.

But then much like Nebraska a few years earlier against the Canes, Miami ran into a shockingly game opponent in a Bowl game. The occasion was the Fiesta Bowl which matched up #1 Miami against #2 Penn State. Much like Nebraska three years earlier, the Canes were a heavy favorite in what appeared to be a coronation. But five Vinny Testeverde interceptions later, Miami's almost 3 to 1 advantage in total yards squandered, the Canes left Tempe defeated.

Jimmy Johnson couldn't win the big one at the end of the season. Johnson had dominated Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Florida State the previous two years but had blown opportunities to win the national title in January. Entering 1987 with most of Miami's impact players gone to the NFL, questions remained about coaching. That's where we will pick up in the next posting.

Miami ranked #1 and seemingly invincible played Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl