Hurricane Bowl History: The 1980s /Part III

By Kartik Krishnaiyer
Canes Rising Staff

Where we left off in the last post, Miami despite becoming a regular season juggernaut under Jimmy Johnson had become classic chokers in January bowl games. Johnson entered the 1987 season 0-3 in January bowl games at Miami, while the Canes entered the season on a 21 game regular season win streak. That streak would be extended to 32 games entering the Orange Bowl against a familiar foe, Oklahoma. Included in Miami's 11-0 regular season was a classic comeback win in Tallahassee against Florida State, 26-25, and a shutout of Notre Dame 24-0.

Steve Walsh may not have been the most talented QB to play at Miami, but he quite possibly was the best. He lead the Canes to the 1987 National title with a 20-14 Orange Bowl win over Oklahoma. Instrumental on offense also were Senior Melvin Bratton and Michael Irvin who led the Hurricanes in receiving for the third straight season.

Miami entered 1988 sporting a 32 game regular season winning streak and that streak would have survived the season if not for some bizarre calls in South Bend against Notre Dame in a game dubbed Catholics vs Convicts. Instead Miami, despite defeating six teams that either won their confernce or played in major bowl games was stuck at #2 in the nation after an easy Orange Bowl win over Nebraska.

Jimmy Johnson left for the Dallas Cowboys in February and Dennis Erickson a coaching nomad from the west coast was hired. Erickson turned Miami on its head installing a one back offense and running off Gary Stevens who had been insturmental in the development of Miami's pro style offense throughout the 1980s.

With Erickson and namesake Craig Erickson replacing Walsh who left early for the NFL, the Canes started the year 9-1, the only loss being to FSU with Erickson injured. But all year long, only one game and one night mattered. That would be the season ending game, Thanksgiving weekend, on national TV against Notre Dame. Dubbed "Fate Night," this game would not only give all Canes fans a taste of revenge on the Irish, but it would also contribute to Miami being placed on NCAA probation years later as rap star and Cane fan Luther Campbell was involed in giving "bonus money" to players who took our Tony Rice, Ricky Waters or Rocket Ismail the stars of NDs offense..

Following the 27-10 fate night win, the Canes faced 10-1 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Craig Erickson and Wesley Carrol combined several times on key plays and the Canes ended the 1980s with yet another national title.