The Miami Hurricanes Top 100 Plus Sports Icons

24) Vinny Testaverde (1982-1986)

Testaverde was the first player in Miami Hurricanes history to win the Heisman Trophy in 1986. He also won the Davey O’Brien Award, The Maxwell Award And the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award in the same season. A consensus All-American Testaverde had a 21-1 regular season record over two years.

Testaverde helped build Miami’s legacy of Quarterback U under Jimmy Johnson. The biggest knock on the NFL’s 1986 first overall draft pick was his play in his two bowl games. With National Championships on the line in the 1986 Sugar Bowl and 1987 Fiesta Bowl, Testaverde faltered.

His nickname in the NFL became Vinny Intercerptaverde and against Tennessee, in ’86 and Penn State in ’87, those would prove true. In the Sugar Bowl Testaverde was 20-36 for 217 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. The Hurricanes were blitzed 35-7 by the Volunteers.

Penn State entered the 1986 bowl season number one but lost in the Orange Bowl to number three Oklahoma who the Hurricanes defeated in the regular season. A Miami win would likely have meant a National Championship.

The Fiesta Bowl was even worse. Despite Miami’s three running backs running for 170 yards on 34 carries for a five-yard average, Jimmy Johnson continued to call pass plays. Testaverde was 34-50 for 285 yards with no touchdowns and five interceptions in a 14-7 loss. Miami outgained Penn State 485-152 in the loss.

Testaverde left Miami holding multiple school passing records that have since been broken.