Miami Hurricanes Greatest Wins vs 2017 Opponents

Notre Dame November 11

Miami 27 Notre Dame 10, 1989

Notre Dame Leads Series 18-7-1

During the 1980’s and through 1990, Notre Dame was arguably Miami’s Biggest Rival. The Hurricanes dominated Florida State and when the Seminoles finally broke through in 1989, Miami still won the national championship.

Catholics versus Convicts became a part of College Football lore and led to the 2016 30for30 documentary about its evolution. Miami’s 58-7 win over the Fighting Irish is the most memorable in the teams rivalry.

That was the last game of the Gerry Faust era and many criticized Jimmy Johnson and the Hurricanes for running up the score. Miami’s most crucial victory occurred in the 1989 season.

Top ranked Notre Dame came to the Orange Bowl in 1989 as the defending national champion with a 23 game winning streak. They had accepted an invitation to the Orange Bowl game earlier that day. The Irish were being paired in the Orange Bowl Game with Colorado who was undefeated and the Big Eight Champion.

The bids were handled out with more than two weeks remaining in the regular season schedule. Miami entered the game with a loss to FSU, 9-1 and ranked seventh in the polls.

The game featured several big plays. Notre Dame’s only touchdown came on an interception return. No play was bigger than the Hurricanes improbable conversion on third and 43 in the third quarter.

Miami Quarterback Craig Erickson connected with Randall Hill on a fly pattern down the right sideline to keep a Miami drive alive. Miami vaulted to fourth in the polls with losses by FSU, and Nebraska that same week.

Alabama was undefeated but would lose to Auburn a week later. Miami was third heading into their Sugar Bowl matchup with the Crimson Tide. Second ranked Michigan lost in the Rose Bowl, Notre Dame defeated Colorado in the Orange Bowl and the Hurricanes win over Alabama gave them their third National title in seven seasons.