The second Miami moment on the list was Penn State’s interception of Miami quarterback Vinny Testaverde in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl. The play was 89th on the list. Many consider that game the forerunner to the BCS National Championship game.
I remember watching the game vividly with my cousin. After Interceptaverde, as he would later be dubbed as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, threw the last of his five interceptions I remember knocking over an entire bowl of popcorn that flew everywhere in the living room.
It was the first time two teams were matched up in a bowl game at the top of the rankings not involving a conference tie-in. Miami was a seven-point favorite in the game but it can be argued the spread should have been bigger.
Many were outraged with Miami when they came off the airplane in Phoenix in fatigues. That moment will come later on the list.
It was a game Miami should have won. The Hurricanes dominated by almost every measure. They outgained Penn State 455 yards to 162. Miami was destroying the Nittany Lions on the ground.