Keith Jackson called some of Miami Hurricanes biggest games
Keith Jackson was the voice of college football for a few generations of fans. He spent 50 years broadcasting college football and called many of the Miami Hurricanes greatest games. Jackson passed away this weekend at the age of 89.
Wide right I and II, Michael Barrow’s hit on Florida State’s Tamarick Vanover, the Miami Hurricanes 2001 National Championship, the loss to Alabama in the 1993 Sugar Bowl for the 1992 National Championship and to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl for the 2002 National Championship and the Hurricanes miracle comeback against Michigan at the Big House were call games Keith Jackson was on the mike for involving Miami.
If it was a big game and ABC had the rights to it, Keith Jackson would likely be there. The Miami Hurricanes run from 1980-96 and from 98-2005 had Jackson show up at the Orange Bowl or on the road for several big Miami games.
A 1988 game at Michigan threatened the Miami Hurricanes 14 game winning streak and Steve Walsh’s perfect record at quarterback. The Hurricanes had to score 17 points in the final 5:27 to earn a 31-30 victory at the Big House.
Two late touchdowns and a Carlos Huerta 29-yard field goal with 43 seconds left to escape Ann Arbor with the victory. The win kept the Hurricanes at number one and set up the showdown at Notre Dame three weeks later. That was the infamous Catholics vs Convicts, phantom fumble game. That loss essentially gave the National Championship to Notre Dame.
Three years later Jackson was on the mic for the most famous play in Miami Hurricanes history. With a chance to earn a trip to the Orange Bowl and a National Championship on the line, Florida State lined up for a potential game-winning field goal.
A year later the teams would play at the Orange Bowl. Early in that game, Michael Barrow had maybe the most famous hit in Miami Hurricanes history. It set the tone for the Miami defense throughout the game.
The game once again came down to the final play. Florida State had a chance to tie Miami with a field goal. The miss in 1991 was by Gerry Thomas. Bobby Bowden sent out Dan Mowry in 1992.
The 2001 Miami Hurricanes are widely regarded as the greatest team in the history of College Football. They entered the season with the Nation’s number two ranking and a ten game winning streak.
Miami roared through the 2001 regular season. The Hurricanes finished third in the country in scoring averaging 42.7 points per game. They led the nation allowing 9.8 points per game.
In the Granddaddy of them all, the Rose Bowl National Championship game against Nebraska, the Hurricanes scored 27 points in the second quarter to take a 34-0 lead at halftime. It could have been more decisive but the Hurricanes took their foot off the gas in the second half. Miami cruised home to a 37-14 victory for their fifth National Championship.
Miami ended the 2001 season with a 22 game winning streak. They extended it to 34 games the following season. In the most infamous game in Miami Hurricanes history and one of the most in college football history, Jackson was on the mic in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.
Miami appeared to have won the National Championship against Ohio State in the First Overtime. The Hurricanes received a delayed pass interference call. Jackson’s call “hold the phone” struck a sword in the hearts of Miami fans. What was thought to be two straight Miami National Championships eventually wound up being the Hurricanes losing a chance to repeat.
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Jackson was able to use all of his catchphrases calling several Miami Hurricanes games throughout the years. He will be sorely missed in the world of college football.