5) (January) 1981 Peach Bowl Miami 20 Virginia Tech 10
The 1980 Miami Hurricanes earned a bowl bid for the first time in 13 years with their best season since 1966. Miami was led future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly and a defense that was 23rd in the nation allowing 14.2 Points per game.
The matchup with the Hokies in the Peach Bowl was the first time Miami and Virginia Tech played since the 1974 season. The Hurricanes entered the game 12th in the nation and Virginia Tech was unranked and 7-4.
With the game being played on January 2, it occurred after the 1980 National Champion had been determined. It was still a milestone game for Miami. The trip to Atlanta was the first of two Bowl games under Howard Schnellenberger and of the modern era of Miami Football.
Kelly threw for 179 yards and a touchdown to Larry Brodsky and Chris Hobbs ran 12 yards for a touchdown as Miami jumped out to a 14-0 lead. Smokey Roan and Hobbs combined for 152 yards rushing and Brodsky caught four passes for 80 yards. Danny Miller added two field goals for Miami’s final points.
Miami won despite running 12 fewer plays than Virginia Tech. The Hokies averaged just 4.04 yards per play. Cyrus Lawrence ran for 134 yards and a touchdown for Virginia Tech. Miami closed out the 1980 season with five straight victories.