Miami Hurricanes-Penn State Fiesta Bowl precipice to College Football Playoff
Dozier and Conlan were the offensive and defensive MVPs of the Fiesta Bowl. It was LB
that was the hero of the game. Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson’s stubbornness cost Miami a national championship.
The Hurricanes dominated the Fiesta Bowl with 445 total yards to Penn State’s 165. Miami had a 22 to eight advantage in first downs and ran an astronomical 93 plays to Penn State’s 59. Johnson’s continual reliance on Testaverde who must have been color blind in bowl games were Miami’s demise.
After throwing four interceptions in the Sugar Bowl the year before in a game that cost Miami a national championship, Testaverde threw five interceptions in the Fiesta Bowl. Miami was running the ball with aplomb. The Hurricanes had 160 on the ground on 43 carries. Like Penn State, Miami used a RB by committee in 1986.
Related Story. Miami shouldn't make Alonzo Highsmith wait for potential title. light
Three Hurricanes running backs finished the 1986 season with at least 380 yards rushing. Alonzo Highsmith was the workhorse against the Nittany Lions. Highsmith was the third overall pick of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. He was noted for his overall athletic ability.
Highsmith who spent the early years of his life in Montreal while his father played for the CFL’s Alouettes was recruited to Miami out of Columbus High School as a defensive end. He was perceived to be equally as good on offense and defense. Highsmith had 18 carries 119 yards in Tempe.
There was no reason that Johnson didn’t give Highsmith more carries. At 6.61 yards per carry Penn State could not stop him. With both teams entering the game undefeated it was arguably the most anticipated game in the history of college football up until that point.