Remembering Miami football win over number one Auburn in 1984 opener
The Miami football program announced on Thursday a home and home with Auburn in 2029 and 2030. Auburn will travel to Hard Rock Stadium in 2029 and the Hurricanes are visiting Jordan Hare Stadium in 2030. Defending National Champion Miami played preseason number one Auburn in the 1984 Kickoff Classic.
Miami traveled to Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey with the number 10 rankings. The game was the second annual Kickoff Classic. The Kickoff Classic lasted for 20 seasons from 1983 through 2002. The inaugural Kickoff Classic was won in 1983 by preseason number one Nebraska 44-6 over number four Penn State.
The Miami football team went on to upset the Cornhuskers 31-30 in the 1984 Orange Bowl to earn the first National Championship in program history. Head coach Howard Schnellenberger during the 1983 offseason to accept a head coaching job with the Miami team in the United States Football League that never materialized.
The 1984 Kickoff Classic featured Hall of Game head coach Jimmy Johnson in his first game was the Miami head coach. Future Heisman Trophy winners, running back Bo Jackson of Auburn and Vinny Testaverde of Miami were also there. Jackson started for Auburn. Testaverde was the backup to Miami starting QB Bernie Kosar.
Miami struggled to put the game away against Auburn. Twice inside the Auburn 15 yardline Miami failed to convert on fourth down. Greg Cox made two field goals in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Kosar had 329 yards passing, Alonzo Highsmith had 140 yards rushing in 2021 and Eddie Brown eight receptions for 157 yards.
Stanley Shakespeare had two touchdown receptions for the Hurricanes. With the victory, Miami extended their winning streak to 12 games. Julio Cortes recovered a fumble by Auburn RB Brent Fullwood in the fourth quarter clinched the win for Miami. Miami snapped a 10 game Auburn winning streak with the victory.
The win for Miami came after the Hurricanes moved from fifth to first after their victory over Nebraska in the 1984 Orange Bowl. Nebraska was considered the best team in college football history at the end of the 1983 regular season. Auburn was ranked third entering the bowl games and finished 11-1 as Miami did.
Next. Miami playing Auburn in 2029-30 with extensive history. dark
Auburn’s lackluster 9-3 win over Michigan in the Sugar Bowl. The Miami victory in a thrilling Orange Bowl was more impressive with the voters than the Auburn slugfest in New Orleans. Miami berthed a dynasty in the Orange Bowl over the legendary Nebraska team. The victory in the 1984 kickoff classic cemented the 1983 title.