1985 Miami Hurricanes football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1985 Miami Hurricanes football Miami Hurricanes logo.svg 125 Independent 8 9 10–2 Jimmy Johnson 2nd Gary Stevens 3rd Pro-style Paul Jette 1st 4–3 Vinny Testaverde Miami Orange Bowl Sugar Bowl L 7–35 vs. Tennessee The 1985 Miami Hurricanes football team represented the University of Miamias an independent during the 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Hurricanes' 60th season of football. The Hurricanes were led by second-year head coach Jimmy Johnson and played their home games at the Miami Orange Bowl. They finished the season 10–2 overall. They were invited to the Sugar Bowl, where they lost to Tennessee, 35–7. Schedule 1985 AP September 7 l Florida 5 Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL rivalry 23–35 80,227 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-lucie-news-tribune-bell-passes-gator/134631017/ St. Lucie News Tribune Bell passes Gators over Hurricanes September 8, 1985 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com September 14 w y Rice Rice Stadium Houston, TX 48–20 15,411 https://www.newspapers.com/article/abilene-reporter-news-hurricanes-blow-pa/170221870/ The Abilene Reporter-News Hurricanes blow past Owls, 48–20 September 15, 1985 April 13, 2025 Newspapers.com September 28 w y Boston College Sullivan Stadium Foxborough, MA 45–10 31,864 https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-journal-bc-knew-miracles-would-end/170215933/ Sun-Journal B.C. knew miracles would end September 29, 1985 April 13, 2025 Newspapers.com October 5 w y East Carolina Ficklen Memorial Stadium Greenville, NC 27–15 34,511 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72730014/terrific-terrible-testaverde-propels/ The Miami Herald Terrific, terrible Testaverde propels Hurricanes, 27–15 October 6, 1985 March 5, 2021 Newspapers.com October 12 w Cincinnati Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL 38–0 30,164 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-miami-downs-cincinna/170219059/ The Macon Telegraph & News Miami downs Cincinnati 38–0 October 13, 1985 April 13, 2025 Newspapers.com October 19 w y Oklahoma 3 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK ABC 27–14 73,102 https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-angelo-standard-times-hurricanes-blo/170222009/ San Angelo Standard-Times Hurricanes blow away OU October 20, 1985 April 13, 2025 Newspapers.com October 26 w 15 Louisville Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL rivalry 45–7 31,761 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-hurricanes-whip-schnel/170214433/ The Tampa Tribune-Times Hurricanes whip Schnellenberger's Cardinals 45–7 October 27, 1985 April 13, 2025 Newspapers.com November 2 w y 11 Florida State 10 Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL rivalry ABC 35–27 61,250 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-pierce-tribune-miami-comeback-stops/170220852/ The News Tribune Miami comeback stops FSU, 35–27 November 3, 1985 April 13, 2025 Newspapers.com November 9 w y 8 Maryland Memorial Stadium Baltimore, MD CBS 29–22 62,350 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-no-miracles-terps-lef/139966968/ The Baltimore Sun No miracles; Terps left with 'what if?' November 10, 1985 January 31, 2024 Newspapers.com November 23 w y 4 Colorado State Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL 24–3 35,035 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-lackluster-hurricanes-be/170222159/ St. Petersburg Times Lackluster Hurricanes beat Colo. State 24–3 November 24, 1985 April 13, 2025 Newspapers.com November 30 w 4 Notre Dame Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL rivalry CBS 58–7 49,236 https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-hurricanes-finally-put-it/170218868/ Florida Today Hurricanes finally put it all together December 1, 1985 April 13, 2025 Newspapers.com January 1 Wednesday l y 2 Tennessee 8 Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA Sugar Bowl ABC 7–35 77,432 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-shreveport-journal-orange-crush-but/134632734/ The Shreveport Journal Orange crush, but Tennessee, not Miami, does the damage January 2, 1986 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com Personnel Roster PlayerClassPosSummaryVinny Testaverde*QB216 Cmp, 352 Att, 3238 Yds, 21 TDGeoff TorrettaQB11 Cmp, 16 Att, 263 Yds, 3 TDAlonzo Highsmith*RB117 Att, 451 Yds, 3.9 AvgWarren Williams*RB89 Att, 522 Yds, 5.9 AvgMelvin BrattonRB67 Att, 285 Yds, 4.3 AvgDarryl OliverRB66 Att, 264 Yds, 4.0 AvgJ.C. PennyRB21 Att, 181 Yds, 8.6 AvgTodd StanishRB11 Att, 31 Yds, 2.8 AvgSteve StaffierRB2 Att, 8 Yds, 4.0 AvgMichael Irvin*WR46 Rec, 840 Yds, 18.3 AvgBrian Blades*WR30 Rec, 657 Yds, 21.9 AvgBrett PerrimanWR14 Rec, 263 Yds, 18.8 AvgKenny OliverWR5 Rec, 125 Yds, 25.0 AvgAndre BrownWR2 Rec, 23 Yds, 11.5 AvgWillie Smith*TE48 Rec, 669 Yds, 13.9 AvgCharles HenryTE4 Rec, 48 Yds, 12.0 AvgAlfredo RobertsTE1 Rec, 4 Yds, 4.0 AvgDave Alekna*OLPaul Bertucelli*OLEd Davis*OLPaul O'Connor*OLGreg Rakoczy*OLJohn O'NeillOLMatt PatchanOLJerome Brown*DLKevin Fagan*DLDerwin Jones*DLJohn McVeigh*DLVictor MorrisDLDan SileoDLDaniel StubbsDLRod Carter*LBBruce Fleming*LBRandy Shannon*LBWinston MossLBTolbert Bain*DBSelwyn Brown*DBDonald Ellis*DBDarrell Fullington*DBBennie BladesDBJeff FeaglesP 1985 Miami Hurricanes f 14 Jr Vinny Testaverde QB y 5 So Melvin Bratton RB y 43 Fr Cleveland Gary RB y 30 Jr Alonzo Highsmith RB y 24 So Warren Williams Warren Williams (American football) RB y 9 So Brian Blades WR y 83 Fr Andre Brown WR y Andre Brown (wide receiver) 47 Fr Michael Irvin WR y 33 So Brett Perriman WR y 52 Fr Darren Bruce OL 75 Fr John O'Neill OL 87 So Alfredo Roberts TE y 91 Fr Rod Carter Rod Carter (American football) LB y 19 So Darrell Fullington DB y 22 Fr Randy Shannon LB y 36 So Bennie Blades DB y 45 So George Mira Jr. LB y 96 So Daniel Stubbs DE y Danny Stubbs 93 Sr John McVeigh DL 95 Sr Kevin Fagan DT y Kevin Fagan (American football) 25 So Greg Cox K 38 So Jeff Feagles P y *Jimmy Johnson Recruits Jimmy Johnson and his staff had the key recruit in the 1985 class QB Steve Walsh Jimmy also continued collecting talent from Florida, "Ten of the 19 signees are from Florida. Last year, 18 of the 25 high school players who signed letters were from Florida (11 from Dade and Broward), and 19 of 26 who signed in 1983 were from Florida (nine from Dade and Broward)." http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-02-14/sports/8501050814_1_corey-johnson-broward-dade dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140720184145/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-02-14/sports/8501050814_1_corey-johnson-broward-dade 2014-07-20 Um Gets 10 Floridians, Goes Out Of State For Qbs - Sun Sentinel Coaching staff Name Position Seasons Alma mater Jimmy Johnson Head coach 2nd Arkansas (1965) Gary Stevens Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks 6th John Carroll (1965) Paul Jette Defensive coordinator/defensive backs 1st Texas (1977) Hubbard Alexander Wide receivers 7th Tennessee State (1962) Joe Brodsky Running backs 8th Florida (1956) Butch Davis Defensive line 2nd Arkansas (1973) Art Kehoe Assistant offensive line 1st Miami (1982) Don Soldinger Tight ends 2nd Memphis (1967) Tony Wise Offensive line 1st Ithaca (1972) Mike Knoll Linebackers 2nd Missouri Western State (1975) Support staff Name Position Seasons Alma mater Bill Foran Strength & conditioning 1st Central Michigan (1977) Tom Ciskowski Volunteer assistant Mark Gibson Volunteer assistant November 2017 Rankings 1985 NCAA Division I-A football rankings Game summaries No. 5 Florida 1985 Florida Gators football team Florida–Miami football rivalry At Rice Rice Owls football At Boston College 1985 Boston College Eagles football team At East Carolina 1985 East Carolina Pirates football team Cincinnati Cincinnati Bearcats football at No. 3 Oklahoma Hurricanes 7 7 13 0 No. 3 Sooners 7 0 0 7 October 19 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma Overcast Keith Jackson, Frank Broyles, and Tim Brant ABC yes 1 8:44 Miami (FL) Michael Irvin 56-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Greg Cox kick) Miami (FL) 7-0 1 6:34 OU Derrick Shepard 14-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Tim Lashar kick) Tied 7-7 2 14:16 Miami (FL) Testaverde 3-yard run (Cox kick) Miami (FL) 14-7 3 8:49 Miami (FL) Cox 20-yard field goal Miami (FL) 17-7 3 4:06 Miami (FL) Brian Blades 35-yard pass from Testaverde (Cox kick) Miami (FL) 24-7 3 2:34 Miami (FL) Cox 36-yard field goal Miami (FL) 27-7 4 10:28 OU Lydell Carr 1-yard run (Lashar kick) Miami (FL) 27-14 yes 1985 Oklahoma Sooners football team MIAMI BEATS SOONERS, 27-14 https://www.nytimes.com/1985/10/20/sports/miami-beats-sooners-27-14.html The New York Times October 20, 1985 October 12, 2017 Louisville 1985 Louisville Cardinals football team UM Pummels Louisville, 45-7 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1985/10/27/um-pummels-louisville-45-7/ Sun Sentinel October 27, 1985 December 10, 2023 at No. 10 Florida State #11 Miami (FL) at #10 Florida State No. 11 Hurricanes 14 0 7 14 No. 10 Seminoles 14 10 0 3 November 2 Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida 61,250 Tim Brant ABC yes 1 10:04 FSU Hassan Jones 8-yard pass from Chip Ferguson (Schmidt kick) FSU 7-0 1 7:23 Miami (FL) Brian Blades 10-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Cox kick) Tied 7-7 1 7:06 Miami (FL) Blades 38-yard pass from Testaverde (Cox kick) Miami (FL) 14-7 1 0:25 FSU Brian Davis blocked punt recovery in end zone (Schmidt kick) Tied 14-14 2 6:52 FSU Derek Schmidt 37-yard field goal FSU 17-14 2 2:39 FSU Pat Carter 26-yard pass from Chip Ferguson (Schmidt kick) FSU 24-14 3 8:15 Miami (FL) 2-yard fun (Cox kick) FSU 24-21 4 11:07 FSU Derek Schmidt 44-yard field goal FSU 27-21 4 9:55 Miami (FL) Michael Irvin 30-yard pass from Testaverde (Cox kick) Miami (FL) 28-27 4 3:06 Miami (FL) Brett Perriman 2-yard pass from Testaverde (Cox kick) Miami (FL) 35-27 yes 1985 Florida State Seminoles football team Florida State–Miami football rivalry Despite being sacked seven times, Vinny Testaverde passed the Hurricanes to victory with 339 yards and four touchdowns.Miami's Come-From-Behind Victory Really 'Special' https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/129980186/ The Palm Beach Post via newspapers.com November 3, 1985 January 18, 2020 at Maryland 1985 Maryland Terrapins football team Miami (FL) at Maryland No. 8 Hurricanes 0 13 7 9 Terrapins 10 3 9 0 November 9 Baltimore Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, MD EST 62,350 Brent Musburger (play-by-play), Ara Parseghian (analyst), and Pat O'Brien (sideline) CBS MIAMI DEFEATS TERPS, 29-22 https://www.nytimes.com/1985/11/10/sports/maimi-defeats-terps-29-22.html The New York Times November 10, 1985 January 18, 2020 Colorado State Colorado State at Miami (FL) Rams 0 0 3 0 No. 4 Hurricanes 0 3 7 14 November 23 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami EST 35,035 yes 2 MIA Greg Cox 25-yard field goal MIA 3-0 3 2 CSU DeLine 44-yard field goal Tied 3-3 MIA Highsmith 3-yard run (Greg Cox kick) MIA 10-3 4 2 MIA Bratton 1-yard run (Greg Cox kick) MIA 17-3 MIA Oliver 5-yard run (Greg Cox kick) MIA 24-3 yes 1985 Colorado State Rams football team Notre Dame Notre Dame at Miami (FL) Fighting Irish 0 7 0 0 No. 4 Hurricanes 13 14 10 21 November 30 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami EST Brent Musburger (play-by-play), Ara Parseghian (analyst), and Pat O'Brien (sideline) CBS yes 1 MIA Greg Cox 39-yard field goal MIA 3-0 1 MIA W. Williams 6-yard run (Greg Cox kick) MIA 10-0 1 MIA Greg Cox 47-yard field goal MIA 13-0 2 MIA Bennie Blades 61-yard interception return (Cox kick) MIA 20-0 2 ND Allen Pinkett 3-yard run (John Carney kick) MIA 20-7 2 MIA Melvin Bratton 7-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Cox kick) MIA 27-7 3 MIA Greg Cox 48-yard field goal MIA 30-7 3 MIA Michael Irvin 15-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Greg Cox kick) MIA 37-7 4 MIA Vinny Testaverde 1-yard run (Greg Cox kick) MIA 44-7 4 MIA Andre Brown 17-yard pass from Geoff Torretta (Seelig kick) MIA 51-7 4 4:44 MIA Bill Hawkins recovered blocked punt in end zone (Greg Cox kick) MIA 58-7 yes 1985 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team Miami scored the most points in a game since 1967. The Hurricanes scored on their first four possessions, the fifth was ended when time ran out at halftime, and then they scored the first four times they got the ball in the second half.FAUST ERA AT NOTRE DAME ENDS IN 58-7 HUMILIATION https://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/01/sports/faust-era-at-notre-dame-ends-in-58-7-humiliation-testaverde-leads-miami.html The New York Times December 10, 1985 January 18, 2020 vs. No. 8 Tennessee (Sugar Bowl) Miami (FL) vs. Tennessee No. 2 Hurricanes 7 0 0 0 No. 8 Volunteers 0 14 14 7 January 1 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana 77,432 Indoors Keith Jackson, Frank Broyles, and Tim Brant ABC yes 1 Miami (FL) Michael Irvin 18-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Greg Cox kick) Miami 7-0 2 Tennessee Jeff Smith 6-yard pass from Daryl Dickey (Fuad Reveiz kick) Tied 7-7 2 Tennessee Tim McGee fumble recovery in end zone (Reveiz kick) Tennessee 14-7 3 Tennessee Henderson 1-yard run (Reveiz kick) Tennessee 21-7 3 Tennessee Jeff Powell 60-yard run (Reveiz kick) Tennessee 28-7 4 Tennessee Charles Wilson 6-yard run (Reveiz kick) Tennessee 35-7 yes 1986 Sugar Bowl 1985 Tennessee Volunteers football team 52nd Annual Sugar Bowl Classic ~ January 1, 1986 https://allstatesugarbowl.org/classic/1986-game-recap/ Sugar Bowl January 1, 1986 August 23, 2019 SUGAR BOWL; MIAMI SURPRISED BY TENNESSEE, 35-7 https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/02/sports/sugar-bowl-miami-surprised-by-tennessee-35-7.html The New York Times January 2, 1986 August 23, 2019 1986 NFL draft 1986 NFL draft Player Position Round Pick NFL club Kevin Fagan Defensive tackle 4 102 San Francisco 49ers Reggie Sutton Defensive back 5 115 New Orleans Saints Willie Smith Tight end 10 265 Cleveland Browns John McVeigh Linebacker 12 321 Seattle Seahawkspro-football-reference.com 1986 NFL Draft https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1986.htm August 23, 2019 December 21, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071221172950/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1986.htm dead References Miami Category:Miami Hurricanes football seasons Miami Hurricanes football