1989 Miami Hurricanes football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1989 Miami Hurricanes football Miami Hurricanes logo.svg 125 Independent 1 1 11–1 Dennis Erickson 1st Bob Bratkowski 1st One-back spread Sonny Lubick 1st 4–3 Cortez Kennedy Miami Orange Bowl Consensus national championSugar Bowl champion Sugar Bowl W 33–25 vs. Alabama The 1989 Miami Hurricanes football team represented the University of Miami as an independent during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Hurricanes' 64th season of football. The Hurricanes were led by first-year head coach Dennis Erickson and played their home games at the Orange Bowl. They finished the season 11–1 overall. They were invited to the Sugar Bowl where they defeated Alabama, 33–25, to win the program's third national championship. Schedule 1989 AP September 9 w y 3 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI ABC 51–3 38,646 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-reporter-miami-goes-to-the-air-in-51/173905725/ The Reporter Miami goes to the air in 51–3 rout over UW September 10, 1989 June 5, 2025 Newspapers.com September 16 w 3 California Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL ESPN 31–3 56,931 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-miami-pulls-away-from-cal/173905859/ The Tennessean Miami pulls away from California, 31–3 September 17, 1989 June 5, 2025 Newspapers.com September 23 w y 2 Missouri Faurot Field Columbia, MO Prime 38–7 43,293 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-no-2-miami-blows/173906063/ The Charlotte Observer No. 2 Miami blows past Missouri September 24, 1989 June 5, 2025 Newspapers.com September 30 w y 2 Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ABC 26–20 76,217 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-hurricanes-back/173906233/ Wisconsin State Journal Hurricanes, backup QB tip Spartans October 1, 1989 June 5, 2025 Newspapers.com October 7 w 2 Cincinnati Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL 56–0 48,597 https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-torretta-shreds-bearcats/173781273/ Florida Today Torretta shreds Bearcats' defense October 8, 1989 June 5, 2025 Newspapers.com October 14 w 2 San Jose State Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL 48–16 45,122 https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press-torretta-spurs-canes-to-romp/173906404/ News-Press Torretta spurs Canes to romp over San Jose October 15, 1989 June 5, 2025 Newspapers.com October 28 l y 2 Florida State 9 Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL rivalry ESPN 10–24 62,602 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-semonoles-blow-aw/173857246/ The South Bend Tribune Semonoles blow away Hurricanes October 29, 1989 June 5, 2025 Newspapers.com November 4 w 7 East Carolina Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL 40–10 35,159 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72755098/miami-shakes-doldrums-routs-e/ St. Petersburg Times Miami shakes doldrums, routs E. Carolina 40–10 November 5, 1989 June 5, 2025 Newspapers.com November 11 w y 7 Pittsburgh 14 Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA CBS 24–3 52,528 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-hurricanes-sweep-through/173855906/ St. Petersburg Times Hurricanes sweep through No. 14 Pitt November 12, 1989 June 5, 2025 Newspapers.com November 18 w y 7 San Diego State Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL 42–6 42,362 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-um-overcomes-six-tur/173906671/ The Palm Beach Post UM overcomes six turnovers in 42–6 victory November 19, 1989 June 5, 2025 Newspapers.com November 25 w 7 Notre Dame 1 Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL rivalry CBS 27–10 81,634 https://www.newspapers.com/article/palladium-item-hurricanes-blow-past-iris/173905492/ Palladium-Item Hurricanes blow past Irish mystique November 26, 1989 June 5, 2025 Newspapers.com January 1 Monday w y 2 Alabama 7 Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA Sugar Bowl ABC 33–25 77,452 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71575319/hurricanes-stake-claim-to-3rd-title/ South Florida Sun Sentinel Hurricanes stake claim to 3rd title January 2, 1990 June 5, 2025 Newspapers.com Rankings November 2025 1989 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 16 4 (4) 3 (4) 3 (5) 2 (3) 2 (3) 2 (3) 2 (4) 2 (3) 2 (3) 7 7 7 7 4 (3) 2 (4) 2 (4) 1 (38) Coaches 0 16 5 (1) 5 (1) 2 (2) 2 (3) 2 (4) 2 (2) 2 (5) 2 (5) 2 (3) 6 7 7 7 3 (3) 2 (4) 1 (36) Game summaries At Wisconsin #3 Miami (FL) at Wisconsin Hurricanes 13 21 10 7 Badgers 3 0 0 0 September 9 Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin 38,646 Keith Jackson, Bob Griese, Mike Adamle ABC 1 WIS Thompson 38-yard field goal WIS 3–0 yes 1 MIA Huerta 28-yard field goal Tied 3–3 1 MIA Huerta 43-yard field goal MIA 6–3 1 MIA Conley 1-yard run (Huerta kick) MIA 13–3 2 MIA Carroll 15-yard pass from Erickson (Huerta kick) MIA 20–3 2 MIA Carroll 10-yard pass from Erickson (Huerta kick) MIA 27–3 2 MIA Hill 3-yard pass from Erickson (Huerta kick) MIA 34–3 3 MIA Huerta 24-yard field goal MIA 37–3 3 MIA Aaron 3-yard pass from Erickson (Huerta kick) MIA 44–3 4 7:57 MIA Kevin Gibbs 6-yard run (Huerta kick) MIA 51–3 yes 1989 Wisconsin Badgers football team Miami Overwhelms Wisconsin by 51–3 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/10/sports/college-football-midwest-miami-overwhelms-wisconsin-by-51-3.html September 10, 1989 December 29, 2018 California California at #3 Miami (FL) Golden Bears 3 0 0 0 Hurricanes 0 17 7 7 September 16 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 56,931 93 F, Partly cloudy, Wind S 15 mph on Tim Brando, Gene Washington ESPN 1 7:45 CAL Robbie Keen 45-yard field goal CAL 3–0 yes 2 MIA Huerta 29-yard field goal Tied 3–3 2 4:48 MIA Conley 6-yard run (Huerta kick) MIA 10–3 2 2:10 MIA Crowell 2-yard pass from Erickson (Huerta kick) MIA 17–3 3 0:11 MIA Dawkins 18-yard pass from Erickson (Huerta kick) MIA 24–3 4 12:46 MIA Hill 33-yard pass from Erickson (Huerta kick) MIA 31–3 yes 1989 California Golden Bears football team At Missouri #2 Miami (FL) at Missouri Hurricanes 7 17 0 14 Tigers 7 0 0 0 September 23 Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri 43,293 59 F, Sunny, Wind N 10-15 mph on Dave Armstrong, Dave Logan Prime yes 1 3:24 MIA Maurice Crum 30-yard interception return (Huerta kick) MIA 7–0 1 1:16 MIZ Collins 67-yard pass from Keifer (Baker kick) Tied 7–7 2 12:28 MIA Crowell 1-yard run (Huerta kick) MIA 14–7 2 1:36 MIA Huerta 42-yard field goal MIA 17–7 2 0:07 MIA Erickson 6-yard run (Huerta kick) MIA 24–7 4 9:28 MIA Conley 2-yard run (Huerta kick) MIA 31–7 4 8:34 MIA Chudzinski 30-yard pass from Erickson (Huerta kick) MIA 38–7 yes 1989 Missouri Tigers football team Miami 38, Missouri 7 United Press International https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/09/23/Miami-38-Missouri-7/9155622526400/ September 23, 1989 December 29, 2018 At Michigan State #2 Miami (FL) at Michigan State Hurricanes 3 7 10 6 Spartans 3 7 3 7 September 30 Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan 76,217 Jim Kemerling Gary Bender, Dick Vermeil, Cheryl Miller ABC 1 7:56 MIA Huerta 32-yard field goal MIA 3–0 yes 1 3:59 MSU Langeloh 46-yard field goal Tied 3–3 2 5:32 MSU Enos 19-yard run (Langeloh kick) MSU 10–3 2 2:14 MIA Carroll 5-yard pass from Torretta (Huerta kick) Tied 10–10 3 11:52 MIA Johnson 38-yard run (Huerta kick) MIA 17–10 3 6:42 MIA Huerta 27-yard field goal MIA 20–10 3 2:48 MSU Langeloh 27-yard field goal MIA 20–13 4 MSU Harlon Barnett 35-yard interception return Tied 20–20 4 5:04 MIA Huerta 27-yard field goal MIA 23–20 4 0:54 MIA Huerta 52-yard field goal MIA 26–20 yes 1989 Michigan State Spartans football team Hurricanes Survive Scare : Miami Loses Erickson, Beats Michigan State https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-01-sp-891-story.html Los Angeles Times October 1, 1986 November 9, 2019 Cincinnati Cincinnati at #3 Miami (FL) Bearcats 0 0 0 0 Hurricanes 7 35 7 7 October 7 Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 48,597 Cincinnati Bearcats football 'CANES MAKE IT A CINCH EARLY VS. CINCINNATI IN 56–0 BLOWOUT https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1989-10-08-8910083631-story.html Orlando Sentinel October 8, 1989 November 9, 2019 San Jose State San Jose State at #3 Miami (FL) Spartans 0 8 0 8 Hurricanes 10 7 17 14 October 14 Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 1989 San Jose State Spartans football team Backup Gino Torretta, making his second consecutive start for the injured Craig Erickson, threw for a school-record 468 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Hurricanes picked up their 48th win in 49 games.Miami 48, San Jose State 16 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/10/14/Miami-48-San-Jose-State-16/7401624340800/ United Press International October 14, 1989 November 10, 2019 At Florida State 1989 Florida State Seminoles football team Florida State–Miami football rivalry Miami Hurricanes 2; text-align:center collapsed #2 Miami (FL) Hurricanes at #9 Florida State Seminoles October 28, 1989 8:00 p.m. EST Miami (FL) 10 0 0 0 Florida St 14 0 7 3 Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida 62,602 ESPN Ron Franklin and Kevin Kiley Recap/Box Score First quarter FSU – Dexter Carter 37-yard run (Richie Andrews kick), 14:37. Florida St 7–0. Drive: MIA – Randal Hill 8-yard pass from Gino Torretta (Carlos Huerta kick), 9:57. Tie 7–7. Drive: 80 yards. FSU – Edgar Bennett 1-yard run (Richie Andrews kick), 5:11. Florida St 14–7. Drive: 82 yards. MIA – Carlos Huerta 44-yard field goal, 1:09. Florida St 14–10. Drive: Third quarter FSU – Amp Lee 1-yard run (Richie Andrews kick), 2:20. Florida St 21–10. Drive: Fourth quarter FSU – Richie Andrews 41-yard field goal, 14:18. Florida St 24–10. Drive:''''' Top passers MIA – Gino Torretta – TD, 4 INT FSU – Peter Tom Willis – 7/20, 129 yards, INT Top rushers MIA – FSU – Dexter Carter – 21 rushes, 142 yards, TD Top receivers MIA – FSU – Ronald Lewis – 3 receptions, 77 yards Six Turnovers by No. 2 Miami Give Game to No. 9 Florida St. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-29-sp-376-story.html Los Angeles Times October 29, 1989 November 10, 2019 Prior to the Miami-Florida State game, University of Miami mascot Sebastian the Ibis was tackled by a group of police officers for attempting to put out Chief Osceola's flaming spear. Sebastian was wearing a fireman's helmet and yellow raincoat and holding a fire extinguisher. When a police officer attempted to grab the fire extinguisher, the officer was sprayed in the chest. Sebastian was handcuffed by four officers but ultimately released. Miami quarterback Gino Torretta, who started the game in place of injured Craig Erickson, told ESPN, "Even if we weren't bad boys, it added to the mystique that, 'Man, look, even their mascot's getting arrested.'"https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/27949666/the-true-story-sebastian-ibis-fire-extinguisher-arrest The true story of Sebastian the Ibis, a fire extinguisher and a near arrest 30 October 2019 East Carolina 1989 East Carolina Pirates football team At Pittsburgh #7 Miami (FL) at #14 Pittsburgh Hurricanes 10 3 9 2 Panthers 0 0 0 3 November 11 Pitt Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 52,528 49 F, Light rain, Wind SSW 14 mph on Jim Nantz, Pat Haden, John Dockery CBS 1 10:38 MIA Huerta 20-yard field goal MIA 3–0 yes 1 MIA McGuire 8-yard run (Huerta kick) MIA 10–0 2 MIA Huerta 27-yard field goal MIA 13–0 3 MIA Huerta 27-yard field goal MIA 16–0 3 MIA Dawkins 9-yard pass from Erickson (pass failed) MIA 22–0 4 12:06 PITT Frazier 29-yard field goal MIA 22–3 4 10:19 MIA Safety, Van Pelt tackled in end zone MIA 24–3 yes 1989 Pittsburgh Panthers football team COLLEGE FOOTBALL https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1989-11-12-8901300779-story.html Chicago Tribune November 12, 1989 November 10, 2019 San Diego State 1989 San Diego State Aztecs football team Loses Grow for SDSU After Miami Defeat https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-22-sp-56-story.html Los Angeles Times November 22, 1989 November 10, 2019 Notre Dame Miami Hurricanes 2; text-align:center collapsed #1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11–0) at #7 Miami (FL) Hurricanes (9–1) November 25, 1989 Notre Dame 0 10 0 0 Miami (FL) 10 7 7 3 Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 81,634 Overcast, 77 F Jimmy Harper CBS Jim Nantz, Pat Haden, and John Dockery Recap/Box 'First quarter UM – Carlos Huerta 35-yard field goal, 9:41. Miami (FL) 3–0. UM – Dale Dawkins 55-yard pass from Craig Erickson (Carlos Huerta kick), 0:04. Miami (FL) 10–0. Drive: 4 plays. Second quarter ND – Billy Hackett 22-yard field goal, 8:23. Miami (FL) 10–3. ND – Ned Bolcar 49-yard interception return (Billy Hackett kick), 2:08. Tie 10–10. UM – Stephen McGuire 5-yard run (Carlos Huerta kick), 0:24. Miami (FL) 17–10. Drive: 3 plays. Third quarter UM – Dale Dawkins 5-yard pass from Craig Erickson (Carlos Huerta kick), 4:13. Miami (FL) 24–10. Drive: 22 plays, 80 yards, 10:47. Fourth quarter UM – Carlos Huerta 32-yard field goal, 1:44. Miami (FL) 27–10. Top passers ND – Tony Rice – 7/15, 106 yards, 2 INT UM – Craig Erickson – 16/26, 210 yards, 2 TD Top rushers ND – Tony Rice – 20 rushes, 50 yards UM – Stephen McGuire – 21 rushes, 83 yards, TD Top receivers ND – Derek Brown – 2 receptions, 19 yards UM – Dale Dawkins – 4 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TD The Hurricanes avenged a close loss from the previous year in South Bend. This game marked the seventh time in seven attempts that Miami defeated a #1 ranked team during the 1980s.Miami Exacts Its Revenge, 27–10 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-26-sp-392-story.html Los Angeles Times November 26, 1989 November 10, 2019Miami Snaps Streak By Irish https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/26/sports/college-football-miami-snaps-streak-by-irish.html The New York Times November 26, 1989 November 10, 2019Miami Shuts Down No. 1 Notre Dame https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/11/26/miami-shuts-down-no-1-notre-dame/cef22071-8ad6-4f52-9a43-676b98dda0f3/ The Washington Post November 26, 1989 November 10, 2019 right Full game Game highlights 3rd and 43 Hurricane Flashback Vs. Alabama (Sugar Bowl) #2 Miami (FL) at #7 Alabama Hurricanes 7 13 6 7 Crimson Tide 0 17 0 8 January 1 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans CST 77,452 Indoors John Nealon (Big Ten) Al Michaels, Frank Gifford, and Dan Dierdorf ABC 1990 Sugar Bowl 1989 Alabama Crimson Tide football team Personnel Roster 1989 Miami Hurricanes f 14 Fr Gino Torretta QB y 37 So Doyle Aaron WR 93 Jr Randy Bethel TE 81 Jr Wesley Carroll WR y Wesley Carroll (wide receiver) 84 Jr Rob Chudzinski TE y 28 Jr Leonard Conley RB y 72 Fr Mario Cristobal OL y 20 Jr Shannon Crowell FB 11 Sr Dale Dawkins WR y 7 Jr Craig Erickson QB y 9 Fr Bryan Fortay QB 50 Sr Bobby Garcia C 25 Fr y Kevin Gibbs RB 66 fr Robert Amatucci OG 3 Jr Randal Hill WR y 64 Sr Rod Holder C 21 Jr Alex Johnson RB 88 Fr y Dennis Kelleher WR 30 Fr Stephen McGuire RB 68 So Barry Panfil OG 55 Fr Kevin Patrick TE y Kevin Patrick (American football) 73 So Leon Searcy OL y 18 Sr Pee Wee Smith WR y 35 So Darryl Spencer WR y 79 Jr Mike Sullivan Mike Sullivan (offensive lineman) G y 36 Fr Lamar Thomas WR y 33 So Russell Sapp Russell Sapp RB 1 Fr Jessie Armstead LB y 23 JR Robert Bailey Robert Bailey (American football) CB y 56 Fr Micheal Barrow LB y 6 SR Kenny Berry CB 8 So Hurlie Brown DB 57 SR Bernard Clark LB y 49 JR Maurice Crum LB y Maurice Crum Sr. 44 JR Shane Curry DL y 39 SR Bobby Harden DB y 63 SR Jimmie Jones DL y 96 SR Cortez Kennedy DT y 94 SR Greg Mark DT y 67 Jr Russell Maryland DT y 47 Fr Ryan McNeil Ryan McNeil (American football) CB y 38 Sr Richard Newbill LB y 58 Sr Willis Peguese DE y 2 So Charles Pharms DB 45 Fr Darrin Smith LB y y 16 Jr Roland Smith DB 31 Fr Darryl Williams Darryl Williams (safety) DB y 1 SR Edgar Benes K 27 SO Carlos Huerta K y 19 SR Tim Kalal P https://miamihurricanes.com/sports/football/roster/season/1989-90/ *Dennis Erickson Coaching staff Name Position Seasons Alma mater Dennis Erickson Head coach 1st Montana State (1969) Bob Bratkowski Offensive coordinator/wide receivers 1st Washington State (1978) Sonny Lubick Defensive coordinator/defensive backs 1st Western Montana (1960) Gregg Smith Offensive line 1st Idaho (1969) Dave Arnold Special teams/tight ends 1st Bob Karmelowicz Defensive line 1st Bridgeport (1972) Art Kehoe Assistant offensive line 5th Miami (1982) Ed Orgeron Defensive line 1st Northwestern State (1984) Tommy Tuberville Linebackers 1st Southern Arkansas (1976) Alex Wood Running backs 1st Iowa (1978) Support staff Name Position Seasons Alma mater Brad Roll Strength & Conditioning 1st Stephen F. Austin (1980) Carmen Grosso Graduate Assistant Ronnie Lee Graduate Assistant Scott Runyan Graduate Assistant Pete Savage Graduate Assistant Dan Werner Volunteer Assistant 3rd Western Michigan (1983) 1990 NFL draft 1990 NFL draft Player Position Round Pick Team Cortez KennedyDefensive tackle 13 Seattle Seahawks Jimmie Jones Defensive tackle 364 Dallas Cowboys Bernard ClarkLinebacker365 Cincinnati Bengals Willis PegueseDefensive end 372 Houston Oilers Greg Mark Defensive end 379 New York Giants Richard Newbill Linebacker 5126 Houston Oilers Dale Dawkins Wide receiver9223 New York Jets Kenny BerryDefensive back 10256 San Diego Chargers Bobby Harden Defensive back 12315 Miami Dolphins https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1990.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071220211214/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1990.htm 2007-12-20 1990 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com Pro-Football-Reference.com References Miami Category:Miami Hurricanes football seasons Category:College football national champions Category:Sugar Bowl champion seasons Miami Hurricanes football