The Miami Hurricanes have won college football’s national championship five times, more than the Florida Gators (three) and Florida State Seminoles (three). Miami accomplished this feat through major postseason bowl game wins in 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, and 2001. These accomplishments solidified the Canes’ reputation as a college football powerhouse, affectionately known as “The U,” and demonstrated the program’s ability to excel in key moments.
The rosters and media guides of the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s are filled with iconic names, from Ray Lewis to Warren Sapp to Michael Irvin and many other great talents who went on to huge success in the NFL. Coaches included Jimmie Johnson, Howard Schnellenberger, Dennis Erickson, and Larry Coker.
Miami has yet to win an Atlantic Coast Conference title and hasn’t won a national championship since the Ken Dorsey era ended in January 2022, but the Canes almost made it to the College Football Playoff this year and appear to be on the path to being considered a national power.
The five bowl game wins listed below represent the zenith of Miami’s Domin.
1983 Orange Bowl
The Hurricanes won their first national championship in dramatic fashion at the 1984 Orange Bowl on January 1, 1984. Coming into the game in fifth place, Miami faced the top-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers, considered one of the toughest teams in college football history. The Hurricanes, under head coach Howard Schnellenberger, jumped out to a 17-0 lead, but the game was tense as they held a 31-30 advantage in the final moments. In a bold move, Nebraska opted to attempt a two-point conversion after scoring a touchdown. However, Miami’s defense blocked the attempt, securing the victory and the national title.
1987 Orange Bowl
Four years later, on January 1, 1988, Miami returned to the Orange Bowl to face the Oklahoma Sooners for the national championship. The Hurricanes, led by head coach Jimmie Johnson, dominated the game and held Oklahoma’s powerful wishbone offense to just 179 rushing yards, well below their season average of 428.8 yards. Miami’s balanced attack and solid defense resulted in a convincing victory, cementing their right to the 1987 national title.
1989 Sugar Bowl
The Hurricanes defeated Alabama in the 1990 Sugar Bowl on January 1, 1990, winning their third national championship in seven years. Under first-year head coach Dennis Erickson, Miami bounced back from a midseason loss to Florida State to finish the season with an impressive 11-1 record, although it fell to No. 7 in the national poll. The Sugar Bowl victory with a final score of 33-25 capped a remarkable comeback season and earned Miami the title of “Team of the 1980s.”
1991 Orange Bowl
Miami won a decisive victory over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, winning their fourth national championship following the 1991 season. Under the leadership of coach Dennis Erickson, the Hurricanes finished a perfect season with a 12-0 record, highlighted by a dominant victory over the Cornhuskers. The win further strengthened Miami’s dominance in college football and demonstrated Miami’s ability to perform well in high-stakes bowl games.
2001 Rose Bowl (BCS National Championship Game)
The Hurricanes won their fifth and most recent national championship in spectacular fashion following the 2001 season. Under head coach Larry Coker, Miami assembled what many consider to be one of the greatest college football teams ever assembled. The Hurricanes finished a perfect 12-0 season by defeating Nebraska in the Rose Bowl, which served as that year’s BCS National Championship Game. This dominant performance left no doubt that Miami would win the national title and demonstrated the program’s continued excellence well into the 21st century.
From a heartbreaking finish in the 1984 Orange Bowl to a dominant performance in the 2002 Rose Bowl, the Hurricanes demonstrated their ability to stand up to even the most pressured situations.
