Canes fans come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Some have seen games dating back to the 1940s…others wear Hurricane onesies and diapers. (well, I guess the people who went to see games in the ’40s are probably also wearing 
diapers now) My point is that we all have our favorite memories as Canes fans. For some, it’s watching Al Hudson return an interception for a touchdown for UM’s first ever Orange Bowl victory in 1945. For others it’s the 1984 Orange Bowl victory that propelled the program into the national spotlight. Some were at the Orange Bowl in 1989 for Randall Hill‘s amazing 3rd and 43 conversion. Others witnessed Miami’s Rose Bowl victory over Nebraska for their fifth national championship.
diapers now) My point is that we all have our favorite memories as Canes fans. For some, it’s watching Al Hudson return an interception for a touchdown for UM’s first ever Orange Bowl victory in 1945. For others it’s the 1984 Orange Bowl victory that propelled the program into the national spotlight. Some were at the Orange Bowl in 1989 for Randall Hill‘s amazing 3rd and 43 conversion. Others witnessed Miami’s Rose Bowl victory over Nebraska for their fifth national championship.-
I’m often asked what my favorite Hurricane memory is. To me, it’s quite easy. Three words: Wide. Right. III. Born in the ’70s, I was a little too young to fully appreciate the Michael Irvin/Jerome Brown bad boy days. My first memory is of watching the 1984 Orange Bowl victory with my dad. I went to the ’86 Oklahoma game at the OB and recall watching on TV as Vinny Testaverde threw his fifth interception of the night to hand Penn State the title in Tempe. I wasn’t at the 1987 FSU game or the 1989 Notre Dame game, as those might top my list if I had. Nor was I at Wide Right I or II. After graduating college in 1997, I was on my own and able to head to Hurricane road games if I chose. My first Hurricane road game was the forgettable 1999 affair at Tallahassee, a 31-21 loss to FSU. But, I was hooked. Nothing compares to seeing your team on the road. The multitude of profanities hurled my way as I wore my orange and green shirt were strangely welcoming. But, Miami didn’t win. In fact, we hadn’t beaten FSU since 1994.
-
That brings me to Wide Right III. Ahhhhh. To this day, it remains the best football game I’ve been to (and I’m including the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, Wide Left, and the FSU-Nebraska ’94 Orange Bowl). The stage was set for a David vs. Goliath match up, only this time, Miami played the role of David. Florida State was riding a 17 game win streak as the defending national champs. They were averaging 42 points per game while giving up only 9 and were favored by over a touchdown. Miami, on the other hand, had suffered an early season loss at Washington and were trying to reclaim their spot as one of the top programs in the country after being crippled by NCAA sanctions.
-
I went to the game with my college buddy Khalil, also a Canes fan. It was our first game together and we were both excited and nervous. They put the temporary east stands in the OB to accommodate the large crowd and the noon game kicked off on that steamy October Saturday. The young Canes jumped out early, scoring the game’s first two touchdowns. Back came FSU. They scored to cut the Miami lead to 20-17 with three minutes to go. After making FSU use timeouts, all we had to do was secure a first down and we could literally run the clock out. Najeh Davenport breaks free, catches a pass and gets the first down and Miami can take a kn…kn….knoooooooo!! He fumbled!! FSU gets the ball back and my heart is racing like a fat kid on a StairMaster. And like a dagger to my heart, Weinke hits Atrews Bell for the go ahead score with 1:37 left. Ugh. I want to vomit and cry at the same time.
-
The hope and glee felt during the first three quarters of the game vanishes. Any thoughts of Miami beating FSU for the first time in 6 years goes out the window. I am crestfallen. But then, a skinny beanpole gets the ball on his own 27 with under two minutes to work with. I pray that this sophomore can somehow turn things around and drive his team for the winning score against the defending champs. Is it too much to ask? Not if this is the greatest game you’ve ever been to. He hits one receiver. Then another. And another. Firing with precision, he marches the team down the field. Holy crap, is he really doing this? Santana Moss gains 19 yards up the middle and puts Miami in a 1st and Goal situation at the FSU 8 with under a minute to go. I am almost hyperventilating. So close! It would be torture to come this close and fail. Dorsey gets under center….he’s about to take the snap….and then Joaquin Gonzalez jumps early. False start Miami. It moves the ball back to the 13 and suddenly I doubt our chances of hitting pay dirt. 1st and goal at the FSU 13….little did I know that my favorite memory as a Hurrican fan was about to unfold…
-
Dorsey to Shockey. That’s all you have to say. The story goes that Shockey was pleading for the ball each time he got in the huddle, saying he 
was open. I’ve heard that the route Dorsey called was a TE out curl and Shockey decided to cut inside. Regardless, Dorsey drops back with under a minute to go and calmly fires over the FSU LB covering Shockey and Jeremy leaps up to snag the touchdown. Khalil, myself, and the rest of the Orange Bowl explodes. Like a powder keg building up for 6 years.
was open. I’ve heard that the route Dorsey called was a TE out curl and Shockey decided to cut inside. Regardless, Dorsey drops back with under a minute to go and calmly fires over the FSU LB covering Shockey and Jeremy leaps up to snag the touchdown. Khalil, myself, and the rest of the Orange Bowl explodes. Like a powder keg building up for 6 years.-
FSU would later move the ball down and miss the game tying field goal, but for my money nothing matches the excitement and sheer joy of Dorsey to Shockey. It represented so many more things than just a touchdown. Miami was back. And I now had my favorite Hurricanes memory.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Won’t be seeing my first live Cane game, until Oct. 16 @ Duke……
But when just watching on TV, I’m gonna say my favorite UM moment (and game) was 98′ vs UCLA. Santana & Edge were soo money that game. I went buckwild when Tana caught that deep TD. And you can’t forget Edge scoring with like a minute left, or was it less than that?
That game made Moss my favorite Cane. No disrespect to my baby Kenny D, of course.
Don’t know why they don’t replay that game more often…….
Hey Hurriphin, better late than never I say. Maybe you can get us a Road Game Journal recount of the game?
Dorsey to Shockey was such a great game – great ending. Glad to have most of them go our way. I can’t imagine being on the other side of the wide rights or most recently, last year’s game that turned into a nail-biter.
My favorite memory of a game had to be the Rose Bowl game against Nebraska. It was my FIRST bowl game, and a national championship to boot. Mike and I were caught in a sea of Cornhusker fans – we were literally in the 1 or 2 sections of the endzone that clearly had green and orange. It was like Moses parting the Red Sea. It ended up being a blow out in the 1st half, but it was magnificent. Andre Johnson’s opening TD, Vilma’s hit, Portis’ 40yd TD run. Seeing the Canes jump the GameDay stage with Herbie and Corso, and staying late into the night to celebrate with the Canes fans. That game will always stick out in my mind. Along with the monster meal I had at Johnny Rockets afterwards – and the evidence Mike captured the next morning. HA!
I can do that.
I know it isn’t the biggest game in the world, but its local and most importantly, AFFORDABLE.
My favorite memory is when your lame DB held me and then did some PI with me on the same play in the NC game against Ohio State.
The funniest part is is the ref was slow on throwing his flag so fireworks were shot and all 800 Miami fans in the stands were cheering because they thought they won the game.HAHA that was my favorite Hurricane memory.
My favorite memory was when the entire nation, save for Ohio, agreed that it was a terrible call and Miami beat Ohio State on the field that night (check recent ESPN poll if you think I’m making that up). No worries, we got like 5 of those titles since ’83 so we can throw you a bone once in a while.
Glenn,
Sotp by my tailgate on 9/11 I will a giant poster and video footage that proves your wrong…If the refs made any mistakes that night it was even allowing game to go to overtime.Buckeyes should have won in regulation.
You Miami fans are so funny your starting point is alawys 83.
How many titles in the 50? 60′s ? 70′s ?
If your going to go back in time you have to go all the way back.
All i know is our most recent title we beat the “U”
We are 1-0 against the “U” in NC games.