The 1990 Miami Hurricanes football team represented the University of Miami during the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the Hurricanes' 65th season of football. The Hurricanes were led by second-year head coach Dennis Erickson and played their home games at the Orange Bowl. Coming off the school's third national championship in six years in 1989, Miami came in to the 1990 season favored by most experts to repeat as national champions. However, a season opening loss to BYU and a later defeat by Notre Dame dashed those chances and the Canes finished the season 10–2 overall. They were invited to the Cotton Bowl where they defeated Texas, 46–3.
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
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September 8 | 7:30 pm | at No. 16 BYU | No. 1 | | ESPN | L 21–28 | 66,235 | [1] |
September 15 | 3:30 pm | at California | No. 10 | | ABC | W 52–24 | 47,000 | [2] |
September 29 | 8:00 pm | Iowa | No. 10 | | PPV | W 48–21 | 70,420 | [3] |
October 6 | 2:00 pm | No. 2 Florida State | No. 9 | - Miami Orange Bowl
- Miami, FL (rivalry)
| CBS | W 31–22 | 80,396 | [4] |
October 13 | 4:00 pm | Kansas | No. 3 | - Miami Orange Bowl
- Miami, FL
| Raycom | W 34–0 | 54,211 | [5] |
October 20 | 3:30 pm | at No. 6 Notre Dame | No. 2 | | CBS | L 20–29 | 59,075 | [6] |
October 27 | 1:00 pm | at Texas Tech | No. 8 | | Raycom | W 45–10 | 50,028 | [7] |
November 3 | 4:00 pm | Pittsburgh | No. 8 | - Miami Orange Bowl
- Miami, FL
| | W 45–0 | 50,412 | [8] |
November 17 | 4:00 pm | Boston College | No. 3 | - Miami Orange Bowl
- Miami, FL
| | W 42–12 | 50,942 | [9] |
November 24 | 7:30 pm | Syracuse | No. 2 | - Miami Orange Bowl
- Miami, FL
| ESPN | W 33–7 | 66,196 | [10] |
December 1 | 4:00 pm | at San Diego State | No. 3 | | ESPN | W 30–28 | 34,201 | [11] |
| 1:30 pm | vs. No. 3 Texas | No. 4 | | CBS | W 46–3 | 77,425 | [12] |
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Rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes | Week |
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
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AP | 1 (24) | 1 (27) | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 3 (6) | 2 (15) | 8 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 2 (3) | 3 (2) | 4 | 3 (1) |
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Coaches | 1 (25) | 1 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 4 (4) | 2 (7) | 9 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 2 (3) | 2 (3) | 4 (2) | 3 (2) |
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Game summaries
BYU
#1 Miami (FL) at #16 BYU
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Hurricanes |
7 |
7 | 7 | 0 |
21 |
• Cougars |
0 |
17 | 11 | 0 |
28 |
Scoring summary |
Q1 | | MIA | McGuire 7-yard run (Huerta kick) | MIA 7–0 |
|
Q2 | | BYU | Bellini 14-yard pass from Detmer (Kaufman kick) | Tied 7–7 |
| BYU | Kaufman 32-yard field goal | BYU 10–7 |
| MIA | McGuire 7-yard run (Huerta kick) | MIA 14–10 |
| BYU | Boyce 2-yard pass from Detmer (Kaufman kick) | BYU 17–14 |
|
Q3 | | MIA | Conley 5-yard run (Huerta kick) | MIA 21–17 |
| BYU | Kaufman 29-yard field goal | MIA 21–20 |
| BYU | Salido 7-yard pass from Detmer (Detmer to Boyce pass) | BYU 28–21 |
California
#10 Miami (FL) at California
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
• Hurricanes |
10 |
21 | 0 | 21 |
52 |
Golden Bears |
14 |
7 | 0 | 3 |
24 |
Scoring summary |
Q1 | | MIA | Huerta 22 yard field goal | MIA 3–0 |
|
Q1 | | CAL | White 99 yard kickoff return (Keen kick) | CAL 7–3 |
|
Q1 | | MIA | Carroll 20 yard pass from Erickson (Huerta kick) | MIA 10–7 |
|
Q1 | | CAL | White 1 yard run (Keen kick) | CAL 14–10 |
|
Q2 | | MIA | Bethel 7 yard pass from Erickson (Huerta kick) | MIA 17–14 |
|
Q2 | | CAL | Treggs 13 yard pass from Pawlawski (Keen kick) | CAL 21–17 |
|
Q2 | | MIA | Erickson 1 yard run (Huerta kick) | MIA 24–21 |
|
Q2 | | MIA | Hill 4 yard pass from Erickson (Huerta kick) | MIA 31–21 |
|
Q4 | | CAL | Keen 25 yard field goal | MIA 31–24 |
|
Q4 | | MIA | McGuire 1 yard run (Huerta kick) | MIA 38–24 |
|
Q4 | | MIA | Conley 7 yard pass from Erickson (Huerta kick) | MIA 45–24 |
|
Q4 | | MIA | Spencer 38 yard run (Huerta kick) | MIA 52–24 |
[13]
Iowa
Iowa at #10 Miami
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Hawkeyes |
0 |
14 | 7 | 0 |
21 |
• Hurricanes |
14 |
10 | 7 | 17 |
48 |
Scoring summary |
1 | 4:14 | UM | McGuire 1-yard run (Huerta kick) | MIA 7–0 |
|
1 | | UM | Wesley Carroll 73-yard pass from Craig Erickson (Huerta kick) | MIA 14–0 |
|
2 | 13:42 | IOWA | Nick Bell 3-yard run (Skillett kick) | MIA 14–7 |
|
2 | | UM | Darryl Spencer 40-yard pass from Craig Erickson (Huerta kick) | MIA 21–7 |
|
2 | | IOWA | Nick Bell 53-yard pass from Matt Rodgers (Skillett kick) | MIA 21–14 |
|
2 | | UM | Huerta field goal | MIA 24–14 |
|
3 | 8:29 | IOWA | Sean Smith 35-yard pass from Matt Rodgers (Skillett kick) | MIA 24–21 |
|
3 | | UM | McGuire 6-yard run (Huerta kick) | MIA 31–21 |
|
4 | 14:04 | UM | Wesley Carroll 16-yard pass from Craig Erickson (Huerta kick) | MIA 38–21 |
|
4 | | UM | Huerta 36-yard field goal | MIA 41–21 |
|
4 | | UM | Ryan McNeil 75-yard fumble return (Huerta kick) | MIA 48–21 |
[14]
Florida State
#2 Florida State at #9 Miami (FL)
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Seminoles |
0 |
6 | 3 | 13 |
22 |
• Hurricanes |
10 |
14 | 0 | 7 |
31 |
Kansas
Notre Dame
#2 Miami (FL) at #6 Notre Dame
Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Hurricanes |
10 |
7 | 0 | 3 |
20 |
• Fighting Irish |
10 |
6 | 6 | 7 |
29 |
Scoring summary |
Q1 | 12:17 | MIA | McGuire 1-yard run (Huerta kick) | MIA 7–0 |
6:51 | ND | Hentrich-25 yard field goal | MIA 7–3 |
1:43 | MIA | Huerta 23-yard field goal | MIA 10–3 |
| ND | Ismail 94-yard kickoff return (Hentrich kick) | Tie 10–10 |
|
Q2 | 11:48 | ND | Hentrich-44 yard field goal | ND 13–10 |
8:10 | MIA | Erickson-1 yard run (Huerta kick) | MIA 17–13 |
4:16 | ND | Hentrich-34 yard field goal | MIA 17–16 |
|
Q3 | 5:24 | ND | Hentrich-36 yard field goal | ND 19–17 |
1:45 | ND | Hentrich 35-yard field goal | ND 22–17 |
|
Q4 | 14:01 | MIA | Huerta 25-yard field goal | ND 22–20 |
6:16 | ND | Culver 21-yard pass from Mirer (Hentrich kick) | ND 29–20 |
Texas Tech
Pittsburgh
Boston College
Syracuse
San Diego State
Game information
|
- MIA – Carroll 55-yard pass from Erickson (Huerta kick)
- SDS – Trakas 25-yard field goal
- SDS – R. Rowe 3-yard pass from McGwire (Trakas kick)
- MIA – Huerta 44-yard field goal
- MIA – McGuire 5-yard run (Huerta kick)
- SDS – Trakas 43-yard field goal
- MIA – Huerta 29-yard field goal
- SDS – Wright 9-yard run (Trakas kick)
- MIA – Hill 11-yard pass from Erickson (Huerta kick)
- MIA – Huerta 22-yard field goal
- SDS – Arey 13-yard pass from McGwire (pass good)
|
- Top passers
- MIA – Erickson 17/39, 264 Yds, 2 TD, INT
- SDS – McGwire 32/53, 323 Yds, 2 TD, INT
- Top rushers
- MIA – McGuire 19/30, TD
- SDS – Wright 22/112, TD
- Top receivers
- MIA – Hill 6/112, TD
- SDS – R. Rowe 9/102, TD
|
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[15]
Cotton Bowl
Scoring summary
|
Quarter
|
Time
|
Drive
|
Team
|
Scoring information
|
Score
|
Plays
|
Yards
|
TOP
|
MIA
|
TEX
|
1
|
8:53
|
|
|
|
Miami (FL)
|
28-yard field goal by Huerta
|
3
|
0
|
1
|
5:26
|
|
|
|
Miami (FL)
|
50-yard field goal by Huerta
|
6
|
0
|
1
|
0:11
|
|
|
|
Miami (FL)
|
Carroll 12-yard touchdown reception from Erickson, 2-point pass failed
|
12
|
0
|
2
|
7:43
|
|
|
|
Texas
|
29-yard field goal by Pollak
|
12
|
3
|
2
|
4:17
|
|
|
|
Miami (FL)
|
Carroll 24-yard touchdown reception from Erickson, Huerta kick good
|
19
|
3
|
3
|
11:46
|
|
|
|
Miami (FL)
|
Interception returned 34 yards for touchdown by D. Smith, Huerta kick good
|
26
|
3
|
3
|
6:09
|
|
|
|
Miami (FL)
|
Hill 48-yard touchdown reception from Erickson, Huerta kick good
|
33
|
3
|
4
|
10:56
|
|
|
|
Miami (FL)
|
Bethel 4-yard touchdown reception from Erickson, Huerta kick no good (blocked)
|
39
|
3
|
4
|
9:23
|
|
|
|
Miami (FL)
|
Conley 26-yard touchdown run, Huerta kick good
|
46
|
3
|
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.
|
46
|
3
|
|
Roster
1990 Miami Hurricanes football team roster
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Players
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Coaches
|
Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
Roster
|
Awards and honors
Jack Harding University of Miami MVP Award
1991 NFL draft
[22]
References
- ^ "BYU gets last laugh by stunning Miami". The Salt Lake Tribune. September 9, 1990. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'Canes swirl past feisty Cal". Santa Cruz Sentinel. September 16, 1990. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "McGuire powers UM past Hawkeyes 48–21". News-Press. September 30, 1990. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hurricanes run all over Florida State 31–22". The Sacramento Bee. October 7, 1990. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'Canes cruise, Gators crushed". Boca Raton News. October 14, 1990. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Notre Dame rolls past Miami 29–20". The Atlanta Journal & Constitution. October 21, 1990. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hurricanes wreck Tech, 45–10". The Miami Herald. October 28, 1990. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hurricanes rout Pitt 45–0". The Naples Daily News. November 4, 1990. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Nocturnal Miami revives title hopes". The Anchorage Times. November 18, 1990. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hurricanes blow out Orange". Syracuse Herald-Journal. November 25, 1990. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'Canes fight to close win against Aztecs". The Tampa Tribune-Times. December 2, 1990. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Longhorns blown away". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. January 2, 1991. Retrieved June 30, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gainesville Sun. 1990 Sep 16. Retrieved 2018-Oct-06.
- ^ "Miami Takes Charge in Second Half Against Iowa, 48-21". Los Angeles Times. September 30, 1990. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ^ Gainesville Sun. 1990 Dec 02. Retrieved 2019-Nov-17.
- ^ Rhoden, William C. (January 2, 1991). "Ferocious Miami Cuts Texas Down to Size". The New York Times. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ "NO. 4 MIAMI 43 POINTS BETTER THAN NO. 3 TEXAS". The Washington Post. January 2, 1991. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ "Miami shows Texas what intimidation is". The Baltimore Sun. January 2, 1991. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ "NCAA College Football Awards - ESPN". ESPN.com.
- ^ "Do You Know Which Team Has the Most College Football Championships?". LiveAbout. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ "History: Jack Harding MVP Award". Hurricanes Sports Properties. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
- ^ "1991 NFL Draft". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
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Bowls and rivalries | |
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Culture and lore | |
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Documentaries | |
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People | |
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Early years (1926 to 1978) | |
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Seasons | |
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National championship seasons in bold |