"Canes Time Capsule - 1989"
Revisit the fifteen year anniversary of Miami's 11-1 season and school's third championship

by Chris Bello, allCanes.com
CanesTime Magazine - October 2004


Fifteen years ago this season, Miami captured National Championship number three. Months removed from the second coaching change in five seasons, questions swirled around the most dominant new program in the game. Howard Schnellenberger’s five year blueprint delivered a title in 1983. Jimmy Johnson won his ring in year number three at Miami (1987) and could’ve easily come out on top in 1986 and 1988 as well.

With “America’s Team” calling J.J. back to Texas - another “undiscovered” coach strolled into Coral Gables. He made his mark, won a championship year one – and three - built an impressive resume (63-9 over six seasons) and eventually took his talents elsewhere.

Welcome to University of Miami Football.

In typical South Florida fashion, Dennis Erickson wasn’t the fan favorite in 1989. Many speculated that coordinator, Gary Stevens would earn that long awaited promotion and been given the keys to the powerhouse he helped Jimmy build.

Instead a Washington State import was now “the man” at one of most recognized, scrutinized and highly publicized universities in the nation – with a whole new staff, mindset and approach of his own.

“Bienvenidos a Miami, Senor Erickson.”

Translation – “Welcome to a whole new level of scrutiny and prepare for a short stay if you don’t hit the ground running, Mr. West Coast.”

Fresh from the Pullman, WA with one-back offense in hand, Erickson led the preseason No. 3 Hurricanes into Madison for a season opening date with the Wisconsin Badgers.

Dennis wasn’t the only Erickson to debut for the Canes in 1989. Gone was UM favorite and legendary Cane QB Steve Walsh. Enter Craig Erickson – next in line at the legendary position that is Quarterback U.

Against the Badgers, No. 7 threw for more yards in his inaugural effort than any Cane quarterback to date. The 51-3 thrashing of Wisconsin and the following week’s 31-3 pounding of Cal had the Canes outscoring the opposition 82-6 with over 900 yards of total offense to go with the 2-0 record. Not a bad start.

Though Big D Erickson tinkered with the offense schemes, he knew not to look a gift horse in the mouth in regards to Miami’s legendary defense. The mantra was still to completely and utterly dominate all opponents. While Bernard “Tiger” Clark remained the heart and soul, Maurice Crum led the team in tackles and the unit as a whole, led the nation in scoring defense and total defense.

Sporting a 3-0 record after a 38-7 beating of Missouri, the Canes took their aerial assault to East Lansing for a meeting with Michigan State. In what should’ve been a routine win over another Big Ten team, disaster struck when the Canes lost Erickson to injury. Just as he was hitting his stride, in one play - sidelined.

Unknown freshman – and future Heisman winner - Gino Torretta stepped in with the poise of a veteran. With the help of Carlos Huerta’s 45- and 52-yard field goals, the Canes escaped with a 26-20 win.

Torretta was called upon the following three games and led the Canes to blowout wins over Cincinnati and San Jose State before leading Miami into Tallahassee for a showdown with No.9 Florida State. The hated Noles were licking their chops with the frosh behind center – especially after losing five of their last six meetings with the Canes. Capitalize on Miami’s weakness and steal one from the arch rival.

In this era, history wasn’t on the side of the new quarterback in the series. A wide eyed Torretta followed the script with four interceptions in the 24-10 loss, ending a 13-game Miami win steak.

The lone bright spot came in a healthy Erickson returning the following week against East Carolina in a 40-10 romp. The No. 7 Canes (7-1) were mentally back in the title hunt and now needed a few gifts from lady luck in November - the final month of the season.

While both Ericksons were having incredible inaugural years, none would’ve been possible without the big play game breakers Miami had on offense.

Wesley Carroll was the Canes leading receiver and punt returner until injury forced him to the sidelines. With Miami’s “we don’t rebuild – we reload” mentality, that just meant someone else had to step up and take their game to the next level.

Instead, two Canes replaced the one as both Dale Dawkins and Randall “Thrill” Hill took over.

Dawkins became the go-to guy with 54 receptions, 7 touchdowns and over 800 receiving yards in 1989. Hill, the Canes fastest receiver, averaged over 15 yards per catch and provided the spark and personality the team needed at times. All the while, Rob Chudzinski remained the reliable, big time tight end Miami needed to help the short game and open up the running attack.

Fear not fans of the old, reliable two-back offense - Erickson’s one-back approach got the job done and then some, this season.

Leonard Conley – pound for pound the toughest player on this Miami team – returned for his junior season and was the Canes’ leading rusher with 529 yards. Back up Stephen McGuire found the end zone more than any other UM back as he scored ten times in the 1989 campaign while Alex Johnson enjoyed success in his third string role. In total, the Miami offense averaged a combined 454 yards in the air and on the ground.

Still at No. 7, the Canes cut through Pittsburgh and San Diego State – merely appetizers for the main course they would endure on November 25th when defending National Champions and current No. 1 Notre Dame would travel south for another memorable evening at the Orange Bowl.

Big Erickson failed his first major test as a Hurricane head coach, losing to Florida State his inaugural season. The leash was short as the Irish headed to Miami. The only way to pay his penance was to deliver a win against holier than thou Notre Dame.

Holding a 6-0 record against top ranked teams in the 1980’s, Miami didn’t flinch when Lou Holtz brought his choirboys to town. In fact, the Canes welcomed the challenge in front of the nationally televised audience.

The 1988 match up was ultimately decided by a missed two-point conversion in the game’s final 0:45 – but it’s the phantom Cleveland Gary fourth quarter goal line fumble that Cane fans will take to their grave.

On a day when Irish faithful sported shirts reading, “Even God Hates Miami” – the sold out crowd of 59,075 received the most unwarranted gift of their season when referees disagreed over Gary’s knee being down at the one yard line. The end result – no score, Notre Dame ball and momentum swung back in the opposite direction.

Final score, 31-30 which propelled the Irish to an undefeated season, which culminated with a 34-21 win over No. 3 West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl. Miami ended the season 11-1 and No. 2 in the land after a convincing 23-3 win over No. 6 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.

Miami saw 1988 as marred with controversy and the culprits - who subsequently took home the National Championship - were headed into the Canes’ house on November 25th, with a No. 1 ranking and 23-game win streak in tow.

The highly touted Notre Dame running game was stonewalled in the first quarter, while the sold out, raucous crowd of 81,634 screamed for revenge. The Canes forced the Irish to punt three times and set the tone early.

On the other side of the ball, the Hurricane offense blew the playbooks wide open as Craig Erickson found Dale Dawkins for a 55-yard touchdown and an early 7-0 Miami lead.

The defense refused to be upstaged as a “Tiger” Clark interception and 48-yard return thwarted a Notre Dame drive and kept the Canes in control for the entire first half.

Late in the second quarter, a Stephen McGuire touchdown kept the Canes rolling while the Miami D held the Tony Rice to “Rocket” Ismail duo completely in check. At halftime, the Canes led 17-10 with Notre Dame’s only touchdown coming on an interception return.

Holding tight to a slim lead, Miami owned the third quarter with a lengthy drive that went 22 plays, covered 80 yards and chewed 10:47 off of the clock. A penalty had the Canes looking at a 1st and 25 from their own 26-yard line.

After an Erickson fumble, which Miami recovered and followed with a run that netted minimal yardage – the Canes were faced with a 3rd and 43. Erickson dropped back to the one yard line and hit an in stride “Thrill” Hill for a 44-yard reception, keeping the Canes’ marathon drive alive.

“The Drive” lasted 10:47 and culminated with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Dale Dawkins, putting the Canes up 24-10 late in the third quarter.

Miami tacked on one more Huerta field goal in the fourth, for a 27-10 final score. No. 1 had been dethroned and revenge had been exacted.

“The Notre Dame win proved that this new coaching staff could win the big game and it could play with anybody in the country,” recalled head coach Dennis Erickson after the championship season.

“The game between the two maybe best programs in the country is always an outstanding rivalry – and of course this year lived up to what everybody thought it would. We played extremely well and had a great win. Probably the best win in my coaching career.”

By evening’s end the Canes sent the Irish packing with an 0-5 Orange Bowl record in the 80’s. Boo-hoo, Lou.

No. 2 in the nation with a 10-1 record, the Canes held half of their destiny in their hands as the New Year approached. While Miami was to take on No. 7 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, a third National Championship would hinge on No. 4 Notre Dame finding a way to knock off No. 1 Colorado in the 1990 Orange Bowl Classic.

The Canes took care of business in The Big Easy. With a balanced air and ground attack, Miami exploited Alabama’s man defense. On a drive that provided a big pass to Carroll, it was a McGuire touchdown that gave Miami their first lead of the day.

‘Bama tied the game at 7-7, but Miami quickly responded with another huge Erickson to Carroll completion – this time for a touchdown.

Miami never looked back.

While the Crimson Tide countered with a field goal, the Canes put together a nine-play drive – all on the ground – where Johnson took a short carry for another Miami touchdown. Alabama put up another touchdown and brought the score to 20-17 at the half.

On defense, the Canes held a weary ‘Bama team to 19 yards in the third quarter while Miami’s offense continued beating the Tide into submission.

In the blink of an eye an Erickson to Chudzinski touchdown was followed up by a Charles Pharms interception had the Canes in position to put the then 26-17 game out of reach.

By the beginning of the fourth quarter the rumor floating around the sideline was confirmed. The Irish knocked off the No. 1 Buffaloes, 21-6 in the Orange Bowl. What a perfect time to break that 0-5 Orange Bowl streak. Thanks, Lou.
Knowing that 15:00 minutes were all that stood between the Canes and the school’s third championship, the Miami offense went to work one final time.

Erickson delivered the short ball into the hands of receiver Hill. Thrill bobbed and weaved for 42 yards, setting up the game-winning pass to tight end Randy Bethel.

The 33-25 final was a result of a last minute Alabama score – still, nothing could dampen Hurricane spirits as Miami players, fans and coaches danced around the SuperDome hugging and celebrating with anyone sporting the orange and green.

The unthinkable occurred. A third championship was Miami’s – even with a regular season loss to Florida State. The no-name first year coach delivered. His players - called out and responding with a vengeance.

11-1, National Champions and the nation’s best team for the third time in seven years. A fitting way to close out the most amazing decade in Hurricane Football history.

Born and raised in Miami, FL and a CanesTime.com columnist since 1996, Chris Bello now resides in San Diego, CA and handling online sales and providing content for allCanes.com. Feel free to send your comments or to contact him at chris@allCanes.com