The Hurricanes once again had a shot for their second National Championship in '86. This time the foe was to be the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Fiesta Bowl. The game was so big it was moved to January 2nd so everyone in the country could watch what was referred to as the "Battle for No. 1". It was #1 Miami vs. #2 Penn State and the 'Canes had come in cocky, wearing fatigues off the team plane and walking out during a steak fry that was held to honor both teams. The Hurricanes found themselves 77-yards from the national championship and with just over three minutes remaining to play. Vinny Testaverde went to work and engineered a thrilling drive that included a 31-yard strike to Brian Blades on a fourth-and-six play from Miami’s own 27. The pass to Blades was the first of six consecutive completions by Testaverde that brought Miami to Penn State’s 6-yard line. However, with 18 seconds remaining, Pete Giftopoulos ended UM’s drive for the national title by intercepting a Testaverde pass at the goal line. The Hurricanes finished with 445 total yards and 22 first downs while holding Penn State to Fiesta Bowl records of 162 yards and just eight first downs, but seven turnovers tripped the ‘Canes on the road to the national title and Miami settled for a final ranking of second in both AP and UPI polls. Passing Name Completion's Attempts Completion Perc. Yards Touchdowns Interceptions V. Testaverde 26 50 52 285 0 5 Rushing Name Attempts Yards Average Touchdowns Long A. Highsmith 18 119 6.6 0 22 M. Bratton 11 31 2.8 1 13 W. William's 5 20 4.0 0 7 V. Testaverde 9 -10 -1.1 0 21 Receiving Name Receptions Yards Average Touchdowns Long B. Blades 5 81 16.2 0 31 M. Irvin 5 55 11.0 0 24 B. Perriman 4 37 9.3 0 12 A. Highsmith 3 33 11.0 0 13 M. Bratton 3 32 10.7 0 14 C. Henry 3 24 8.0 0 10

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