1987-88

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

1987-88: Finally, it came together. In Johnson's 4th year at Miami, he would get his coveted National Championship. Miami went 12-0 and beat up on the competition left and right. Thanks mainly to their quarterback, sophomore hot-shot, Steve Walsh and flashy wide-receiver, Michael Irvin. (pictured right) Walsh guided the Canes to a dramatic rally from 19-3 down in the 3rd quarter in Tallahassee to a 26-25 victory over the Seminoles. During the season, Miami also burried Arkansas and Notre Dame by a combined score of 82-7. Then, in the Orange Bowl versus #1 Oklahoma, Miami was dominant from start to finish with a 20-14 triumph (pictured left). Walsh had passed his test all year with flying colors to become the fourth in line of the great Miami quarterbacks, from Jim Kelly to Bernie Kosar to Vinny Testaverde and now to Steve Walsh. Walsh also became my favorite Miami quarterback. On 4th down and 6 and the Orange Bowl game scoreless, the cool sophomore lofted a perfect 29 yard pass to half-back Melvin Bratton coming out of the backfield to give Miami a 7-0 lead. Walsh ended with 2 touchdown passes and over 200 yards passing against the Sooner's #1 ranked defense. Equally tough was the Miami defense which shut down the Nation's #1 offense, and highly touted quaterback, Jamelle Hollieway.

---

1988-89
or
Return to My Homepage