Pac-12 greatest games No. 8: The Whammy in Miami (Washington KOs the ‘Canes) (original) (raw)

The largest victory margin, by far, of any game in the Hotline’s top 10. And that’s one reason why it’s in the top 10. Who figured …

Date: Sept. 24, 1994
Location: The Orange Bowl
Score: Washington 38, Miami 20.

What happened:

The first half unfolded as expected, with the sixth-ranked Canes dominating on defense and leading 14-3 at the break.

The opening minutes of the third quarter, on the other hand, were difficult to comprehend:

* UW fullback (a fullback!) Richard Thomas took a screen pass 75 yards for a touchdown.

* Then defensive back Russell Hairston produced a Pick Six.

* Then the Canes fumbled the kickoff, Washington recovered and was on the eight yardline when quarterback Damon Huard fumbled into the end zone. No worries: UW’s Robert Sapp recovered for a touchdown.

Faster than Miami players could form a ‘U’ with their fingers, the Huskies were ahead 25-14.

Miami never mustered a serious rally.

“I’m really sort of sick,” Canes coach Dennis Erickson said. “I’ve never been around a game like that, what happened in the second half.

“At the end of the half, I thought we had control of the game. In the second half they dominated the game physically.”

Why it’s No. 8:

The No. 17 Huskies were a two-touchdown underdog against a dynasty: Miami was headed for its eighth season of 10+ victories in a nine-year stretch.

These were the outlaw Canes, the swagger Canes, the toy-with-you Canes — some of the most hated and talented rosters ever assembled.

Miami hadn’t lost at home in nine years.

Its 58-game home winning streak, which ended that unforgettable September day, was the longest in college football history.

And still is.

Somehow, some way, the Napoleon Kaufman-led Huskies scored 22 points in the opening minutes of the third quarter.

They needed a few breaks, they got a few breaks, and they took advantage.

For my money, it’s one of the three greatest non-conference wins in Pac-12 history.

Consider that since Miami’s home-winning streak ended, the longest produced in major college football is 47 consecutive games, by Nebraska in the mid-1990s.

The Canes’ 58-game streak could stand for another half century. And Washington ended it.

Greatest games series: Introduction
Greatest game No. 25: The Toilet Bowl (Oregon vs. Oregon State)
Greatest game No. 24: The ‘Hill Mary’ (Arizona stuns Cal)
Greatest game No. 23: That magical Snake (ASU outlasts Washington)
Greatest game No. 22: Leinart vs Rodgers (USC holds off Cal)
Greatest game No. 21: Warner, Rockne and a rivalry (1925 Rose Bowl)
Greatest game No. 20: When the officials really did suck (Oregon vs. Oklahoma)
Greatest game No. 19: The Anthony Davis game (USC blasts Notre Dame)
Greatest game No. 18: The hurricane game (UCLA collapses at Miami)
Greatest game No. 17: Charles White runs wild (USC beats Ohio State)
Greatest game No. 16: Kenny Wheaton’s interception (Oregon slays Washington)
Greatest game No. 15: John McKay’s gamble (the 1975 Rose Bowl)
Greatest game No. 14: Warren Moon’s miracle (Washington shocks Washington State)
Greatest game No. 13: USC holds off Wisconsin (the 1963 Rose Bowl)
Greatest game No. 12: Oregon’s run to the Roses (the 2009 Civil War)
Greatest game No. 11: Apple Cup chaos (Washington wins in triple overtime)
Greatest game No. 10: Rise of the South (Alabama beat Washington in ’26 Rose Bowl)
Greatest game No. 9: The upset of upsets (Stanford over USC)

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Originally Published: November 15, 2017 at 8:15 AM PST