The 1985 Fiesta Bowl, played on January 1, 1985, was the 14th edition of the Fiesta Bowl. The game featured the UCLA Bruins, and the Miami Hurricanes. The game was the fourth highest scoring Fiesta Bowl of all time. Miami was defending national champions, playing with four losses under new head coach Jimmy Johnson.
Game summary
UCLA took an early 7-0 lead, off a 6-yard touchdown run by halfback Gaston Green. He would finish with 144 yards rushing on 21 attempts, and would be named the game's MVP. Miami responded following a 34-yard touchdown run by tailback Darryl Oliver, knotting the game at 7. Later in the quarter, all-American wide receiver Eddie Brown fielded a punt, and took it 68 yards for a Hurricane touchdown, giving Miami a 14-7 lead.
In the second quarter, quarterback Bernie Kosar threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brian Blades to increase Miami's lead to 21-7. UCLA responded in a big way, riding a 72-yard touchdown run by all-American Gaston Green to pull within 21-14. The defense continued the momentum by forcing a safety, bringing the score to 21-16. All-American kicker John Lee kicked two field goals of 51 and 33 yards before halftime to give UCLA a 22-21 lead at halftime.
Miami reclaimed the lead in the third quarter, after Greg Cox drilled a 31-yard field goal, putting Miami in front 24-22. Quarterback Steve Bono found wide receiver Mike Sherrard for a 10-yard touchdown pass to switch the lead to UCLA, 29-24.
In the fourth quarter, Steve Bono found Mike Young for a 33-yard touchdown pass, increasing UCLA's lead to 36-24. Miami responded with a 19-yard touchdown run from running back Melvin Bratton. The attempted two-point conversion failed, leaving the score 36-30. Bernie Kosar later found Bratton on a 3-yard slant pass, giving Miami a 37-36 lead. With 2:58 remaining, Steve Bono moved the Bruins down the field. UCLA's all-American kicker John Lee scored the winning points on a 23-yard field goal, giving UCLA the 39-37 win. Miami mounted one last charge, but Terry Tumey forced a fumble after a sack of Bernie Kosar to seal the win.
Scoring
First quarter
- UCLA — Gaston Green, six-yard run. John Lee converts.
- Miami — Darryl Oliver 34-yard run. Greg Cox converts.
- Miami — Ed Brown, 68-yard punt return. Cox converts.
Second quarter
- Miami — Brian Blades, 48-yard pass from Bernie Kosar. Cox converts.
- UCLA — Green 72-yard run. Lee converts.
- UCLA — Shinnick tallies safety.
- UCLA — Lee, 51-yard field goal.
- UCLA — Lee, 33-yard field goal.
Third quarter
- Miami — Cox, 31-yard field goal.
- UCLA — Mike Sherrard, 10-yard pass from Steve Bono. Lee converts.
Fourth quarter
- UCLA — Mike Young, 33-yard pass from Bono. Lee converts.
- Miami — Melvin Bratton, 19-yard run. Kosar pass failed.
- Miami — Bratton, three-yard pass from Kosar. Cox converts.
- UCLA — Lee kicks 22-yard field goal
Statistics
| Statistics | UCLA | Miami |
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| First Downs | 20 | 23 |
| Total offense, plays – yards | 62-404 | 64-423 |
| Rushes-yards (net) | 44-161 | 33-129 |
| Passing yards (net) | 243 | 294 |
| Passes, Comp-Att-Int | 18-27-0 | 31-44-1 |
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Aftermath
Three Pac-10 teams participated in New Year's Day bowl games. #4 Washington won the 1985 Orange Bowl over #2 Oklahoma, and #18 USC won the 1985 Rose Bowl over #6 Ohio State. BYU was the lone undefeated team and was ranked #1 and the end of the year.
References
Bibliography
External links
1984–85 NCAA football bowl game season |
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Pound sign (#) denotes national championship game.
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