#FlashbackFriday 1998 Miami 49, #3 UCLA 45

In what would prove to be the turning point for the probation weakened Miami Hurricanes, the 48-45 rollercoaster win also was a huge upset over then #3 UCLA. While former SOTU writer did his #FlashbackFriday version of this game it is still one of my favorite Canes games and is likely the single most important win UM had in the Butch Davis era.

The upset was foreshadowed in September when the game was originally scheduled for but Hurricane Georges forced it to be moved to the end of the year on December 5th.

This was a game in which records were set by both teams. Miami’s Edgerrin James rushed for a school record 299 yards and gave the Canes 3 touchdowns. UCLA QB Cade McNown threw for a UCLA record 519 yards. He also threw 5 touchdown passes in them game including 3 in the 3rd quarter to give UCLA a 38-21 lead.

Miami kept fighting, Canes QB Scott Covington would answer back on an electifying 71 yard touchdown to future Pro-Cane Santana Moss, cutting the lead to 38-35. UCLA wasn’t done and McNown continued to put the Bruins on his back, delivering a TD run to push the margin to back 10. Covington once again kept the Canes in it on a 29 yard TD to TE Mondriel Fulcher, 45-42 UCLA with 6 minutes left.

Miami's defense looked like it had no answer for the Bruin offense as they were able to move down field at will until the 3:24 mark. when all-time Cane great Ed Reed forced a fumble on its own 25 yard line. Miami would then chug down field and scored a TD on a one yard run by Edge with just under a minute to go. UCLA would then come close again but their final drive ended on the Miami 29 yard line. Miami would have the upset and would be on its way back to prominence.