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100 Greatest Plays In Miami History: #35-Fred Marion Interception To Defeat #1 Penn State in 1981

Fred Marion sealed a statement victory for Miami in 1981.

Penn State v Miami Hurricanes Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images

Prior to the 1983 National Championship for the Hurricanes, there are several games and moments that you can point out to and say where blocks were being laid for a future winning team.

One of those games was in 1981, when Miami hosted the #1 Penn State Nittany Lions, on Halloween Night in the Orange Bowl.

The Hurricanes, under coach Howard Schnellenberger, jumped out to a 17-0 lead, before Penn State rallied furiously in the fourth-quarter.

Quarterback Todd Blackledge and the Nittany Lions had the ball late in the game, trying to either tie with a field-goal, or go-ahead with a touchdown.

Miami safety Fred Marion stepped in front of a Blackledge pass, intercepted it, and secured the 17-14 win.

GO CANES!