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In 1991, the Miami Hurricanes were in the thick of their dominance over college football. The Canes had already won 3 national championships in the decade prior, there had already been multiple battles between the Catholics and Convicts, and anything less than finishing the year on top was considered a disappointment. That’s why the last game of the 90-91 season had the players and fans frustrated before it even started. Losses to BYU and Notre Dame put Miami in the Cotton Bowl against the 3rd-ranked Texas Longhorns with no title on the line. Throw in some pre-game trash talking by the Longhorns, and you had a recipe for disaster in Texas.
Miami dropped 46 points on Texas in their home-state, while racking up school records in penalties (15) and penalty yards (202). The Canes couldn’t be stopped in any way, as frequent big plays were followed by big celebrations. After the coaches tried to limit the “excessive” activities, star receiver Randall “Thrill” Hill saved the best celebration for a 48-yard touchdown reception in the 3rd quarter:
Canes fans everywhere remember Hill’s “It’s not my fault” monologue from the 30 for 30 film, and everything about this play screams swag. The perfect go-route, the unstoppable speed, the throw on the money from Craig Erickson, the defiance of running down the tunnel, and the guns celebration made the quintessential representation of Miami football in the 80s and 90s. This victory would set the program back on track, as the Canes would run the table the next season en route to their 4th national championship.