100 Greatest Plays in Miami History: #9-Game Winning Field Goal vs FSU 1983

The oldest Miami-FSU play on this list, and oh what a dandy it is.

The year was 1983, and following an opening loss to the Florida Gators, Howard Schnellenberger and his team, led by freshman quarterback Bernie Kosar rattled off nine consecutive wins.

At 9-1, the Hurricanes had one last regular season matchup, in Tallahassee against the Florida State Seminoles. Ranked #6 in the nation, Miami knew they needed this victory if they wanted any chance at playing in the Orange Bowl.

Trailing 16-14 late in the fourth quarter, Kosar led the Canes into field goal range in only four plays, setting up kicker Jeff Davis with the chance to win the game. However, Davis had missed two field goals earlier in the night, and even though this would be just a 19-yard kick, Miami fans still held their breath.

Davis hit it, and the Hurricanes were victorious, 17-16. That game winning field goal earned Miami a spot in the Orange Bowl less than two months later, where they would defeat the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the programs first national championship.