| The 1987 Fiesta Bowl is not remembered today | | | | as well. All-American linebacker, Shane Conlan, and |
| by many outside of State College, Pennsylvania, | | | | defensive tackle, Tim Johnson, led the tough-nut |
| but this was the football game that truly showed | | | | group with a workman's attitude. They were |
| that defenses win championships. The Miami | | | | intimidated by any opposing offense. For this |
| Hurricanes had an amazing offense that had little | | | | defensive unit, the offense they faced were |
| difficulty scoring, and the Penn State Nittany had | | | | nothing more than large men in plus size scrubs. |
| a stubborn defense that punished other teams | | | | Again, the team took on its defense's |
| into submission. The final score, even the ending | | | | straightforward attitude by wearing straight |
| play, demonstrated that a dominating offense | | | | forward looking blue suits upon arrival for the |
| cannot beat a dominating defense. | | | | game. |
| The Miami offense was viewed as the best in | | | | As stated earlier, the game showed that a well |
| college football during the 1986 season. This made | | | | prepared, hard-nosed defense will win a |
| perfect sense. They were led by the Heisman | | | | championship. Penn State's mighty defense held |
| Trophy winner, Vinnie Testaverde, and had future | | | | Miami to a ten points; caused seven Miami |
| NFL Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin starting at | | | | turnovers; set up Penn State's go ahead |
| wideout. The Hurricane offense scored often; | | | | touchdown with an interception return to the |
| making other teams look like their school's kitchen | | | | Miami 5-yard line, and sealed the victory with a |
| staff wearing print scrub jackets. The entire team | | | | sack and an interception in the end zone on |
| took on its offense's swagger as they arrived at | | | | Miami's last drive. It did not matter how big Miami's |
| the Phoenix airport in camouflage. | | | | "britches" were (perhaps they really were only big |
| The Penn State defense was less known then | | | | enough for petite size scrub pants) an unmoved |
| the Miami offense, but they had top-notch players | | | | Penn State defense won the game. |
