If you watch this documentary as a die-hard Hurricane fan, you'll love this production. If you watch it as a neutral fan who simply enjoys great football, you will likely be disgusted. It goes in depth about how coach Howard Schnellenburger brought a struggling program from rags to riches. In the '70s, UM was a perennial loser and attendance was so bad, they were giving out tickets to a game at Miami-area Burger Kings when someone bought a Whopper. Schnellenburger began to recruit talented players from tough neighborhoods- areas other college coaches had never tried to enter.
They won the national title in 1983, beating favored Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, 31-30 in a game that is still regarded as a classic today. Schnellenburger left the team to join the ill-fated USFL as a part owner and was replaced by Jimmy Johnson. Miami would go on to even higher heights of success in terms of winning but the problems with player conduct on and off the field started to become an issue, both to the school's administrators and with the national media. Playing for the national championship in 1987 against Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl, the Hurricanes caused a storm of controversy by deplaning in Phoenix wearing fatigues, talking about being ready for "war" and pretty much alienating everyone they met.
There are a lot of interviews with former Hurricane players and many of them seem to have the exact same boorish, taunting attitude they had over 20 years ago. The worst of their behavior is shown in the 1991 Cotton Bowl, where they obliterated Texas, 46-3. They also managed to accrue over 200 yards in penalties. This display revolted many viewers, the media, and even administrators at their university. In closing, the documentary is very good as there is plenty of game footage and lots of interviews with former Hurricane players and coaches. You might not like everything they have to say, though. 8 stars out of 10
They won the national title in 1983, beating favored Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, 31-30 in a game that is still regarded as a classic today. Schnellenburger left the team to join the ill-fated USFL as a part owner and was replaced by Jimmy Johnson. Miami would go on to even higher heights of success in terms of winning but the problems with player conduct on and off the field started to become an issue, both to the school's administrators and with the national media. Playing for the national championship in 1987 against Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl, the Hurricanes caused a storm of controversy by deplaning in Phoenix wearing fatigues, talking about being ready for "war" and pretty much alienating everyone they met.
There are a lot of interviews with former Hurricane players and many of them seem to have the exact same boorish, taunting attitude they had over 20 years ago. The worst of their behavior is shown in the 1991 Cotton Bowl, where they obliterated Texas, 46-3. They also managed to accrue over 200 yards in penalties. This display revolted many viewers, the media, and even administrators at their university. In closing, the documentary is very good as there is plenty of game footage and lots of interviews with former Hurricane players and coaches. You might not like everything they have to say, though. 8 stars out of 10
Tell Your Friends