Played in Miami at Burdine Stadium, it was the 17th edition of the annual Orange Bowl.
Although they finished second in the Southern Conference,[2] the Clemson Tigers were undefeated—they had won eight games, and tied South Carolina[3]—en route to their first Orange Bowl appearance.
Six plays after Clemson received the opening kickoff in the second half, Glenn Smith caught a pass from Billy Hair for a touchdown.
Minutes later, Jim Dooley intercepted a pass from Hair, which Miami took advantage of by scoring on a 95-yard touchdown drive to lead, 14–13.
On a play from the four-yard-line, Miami halfback Frank Smith was tackled by Clemson lineman Sterling Smith behind the goal line for a safety,[6] giving Clemson a 15–14 lead and ultimately the win.