The 1986 California Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game that featured the Miami Redskins and the San Jose State Spartans.
Miami was champion of the Mid-American Conference for the first time since 1977.
San Jose State was champion of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association for the 5th time in 9 years.
Quarterback Mike Perez went 21-of-37 for 291 yards for 3 touchdowns in an MVP effort.
[1] Miami would not play in a bowl game again until 2003 while San Jose State went to two more bowl games in the next three years (1987 and 1990) before going on a 16-year bowl drought.