Part of the 1987–88 bowl game season, it matched undefeated teams: the independent and second-ranked Miami Hurricanes and the #1 Oklahoma Sooners of the Big Eight Conference.

Oklahoma was a dominant force in college football, winning the national championship in 1985 and losing just one game in each of the preceding two years.

Oklahoma would add a fourth-quarter touchdown to trim the score to 20-14, but Miami held on for the win and the national championship.

Johnson received a Gatorade bath, which messed his trademark impeccably coiffed hair, and was carried off the field, having finally won "the big one" at Miami.

MOP: Bernard Clark (Miami LB), Darrell Reed (Oklahoma DE) Pound sign (#) denotes national championship game.