The 1986 Sugar Bowl, featuring the 2nd ranked Miami Hurricanes

Miami Hurricanes

The Miami Hurricanes, of Coral Gables, Florida, are the varsity sports teams of the University of Miami. They compete in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The university fields 15 athletic teams for 17 varsity sports...

 and the 8th ranked Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee Volunteers

The Tennessee Volunteers and Lady Volunteers are the National Collegiate Athletic Association college sports teams at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mike Hamilton is the most recent Men's Athletic Director, but resigned on June 7, 2011, and Joan Cronan is the current Women's...

, was played on January 1, 1986, at the Louisiana Superdome

Louisiana Superdome

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA...

 in New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...

.

Miami appeared dominant on its opening drive, and scored first on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Vinny Testaverde

Vinny Testaverde

Vincent Frank Testaverde is a former NFL quarterback. Testaverde last played for the Carolina Panthers and had previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. Testaverde holds the NFL record for having...

 to Michael Irvin

Michael Irvin

Michael Jerome Irvin is a former American football player for the Dallas Cowboys, and actor. He is also a former broadcaster for ESPN's NFL Countdown and currently an analyst for NFL Network. Irvin was self-nicknamed "The Playmaker" due to his penchant for making big plays in big games during his...

 to take a 7–0 lead. As the game wore on, however, Tennessee's defense began to shut down Miami's vaunted passing attack. In the second quarter, Daryl Dickey

Daryl Dickey

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 threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Smith as Tennessee tied the game at 7–7. Tim McGee

Tim McGee

Timothy Dwanye Hatchett McGee is a retired professional American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Redskins from 1986 to 1994...

recovered a fumble in the end zone as Tennessee jumped out to a 14–7 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Sam Henderson scored on a 1-yard touchdown run as Tennessee led 21–7. Jeff Powell scored on a 60-yard touchdown run to make it 28–7. In the fourth quarter, Charles Wilson scored on a 6-yard run as Tennessee won by a 35–7 margin.

Tennessee quarterback Daryl Dickey was named Most Valuable Player.