1989 NCAA Division I-A football season
Encyclopedia
The 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with Miami
winning its third National Championship during the 80s, cementing its claim as the decade
's top team, winning more titles than any other program.
Notre Dame
signed a six-year, $30 million deal with NBC
, granting the network the exclusive rights to broadcast
Notre Dame football.
begins 0-2, but finishes the season 10-2, having beaten the National Champions Miami earlier in the season and beating Nebraska
in the Fiesta Bowl
.
Two big names retired from the coaching ranks, Michigan
's Bo Schembechler
and Oklahoma's
Barry Switzer
, while a soon-to-be legendary coach Steve Spurrier
was hired by Florida
away from Duke
in an effort to clean up after a decade of NCAA
sanctions.
The number of schools increased by 2 to 106 with the addition of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
as an independent, and the SMU Mustangs
of the Southwest Conference resuming play in the wake of the so-called "Death Penalty
".
Houston quarterback
Andre Ware
ran the run and shoot offense all the way to the Heisman Trophy
and numerous records.
1989 Miami Hurricanes football team
The 1989 Miami Hurricanes were the national champions of the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. The national championship was the third won by the University of Miami in football.-Offense:-Defense:-Special Teams:-Schedule:...
winning its third National Championship during the 80s, cementing its claim as the decade
Decade
A decade is a period of 10 years. The word is derived from the Ancient Greek dekas which means ten. This etymology is sometime confused with the Latin decas and dies , which is not correct....
's top team, winning more titles than any other program.
Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
signed a six-year, $30 million deal with NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
, granting the network the exclusive rights to broadcast
Notre Dame Football on NBC
Notre Dame Football on NBC is a presentation of the Notre Dame football television package on NBC. The television network broadcasts all Notre Dame home games.-History:...
Notre Dame football.
begins 0-2, but finishes the season 10-2, having beaten the National Champions Miami earlier in the season and beating Nebraska
1989 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1989 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
in the Fiesta Bowl
1990 Fiesta Bowl
The 1990 Sunkist Fiesta Bowl, played on January 1, 1990, was the 19th edition of the Fiesta Bowl. The game featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the...
.
Two big names retired from the coaching ranks, Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
's Bo Schembechler
Bo Schembechler
Glenn Edward "Bo" Schembechler, Jr. was an American football player, coach, and athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Miami University from 1963 to 1968 and at the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1989, compiling a career record of 234–65–8...
and Oklahoma's
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer is a former football coach, active in the college and professional ranks between 1962 and 1997. He has one of the highest winning percentages of any college football coach in history, and is one of only two head coaches to win both a college football national championship and a...
, while a soon-to-be legendary coach Steve Spurrier
Steve Spurrier
Stephen Orr Spurrier is an American college football coach and player. Spurrier is the current head coach of the University of South Carolina's Gamecocks football team. He is also a former professional player and coach...
was hired by Florida
Florida Gators football
The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference...
away from Duke
Duke Blue Devils football
The Duke Blue Devils football program is a college football team that represents Duke University . The team is currently a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference , which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Blue Devils compete in the Coastal...
in an effort to clean up after a decade of NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
sanctions.
The number of schools increased by 2 to 106 with the addition of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football program represents Louisiana Tech University in Western Athletic Conference. The team currently competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. Since the Bulldogs first season in 1901, Louisiana Tech has compiled an all-time record of 554 wins, 422...
as an independent, and the SMU Mustangs
SMU Mustangs football
The SMU Mustangs football program is a college football team that represents Southern Methodist University . The team competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member Conference USA...
of the Southwest Conference resuming play in the wake of the so-called "Death Penalty
Southern Methodist University football scandal
The Southern Methodist University football scandal was an incident in which the football program at Southern Methodist University was investigated and punished for massive violations of NCAA rules and regulations. The most serious violation was the maintenance of a slush fund used for "under the...
".
Houston quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Andre Ware
Andre Ware
Andre Ware is a sports analyst and commentator and a former American football player. He was the 1989 Heisman Trophy winner as a quarterback for the University of Houston, becoming the first African-American quarterback to win the award. In the 1990 NFL Draft, Ware was the first round selection ...
ran the run and shoot offense all the way to the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
and numerous records.
Conference standings
W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT = Winning Percentage, Conf. = Conference Record| Conference Champion |
#1 and #2 Progress
| WEEKS | #1 | #2 | Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRE | Michigan | Notre Dame | Notre Dame 36, 13 | Aug 31 |
| 1-2 | Notre Dame | Michigan | Notre Dame 24, Michigan 19 | Sep 16 |
| 3-7 | Notre Dame | Miami 1989 Miami Hurricanes football team The 1989 Miami Hurricanes were the national champions of the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. The national championship was the third won by the University of Miami in football.-Offense:-Defense:-Special Teams:-Schedule:... |
24, Miami 10 | Oct 28 |
| 8-11 | Notre Dame | Miami 27, Notre Dame 10 | Nov 25 | |
| 12 | Colorado | Alabama | Auburn 1989 Auburn Tigers football team The 1989 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 10–2 record and won their third straight SEC title. On December 2, Alabama visited Auburn on their home campus for the first... 30, Alabama 20 |
Dec 2 |
| 13 | Colorado | Miami | Notre Dame 21, Colorado 6 | Jan 1 |
Bowl games
- Rose Bowl1990 Rose BowlThe 1990 Rose Bowl was the 76th Rose Bowl Game. The game was a rematch of the 1989 Rose Bowl, won by Michigan, 22-14. Gaining a measure of revenge, the USC Trojans defeated the Michigan Wolverines 17-10. USC running back Ricky Ervins was named the Rose Bowl Player of the Game...
: #12 USC 17, #3 Michigan 10: #2 Miami(FL)1989 Miami Hurricanes football teamThe 1989 Miami Hurricanes were the national champions of the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. The national championship was the third won by the University of Miami in football.-Offense:-Defense:-Special Teams:-Schedule:...
33, #7 Alabama 25: #8 Tennessee1989 Tennessee Volunteers football teamThe 1989 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Volunteers offense scored 346 points while the defense allowed 217 points...
31, #10 Arkansas 27 - Fiesta Bowl1990 Fiesta BowlThe 1990 Sunkist Fiesta Bowl, played on January 1, 1990, was the 19th edition of the Fiesta Bowl. The game featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the...
: #5 41, #6 Nebraska1989 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1989 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
17: #11 Illinois 31, #15 21: #4 Notre Dame 21, #1 6 - Hall of Fame Bowl1990 Hall of Fame BowlThe 1990 edition to the Hall of Fame Bowl featured the ninth ranked Auburn Tigers, and the twentieth ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. It was the fourth edition to the Hall of Fame Bowl....
: #9 Auburn1989 Auburn Tigers football teamThe 1989 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 10–2 record and won their third straight SEC title. On December 2, Alabama visited Auburn on their home campus for the first...
31, #21 Ohio State1989 Ohio State Buckeyes football teamThe 1989 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1989-1990. The Buckeyes compiled a 8–4 record, including the 1990 Hall of Fame Bowl in Tampa, Florida, where they lost 31–14 to the Auburn Tigers.-Schedule:-Coaching...
14: #14 Clemson1989 Clemson Tigers football teamThe 1989 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 1989 college football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Danny Ford, who was serving his final season as head coach at Clemson. The Tigers played their home games in Memorial Stadium...
27, #17 7: #24 Pittsburgh1989 Pittsburgh Panthers football teamThe 1989 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1989 college football season.-Schedule:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:...
31, #16 28 - Copper Bowl1989 Copper BowlThe 1989 edition to the Copper Bowl featured the Arizona Wildcats and the .Arizona scored first on a 37 yard touchdown pass from Ronald Veal to Olatide Ogundiditimi giving Arizona a 7-0 lead throughout the 1st quarter. In the second quarter, with NC State driving, Shane Montgomery's pass was...
: Arizona1989 Arizona Wildcats football teamThe 1989 Arizona Wildcats football team represented University of Arizona during the 1989 NCAA college football season. The offense scored 248 points while the defense allowed 178 points...
17, 10 - Holiday Bowl1989 Holiday BowlThe 1989 Holiday Bowl was a college football bowl game played December 30, 1989 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. It was part of the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season...
: #18 Penn State 50, #19 39: Washington 34, Florida 7: 19, Georgia 18 - All-American Bowl: #25 Texas Tech 49, #20 21: 42, Air Force1989 Air Force Falcons football teamThe 1989 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. In the Ram-Falcon Trophy match, the Falcons beat the Colorado State Rams to win the trophy.-Schedule:...
29 - Aloha Bowl1989 Aloha BowlThe 1989 Jeep Eagle Aloha Bowl was a college football bowl game, played as part of the 1989-90 bowl game schedule of the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. It was the 8th Aloha Bowl. It was played on December 25, 1989, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The game matched the Hawaii Rainbows...
: #22 Michigan State1989 Michigan State Spartans football teamThe 1989 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1989-1990 college football season. The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan and were coached by George Perles. The team finished the season 8–4 overall and 6–2 in...
33, #23 13: Oregon1989 Oregon Ducks football team-Schedule:...
27, 24: 27, 6
Final AP Poll
- Miami (FL)1989 Miami Hurricanes football teamThe 1989 Miami Hurricanes were the national champions of the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. The national championship was the third won by the University of Miami in football.-Offense:-Defense:-Special Teams:-Schedule:...
- Notre Dame
- Tennessee1989 Tennessee Volunteers football teamThe 1989 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Volunteers offense scored 346 points while the defense allowed 217 points...
- Auburn1989 Auburn Tigers football teamThe 1989 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 10–2 record and won their third straight SEC title. On December 2, Alabama visited Auburn on their home campus for the first...
- Michigan
- Southern California
- Alabama
- Illinois
- Nebraska1989 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1989 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
- Clemson1989 Clemson Tigers football teamThe 1989 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 1989 college football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Danny Ford, who was serving his final season as head coach at Clemson. The Tigers played their home games in Memorial Stadium...
- Arkansas
- Houston
- Penn State
- Michigan State1989 Michigan State Spartans football teamThe 1989 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1989-1990 college football season. The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan and were coached by George Perles. The team finished the season 8–4 overall and 6–2 in...
- Pittsburgh1989 Pittsburgh Panthers football teamThe 1989 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1989 college football season.-Schedule:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:...
- Texas Tech
- Washington
- Ohio State1989 Ohio State Buckeyes football teamThe 1989 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1989-1990. The Buckeyes compiled a 8–4 record, including the 1990 Hall of Fame Bowl in Tampa, Florida, where they lost 31–14 to the Auburn Tigers.-Schedule:-Coaching...
- Arizona1989 Arizona Wildcats football teamThe 1989 Arizona Wildcats football team represented University of Arizona during the 1989 NCAA college football season. The offense scored 248 points while the defense allowed 178 points...
Final Coaches Poll
- Miami (FL)1989 Miami Hurricanes football teamThe 1989 Miami Hurricanes were the national champions of the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. The national championship was the third won by the University of Miami in football.-Offense:-Defense:-Special Teams:-Schedule:...
- Notre Dame
- Tennessee1989 Tennessee Volunteers football teamThe 1989 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Volunteers offense scored 346 points while the defense allowed 217 points...
- Auburn1989 Auburn Tigers football teamThe 1989 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Pat Dye, the team finished the season with a 10–2 record and won their third straight SEC title. On December 2, Alabama visited Auburn on their home campus for the first...
- Alabama
- Michigan
- Southern California
- Illinois
- Clemson1989 Clemson Tigers football teamThe 1989 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 1989 college football season. The Tigers were led by head coach Danny Ford, who was serving his final season as head coach at Clemson. The Tigers played their home games in Memorial Stadium...
- Nebraska1989 Nebraska Cornhuskers football teamThe 1989 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
- Arkansas
- Penn St.
- Texas Tech
- Michigan St.1989 Michigan State Spartans football teamThe 1989 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1989-1990 college football season. The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan and were coached by George Perles. The team finished the season 8–4 overall and 6–2 in...
- Pittsburgh1989 Pittsburgh Panthers football teamThe 1989 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1989 college football season.-Schedule:-Team Players drafted into in the NFL:...
- Washington
Heisman Trophy
- Winner: Andre WareAndre WareAndre Ware is a sports analyst and commentator and a former American football player. He was the 1989 Heisman Trophy winner as a quarterback for the University of Houston, becoming the first African-American quarterback to win the award. In the 1990 NFL Draft, Ware was the first round selection ...
, Houston, Jr. QB - Anthony Thompson, Indiana, Sr. RB
- Major HarrisMajor HarrisMajor Harris is a former college football quarterback for West Virginia University during the 1980s. Harris was a 1989 All American and finished third and fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1988 and 1989, respectively. He was also the ECAC Player of the Year in 1988 and 1989...
, West Virginia, Jr. QB - Tony RiceTony Rice (football)Tony Rice is a former professional American football player, playing quarterback in the Canadian Football League and World League of American Football. Rice is perhaps best remembered as the dynamic option quarterback of the University of Notre Dame's 1988 National Championship Team under coach...
, Notre Dame, Sr. QB - Darian HaganDarian HaganDarian Hagan is a former American football and Canadian football player, who, since February 2005, is an assistant coach of the University of Colorado Buffaloes football team.-College career:...
, Colorado, So. QB
Other major awards
- Maxwell (Player): Anthony Thompson, Indiana
- Camp (Back): Anthony Thompson, Indiana
- O'Brien Award (QB): Andre Ware, Houston
- Rockne (Lineman): Chris Zorich, Notre Dame, NT
- Lombardi (Linebacker): Percy Snow, Michigan St.
- Outland (Interior): Mohammed Elewonibi, BYU
- Coach of the Year: Bill McCartney, Colorado