Former Miami Hurricanes and Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday. And while his career was celebrated for his triumphs, he also took time to note his most bitter defeat.
↵↵↵↵"The most devastating loss for me, college or pro, was the loss to Penn State," said Johnson of the 14-10 shocker in the '87 Fiesta Bowl, the de facto national championship game that season. "I just went back into the locker room and was completely devastated. That '86 Miami team was the best I ever had."
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Johnson, of course, went on to win the 1987 national championship with Miami before leading the Cowboys to Super Bowl victories in 1992 and 1993. The 68-year-old ended his coaching career by resigning as coach of the Miami Dolphins in 1999, an has been a broadcaster on FOX's NFL pregame show ever since.
↵ESPN's Michael Weinreb did an excellent piece on this game several years ago named "The Night College Football Went To Hell," outlining the ways that game influenced college football as we know it today, from bowl sponsorships to the BCS system for determining a champion.
↵In an era when "massive upsets" are shoved down consumers' throats seemingly every night on highlights shows, this Fiesta Bowl was truly one that shocked and captivated the nation. The fact that Johnson is still haunted by the game more than 25 years later says a lot about it's place in history.
↵For the latest on Penn State football, be sure to stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh.
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