Alabama Crimson Tide ©	Ohio State Buckeyes
The Kickoff Classic Played August 27, 1986 at Giants Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Alabama ©	2	11	3	0	.786	5	2	0	.714	4	0	0	1.000	2	1	0	.667
Ohio State	3	13	5	1	.711	6	1	1	.813	6	0	0	1.000	1	4	0	.200

 

The 5^th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide of coach Ray Perkins opened the season against the 9^th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes of coach Earle Bruce.  Alabama All-SEC PK Van Tiffin hit 3 field goals & QB Mike Shula threw a touchdown pass to WR Albert Bell early in the 4^th quarter as the Crimson Tide retained The Belt with a 16-10 win over the Buckeyes.  Alabama played without All-American LB Cornelius Bennett due to injury but the kicking game was the difference in the score as Tiffin hit his three field goal attempts while Ohio State’s PK Pat O’Morrow, a freshman in his first game, missed 3 attempts.  Tiffin hit a 38-yard field goal in the 1^st quarter while a low snap foiled the first attempt by O’Morrow & his second attempt was short from 42 yards.  Tiffin connected from 44 yards early in the 2^nd quarter as the Crimson Tide pushed the lead to 6-0.  Ohio State got on the board when WR Jamie Holland took a reverse handoff 26 yards for a touchdown giving the Buckeyes a 7-6 lead at halftime.  In the 3^rd quarter, Alabama turned the ball over 3 straight times but Ohio State could only get a 37-yard field goal from O’Morrow.  The biggest blow for the Buckeyes came after Alabama RB Kerry Goode fumbled the kickoff after O’Morrow’s field goal giving Ohio State the ball at the Alabama 10-yard line.  On the next play, Buckeyes’ RB George Cooper fumbled the ball back to the Crimson Tide.  Early in the 4^th quarter, Alabama drove 75 yards with Shula throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Bell giving the Crimson Tide a 13-10 lead with 9:33 left.  After forcing Ohio State to punt, Shula led a drive that ran more than six minutes off the clock with Tiffin hitting a field goal from 28 yards with 1:02 to play as Alabama took a 16-10 lead.  Ohio State last hopes ended without a score even after they got 2 extra plays with no time left after Alabama LB Derrick Thomas was called for pass interference on successive plays.  Shula had just 83 yards passing with a touchdown but 2 interceptions while All-SEC RB Bobby Humphrey was held to 50 yards rushing.  Ohio State QB Jim Karsatos threw for 191 yards but 2 interceptions while All-American WR Cris Carter had just 3 catches for 56 yards in the loss.  Alabama finished the season 10-3; ranked 9^th nationally while the Buckeyes finished 10-3, Big Ten Co-Champs & ranked 7^th nationally.  Ohio State would play for The Belt again in 2003.

 

 

 

Vanderbilt Commodores	Alabama Crimson Tide ©
Played September 6, 1986 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Vanderbilt	0	0	1	1	.250	0	0	1	.500	0	1	0	.000
Alabama ©	2	12	3	0	.800	5	2	0	.714	4	0	0	1.000	3	1	0	.750

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

The Vanderbilt Commodores opened their season with new coach Watson Brown against the 5^th ranked, 1-0 Alabama Crimson Tide of coach Ray Perkins.  Alabama All-SEC RB Bobby Humphrey scored 2 touchdowns & RB Gene Jelks ran 75 yards for another score as the Crimson Tide coasted to a 42-10 victory to retain The Belt.  Alabama All-SEC PK Van Tiffin connected on a 48-yard field goal attempt for the only points of the 1^st quarter & his 24-yard field goal in the 2^nd quarter gave the Crimson Tide a 6-0 lead.  Humprey’s first touchdown came on a 2-yard run &, with the successful 2-point conversion; Alabama had a 14-0 halftime lead.  Jelks touchdown run came in the 3^rd quarter before Crimson Tide LB Derrick Thomas returned a blocked punt 44 yards for another touchdown giving Alabama a 28-0 lead.  The Commodores got a 42-yard field goal from PK Joe Herline but Vanderbilt stilled trailed 28-3 entering the 4^th quarter.  Humphrey’s 30-yard touchdown run gave the Crimson Tide a 35-3 lead early in the final quarter before Vanderbilt QB Mark Wracher threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to WR Everett Crawford.  Alabama finished the scoring with a 7-yard touchdown run by WR Marco Battle.  Alabama QB Mike Shula threw for 102 yards while Jelks rushed for 116 yards with his touchdown.  Wracher threw for 290 yards with a touchdown but an interception in the loss.  Alabama finished the season 10-3; ranked 9^th nationally while the Commodores finished 1-10.  Vanderbilt has not played for The Belt again.

 

 

 

Southern Miss Golden Eagles	Alabama Crimson Tide ©
Played September 6, 1986 at Legion Field

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Southern Miss	0
Alabama ©	2	13	3	0	.813	6	2	0	.750	4	0	0	1.000	3	1	0	.750

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

Coach Ray Perkins’ 4^th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide at 2-0 hosted the 1-0 Southern Miss Golden Eagles coached by Jim Carmody.   Alabama QB David Shula threw 2 touchdown passes to WR Greg Richardson & the Crimson Tide rushed for 316 yards as Alabama retained The Belt with a 31-17 victory over the Golden Eagles.  Southern Miss took the lead In the 1^st quarter when All-South LB Onesimus Henry intercepted Shula & returned it 54 yards for a touchdown giving the Golden Eagles a 7-0 lead.  The Crimson Tide tied the game at 7-7 late in the 1^st quarter when All-SEC RB Bobby Humphrey scored on a 4-yard touchdown run.  In the 2^nd quarter, Southern Miss PK Rex Banks hit a 27-yard field goal giving the Golden Eagles a 10-7 lead.  Shula connected with Richardson on a 6-yard touchdown pass as the Crimson Tide took a 14-10 lead to intermission.  The 3^rd quarter decided the game as Alabama got a 23-yard field goal from All-SEC PK Van Tiffin & a 5-yard touchdown run from Gene Jelks while the Crimson Tide defense shutdown the Southern Miss offense.  Shula & Richardson combined on a 31-yard touchdown pass early in the 4^th quarter giving Alabama a 31-10 lead.  The Golden Eagles got the final points of the game when QB Andy Anderson threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to WR Chris McGee.  Shula finished with 199 yards passing with 2 touchdowns but 2 interceptions.  Anderson threw for 100 yards with a touchdown but an interception in the loss.  Alabama finished the season 10-3; ranked 9^th nationally while the Golden Eagles finished 6-5.  Southern Miss would play for The Belt again in 1989.

 

 

 

Alabama Crimson Tide ©	Florida Gators
Played September 20, 1986 at Florida Field

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Alabama ©	2	14	3	0	.824	7	2	0	.778	4	0	0	1.000	3	1	0	.750
Florida	1	2	2	0	.500	1	1	0	.500	1	1	0	.500

 

                         Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

The 4^th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide & coach Ray Perkins at 3-0 traveled to Gainesville to meet the 13^th ranked, 1-1 Florida Gators of coach Galen Hall.  Alabama All-SEC RB Bobby Humphrey scored 2 touchdowns in the 2^nd half & the Crimson Tide defense, led by All-American LB Cornelius Bennett, held Florida to just 42 yards rushing as Alabama retained The Belt with a 21-7 victory over the Gators.  Both defenses dominated the 1^st half with the only score coming in the 1^st quarter when Florida RB Wayne Williams scored on a 1-yard touchdown run giving the Gators a 7-0 lead they held through the intermission.  The Crimson Tide opened the 2^nd half with a touchdown drive capped by a 10-yard pass from QB Mike Shula to Humphrey to tie the game at 7-7.  Alabama used a punishing 15-play, 91-yard drive that included only 1 pass play to take the lead.  The pass play was a critical 12-yard completion from Shula to RB Kerry Goode as the Crimson Tide faced a third down & six from the Florida 34-yard line.  Alabama RB David Casteal finished the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run giving the Crimson Tide a 14-7 lead in the 3^rd quarter.  Late in the final quarter, Casteal broke a 31-yard run to the Florida 17-yard line & Humphrey finished that drive with a 1-yard touchdown run giving Alabama a 21-7 lead with three minutes left.  Shula finished with 118 yard passing with a touchdown but 2 interceptions while Humphrey had 114 yards rushing with his 2 touchdowns.  Florida QB Kerwin Bell threw for 235 yards with an interception & was sacked 3 times by the Alabama defense in the loss.  Alabama finished the season 10-3; ranked 9^th nationally while the Gators finished 6-5.  Florida would play for The Belt again in 1987.

 

 

 

Notre Dame Fighting Irish	Alabama Crimson Tide ©
Played October 4, 1986 at Legion Field

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Notre Dame	1	8	4	0	.667	2	2	0	.500	5	2	0	.714	1	0	0	1.000
Alabama ©	2	15	3	0	.833	7	2	0	.778	5	0	0	1.000	3	1	0	.750

 

First-year coach Lou Holtz brought his 1-2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish to Birmingham to meet the 2^nd ranked, 4-0 Alabama Crimson Tide of coach Ray Perkins.  Alabama had lost all four of their previous games to Notre Dame including one Belt match-up but this Irish team, while talented, lacked discipline during the Gerry Faust era & Holtz was still restoring that when this match-up with the Crimson Tide occurred.  Alabama QB Mike Shula threw 3 touchdown passes to lead the Crimson Tide to a 28-10 victory over Notre Dame.  Alabama got the scoring going early when WR Greg Richardson took a Notre Dame punt & returned it 66 yards for a touchdown giving the Crimson Tide a 7-0 lead.  Early in the 2^nd quarter, Shula found WR Al Bell open for a 52-yard touchdown pass pushing the Alabama lead to 14-0.  Notre Dame got a break when Shula fumbled at the Alabama 11-yard line late in the quarter & Irish QB Steve Beuerlein hit WR Tim Brown for an 8-yard touchdown pass.  Alabama came right back with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Shula to TE Howard Cross for a 21-7 lead.  Notre Dame got the final points of the 1^st half when PK John Carney hit a 22-yard field goal on the last play of the half but the Irish still trailed 21-10 at the intermission.  Both defense settled in for the 2^nd half with the only points coming in the 3^rd quarter when Shula connected with Bell for a 22-yard touchdown pass.  Shula finished with 191 yards passing with 3 touchdowns but an interception while Bell had 5 catches for 99 yards with his 2 touchdowns.  Beuerlein threw for 66 yards with a touchdown but an interception & back-up QB Terry Andrysiak threw for 90 yards with an interception in the loss.  Alabama finished the season 10-3; ranked 9^th nationally while the Fighting Irish finished 5-6.  Notre Dame would play for The Belt again in 6 weeks.

 

 

 

 

Memphis Tigers	Alabama Crimson Tide ©
Played October 11, 1986 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Memphis	0	0	1	0	.000					0	1	0	.000
Alabama ©	2	16	3	0	.842	8	2	0	.800	5	0	0	1.000	3	1	0	.750

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

At 0-4, the Memphis Tigers of first-year coach Charlie Bailey were little match for the 2^nd ranked, 5-0 Alabama Crimson Tide of coach Ray Perkins.  Alabama All-SEC RB Bobby Humphrey rushed for 105 yards with 2 touchdowns & the Crimson Tide defense held the Tigers to 9 yards passing in a 37-0 Alabama victory.  After Memphis fumbled on their opening drive, Alabama drove 71 yards in 9 plays with Humphrey scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run.  The Crimson Tide’s next drive resulted in a 32-yard field goal by All-SEC PK Van Tiffin giving Alabama a 10-0 lead at the end of the 1^st quarter.  Humphrey capped a 10-play, 56-yard drive in the 2^nd quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run for a 17-0 halftime edge.  Tiffin’s 40-yard field goal accounted for the only points of the 3^rd quarter & the 4^th quarter was all Alabama.  QB Mike Shula connected with WR Greg Richardson on a 43-yard touchdown pass, WR Clay Whitehurst ran for a 41-yard touchdown, & Tiffin hit from 22 yards to finish the scoring.  Shula finished with 176 yards passing with his touchdown while Richardson added 5 catches for 105 yards to his score.  Alabama finished the season 10-3; ranked 9^th nationally while the Tigers finished 1-10.  Memphis has not played for The Belt again.

 

 

 

Alabama Crimson Tide ©	Tennessee Volunteers
Played October 18, 1986 at Neyland Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Alabama ©	2	17	3	0	.850	9	2	0	.818	5	0	0	1.000	3	1	0	.750
Tennessee	1	6	3	2	.636	4	1	1	.750	0	2	1	.167	2	0	0	1.000

 

The 2^nd ranked, 6-0 Alabama Crimson Tide of coach Ray Perkins traveled to Knoxville to meet the 2-3 Tennessee Volunteers of coach Johnny Majors.  Although Tennessee had defeated Alabama 4 straight times, this was a very inexperienced Volunteer team that had lost the previous week to Army.  Crimson Tide RB Bobby Humphrey ran for 3 touchdowns while QB Mike Shula threw for 2 touchdowns & rushed for another to lead a 56-28 rout of the young Volunteers.  Alabama took a 21-0 lead just 10 minutes into the 1^st quarter with RB Bo Wright scoring on a 13-yard touchdown run, Shula connecting with WR Clay Whitehurst on a 34-yard touchdown pass, & Shula scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run.  Late in the 1^st quarter, Tennessee got a 2-yard touchdown run from RB Keith Davis to break the Crimson Tide run & QB Jeff Francis hit WR Anthony Miller for a 70-yard touchdown early in the 2^nd quarter before Alabama effectively put the game away with three more touchdowns giving the Crimson Tide 6 touchdowns on their first 7 drives.  Alabama put together touchdown drives of 74, 62 & 48 yards in the 2^nd quarter with RB Gene Jelks finishing the first drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.  Humphrey’s first touchdown of the game capped the 2^nd drive & Shula threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to TE Angelo Stafford giving the Crimson Tide a 42-14 halftime edge.  The touchdown pass to Stafford helped Shula set the Alabama school-record for touchdowns passes in a career at 32.  The Volunteers got an 11-yard touchdown pass from Francis to WR Terence Cleveland in the 3^rd quarter before Humphrey scored on a 1-yard run in the 3^rd quarter & a 7-yard run in the 4^th quarter.  Tennessee finished the scoring in the final quarter with a 6-yard touchdown pass from QB Moses Collins threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Cleveland.  Shula finished with just 78 yards passing with a touchdown while Humphrey rushed for 217 yards with his 3 touchdowns & the Crimson Tide combined for 457 yards rushing while holding the Volunteers to just 68 yards rushing.  Francis threw for 309 yards with 2 touchdowns but an interception while Miller had 6 catches for 159 yards with a touchdown.  Alabama finished the season 10-3; ranked 9^th nationally while the Volunteers finished 7-5.  Tennessee would play for The Belt again in 1998.

 

 

 

Penn State Nittany Lions	Alabama Crimson Tide ©
Played October 25, 1986 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Penn State	0
Alabama ©	2	18	3	0	.857	9	2	0	.818	6	0	0	1.000	3	1	0	.750

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

The 6^th ranked, 6-0 Penn State Nittany Lions of coach Joe Paterno met the 2^nd ranked, 7-0 Alabama Crimson Tide of coach Ray Perkins.  The Nittany Lions defense, featuring All-American LB Shane Conlan & DT Tim Johnson, held Alabama to just 44 yards rushing & PK Massimo Manca hit 3 field goals in the 2^nd half as the Nittany Lions claimed The Belt for the first time with a 23-3 win.  The Crimson Tide took the lead when PK Van Tiffin hit a 40-yard field goal in the 1^st quarter.  Penn State got a 19-yard touchdown run from All-American RB D.J. Dozier & a 3-yard touchdown run by RB Blair Thomas as the Nittany Lions took a 14-3 halftime lead.  The 2^nd half saw Manca connect on field goals of 37, 29, & 42 yards for the only points as the Penn State defense completely shutdown the Alabama running game while recovering 3 fumbles.  Penn State QB John Shaffer finished with 168 yards passing as the Nittany Lions held the ball for 34:32 of the game.  Alabama QB Mike Shula threw for 172 yards but threw 2 interceptions that stopped drives while All-SEC RB Bobby Humphrey was held to 27 yards rushing.  The 20-point loss by Alabama was their worst in 10 yards of games at Tuscaloosa.  The Crimson Tide finished the season 10-3; ranked 9^th nationally while the Nittany Lions finished 12-0 & National Champions.  Alabama would play for The Belt again in 1987.

 

 

 

Penn State Nittany Lions ©	West Virginia Mountaineers
Played November 1, 1986 at Mountaineer Field

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team

Belt Reigns

Overall Record

Home Record

Away Record

Neutral Record

W

L

T

PCT

W

L

T

PCT

W

L

T

PCT

W

L

T

PCT

Penn State ©

1

1

0

0

1.000

1

0

0

1.000

West Virginia

0

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

Coach Don Nehlen & his 2-5 West Virginia Mountaineers played host to the 2^nd ranked, 7-0 Penn State Nittany Lions of coach Joe Paterno.  Penn State PK Massimo Manca hit 4 field goals while the Nittany Lions’ defense, lead by All-American LB Shane Conlan & DT Tim Johnson, held the Mountaineers to just 8 yards rushing in a 19-0 victory to retain The Belt.  The game’s only touchdown came in the 1^st quarter when RB D.J. Dozier scored for Penn State on a 23-yard touchdown pass from QB John Shaffer to finish a 91-yard drive.  Manca hit on field goals of 42 & 37 yards in the 2^nd quarter was the Nittany Lions took a 13-0 lead to halftime.  Manca connected on field goals of 22 & 27 yards in the 3^rd quarter was the West Virginia defense continued to measure up to the Penn State offense even sacking Shaffer 5 times in the game but the Mountaineer offense was no match for the Nittany Lions’ defense as they managed a total of 134 yards for the game.  Shaffer finished with 171 yards passing with a touchdown.  West Virginia QB Mike Timko threw for 109 yards with 2 interceptions in the loss as the Mountaineers had the ball for only 22:34 of the game.  Penn State finished 12-0 & National Champions while the Mountaineers finished 4-7.  West Virginia would play for The Belt again in 2001.

 

 

 

Maryland Terrapins	Penn State Nittany Lions ©
Played November 8, 1986 at Beaver Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Maryland	0	0	3	0	.000					0	2	0	.000	0	1	0	.000
Penn State ©	1	2	0	0	1.000					2	0	0	1.000

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

The Maryland Terrapins of coach Bobby Ross stood at 4-4 as the traveled to Happy Valley to meet the 2^nd ranked, 8-0 Nittany Lions of coach Joe Paterno.  Penn State All-American RB D.J. Dozier scored 2 touchdowns but the Nittany Lions had to withstand a 4^th quarter rally as LB Duffy Cobbs defected the pass on Maryland’s 2-point conversion attempt with 0:14 left to play as Penn State retained The Belt with a hard fought 17-15 victory over the Terrapins.  The Nittany Lions got the only points of the 1^st half when Dozier scored on a 9-yard touchdown run in the 2^nd quarter.  Maryland got an 18-yard field goal from PK Dan Plocki but still trailed 7-3 entering the 4^th quarter.  Early in the final quarter, Maryland drove to the Penn State 7-yard line & appeared to be moving for the go-ahead score.  Penn State DT Pete Curkendall intercepted a pass from Maryland QB Dan Henning & returned it 82 yards to the Maryland 9-yard line.  Dozier scored on the next play giving the Nittany Lions a 14-3 lead.  The Terrapins responded with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Henning to WR Vernon Joines but the failed 2-point conversion attempt left the score Penn State 14 Maryland 9.  Penn State got a 36-yard field goal from PK Massimo Manca giving the Nittany Lions an 8-point lead at 17-9.  Maryland drove for a touchdown with Henning hit WR John Bonato on a 27-yard touchdown pass with 0:14 left & set-up for the 2-point conversion attempt.  Cobbs then deflected Henning’s pass intended for WR James Milling giving Penn State the close win.  Penn State QB John Shaffer threw for 124 yards with an interception while Dozier had 111 yards rushing with his touchdowns.  Henning threw for 302 yards with 2 touchdowns but 3 interceptions & TE Ferrell Edmunds had 6 catches for 100 yards.  Penn State finished the season 12-0 & National Champions while the Terrapins finished 5-5-1 in Ross’ final year.  Maryland would play for The Belt again in 1989.

 

 

 

Penn State Nittany Lions ©	Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Played November 15, 1986 at Notre Dame Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Penn State ©	1	3	0	0	1.000	1	0	0	1.000	2	0	0	1.000
Notre Dame	1	8	5	0	.615	2	2	0	.500	5	3	0	.625	1	0	0	1.000

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

First-year coach Lou Holtz & the 4-4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish had their 2^nd chance of the season to take The Belt.  After losing earlier to 2^nd ranked Alabama, this opportunity came against the 2^nd ranked, 9-0 Penn State Nittany Lions of coach Joe Paterno.  Penn State’s defense put up an impressive goal-line stand with less than two minutes to play that helped the Nittany Lions retain The Belt with a 24-19 victory over the Fighting Irish.  Penn State took a 1^st quarter 7-0 lead when RB Steve Smith scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.  It looked as if Notre Dame had tied the game when WR Tim Brown returned the ensuing kick-off 97 yards for an apparent touchdown but the play was nullified by clipping penalty.  The 2^nd quarter saw Notre Dame PK John Carney hit field goals from 20 & 38 yards as the Irish closed to within 1 point at 7-6.  After Penn State's All-American LB Shane Conlan forced a fumble from Notre Dame QB Steve Beuerlein, Nittany Lions’ PK Massimo Manca hit a 19-yard field goal giving Penn State a 10-6 lead at the half.  Notre Dame took the lead in the 3^rd quarter when Beuerlein threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Brown.  Penn State responded with 2 touchdowns within six minutes.  The first score came on a 37-yard touchdown pass from QB John Shaffer to WR Ray Roundtree that finished an 82-yard touchdown drive while the second came on a 1-yard touchdown run by Shaffer early in the 4^th quarter giving Penn State a 24-13 lead.  Beuerlein connected with Brown on an 8-yard touchdown pass midway through the final quarter making the score Penn State 24 Notre Dame 19 after the 2-point conversion attempt failed when Brown's option throwback to Beuerlein was underthrown.  The Nittany Lions ran down the clock before punting back to the Irish & Beuerlein took possession at the Notre Dame 15-yard line with 2:29 to play.  Five straight complete passes moved the ball to the Penn State 6-yard line with 1:28 left & set-up the goal line match-up that decided the game.  On first down, Holtz called for an option pitch to Brown with a two-tight end formation but the second tight end never entered the game.  Free from having to deal with an extra blocker, Penn State S Ray Isom tackled Brown for a 3-yard loss.  On second down, Penn State DT Bob White sacked Beuerlein for a 9-yard loss pushing the ball to the Penn State 18-yard line.  Faced with a third & goal with less than one minute to play, Beuerlein found TE Joel Williams open in the end zone but Penn State CB Gary Wilkerson hit Williams as he was trying to make the catch & the ball fell to the ground.  On fourth down, Beuerlein threw a short pass to RB Mark Green but he was tackled at the Penn State 13-yard line with 0:39 to play & the Nittany Lions had the win.  Shaffer threw for 162 yards with a touchdown while All-American RB D.J. Dozier was held to 77 yards rushing.  Beuerlein had 311 yards passing with 2 touchdowns & WR Milt Jackson had 5 catches for 118 yards.  Penn State finished the season 12-0 & National Champions while the Fighting Irish finished 5-6.  Notre Dame would play for The Belt again in 1987.

 

 

 

Pittsburgh Panthers	Penn State Nittany Lions ©
Played November 22, 1986 at Beaver Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Pittsburgh	0	0	2	0	.000	0	2	0	.000
Penn State ©	1	4	0	0	1.000	1	0	0	1.000	3	0	0	1.000

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

First-year coach Mike Gottfried brought his 5-4-1 Pittsburgh Panthers to Happy Valley to meet the 2^nd ranked, 10-0 Penn State Nittany Lions with coach Joe Paterno.  Penn State RB Blair Thomas scored 2 touchdowns including a 91-yard kick-off return as the Nittany Lions retained The Belt with a 34-14 win over the Panthers.  Penn State took a 3-0 lead in the 1^st quarter when PK Massimo Manca hit a 44-yard field goal but the Panthers responded with a 1-yard touchdown from RB Craig “Ironhead” Heyward making the score Pittsburgh 7 Penn State 3.  Pittsburgh only lead of the game lasted 14 seconds as Thomas took the ensuing kick-off back for a touchdown giving the Nittany Lions a lead they would not relinquish.  In the 2^nd quarter, Penn State All-American RB D.J. Dozier scored on a 26-yard touchdown run pushing the Nittany Lions’ lead to 17-7 at the half.  It was clear that the Panthers had little chance of scoring on the Penn State defense & the Penn State offense continued to add on points.  Manca’s 35-yard field goal in the 3^rd quarter pushed the lead to 20-7 before Penn State back-up QB Matt Knizner hit WR Eric Hamilton for an 82-yard touchdown pass giving the Nittany Lions a 27-7 advantage heading into the final quarter.  Thomas’ second touchdown came on a 2-yard run to finish the scoring for Penn State & the Panthers finished their scoring with an 82-inteception return for a touchdown as CB Marcus Washington picked off Knizner.  Shaffer threw for 52 yards while Knizner threw for 92 yards with a touchdown but an interception & Hamilton had 3 catches for 107 yards with his score.  Pittsburgh QB Joe Felitsky threw for 124 yards with an interception in the loss.  Penn State finished the season 12-0 & National Champions while the Panthers finished 5-5-1.  Pittsburgh would play for The Belt again in 2000.

 

 

 

Penn State Nittany Lions ©	Miami Hurricanes
The Fiesta Bowl Played January 2, 1987 at Sun Devil Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Penn State ©	1	5	0	0	1.000	2	0	0	1.000	3	0	0	1.000
Miami, FLA	1	2	4	0	.333	0	1	0	.000	1	2	0	.333	1	1	0	.500

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None