Dec. 30, 1992 Holiday Bowl Illinois vs. UH 27-17 Victory

The Rainbow Warriors experienced arguably one of their finest seasons in school history. The team, known as the 1992 Miracle, won the school's first WAC title, opened the season with consecutive road victories over Oregon and Air Force and defeated archrival Brigham Young. UH needed a victory over Wyoming to clinch a share of the WAC title. They won, 42-18 and entered the Holiday Bowl ranked #24 in the nation, their highest ranking ever.

Illinois' offense got off to a quick start against Hawaii, marching 73 yards in nine plays to take a 7-0 lead on Jason Verduzco's 14-yard touchdown pass to John Wright after the first quarter. Hawaii responded with a 6 yard Travis Sims touchdown run and the game was tied at 7. Chris Richardson added a 19-yard field goal and Illinois led 10-7 at the half. Hawaii's explosive offense was held to only 87 first-half yards.

Hawaii stormed out of the locker room in the second half. They gained control of the game for good at the 9:29 mark of the third quarter on running back Sims' second touchdown, a 1-yard run, following an 80 yard drive. A Jason Elam field goal padded the lead before the end of the quarter. On its opening possession of the fourth quarter, a botched Illini lateral gave Hawaii the ball on the Illini's 21, but the UI defense held the Rainbows to only an Elam field goal. On Illinois' next possession, an interception gave Hawaii the ball once again, and the Rainbows proceeded to kill Illinois' hopes for a victory by cruising for another score on a 53 yard pass from Michael Carter to Darrick Branch.

Sims ran for 113 yards. Hawaii quarterback Michael Carter, the game's offensive MVP, rushed for 105 yards and threw for 115.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Football
• Hawaii
• Warriors
• Illinois
• Holiday Bowl

[kokoleka808]

I would agree that this was one of their best seasons along with the 2007 season where the Warriors went undefeated and received a Sugar Bowl BCS Bowl bid.

[kaudogg]

love that dance #21. man sometime i wish we still ran the triple option that was fun times watching that

[ILovestorms]

@slydawg221 You got it. Roll Tide!! Gene Stallings was the coach.

[slydawg221]

@ILovestorms alabama did. they beat #1 miami 34-13 in the sugar bowl.

[ILovestorms]

Who won the national championship that year?