1986 California Bowl

The 1986 California Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game that featured the Miami Redskins and the San Jose State Spartans.

1986 California Bowl
Miami Redskins San Jose State Spartans (8–3) (9–2) 7 37 Head coach:  Tim Rose Head coach:  Claude Gilbert AP Coaches NR 19
1 2 3 4 Total Miami 7 0 0 0 7 San Jose State 3 14 7 13 37
Date	December 13, 1986
Season	1986
Stadium	Bulldog Stadium
Location	Fresno, California
MVP	QB Mike Perez (San Jose State) Andy Marlatt (Miami)
Attendance	26,000
California Bowl  < 1985  1987 >

Background

Miami was champion of the Mid-American Conference for the first time since 1977. San Jose State was champion of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association for the 5th time in 9 years.

Game summary

Quarterback Mike Perez went 21-of-37 for 291 yards for 3 touchdowns in an MVP effort.^[1]

• San Jose State – Olivarez 45 yard field goal
• Miami (Ohio) – Stofa 20 yard touchdown pass from Terry Morris (Gussman kick)
• San Jose State – Saxon 1 yard touchdown run (Olivarez kick)
• San Jose State – Liggins 36 yard touchdown pass from Perez (Olivarez kick)
• San Jose State – Malauulu 4 yard touchdown pass from Perez (Olivarez kick)
• San Jose State – Liggins 31 yard touchdown pass from Perez (Olivarez kick)
• San Jose State – Alexander 39 yard touchdown interception return (kick failed)

Aftermath

Miami would not play in a bowl game again until 2003 while San Jose State went to two more bowl games in the next three years (1987 and 1990) before going on a 16-year bowl drought.

Statistics

Statistics	San Jose State	Miami (Ohio)
First downs	23	22
Passing yards	313	208
Rushing yards	113	24
Total yards	426	232
Passes intercepted	0	5
Penalties–yards	14–163	10–101
Punts–average	4–29.3	5–34.4
Fumbles–lost	6–1	1–1

References

1. "Bowl Games" (PDF). p. 108. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 22, 2015.