What was billed as "A Defensive Duel in the Desert" turned out to be for one team, as the Arizona Wildcats posted the first shutout in Fiesta Bowl history, blanking Miami 29-0. Both Arizona and Miami entered the IBM OS/2 1994 Fiesta Bowl with defenses ranked among the best in the nation.
But it was the Wildcat defense, the one known as Desert Swarm, that proved just as dominant as its nickname.
The Arizona defense forced two fumbles, had three interceptions, recorded four sacks and, most importantly, didn't allow a single point.
The first offensive possession for each team was a strong indication of how the game would be played.
Arizona took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards on eight plays against the best defense in the Big East Conference. Wildcat quarterback Dan White capped the drive with a 13-yard TD toss to Troy Dickey.
The Hurricanes, meanwhile, went backwards when they first touched the football. After a holding penalty and an incomplete pass, Jim Hoffman sacked Miami quarterback Ryan Collins on second down, and Tedy Bruschi followed with a near safety and a 16-yard sack on third down.
Miami was forced to punt, as it was a Fiesta Bowl-record 10 times, and the Cats continued to dominate the entire game.
Arizona's all-purpose back Chuck Levy provided the fireworks with a 68-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that gave the Wildcats a 16-0 lead.
Arizona placekicker Steve McLaughlin connected on three field goals, and White hooked up with Dickey on a 14-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.
Levy rushed for 142 yards on 17 carries to receive the Offensive Player of the Game award.
