West PlazaConstruction on the stadium began in 1936 was completed in mid-1937 at a total cost of $340,000. The stadium was dedicated on December 10, 1937, during the Miami-Georgia football game. The Hurricanes lost, 26-0. The seating capacity was 22,000. Todd Bennett for ESPN.com End ZoneA number of activities are planned to commemorate Miami's last game in the Orange Bowl, including the appearance of former players. The former players in attendance will be brought down onto the field to form the tunnel when the team enters the field. Players and families of former coaches and administrators, representing the different eras of Hurricanes football at the Orange Bowl will be honored during a special halftime celebration. Todd Bennett for ESPN.com MidfieldSaturday's game against Virginia will be the 468th game for the Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl. The Canes are 318-142-7 in the Orange Bowl for a winning percentage of .688. Canes went 52-6 at the OB in the '80s. Todd Bennett for ESPN.com Far StandsThe largest crowd to witness any event in the Orange Bowl was in 1995 when 81,753 watched Nebraska defeat Miami, 24-17, in the Orange Bowl Classic. Temporary bleachers were added to the east end zone to accommodate the overflow. The largest crowd for a professional football game in the Orange Bowl was 80,187 on January 18, 1976, to see the Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Dallas Cowboys, 21-17, in Super Bowl X. Todd Bennett for ESPN.com Press BoxMiami played in the Orange Bowl for 71 years. The Hurricanes clinched their 1983, '87 and '91 national titles with wins in the Orange Bowl game. Miami holds the longest home winning streak. The Canes won 58 straight games (including bowl games) in the OB from 1985-1994. (Washington ended the streak with a 38-20 win.) Todd Bennett for ESPN.com North PlazaThe Orange Bowl has played host to innumerable college football moments, including Miami's first national championship and the Flutie Hail. For a unique perspective on what the Orange Bowl means to college football, read Ivan Maisel's unique look at classic Orange Bowl moments. Todd Bennett for ESPN.com Inside StadiumThe stadium was originally named Burdine Stadium after Roddy Burdine, a Miami department store magnate, before becoming Orange Bowl Stadium in 1959. The original stadium consisted of the two sideline lower decks. In the 1940s, seating was added in the end zones and by the end of the next decade, the stadium's sidelines were double-decked. Todd Bennett for ESPN.com |