This was the second time that the two programs had faced each other. The previous meeting, held in 1953, ended in a 26–0 shutout victory for Miami.
VPI
VPI was led on defense by All-America safety Frank Loria, who caught three interceptions and returned three punts for touchdowns as a junior during the 1966 season. In addition, defensive end George Foussekis was named to the Associated Press second-team All-America team, and helped keep the Hurricanes' offense in check for most of the game. On offense, fullback Tommy Groom served as the third of the team's three team captains during the game. VPI was coached by Jerry Claiborne, who was in his sixth year as head coach. Under Claiborne, the team had amassed a strong 8–1–1 record with wins over Kentucky, Florida State, and Virginia and a 70–12 blowout win over traditional rival VMI in the final game of the season. VPI's sole loss came in the first game of the season against Tulane, and the team had a 13–13 tie against West Virginia. The game marked just the second time that VPI had played in a bowl game since they first fielded a football team in 1892, following the 1947 Sun Bowl. Future Virginia Tech head football coachFrank Beamer participated in the game as a backup cornerback for VPI.
The game kicked off in frigid weather, and from the beginning, defense dominated. In the first half, VPI held Miami to just 16 yards of total offense. On the opposite side of the ball, Miami set bowl game records for fewest rushing yards allowed and fewest first downs allowed. VPI got the first big break of the game after blocking Miami's first punt of the game. Taking over at the Miami 21-yard line, it took VPI just five plays to march into the end zone for an early 7–0 lead. The teams battled to a stalemate for the rest of the first half, and VPI went into halftime still clinging to a 7–0 lead. In the second half, VPI's fortune turned. Late in the third quarter, their defense stopped Miami's offense again, but instead of receiving the punt cleanly, VPI committed a roughing the kicker penalty that allowed Miami to retain possession of the ball with a first down. A few plays later, Miami scored its first touchdown of the game. In the fourth quarter Miami finally took the lead on a 10-play, 70-yard drive. VPI was unable to answer the Hurricanes' score, and Miami won the game, 14–7.
Statistics
UM
VPI
1st Downs
11
7
Total Yards
163
111
Passing Yards
108
75
Rushing Yards
55
36
Penalties
7-80
6-57
Turnovers
1
3
Miami's Jimmy Cox was named the game's most valuable player after catching five passes for 77 yards—accounting for nearly half of Miami's total offensive output. Miami earned just three rushing first downs during the game, setting a Liberty Bowl record that has yet to be broken. Each team had two players pass the ball. VPI's Tommy Stafford finished the game having completed four 13 passes for 59 yards and one interception. Several times during the game, VPI had also played with Barker passing the ball. He finished having completed two of his three passes for 13 yards. On the Miami side of the ball, Miller completed nine of 26 passes for 99 yards and Olivo completed one pass for nine yards. On the ground, VPI's Tommy Francisco led all runners with 21 carries for 55 yards. Backing up Francisco was Sal Garcia, who finished with three carries for 15 yards. Miami's leading rusher was McGee, who carried the ball 12 times for 36 yards. Backing up McGee was Acuff, who finished with six carries for 25 yards.
