The Miami football program played in its first bowl game in 1934 losing 26-0 to Bucknell in the Orange Bowl. The Hurricanes would have to wait another 11 years before getting their first bowl victory, 13-6 in the Orange Bowl over Holy Cross. Miami has had several thrilling non-championship bowl victories.
The Hurricanes played in eight bowl games before the modern era that began with the first season under Howard Schnellenberger in 1979. Miami went 3-5 in bowl games before the Schellenberger era. In addition to the 1945 Orange Bowl, Miami also won the 1952 Gator Bowl and 1966 Liberty Bowl.