On October 14th, 2006 one of college footballs most infamous and one of the worst, but yet most interesting game in its history would occur. The University of Miami went up against state rival FIU (Florida International University) in a game that can only be described as outrageous and disgraceful where there would end up being 31 suspensions at the end of the day. The University of Miami and FIU's campuses only sit about nine miles away from each other, so to say that these players knew each other was an understatement as some of the players mostly went to the same parties and hung out with each other. The University of Miami has a way better football program then FIU, that being, most good players in the area would attend Miami then FIU and the lesser players who went unrecruited went to FIU.
Before this game Miami had developed a reputation, and it was not a good one as they were known for being undisciplined on the field. You put these two schools together and you get chaos, pure chaos as you are begging for something to occur.
In the early part of the 3rd quarter we saw FIU and Miami players going at it the whole game so far even well after the play(s) were over and all that tension was about to explode. Miami would score their second touchdown of the game, immediately after the play the scoring player went over to FIU's sideline and take a bow, which would be flagged for excessive celebration. That did not matter to FIU as right when that happened over 30 players, yes....Over 30 players rushed the field not even a half of a minute after the play as the tension continued to rise.
After Miami kicker John Petty's extra point all hell broke loose. you had players from both sides kicking each other in the heads when down, taking off helmets and pulling a "Myles Garrett", you also had punching and choking while others would being thrown down. The crowd went wild as fans started fighting in the stands, in all of the mess the refs tried to break up the brawl, after 50 seconds it all ended as state troopers and FIU police had to come on the field to break it up and restore order.
The referees now need to figure out to put out the penalties and to who, after almost a 15 minute wait they were able to make a decision. During that time Miami players were celebrating and chanting along with their fans, being proud of what had just happened in the stadium.
One of the biggest things was the commentator for Miami as he said "Now, that's what I'm talking about. You come into our house, you should get your butts kicked. You don't come into the OB (Orange Bowl) playing that stuff. You're across the ocean over there. You're across the city. You can't come over to our place talking noise like that. You'll get your butt beat. I was about to go down the elevator to get in that thing." "I say, why don't we meet outside the tunnel after the ball game and get it on some more?" The commentator was Lamar Thomas who was a former player in the Miami Hurricanes in the early 90s, as he was one of the best receivers for them in franchise history. He was not a saint though, back in 1996 Thomas was charged with aggravated battery after beating his pregnant fiancée and then he allegedly beat her again once out of jail in 1997. He did not even deserve to be in that seat commentating that game. Lamar Thomas was fired on the spot.
The aftermath would include a total of 31 players being suspended, 13 of those being from Miami and 18 from FIU, most suspensions were only for one game. A total of 2 players were thrown off the team, one for Miami and one for FIU.
FIU would go on to finish their season with an 0-12 record with their coach resigning, on top of that they would lose 23 straight games. Miami would finish with their worst record in what was almost a decade, going 7-6 in the win/loss column, one game about the .500 win percentage mark.
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