Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie gained national attention on November 23, when he led the Eagles to a memorable win at Miami, in what would be called Hail Flutie. He left school as the NCAA’s all-time passing yardage leader with a consensus All-American, and the first quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy in This was BC's first Cotton Bowl appearance in 45 years, since January 1940. Boston College finished the regular season with a 9–2 record, and was the recipient of the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy (emblematic of the 'Eastern championship' in Division I FBS).
