National Football Foundation

Big 8 Champion Oklahoma defeated Penn State in the Orange Bowl, marking the Sooners’ second MacArthur Bowl. Coached by College Football Hall of Famer Barry Switzer, Oklahoma finished 11-1 after a 25-10 victory against the Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl. The 1985 Oklahoma team featured Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Bosworth, Hall of Fame defensive tackle Tony Casillas and Hall of Fame tight end Keith Jackson. The Sooners also fielded 1986 NFF National Scholar-Athlete and linebacker Evan Gatewood.

Representing the pinnacle of team achievement in college sports, the trophy was the gift of an anonymous donor, who commissioned Tiffany & Co. to craft it from 400 ounces of silver, in honor of NFF founder General Douglas A. MacArthur. It took eight months to make, and the trophy features MacArthur's famous quote: "There is no substitute for victory."