National Football Foundation

Big East Champion Miami defeated Big 12 North Co-Champion Nebraska in the Rose Bowl BCS National Championship Game, marking the Hurricanes’ fourth MacArthur Bowl. Coached by Larry Coker, Miami finished 12-0 after a 37-14 victory against the Cornhuskers in the Rose Bowl BCS National Championship Game. The Hurricanes defeated opponents by an average of 32.9 points per game, the largest margin in the school’s history. The 2001 Miami team featured 2018 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Ed Reed, 2001 William V. Campbell Trophy recipient and offensive tackle Joaquin Gonzalez, and 2003 NFF National Scholar-Athlete and linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

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."