It wouldn't be its last.įlorida returned to the Sugar Bowl in 1994 losing to Florida State, 23-17, despite a Sugar Bowl record 394 yards passing by Danny Wuerffel. It was the team's first Sugar Bowl victory in four appearances. The 1993 team closed out the winningest season (11-2) in school history with an impressive 41-7 win over undefeated West Virginia in the Sugar Bowl. UF lost 39-28 despite 511 yards of total offense in Steve Spurrier's first bowl game as coach of the Gators.Įrrict Rhett rushed for 182 yards, the third-highest total in Gator Bowl history, to highlight an impressive 27-10 win over North Carolina State in the 1992 Gator Bowl. The 1991 team capped a banner season with an appearance in the 1992 Sugar Bowl versus Notre Dame. The Gators closed out the 1980s, with a 34-7 loss to Washington in the 1989 Freedom Bowl. Emmitt Smith, the game's MVP, scored late in the fourth quarter to give UF a 14-10 win over Illinois. Galen Hall captured his first bowl victory as a head coach in the 1988 All-American Bowl. Florida reentered the bowl scene on Christmas Day 1987, as it faced UCLA in the Aloha Bowl in Honolulu, losing 20-16. The 19 teams, after posting 9-1-1 seasons, were unable to participate in bowl games due to NCAA sanctions. 6 final ranking, then the best finish in UF history. The 1983 squad, making its fourth consecutive bowl appearance under Pell, defeated Iowa, 14-6, in the Gator Bowl. Wide receiver Dwayne Dixon was named Florida's MVP after catching three touchdown passes. On New Year's Eve of 1982, the Gators took a 17-7 halftime lead against Arkansas in the Bluebonnet Bowl before losing, 28-24. In the cold of Atlanta, in the 1981 Peach Bowl, the favored Gators were stunned by West Virginia, 26-6. All-American David Galloway was the most outstanding defensive player of the contest. In 1977, powerful Texas A&M routed Florida, 27-14, in the Sun Bowl.Ĭharley Pell's first bowl team at Florida came in 1980, and the Gators played outstanding football in the Tangerine Bowl to whip Maryland, 35-20, behind All-American wide recevier Cris Collinsworth, the game's MVP. The Gators returned to the Gator Bowl in 1975 and were soundly beaten in the rain by Maryland, 13-0. The Huskers came back in the Sugar Bowl to win, 13-10. Florida nearly pulled a major upset the following season, leading Nebraska, 10-0, and scoring an apparent touchdown on a 26-yard run by Tony Green, only to have it ruled out of bounds. Although it was only 27 degrees at kickoff, Miami (Ohio) loved every minute of it en route to a 16-7 upset of the Gators. In 1973, the Tangerine Bowl was played in Gainesville due to construction at the Orlando stadium site. Florida's defense was superb, with a blocked punt by Steve Tannen resulting in one touchdown and an interception setting up the other. In Ray Graves' final game as Florida's coach, he watched his young team beat SEC champion Tennessee, 14-13, in the 1969 Gator Bowl. Larry Smith set a bowl record with a 94-yard touchdown run, almost losing his pants on the way. It was Bobby Dodd's final game as Tech's head coach, and Florida made it an unhappy night for him. The Gators got back on the winning track the following year in the Orange Bowl, beating Georgia Tech, 27-12, behind Heisman Trophy winner Spurrier. He broke six bowl records in the contest. Spurrier became the first player in Sugar Bowl history to be named the game's most outstanding player from a losing team. Each Gator touchdown was followed by a two-point conversion attempt, and all of them failed. In 1966, Florida fell behind Missoui, 20-0, in the Sugar Bowl and rallied for 18 points in the final period behind quarterback Steve Spurrier. One of the biggest upsets in Gator Bowl history took place in 1962, when heavily-favored Penn State was soundly beaten by the Gators, 17-7, behind quarterback Tom Shannon and a stout defense. Ray Graves' first Florida team returned to the Jacksonville classic after the 1960 season and knocked off Baylor, 13-12, behind the running of Don Goodman and quarterback Larry Libertore. Quarterback Jimmy Dunn and All-SEC end Dave Hudson led Florida back to the Gator Bowl in 1958, where they lost to Mississippi, 7-3. Gator All-American tackle Charlie LaPradd was the game's defensive hero. (Papa) Hall, UF edged the Golden Hurricanes, 14-13, as Tulsa senior Tom Minor missed the first PAT attempt of his career. Powered by the running of rick Casares and J. GAINESVILLE - Florida's first bowl trip came after the 1952 season, as the Gators headed to Jacksonville to face Tulsa on Jan.
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