Gator Bowl
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
StadiumEverBank Stadium
LocationJacksonville, Florida
Previous stadiumsGator Bowl Stadium (1946–1993)
Temporary venueBen Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida (1994)
Operated1946–present
Championship affiliationBowl Coalition (19921994)
Conference tie-insSEC, Big Ten, ACC
Previous conference tie-ins
PayoutUS$5.35 million (2019 season)[1]
Sponsors
Former names
  • Gator Bowl (1946–1985)
  • Mazda Gator Bowl (1986–1991)
  • Outback Gator Bowl (1992–1994)
  • Toyota Gator Bowl (1995–2007)
  • Konica Minolta Gator Bowl (2008–2010)
  • Progressive Gator Bowl (2011)
  • TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl (2012–2013)
  • TaxSlayer Bowl (2014–2017)
2022 matchup
Notre Dame vs. South Carolina
(Notre Dame 45–38)
2023 matchup
Clemson vs. Kentucky (Clemson 38–35)

The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game held in Jacksonville, Florida, operated by Gator Bowl Sports. It has been held continuously since 1946, making it the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally.[2] The game was originally played at Gator Bowl Stadium through the December 1993 game. The December 1994 game was played at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville after the namesake stadium was demolished to make way for a replacement venue, Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. That venue, now known as EverBank Stadium, has been home to the Gator Bowl since the January 1996 game.

The game has been sponsored by TaxSlayer.com since 2012, and starting with the 2018 edition is officially known as the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.[3] From 2015 to 2017, it was officially referred to as simply the TaxSlayer Bowl. Previous sponsors include Progressive Insurance (2011), Konica Minolta (2008–2010), Toyota (1995–2007), Outback Steakhouse (1992–1994), and Mazda (1986–1991).

History

According to writer Anthony C. DiMarco, Charles Hilty Sr. first conceived of the event. Hilty, together with Ray McCarthy, Maurice Cherry, and W. C. Ivey, put up $10,000 to underwrite the first game, which was held at Jacksonville's football stadium, Fairfield Stadium, on January 1, 1946.

The first two years of the event did not sell out the small capacity stadium, drawing only 7,362 to the 1946 game when the Wake Forest Demon Deacons defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks, 26–14. The stadium was expanded in 1948 and renamed the Gator Bowl Stadium in honor of the event. However, it was not until the 1949 matchup between the Clemson Tigers and the Missouri Tigers that the future of the Gator Bowl was assured: the 1948 attendance of 16,666 for a 20–20 tie between Maryland and Georgia was nearly doubled with 32,939 watching Clemson squeak by Missouri, 24–23, on a late field goal by Jack Miller.

By the 1970s, the attendance regularly reached 60,000–70,000.[4]

Hotel Roosevelt fire in 1963

The Gator Bowl is one of Jacksonville's annual sports highlights. However, the event was once associated with a tragedy. In the early morning of December 29, 1963, the Hotel Roosevelt in downtown Jacksonville caught fire after a post-Gator Bowl party in the ballroom.[5] It was later determined that the party was not the cause of the fire, and that the timing was a coincidence. The fire resulted in 22 deaths.[6]

Woody Hayes incident in 1978

In the 1978 game between Ohio State and Clemson, Ohio State coach Woody Hayes lost his temper after a late game interception by Clemson nose guard Charlie Bauman, who stepped in front of the receiver on a pass from quarterback Art Schlichter. Bauman ran the ball out of bounds on the Ohio State sideline where Hayes struck Bauman with his right forearm. The play sealed the Tigers' 17–15 win over the Buckeyes, while Hayes was fired the next day before leaving Jacksonville.[7]

Bowden's Last Stand in 2010

In the 2010 game between Florida State and West Virginia, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden (who previously coached at West Virginia) coached the final game of his career. Bowden had been the head coach at Florida State since 1976 and had won two national championships, 13 ACC championships, and had a 14-year streak of top five finishes during that time. A record crowd of over 84,000 people[8] witnessed Bowden being carried off the field[9] after a 33–21 Florida State victory.

TaxSlayer sponsorship

In 2014, Gator Bowl Sports announced the bowl would be renamed the TaxSlayer Bowl following a new six-year deal with tax preparation company TaxSlayer.com. As a result of the deal, the bowl increased its payout and moved to a new time slot on January 2 for 2015 and 2016.[10] A new logo was released on April 3, 2014. For the December 2018 contest, "Gator" was reinstated in the name for the first time since 2015, with the bowl being called the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

Venues

The 1946 and 1947 games were played in Fairfield Stadium, which had a seating capacity of 7,600. The stadium was expanded to 16,000 seats in 1948, and the structure was renamed the Gator Bowl. Prior to the 1949 game, the seating capacity was expanded to 36,058, at which it remained until 1957.[11] That stadium hosted the game through 1993, when it was almost completely demolished for the construction of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on the same site. During construction, the December 1994 game was played at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. The January 1996 game, and all subsequent games to date, have been held at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, currently known as EverBank Stadium.

Organization

The game and associated activities are overseen by Gator Bowl Sports. Founded as the Gator Bowl Association in 1945, the organization expanded in 2013 to branch into other sports and events and increase its charity wing.[12]

The association comprises 225 Gator Bowl Committee members, 84 Chairman's Club members and sponsors, more than 700 volunteers, plus over a dozen paid staff members. In addition to the Gator Bowl, the GBA has also coordinated other events. It hosted the ACC Championship Game from 2005 to 2007 and the River City Showdown, a neutral site game between the Florida State Seminoles and another team, in 2007 and 2008.[13]

Cover of the 1973 Gator Bowl game program

In the early years of the bowl, from 1946–1952, it featured a team from the Southern Conference against an at-large opponent. Beginning with the 1953 game, it switched to generally featuring a Southeastern Conference (SEC) team against an at-large opponent. From 1953 to the 1975 game, at least one SEC team appeared in 20 out of the 24 games, and in three of those games both teams were from the SEC. The games from 1976 to 1995 usually, but not always, involved a team from the southeastern United States against a team from another part of the country. Teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) played in ten of these 20 games.

From 1996–2006, the Gator Bowl traditionally hosted the second-place ACC team against the second-place Big East Conference team. With the 2007 game, the ACC runner-up became contractually tied to play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl and the Gator Bowl began hosting the third-place ACC team versus a team from either the Big East (still the conference's #2 team unless they qualified for the Bowl Championship Series), the Big 12 Conference, or the unaffiliated Notre Dame Fighting Irish (who would take the Big East's spot in this game). The contract, which ran for four years, was held in conjunction with the Sun Bowl, with the Gator Bowl receiving first choice of teams, and required both bowls to take Big East teams twice and Big 12 teams twice. Since the previous two Gator Bowls featured the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Nebraska Cornhuskers, both Big 12 teams, a Big East team or Notre Dame would play in the 2010 Gator Bowl per the terms of the contract (West Virginia lost to Florida State in this game).

The conference alignment changed again in 2010, as the Big East and Notre Dame moved their hybrid arrangement to the Champs Sports Bowl for 2010, while the Gator Bowl declined to renew its contract with the Big 12. The Gator Bowl would feature the SEC and the Big Ten Conference starting with the 2010 season, joining the Capital One Bowl and the Outback Bowl as the third Big Ten-SEC bowl matchup on New Year's Day.[14] Starting in 2015, the bowl returned to a hybrid arrangement for a six-year period, with SEC teams playing ACC teams for three years and Big Ten teams the other three years; the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are also eligible during ACC years.[10]

Through 74 playings (the 2018 edition), 38 have been contested with both teams ranked (per the AP Poll), most recently the 2006 edition. The highest ranked team to appear was No. 3 Pittsburgh in the 1980 edition.

Title sponsors

Mazda was the first title sponsor, beginning in 1986 and lasting for five years. Outback Steakhouse sponsored the Gator Bowl for three years beginning in 1992, prior to obtaining their own Outback Bowl held in Tampa, Florida. From 1996–2006, the title sponsor was Toyota. Konica Minolta then became the sponsor from 2007 to 2010.[15] On December 14, 2010, the Gator Bowl Association announced that Progressive Insurance would become the title sponsor for the 2011 Gator Bowl.[16] On September 1, 2011, GBA announced a multi-year title sponsorship deal with TaxSlayer.com.

Game results

All rankings are taken from the AP Poll prior to the game being played. Italics denote a tie game.

Clemson v Pitt, 1977 edition
Date played Bowl name Winning team Losing team Attnd.
January 1, 1946Gator Bowl#19 Wake Forest26 South Carolina14  7,362
January 1, 1947Gator Bowl#14 Oklahoma34#18 NC State1310,134
January 1, 1948Gator Bowl[n 1]Georgia20Maryland2016,666
January 1, 1949Gator Bowl#11 Clemson24Missouri2335,273
January 2, 1950Gator Bowl#14 Maryland20#20 Missouri718,409
January 1, 1951Gator Bowl#12 Wyoming20#18 Washington & Lee726,354
January 1, 1952Gator BowlMiami (Florida)14#19 Clemson037,208
January 1, 1953Gator Bowl#15 Florida14#12 Tulsa1330,015
January 1, 1954Gator Bowl#12 Texas Tech35#17 Auburn1328,641
December 31, 1954Gator Bowl#13 Auburn33#18 Baylor1334,408
December 31, 1955Gator Bowl#8 Vanderbilt25Auburn1332,174
December 29, 1956Gator Bowl#4 Georgia Tech21#13 Pittsburgh1437,683
December 28, 1957Gator Bowl#13 Tennessee3#9 Texas A&M041,160
December 27, 1958Gator Bowl#11 Ole Miss7#14 Florida341,312
January 2, 1960Gator Bowl#9 Arkansas14Georgia Tech745,104
December 31, 1960Gator Bowl#18 Florida13#12 Baylor1250,122
December 30, 1961Gator Bowl#17 Penn State30#13 Georgia Tech1550,202
December 29, 1962Gator BowlFlorida17#9 Penn State750,026
December 28, 1963Gator BowlNorth Carolina35Air Force050,018
January 2, 1965Gator BowlFlorida State36Oklahoma1950,408
December 31, 1965Gator BowlGeorgia Tech31#10 Texas Tech2160,127
December 31, 1966Gator BowlTennessee18Syracuse1260,312
December 30, 1967Gator Bowl#10 Penn State17Florida State1768,019
December 28, 1968Gator Bowl#16 Missouri35#12 Alabama1068,011
December 27, 1969Gator Bowl#15 Florida14#11 Tennessee1372,248
January 2, 1971Gator Bowl#10 Auburn35Ole Miss2871,136
December 31, 1971Gator Bowl#6 Georgia7North Carolina371,208
December 30, 1972Gator Bowl#6 Auburn24#13 Colorado371,114
December 29, 1973Gator Bowl#11 Texas Tech28#20 Tennessee1962,109
December 30, 1974Gator Bowl#6 Auburn27#11 Texas363,811
December 29, 1975Gator Bowl#17 Maryland13#13 Florida064,012
December 27, 1976Gator Bowl#15 Notre Dame20#20 Penn State967,827
December 30, 1977Gator Bowl#10 Pittsburgh34#11 Clemson372,289
December 29, 1978Gator Bowl#7 Clemson17#20 Ohio State1572,011
December 28, 1979Gator BowlNorth Carolina17#14 Michigan1570,407
December 29, 1980Gator Bowl#3 Pittsburgh37#18 South Carolina972,297
December 28, 1981Gator Bowl#11 North Carolina31Arkansas2771,009
December 30, 1982Gator BowlFlorida State31#10 West Virginia1280,913
December 30, 1983Gator Bowl#11 Florida14#10 Iowa681,293
December 28, 1984Gator Bowl#9 Oklahoma State21#7 South Carolina1482,138
December 30, 1985Gator Bowl#18 Florida State34#19 Oklahoma State2379,417
December 27, 1986Gator BowlClemson27#20 Stanford2180,104
December 31, 1987Gator Bowl#7 LSU30#9 South Carolina1382,119
January 1, 1989Gator Bowl#19 Georgia34Michigan State2776,236
December 30, 1989Gator Bowl#14 Clemson27#17 West Virginia782,911
January 1, 1991Gator Bowl#12 Michigan35#15 Ole Miss368,297
December 29, 1991Gator Bowl#20 Oklahoma48#19 Virginia1462,003
December 31, 1992Gator Bowl#14 Florida27#12 NC State1071,233
December 31, 1993Gator Bowl#18 Alabama24#12 North Carolina1067,205
December 30, 1994Gator Bowl[n 2]Tennessee45#17 Virginia Tech2362,200
January 1, 1996Gator Bowl[n 3]Syracuse41#23 Clemson045,202
January 1, 1997Gator Bowl#12 North Carolina20#25 West Virginia1352,103
January 1, 1998Gator Bowl#7 North Carolina42Virginia Tech354,116
January 1, 1999Gator Bowl#12 Georgia Tech35#17 Notre Dame2870,791
January 1, 2000Gator Bowl#23 Miami (Florida)28#17 Georgia Tech1343,416
January 1, 2001Gator Bowl#6 Virginia Tech41#16 Clemson2068,741
January 1, 2002Gator Bowl#24 Florida State30#15 Virginia Tech1772,202
January 1, 2003Gator Bowl#17 NC State28#11 Notre Dame673,491
January 1, 2004Gator Bowl#23 Maryland41#20 West Virginia778,891
January 1, 2005Gator Bowl#17 Florida State30West Virginia1870,112
January 2, 2006Gator Bowl#12 Virginia Tech35#15 Louisville2463,780
January 1, 2007Gator Bowl#13 West Virginia38Georgia Tech3567,714
January 1, 2008Gator BowlTexas Tech31#21 Virginia2860,243
January 1, 2009Gator BowlNebraska26Clemson2167,232
January 1, 2010Gator BowlFlorida State33#18 West Virginia2184,129
January 1, 2011Gator Bowl#21 Mississippi State 52Michigan1468,325
January 2, 2012Gator BowlFlorida 24Ohio State1761,312
January 1, 2013Gator Bowl#21 Northwestern 34Mississippi State2048,612
January 1, 2014Gator BowlNebraska 24#22 Georgia1960,712
January 2, 2015TaxSlayer BowlTennessee 45Iowa2856,310
January 2, 2016TaxSlayer BowlGeorgia24Penn State1758,212
December 31, 2016TaxSlayer BowlGeorgia Tech33Kentucky1843,102
December 30, 2017TaxSlayer Bowl#24 Mississippi State31Louisville2741,310
December 31, 2018Gator Bowl#21 Texas A&M52NC State1338,206
January 2, 2020Gator BowlTennessee23Indiana2261,789
January 2, 2021Gator BowlKentucky23#24 NC State2110,422
December 31, 2021Gator Bowl#20 Wake Forest38Rutgers1028,508
December 30, 2022Gator Bowl#19 Notre Dame45#20 South Carolina3867,383  
December 29, 2023Gator BowlClemson38Kentucky3540,132

Tennessee's win the January 2020 edition was vacated by the NCAA in July 2023.[17]

Source:[18]

  1. Venue was renamed Gator Bowl in 1948.
  2. The December 1994 game was held at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville due to renovations.
  3. The January 1996 game was the first to be held at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

MVPs

From 1946 through 1952, a single MVP was named. From 1953 through 2021, MVPs were named for each team; in several instances, co-MVPs were named. Since the 2022 edition, the bowl has again named a single MVP.

Most Valuable Players
Date Played MVP Team Position   Ref
January 1, 1946Nick SacrintyWake ForestQB [19]
January 1, 1947Joe GoldingOklahomaHB [19]
January 1, 1948Lu GambinoMarylandHB [19]
January 1, 1949Bobby GageClemsonHB [19]
January 2, 1950Bob WardMarylandG [20]
January 1, 1951Eddie TalboomWyomingHB [20]
January 1, 1952Jim DooleyMiami (Florida)HB [20]
Date Played MVP Team Position MVP Team Position Ref
January 1, 1953John HallFloridaRBMarv MatuszakTulsaT[20]
January 1, 1954Bobby CavazosTexas TechRBVince DooleyAuburnQB[20]
December 31, 1954Joe ChildressAuburnFBBilly HooperBaylorQB[20]
December 31, 1955Don OrrVanderbiltQBJoe ChildressAuburnFB[20]
December 29, 1956Wade MitchellGeorgia TechQBCorny SalvaterraPittsburghQB[20]
December 28, 1957Bobby GordonTennesseeTBJohn David CrowTexas A&MHB[20]
December 27, 1958Bobby FranklinOle MissQBDave HudsonFloridaE[20]
January 2, 1960Jim MootyArkansasHBMaxie BaughanGeorgia TechLB[21]
December 31, 1960Larry LibertoreFloridaQBBobby PlyBaylorQB[21]
December 30, 1961Galen HallPenn StateQBJoe AuerGeorgia TechHB[21]
December 29, 1962Tom ShannonFloridaQBDave RobinsonPenn StateE[21]
December 28, 1963Ken WillardNorth CarolinaRBDavid SicksAir ForceC[21]
January 2, 1965Steve Tensi
Fred Biletnikoff
Florida StateQB
SE
Carl McAdamsOklahomaLB[21]
December 31, 1965Lenny SnowGeorgia TechTBDonny AndersonTexas TechRB[21]
December 31, 1966Dewey WarrenTennesseeQBFloyd LittleSyracuseHB[21]
December 30, 1967Kim HammondFlorida StateQBTom ShermanPenn StateQB[21]
December 28, 1968Terry McMillanMissouriQBMike HallAlabamaLB[21]
December 27, 1969Mike KelleyFloridaLBCurt WatsonTennesseeFB[21]
January 2, 1971Pat SullivanAuburnQBArchie ManningOle MissQB[22]
December 31, 1971Jimmy PoulosGeorgiaTBJames WebsterNorth CarolinaLB[22]
December 30, 1972Wade WhatleyAuburnQBMark CooneyColoradoLB[22]
December 29, 1973Joe BarnesTexas TechQBHaskel StanbackTennesseeTB[22]
December 30, 1974Phil GargisAuburnQBEarl CampbellTexasRB[22]
December 29, 1975Steve AtkinsMarylandTBSammy GreenFloridaLB[22]
December 27, 1976Al HunterNotre DameHBJimmy CefaloPenn StateWR[22]
December 30, 1977Matt CavanaughPittsburghQBJerry ButlerClemsonSE[22]
December 29, 1978Steve FullerClemsonQBArt SchlichterOhio StateQB[22]
December 28, 1979Matt Kupec[n 1]
Amos Lawrence
North CarolinaQB
RB
John Wangler
Anthony Carter
MichiganQB
WR
[23][22]
December 29, 1980Rick TrocanoPittsburghQBGeorge RogersSouth CarolinaRB[24]
December 28, 1981Kelvin Bryant
Ethan Horton
North CarolinaTB
TB
Gary AndersonArkansasRB[24]
December 30, 1982Greg AllenFlorida StateTBPaul WoodsideWest VirginiaK[24]
December 30, 1983Tony LillyFloridaSOwen GillIowaFB[24]
December 28, 1984Thurman ThomasOklahoma StateRBMike HoldSouth CarolinaQB[24]
December 30, 1985Chip FergusonFlorida StateQBThurman ThomasOklahoma StateRB[24]
December 27, 1986Rodney WilliamsClemsonQBBrad MusterStanfordRB[24]
December 31, 1987Wendell DavisLSUSEHarold GreenSouth CarolinaRB[24]
January 1, 1989Wayne JohnsonGeorgiaQBAndre RisonMichigan StateWR[24]
December 30, 1989Levon KirklandClemsonLBMike FoxWest VirginiaDT[24]
January 1, 1991Offensive Line[n 2]MichiganN/ATyrone AshleyOle MissDB[25]
December 29, 1991Cale GundyOklahomaQBTyrone DavisVirginiaDB[25]
December 31, 1992Errict RhettFloridaRBReggie LawrenceNorth Carolina StateWR[25]
December 31, 1993Brian BurgdorfAlabamaQBCorey HollidayNorth CarolinaWR[25]
December 30, 1994James StewartTennesseeTBMaurice DeShazoVirginia TechQB[25]
January 1, 1996Donovan McNabbSyracuseQBPeter FordClemsonCB[25]
January 1, 1997Oscar DavenportNorth CarolinaQBDavid SaundersWest VirginiaWR[25]
January 1, 1998Chris KeldorfNorth CarolinaQBNick SorensenVirginia TechQB[25]
January 1, 1999Dez White
Joe Hamilton
Georgia TechWR
QB
Autry DensonNotre DameRB[25]
January 1, 2000Nate WebsterMiami (Florida)LBJoe HamiltonGeorgia TechQB[26]
January 1, 2001Michael VickVirginia TechQBRod GardnerClemsonWR[26]
January 1, 2002Javon WalkerFlorida StateWRAndré DavisVirginia TechWR[26]
January 1, 2003Philip RiversNorth Carolina StateQBCedric HillardNotre DameNG[26]
January 1, 2004Scott McBrienMarylandQBBrian KingWest VirginiaDB[26]
January 1, 2005Leon WashingtonFlorida StateRBKay-Jay HarrisWest VirginiaRB[26]
January 2, 2006Cedric HumesVirginia TechRBHunter CantwellLouisvilleQB[26]
January 1, 2007Pat WhiteWest VirginiaQBCalvin JohnsonGeorgia TechWR[26]
January 1, 2008Graham HarrellTexas TechQBChris Long[n 3]VirginiaDE[26]
January 1, 2009Joe GanzNebraskaQBDaQuan BowersClemsonDE[26]
January 1, 2010EJ ManuelFlorida StateQBNoel DevineWest VirginiaHB[27]
January 1, 2011Chris RelfMississippi StateQBDenard RobinsonMichiganQB[27]
January 2, 2012Andre DeboseFloridaWREtienne SabinoOhio StateLB[27]
January 1, 2013Jared CarpenterNorthwesternSNickoe WhitleyMississippi StateDB[27]
January 1, 2014Quincy EnunwaNebraskaWRTodd GurleyGeorgiaTB[27]
January 2, 2015Joshua DobbsTennesseeQBJosey JewellIowaLB[27]
January 2, 2016Terry GodwinGeorgiaWRTrace McSorleyPenn StateQB[27]
December 31, 2016Dedrick MillsGeorgia TechRBStephen Johnson IIKentuckyQB[27]
December 30, 2017Mark McLaurinMississippi StateSLamar JacksonLouisvilleQB[27]
December 31, 2018Trayveon WilliamsTexas A&MRBRyan FinleyNC StateQB[27]
January 2, 2020Eric GrayTennesseeRBPeyton RamseyIndianaQB[28]
January 2, 2021Asim Rose Jr.KentuckyRBZonovan KnightNC StateRB[28]
December 31, 2021Sam HartmanWake ForestQBJohnny LanganRutgersQB[28]
December 30, 2022Tyler BuchnerNotre DameQB [29]
December 29, 2023Phil MafahClemsonRB 
  1. The bowl's official site omits Kupec as co-MVP for North Carolina in the 1979 game.
  2. Michigan's offensive linemen in the January 1991 game were Tom Dohring, Matt Elliott, Steve Everitt, Dean Dingman, and Greg Skrepenak.
  3. Other sources list Mikell Simpson, who rushed for 170 yards, as the Virginia MVP for the 2008 game.

Most appearances

Updated through the December 2023 edition (79 games, 158 appearances).

Teams with multiple appearances

Tennessee's record excludes their January 2020 win, which was vacated by the NCAA in July 2023.

Teams with a single appearance

Won (4): LSU, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Wyoming
Lost (9): Air Force, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan State, Rutgers, Stanford, Texas, Tulsa, Washington & Lee

Appearances by conference

Updated through the December 2023 edition (79 games, 158 appearances).

Conference Record Appearances by season
Games W L T Win pct. Won Lost Tied Vacated
SEC4527161.625 1952*, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1966, 1969, 1970*, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1983, 1987, 1988*, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2010*, 2011*, 2014*, 2015*, 2017, 2018, 2020* 1953*, 1955, 1958, 1959*, 1961, 1968, 1969, 1970*, 1973, 1975, 1990, 2012*, 2013*, 2016, 2022, 2023 1947* 2019*
ACC3319140.576 1963, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1986, 1989, 1996*, 1997*, 1998*, 2001*, 2002*, 2003*, 2004*, 2005*, 2009*, 2016, 2021, 2023 1971, 1977, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995*, 1999*, 2000*, 2006*, 2007*, 2008*, 2017, 2018, 2020*    
Independents2410122.458 1951*, 1961, 1964*, 1965, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1985, 2022 1956, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1976, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1998*, 2002* 1967, 1967  
Big East12480.333 1995*, 1999*, 2000*, 2006* 1994, 1996*, 1997*, 2001*, 2003*, 2004*, 2005*, 2009*    
Big Ten133100.231 1990, 2012*, 2013* 1978, 1979, 1983, 1988*, 2010*, 2011*, 2014*, 2015*, 2019*, 2021    
Big Eight9450.444 1946*, 1968, 1984, 1991 1948*, 1949*, 1964*, 1972, 1985    
SoCon8341.438 1945*, 1948*, 1949* 1945*, 1946*, 1950*, 1951* 1947*  
SWC8260.250 1959*, 1973 1954, 1957, 1960, 1965, 1974, 1981    
Big 1222001.000 2007*, 2008*    
Border11001.000 1953*    
Skyline11001.000 1950*    
MVC1010.000 1952*    
Pac-101010.000 1986    

The SEC's win–loss–tie totals and winning percentage exclude Tennessee's win following the 2019 season (played in January 2020), which was vacated by the NCAA in July 2023.

  • Games marked with an asterisk (*) were played in January of the following calendar year.
  • Records reflect conference affiliations at the time each game was played.[lower-alpha 1]
  • Conferences that are defunct or no longer active in FBS are marked in italics.
  • The Big Eight's record includes appearances when the conference was known as the Big Six and Big Seven.
  • Big East teams made 12 appearances and were 4–8; the American Athletic Conference (The American) retains the conference charter following the 2013 split of the original Big East along football lines.
  • Two teams from the same conference have met five times: 1945*, 1955, 1958, 1969, and 1970*. The first instance was SoCon teams, while the others have been SEC teams.
  • Two independent teams have met four times: 1967, 1976, 1980, and 1982.
  • Independent appearances (23): Air Force (1963), Florida State (1964*, 1967, 1982, 1985), Georgia Tech (1965), Miami-FL (1951*), Notre Dame (1976, 1998*, 2002*, 2022), Penn State (1961, 1962, 1967, 1976), Pitt (1956, 1977, 1980), South Carolina (1980, 1984, 1987), Syracuse (1966), and West Virginia (1982, 1989).

As of 2023:

Gator Bowl Hall of Fame

The Gator Bowl created a Hall of Fame in 1989; new members were announced annually through 2013, with a total of 82 inductees at that time. After 2013, additions have occurred intermittently.

Year Inductees Ref.
1989Dan Devine, Ray Graves, Ralph Jordan, Floyd Little, Archie Manning, Bobby Dodd[31]
1990Vince Dooley, Bobby Gage, Frank Howard, Pat Sullivan, Bob Woodruff, George R. Olsen
1991Wally Butts, Bill Peterson, Ron Sellers, Ken Willard
1992Maxie Baughan, Lu Gambino, Don Faurot, Johnny Vaught
1993DeWitt Weaver, Tom Shannon, Joe Childress
1994Doug Dickey, Rip Engle, Larry Libertore Jr.
1995Fred Biletnikoff, Frank Broyles, Nicholas Sacrinty, Richard Stratton, Steve Tensi
1996Dave Robinson, Wade Mitchell, Jim Dooley, Dick Crum
1997Judge John "Papa" Hall, Gene Stallings, Kim Hammond, John F. Lanahan
1998Ross Browner, James Stewart, Danny Ford
1999Jack Bush, Walter C. Dunbar, Jay Solomon
2000Joe Paterno, Terry McMillan, Bob Bradley
2001John David Crow, Don Nehlen, Carlisle Jones
2002W. W. "Bill" Gay, Jackie Sherrill, Hugh Green
2003Donny Anderson, Rodney Hampton, Ash Verlander
2004Chip Ferguson, Bill Nimnicht Jr., Steve Spurrier, Greg Allen
2005Desmond Howard, Peter Kirill Sr., Peahead Walker
2006Dave Braine, Carl Cannon
2007Don Davis, George Rogers, Bear Bryant[32]
2008Errict Rhett, Wendell Davis[33]
2009Wilford C. Lyon, Jr, Gary Pajcic, Bob Golic[34]
2010Bobby Bowden, Mike Tranghese[35]
2011Pat Jones, Anthony Carter, Bill Nimnicht Sr.[36]
2012Corky Rogers, Donald Orr[37]
2013Donovin Darius[38]
2016Frank Beamer, Tom Shouvlin[39]
2017Leon Washington, Ronald L. Bailey[40][41]

75th Anniversary All Gator Bowl Team

In September 2019, bowl organizers announced an All Gator Bowl Team, in commemoration of the 75th anniversary game, played in January 2020.[42]

Offense Defense
Player Pos. Team Game Player Pos. Team Game
Archie ManningQBMississippiNo. 26Ed ReedDBMiamiNo. 55
Floyd LittleRBSyracuseNo. 22Tony LillyDBFloridaNo. 39
Larry CsonkaFBSyracuseNo. 22Hugh GreenDEPittsburghNo. 36
Fred BiletnikoffWRFlorida StateNo. 20Jack YoungbloodDEFloridaNo. 25
Andre RisonWRMichigan StateNo. 44Wilber MarshallLBFloridaNo. 39
Ken MacAfeeTENotre DameNo. 32Donovin DariusDBSyracuseNo. 51
Mark MayTPittsburghNo. 36Mark McLaurinDBMississippi StateNo. 73
Greg SkrepenakTMichiganNo. 46Matt MillenDTPenn StateNo. 32
Dean DingmanGMichiganNo. 46Ndamukong SuhDTNebraskaNo. 64
Zeke SmithGAuburnNo. 11Ryan ShazierLBOhio StateNo. 67
Maxie BaughanCGeorgia TechNo. 15Lawrence TaylorLBNorth CarolinaNo. 35

Game records

Team Record, Team vs. Opponent Year
Most points scored (one team) 52, shared by:
Mississippi State vs. Michigan
Texas A&M vs. NC State
 
2011
2018
Most points scored (losing team) 38, South Carolina vs. Notre Dame 2022
Most points scored (both teams) 83, Notre Dame (45) vs. South Carolina (38) 2022
Fewest points allowed 0, most recently:
Syracuse vs. Clemson
 
1996
Largest margin of victory 41, Syracuse (41) vs. Clemson (0) 1996
Total yards
Rushing yards 423, Auburn vs. Baylor Dec. 1954
Passing yards 407, Texas Tech vs. Virginia 2008
First downs
Fewest yards allowed
Fewest rushing yards allowed 45, Missouri vs. Alabama 1968
Fewest passing yards allowed 0, Alabama vs. Missouri 1968
Individual Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent Year
All-purpose yards
Touchdowns (overall)4, shared by:
Fred Biletnikoff, Florida State vs. Oklahoma
James Stewart, Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech

Phil Mafah, Clemson vs. Kentucky

Jan. 1965

Dec. 1994 2023

Rushing yards236, Trayveon Williams,[43] Texas A&M vs. NC State2018
Rushing touchdowns4, Phil Mafah, Clemson vs. Kentucky2023
Passing yards407, Graham Harrell, Texas Tech vs. Virginia2008
Passing touchdowns5, Steve Tensi, Florida State vs. OklahomaJan. 1965
Receiving yards252, Andre Rison, Michigan State vs. GeorgiaJan. 1989
Receiving touchdowns4, Fred Biletnikoff, Florida State vs. OklahomaJan. 1965
Tackles
Sacks
Interceptions4, Jim Dooley, Miami (FL) vs. Clemson1952
Long Plays Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent Year
Touchdown run96, Mikell Simpson, Virginia vs. Texas Tech2008
Touchdown pass99, Quincy Enunwa from Tommy Armstrong Jr., Nebraska vs Georgia2014
Kickoff return99, Andre Debose, Florida vs Ohio State2012
Punt return
Interception return100, O'Donnell Fortune, South Carolina vs. Notre Dame2022
Fumble return
Punt76, Bobby Joe Green, Florida vs. Ole Miss1958
Field goal51, Brian Lee, Ole Miss vs. MichiganJan. 1991
Miscellaneous Record, Teams Year
Bowl Attendance84,129, Florida State vs. West Virginia2010

Source:[44][45]

Media coverage

The longtime broadcaster of the game was ABC, which showed the game in prime time from 1974 through 1985. Turner Sports bought the rights to the game after the 1991 match-up and TBS became the home of the Gator Bowl for the next four years, moving back to a late December date. The game returned to New Year's Day after NBC bought the rights to the Gator Bowl in 1996. CBS Sports took over the television contract in 2007 and held the rights for four years. ESPN purchased the rights to the game following its 2010 playing and the 2011 Gator Bowl aired on ESPN2; with the acquisition of the Gator Bowl the ESPN family of networks became the home of every New Year's Day bowl game (the network already had the rights to the Outback, Capital One, and Rose bowls and acquired the rights to the TicketCity Bowl and the remainder of the BCS games).

Media coverage detail

Television

Date Network Play-by-play announcers Color commentators Sideline reporters
December 29, 2023 ESPN Wes Durham Tim Hasselbeck Taylor Tannebaum
December 30, 2022 Taylor Zarzour Matt Stinchcomb Alyssa Lang
December 31, 2021
January 2, 2021 Anish Shroff Tom Luginbill Lerecia Harris
January 2, 2020 Tom Hart Tim Hasselbeck Katie George
December 31, 2018 Adam Amin Rod Gilmore Quint Kessenich
December 30, 2017 Tom Hart Jordan Rodgers Cole Cubelic
December 31, 2016 Mark Jones Rod Gilmore Quint Kessenich
January 2, 2016 Allen Bestwick Dan Hawkins Tiffany Greene
January 2, 2015 Mark Jones Rod Gilmore Jessica Mendoza
January 1, 2014 ESPN2 Mike Patrick Ed Cunningham Jeannine Edwards
January 2, 2013 Bob Wischusen Danny Kanell Allison Williams
January 2, 2012 Mike Patrick Ed Cunningham Jeannine Edwards
January 1, 2011 Craig James Todd Harris
January 1, 2010 CBS Verne Lundquist Gary Danielson Tracy Wolfson
January 1, 2009 Craig Bolerjack Dan Fouts and Steve Beuerlein
January 1, 2008 Verne Lundquist Gary Danielson Tracy Wolfson
January 1, 2007
January 2, 2006 NBC Tom Hammond Pat Haden Lewis Johnson
January 1, 2005
January 1, 2004
January 1, 2003 Mike Breen
January 1, 2002 Tom Hammond
January 1, 2001 Matt Vasgersian
January 1, 2000 Tom Hammond James Lofton Craig Sager
January 1, 1999 Pat Haden
January 1, 1998 Charlie Jones Bob Trumpy
January 1, 1997 Don Criqui
January 1, 1996 Tom Hammond
December 30, 1994 TBS Gary Bender Pat Haden Craig Sager
December 31, 1993
December 31, 1992
December 29, 1991 Bob Neal Tim Foley
January 1, 1991 ESPN Ron Franklin Gary Danielson Jerry Punch
December 30, 1989 Kevin Kiley Chris Fowler
January 1, 1989 Mike Patrick Joe Theismann
December 31, 1987 CBS Verne Lundquist Dick Vermeil John Dockery
December 27, 1986 Pat Haden
December 30, 1985 ABC Al Michaels Lee Grosscup Al Trautwig
December 28, 1984 Lynn Swann
December 30, 1983 Frank Broyles Tim Brant
December 30, 1982 Lee Grosscup Anne Simon
December 28, 1981 Ara Parseghian Steve Davis
December 29, 1980
December 28, 1979 Keith Jackson Frank Broyles Dave Diles
December 29, 1978 Ara Parseghian
December 30, 1977 Frank Broyles
December 27, 1976 Ara Parseghian
December 29, 1975
December 30, 1974
December 29, 1973
December 30, 1972 Bill Flemming Lee Grosscup
December 31, 1971 CBS
January 2, 1971 NBC
December 27, 1969
December 28, 1968 ABC
December 30, 1967 Keith Jackson Bud Wilkinson
December 31, 1966 Chris Schenkel Bill Flemming
December 31, 1965 Johnny Lujack
January 2, 1965 Curt Gowdy Paul Christman
December 28, 1963 CBS Lindsey Nelson Terry Brennan Jim Simpson
December 29, 1962 Jim Gibbons Jack Drees Johnny Lujack
December 30, 1961 Ray Scott
December 31, 1960 George Connor
January 2, 1960 Frank Gifford
December 27, 1958 Jim Gibbons
December 27, 1957 Elroy Hirsch
December 28, 1956 Chris Schenkel Johnny Lujack
December 31, 1955 Russ Hodges Dick Stratton
December 31, 1954 Bill Grove Dick Stratton
January 1, 1951 Mutual
January 1, 1949 NBC

Radio

Date Network Play-by-play Color commentator(s) Sideline Reporter(s)
December 29, 2023 Touchdown Radio Frank Frangie Gino Torretta
December 30, 2022 Shane Matthews
December 31, 2021 J. P. Shadrick Lamar Thomas
January 2, 2021 Gino Torretta
January 2, 2020
December 31, 2018
December 30, 2017 Brady Ackerman
December 31, 2016 Taylor Zarzour Gino Torretta J. P. Shadrick
January 2, 2016 ESPN Radio Eamon McAnaney John Congemi Ian Fitzsimmons
January 2, 2015 Adam Amin Dawn Davenport
January 1, 2014 Touchdown Radio Frank Frangie K. C. Jones
January 2, 2013 Gino Torretta
January 1, 2012
January 1, 2011
January 1, 2010 Westwood One John Tautges Tony Boselli
January 1, 2009 Touchdown Radio Frank Frangie Gino Torretta and Mike Dempsey
January 1, 2008
January 1, 2007 Mike Morgan Gino Torretta
January 1, 2005 Nevada Sports Network Alex Shelton Dexter Carter
January 1, 2002 Westwood One Tony Roberts Allen Pinkett
January 1, 1999 Pacific West Radio Sports Larry Kahn Mike Lamb
January 1, 1998 Westwood One
Pacific West Radio Sports
Tony Roberts
Larry Kahn
Tony Paguna and Paul Hornung
Mike Lamb and John Robinson
January 1, 1997
January 1, 1996
December 30, 1994
December 31, 1993 Gator Bowl Radio
December 31, 1992
December 29, 1991 PIA Mick Hubert Jim Yarbrough
January 1, 1991
December 30, 1989 Jim Phillips Mike Epley
January 1, 1989 Gator Bowl Radio Paul Kennedy Steve Spurrier
December 31, 1987 NBC Tom Davis Dave Rowe
December 27, 1986 Bob Murphy Fran Curci
December 30, 1985 Howard Schellenberger
December 28, 1984 Bob Murphy
December 30, 1983 Mutual Wayne Larrivee Fran Curci
December 30, 1982 Al Wester
December 28, 1981 Tony Roberts
December 29, 1980
December 28, 1979 Al Wester Pat Sheridan
December 29, 1978
December 30, 1977 Rick Weaver
December 27, 1976 Lindsey Nelson Tony Roberts
December 29, 1975
December 30, 1974 Gator Bowl Radio John Ferguson Larry Munson
December 29, 1973 Bruce Miller
December 30, 1972
December 31, 1971
January 2, 1971
December 27, 1969
December 28, 1968 Ed Thilinieus John Sauer
December 30, 1967 Bob Lynch
December 31, 1966 John Sauer
December 31, 1965 Walt Dunbar
January 2, 1965 Bob Fulton
December 28, 1963 Walt Dunbar
December 29, 1962 Bill Munday
December 30, 1961 Bill Snyder
December 31, 1960
January 2, 1960
December 27, 1958
December 27, 1957 CBS Jim Gibbons Elroy Hirsch
December 28, 1956 Herman Hickman
December 31, 1955 Red Barber John Derr
December 31, 1954 Mutual Bob Wolff Art Gleeson
January 1, 1953 Gene Kirby
January 1, 1952
January 1, 1951 Al Heffer Bob Wolff
January 1, 1950
January 1, 1949 NBC Ted Husing Walter Kennedy
January 1, 1948 WINK Bob Wolff Ray Morgan

Local radio

Date Flagship station Play-by-play Color commentator(s) Sideline reporter(s)
January 2, 2012 WBNS-FM (Ohio State)
WRUF-AM (Florida)
Paul Keels
Mick Hubert
Jim Lachey
Lee McGriff
Marty Bannister
Brady Ackerman

Notes

  1. As of January 2021, there are conference records listed on the bowl's website,[30] but they have not been updated for all editions that have been played and they do not reflect conference affiliations at the time each game was played.

References

  1. "2019 Bowl Schedule". collegefootballpoll.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  2. "Gator Bowl website: About us-Tradition". Archived from the original on 2011-10-16.
  3. "TaxSlayer Bowl to Restore "Gator" in its Name" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-04-14. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  4. DiMarco, Anthony C. (1976). The Big Bowl Football Guide. G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 0-399-11800-4
  5. "Tragedy Ends Gator Bowl Fete". Los Angeles Times. AP. December 30, 1963. Retrieved December 22, 2017 via newspapers.com.
  6. "Report Near in Probe of Hotel Blaze". The Tampa Tribune. AP. January 1, 1964. Retrieved December 22, 2017 via newspapers.com.
  7. "Gator Bowl: 30th anniversary punch". jacksonville.com. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  8. Crouse, Karen (26 February 2018). "Florida State Beats West Virginia in Bobby Bowden's Finale" via NYTimes.com.
  9. Limited, Alamy. "Stock Photo - NCAA Gator Bowl - Bobby Bowden is carried off the field by his team after FSU upset West Virginia in the 2010 Gator Bowl. (Credit Image: © Mike Olivella/ZUMApress.com". Alamy.
  10. 1 2 Barney, Justin (April 4, 2014). "Gator Bowl becomes Taxslayer Bowl with new 6-year deal". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  11. The Jacksonville Story by Carolina Rawls; Jacksonville's Fifty Years of Progress Association-1950
  12. Smits, Gary (November 5, 2013). "'Gator Bowl Sports' wants to promote more events, boost charity in region". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  13. "Jacksonville Transportation Authority: River City Showdown Stadium Shuttle".
  14. "Gator Bowl to pair Big Ten with SEC, not ACC". ESPN. 13 October 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  15. Garry Smits. "Gator Bowl lands deal for new title sponsor – Jacksonville.com". Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  16. "Progressive sponsors Gator Bowl". Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  17. Sparks, Adam (July 15, 2023). "These Tennessee football wins under Jeremy Pruitt have been vacated". USA Today. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  18. "Bowl/All Star Game Records" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2023. p. 7. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  19. 1 2 3 4 "1940s Game History". taxslayergatorbowl.com.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "1950s Game History". taxslayergatorbowl.com.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "1960s Game History". taxslayergatorbowl.com.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "1970s Game History". taxslayergatorbowl.com.
  23. Barnes, Clifton (December 29, 1979). "Add Another Feather to ACC Cap". Rocky Mount Telegram. Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Retrieved December 31, 2017 via newspapers.com.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "1980s Game History". taxslayergatorbowl.com.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "1990s Game History". taxslayergatorbowl.com.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "2000's Game History". taxslayergatorbowl.com.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "2010's Game History". taxslayergatorbowl.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  28. 1 2 3 "2020's Game History". taxslayergatorbowl.com. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  29. @PFF_College (December 31, 2022). "The Tyler Buchner experience tonight was WILD:" (Tweet). Retrieved December 30, 2022 via Twitter.
  30. "TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Records – Team Records". taxslayergatorbowl.com. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  31. "Hall of Fame Inductees". gatorbowl.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007 via Wayback Machine.
  32. "Konica Minolta Gator Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 2007 is Legendary". Archived from the original on 2017-12-24. Retrieved 2017-12-24.
  33. "Konica Minolta Gator Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 2008 is Legendary". Archived from the original on 2017-12-24. Retrieved 2017-12-24.
  34. Times-Union, The. "Bob Golic, Gary Pajcic, Wilford Lyon will be inducted into Gator Bowl Hall of Fame".
  35. Smits, Garry. "Bobby Bowden to enter Gator Bowl Hall of Fame".
  36. Carlyon, Hays. "Gator Bowl Notebook: Anthony Carter, Pat Jones and Bill Nimnicht Sr. join Gator Bowl Hall of Fame".
  37. Times-Union, The. "Corky Rogers, Donald Orr to be inducted into Gator Bowl Hall of Fame".
  38. Smits, Garry. "Gator Bowl Notebook: Former Jaguar Donovin Darius joins Hall of Fame".
  39. Smits, Garry. "Former Virginia Tech Frank Beamer to enter TaxSlayer Bowl Hall of Fame".
  40. "Gator Bowl Selects Leon Washington as Hall of Fame Inductee". Jacksonville Free Press. December 19, 2017. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  41. Hall of Fame | TaxSlayerBowl.com
  42. "Gator Bowl Sports Announces All Gator Bowl Team in Honor of its 75th Game". taxslayergatorbowl.com (Press release). September 10, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  43. @taxslayerbowl (January 1, 2019). "With that 93-yard rush, @TrayveonW just broke the record for most rushing yards in a #TaxSlayerGatorBowl game" (Tweet). Retrieved December 31, 2018 via Twitter.
  44. "Team Records". taxslayergatorbowl.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  45. "Individual Records". taxslayergatorbowl.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
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