1969 Gator Bowl

College football game
1969 Gator Bowl
25th Gator Bowl
Florida Gators Tennessee Volunteers
(8–1–1) (9–1)
SEC SEC
14 13
Head coach: 
Ray Graves
Head coach: 
Doug Dickey
APCoaches
1517
APCoaches
1111
1234 Total
Florida 7070 14
Tennessee 01003 13
DateDecember 27, 1969
Season1969
StadiumGator Bowl
LocationJacksonville, Florida
MVPMike Kelley (LB, Florida) & Curt Watson (FB, Tennessee)[1]
RefereeJohnny Cook (SEC)
Attendance72,248
Gator Bowl
 < 1968 1971 (Jan) > 

The 1969 Gator Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers, both representing the SEC. Florida defeated Tennessee, 14–13.[2]

Game summary

The expected high-scoring battle featuring Florida's "Super Sophs" passing attack against Tennessee's powerful ground game led by quarterback Bobby Scott never materialized,[3] as both defenses were superb in the Gators' 14–13 win. Quarterback John Reaves connected with wide receiver Carlos Alvarez for the Gators' only offensive touchdown, and the Gator defense stopped the Volunteers at Florida's one-yard line late in the game to preserve the victory. The game's MVPs were Florida linebacker Mike Kelley, who had an interception, a fumble recovery, a blocked punt recovered for a touchdown, a sack, and 17 tackles,[4] and fullback Curt Watson of Tennessee.

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP FLA TEN
1 FLA Fumble recovery returned 8 yards for touchdown by Mike Kelley, Dick Franco kick good 7 0
2 TEN Lester McClain 63-yard touchdown reception from Bobby Scott, George Hunt kick good 7 7
2 TEN 2-yard field goal by George Hunt 7 10
3 FLA Carlos Alvarez 9-yard touchdown reception from John Reaves, Dick Franco kick good 14 10
4 TEN 9-yard field goal by George Hunt 14 13
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 14 13

See also

References

  1. ^ "1969". Archived from the original on January 1, 2018. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  2. ^ "MGGC Online | 1969 Gator Bowl".
  3. ^ "Gator Aerial Whiz Kids Face Rugged Vols in Gator Bowl" AP, December 27, 1969
  4. ^ Nash, The Gainesville Sun Presents, pp. 73–76.

External links

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1969–70 NCAA football bowl game season
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TaxSlayer / Gator Bowl
History & conference tie-ins
Games
Notes
  • There was a Gator Bowl in January and December in 1954, 1960, 1965, 1971, 1989, 1991, 2016, and 2021.
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Florida Gators bowl games

Pound sign (#) denotes national championship game.

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Tennessee Volunteers bowl games

Pound sign (#) denotes national championship game.


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