2010’s Game History

The 65th Gator Bowl would certainly go down as one of the most iconic in its storied history. The game would be the last for Seminole legend Bobby Bowden who played in his first Gator Bowl in 1982, against, no other than, the West Virginia Mountaineers. A record 84,129 people filled Jacksonville Municipal Stadium to watch Bowden take the field one last time. The Seminoles, who had never lost in the Gator Bowl, had no intention of doing that today. West Virginia got an All-Star performance from Noel Devine who ran for 168 yards and a score. The combination of EJ Manuel and Dustin Hopkins were too much for the Mountaineers who suffered a 33-21 loss at the spear of the Noles.

MVP: EJ Manuel (QB, Florida State), Noel Devine (RB, West Virginia)

Coaches: Bobby Bowden (Florida State), Bill Stewart (West Virginia)

Total Payout: $4.5 million

Attendance: 84,129

Chairman: Daniel Kennedy Murphy

Network: CBS

Florida State-33      West Virginia-21

WVU-Jarrett Brown 32 yd run (Tyler Bitancurt kick); FSU-Dustin Hopkins 26 yd field goal; WVU-Noel Devine 1 yd run (Tyler Bitancurt kick); FSU-Jermaine Thomas 12 yd run (Dustin Hopkins kick); FSU-Dustin Hopkins 42 yd field goal; FSU-Dustin Hopkins 22 yd field goal; FSU- Jermaine Thomas 19 yd run (Dustin Hopkins kick); WVU-Ryan Clarke 5 yd run (Tyler Bitancurt kick); FSU-EJ Manuel 2 yd run (Dustin Hopkins kick); FSU-Dustin Hopkins 37 yd field goal.

Rushing: WVU–Noel Devine 16-168; Jarrett Brown 6-43; Ryan Clarke 3-12; Jock Sanders 1-7; Geno Smith 10 minus 8; FSU–Jermaine Thomas 25-121; EJ Manuel 14-70; Chris Thompson 2-20; Bert Reed 3-9; Louis Givens 1-4; Lonnie Pryor 1-2.

Passing: WVU–Geno Smith 8-15-0-92; Jarrett Brown 1-4-1-15; FSU–EJ Manuel 17-24-0-189

Receiving: WVU–Brad Starks 3-30; Noel Devine 2-28; Jock Sanders 2-14; Tavon Austin 1-19; Alric Arnett 1-16; FSU–Jarmon Fortson 4-73; Rod Owens 3-37; Taiwan Easterling 3-33; Lonnie Pryor 2-22; Bert Reed 2-0; Jermaine Thomas 1-9; Chris Thompson 1-9; Beau Reliford 1-6

The excitement of the 2010 Gator Bowl would undoubtedly be hard to top. However, Mississippi State scored 52 points in an endless barrage of touchdowns to please the crowd. Chris Relf threw for 4 touchdowns and Vick Ballard ran for 3 to lead the charge. The Bulldog defense kept Michigan scoreless for the final 3 quarters against a very talented Denard Robinson-led offense. The Bulldogs smothered the Wolverines 52-14.

MVP: Chris Relf (QB, Mississippi State), Denard Robinson (QB, Michigan)

Coaches: Dan Mullen (Mississippi State), Rich Rodriguez (Michigan)

Total Payout: $5.4 million

Attendance: 68,325

Chairman: Stephen Tremel

Network: ESPN2

Mississippi State-52    Michigan-14

MICH-Roy Roundtree 10 yd pass from Denard Robinson (Brendan Gibbons kick); MS-Arceto Clark 4 yd pass from Chris Relf (Derek DePasquale kick); MS-Derek DePasquale 42 yd. field goal; MICH- Marravious Odoms 27 yd. pass from Denard Robinson (Brendan Gibbons kick); MS-Vick Ballard 2 yd. run (Derek DePasquale kick); MS-Chris Relf 1 yd. run (Derek DePasquale kick); MS-Ricco Sanders 15 yd. pass from Chris Relf (Derek DePasquale kick); MS-Vick Ballard 1 yd. run (Derek DePasquale kick); MS-Vick Ballard 7 yd. run (Derek DePasquale kick); MS-Michael Carr 31 yd. pass from Chris Relf (Derek DePasquale kick)

Rushing: MS-Vick Ballard 20-76; LaDarius Perkins 9-40; Robert Elliott 6-36; Chris Relf 15-30; Adrian Marcus 7-24; Tyler Russell 1(-2)
MICH-Denard Robinson 11-59; Michael Shaw 4-19; Vincent Smith 7-13; Fitzgerald Toussaint 2-5; Kelvin Grady 1 (-8)

Passing: MS-Chris Relf 18-23-1-281; MICH-Denard Robinson 27-41-1-254

Receiving: MS-Chris Smith 4-46; Michael Carr 3-65; Arceto Clark 3-45; LaDarius Perkins 2-79; Ricco Sanders 2-23; Brandon Heavens 2-12; Vick Ballard 2-11. MICH-Roy Roundtree 9-53; Darryl Stonum 7-59; Junior Hemingway 4-49; Kevin Koger 2-42; Vincent Smith 2-17; Marravious Odoms 1-27; Fitzgerald Toussaint 1-5; Michael Shaw 1-2

In Will Muschamp’s first year in the driver’s seat of Florida’s football program he brought the Gators to their ninth Gator Bowl, now known as the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl. It was a defense heavy game that saw only 562 yards between the two squads. Buckeyes’ quarterback Braxton Miller threw for 162 yards and two scores, but it was not enough. Florida’s special teams were the difference makers in the game. Receiver Andre Debose returned a kickoff 99 yards to the house in the first half. Then Graham Stewart scooped up a blocked punt and took it 14 yards to pay dirt in the second half. The Gators rolled 24-17.

MVP: Andre Debose (WR, Florida), Etienne Sabino (LB, Ohio State)

Coaches: Will Muschamp (Florida), Luke Fickell (Ohio State)

Total Payout: $5.45 million

Attendance: 61,312

Chairman: Greg Smith

Network: ESPN2

Ohio State-17       Florida-24

UF-Deonte Thompson 17 yd. pass from John Brantley (Caleb Sturgis kick); OSU-DeVier Posey 5 yd. pass from Braxton Miller
(Drew Basil kick); UF-Andre Debose 99 yd. kickoff return (Caleb Sturgis kick); OSU-Drew Basil 47 yd. field goal; UF-Graham
Stewart 14 yd. blocked punt return (Caleb Sturgis kick); UF-CalebSturgis 17 yd. field goal; OSU-Jordan Hall 11 yd. pass from
Braxton Miller (Drew Basil kick)

Rushing: OSU-Dan Herron 12-82; Jordan Hall 4-24; Braxton Miller 15-20; Carlos Hyde 5-17; DeVier Posey 1 (-6); UF-Chris
Rainey 16-71; Jeff Demps 7-30; Trey Burton 4-23; Mike Gillislee 5-15; Hunter Joyer 1-0; John Brantley 2 (-3) Team 3 (-5)

Passing: OSU-Braxton Miller 18-23-0-162 UF-John Brantley 12-16-1-132

Receiving: OSU-DeVier Posey 5-38; Dan Herron 4-11; Jordan Hall 3-12; Devin Smith 2-47; Jeff Heuerman 1-25; Chris Fields 1-13; Zach Boren 1-8; Carlos Hyde 1-8. UF-Chris Rainey 3-31; Omarius Hines 2-40; Deonte Thompson 2-27; Andre Debose 1-9; Frankie Hammond 1-8; Jeff Demps 1-7; Quinton Dunbar 1-6; A.C. Leonard 1-4.

In 2013, the Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl welcomed Northwestern for the first time ever. Three different Wildcats ran for touchdowns, including quarterback Trevor Siemian. Quentin Williams also took an interception 29 yards to the house. The Bulldogs were led by quarterback Tyler Russell who threw for 106 yards and two touchdowns, but was intercepted 4 times in the process. Four different wildcats came away with picks in a 34-20 win over the Bulldogs.

MVP: Jared Carpenter (S, Northwestern), Nickoe Whitley (DB, Mississippi State)

Coaches: Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern), Dan Mullen (Mississippi State)

Total Payout: $5.45 million

Attendance: 60,712

Chairman: Fred Franklin

Network: ESPN2

Mississippi State 20            Northwestern-34

NU-Quentin Williams 29 yd. interception return (Jeff Budzien kick); NU-Jeff Budzien 34 yd. field goal; NU-Jeff Budzien 37 yd.
field goal; MS-Devon Bell 27 yd. field goal; MS-Arceto Clark 18 yd. pass from Tyler Russell (Devon Bell kick); MS-Devon Bell
47 yd. field goal; NU-Tyris Jones 3 yd. run (Jeff Budzien kick); NU-Trevor Siemian 4 yd. run (Jeff Budzien kick; MS-Malcolm
Johnson 14 yd. pass from Tyler Russell (Devon Bell kick); NU-Venric Mark 3 yd. run (Jeff Budzien kick)

Rushing: MS-Josh Robinson 7-91; LaDarius Perkins 19-84; Dak Prescott 2-20; Chad Bumphis 1-3; Tyler Russell 4-minus 12. NU-Kain Colter 11-71; Venric Mark 13-56; Trevor Siemian 2-14; Tyris Jones 6-14; Mike Trumpy 3-7; Tim Riley 2-5; Team 3 (-6)

Passing: MS-Tyler Russell 12-28-4-106; Dak Prescott 0-1-0-0. NU-Trevor Siemian 12-20-1-120; Kain Colter 9-16-2-76.

Receiving: MS-Arceto Clark 3-36; Chad Bumphis 3-18; Chris Smith 2-24; Malcolm Johnson 2-24; Adrian Marcus 1-7; Josh
Robinson 1 (-3). NU-Dan Vitale 7-82; Christian Jones 5-39; Demetrius Fields 2-41; Rashad Lawrence 2-18; Kyle Prater 2-7; Venric Mark 2-3; Tim Riley 1-6.

Interceptions: MS-Nickoe Whitley 2-0; Denico Autry 1-27 NU-Nick VanHoose 1-39; Quentin Williams 1-29; Chi Chi Ariguzo 1-12; Christian Jones 1-0

Georgia starting quarterback Aaron Murray was sidelined, which put the ball in the hands of Hutson Mason. Mason threw for an impressive 320 yards, but only managed one touchdown – a 25 yards strike to Todd Gurley. Nebraska’s receiver Quincy Enunwa was magnificent for the Huskers. He caught the ball 4 times for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns. He led his Nebraska squad to a 24-19 victory.

MVP: Todd Gurley (TB, Georgia), Quincy Enunwa (WR, Nebraska)

Coaches: Bo Pelini (Nebraska), Mark Richt (QB, Georgia)

Total Payout: $5.45 million

Attendance: 60,712

Chairman: Andy Pradella

Network: ESPN2

Nebraska 24            Georgia-19

UGA–Marshall Morgan 38 yd. field goal; NEB – Quincy Enunwa 5 yd. pass from Tommy Armstrong (Pat Smith kick); UGA –
Marshall Morgan 28 yd. field goal; NEB – Pat Smith 46 yd. field goal; UGA– Marshall Morgan 38 yd. field goal; NEB – Ameer
Abdullah 1 yd. run (Pat Smith kick); UGA – Marshall Morgan 30 yd. field goal; NEB – Quincy Enunwa 99 yd. pass from Tommy
Armstrong (Pat Smith kick); UGA–  Todd Gurley 25 yd. pass from Hutson Mason (Marshall Morgan kick).

Rushing: NEB – Ameer Abdullah 27-122; Tommy Armstrong 10-26; Jordan Westerkamp 1-3; Imani Cross 1-2; Jamal Turner
1-2; Team 2 (-5); Quincy Enunwa 1 (-6). UGA – Todd Curley 21-86; J.J. Green 6-19; Brendan Douglas 6-8; Faton Bauta 1-1; Hutson Mason 9 (-18)

Passing: NEB – Tommy Armstrong 6-14-1-163; Ron Kellogg III 0-2-0-0. UGA – Hutson Mason 21-39-1-320.

Receiving: NEB – Quincy Enunwa 4-129; Cethan Carter 1-23; Kenny Bell 1-11. UGA – Todd Gurley 7-97; Arthur Lynch 6-69; Chris Conley 3-46; Michael Bennett 2-55; Brendan Douglas 1-37; Jonathon Rumph 1-9; J.J. Green 1-7

Iowa made their first ever Gator Bowl appearance in 2015 facing off with Butch Jones-led Tennessee. The Volunteers welcomed the Hawkeyes warmly by jumping out to a 21-0 nothing lead after the first quarter. Both Jalen Hurd and Joshua Dobbs were magnificent for the Volunteers. Hurd ran for 122 yards and two scores. Dobbs ran for 76 yards and two scores, and also threw for 129 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Canzeri made efforts to keep Iowa in the game with 120 yards rushing, but to no avail. Tennessee won handily 45-28, in the highest scoring Gator Bowl of all time.

MVP: Joshua Dobbs (QB, Tennessee), Josey Jewell (WLB, Iowa)

Coaches: Butch Jones (Tennessee), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa)

Total Payout: $5.5 million

Attendance: 56,310

Chairman: Vince McCormack

Network: ESPN

Tennessee- 45           Iowa-28

UT–Jalen Hurd–3 yd. run (Medley kick); UT–Hurd-29 yd. run (Medley kick); UT–Vic Wharton-49 yd. pass from Marlin Lane (Medley kick); UT–Joshua Dobbs-8 yd. run (Medley kick); IOWA–Mark Weisman-3 yd. run (Koehn kick); UT–Von Pearson-19 yd. pass from Dobbs (Medley kick); UT–Dobbs-11 yd. run (Medley kick); IOWA–Weisman-1 yd. run (Koehn kick); UT–Medley -28 yd. field goal; IOWA–Ray Hamilton-31 yd. pass from C.J. Beathard (Koehn kick); IOWA–Matt VandeBerg-18 yd. pass from C.J. Beathard (Koehn kick)

Rushing: IOWA–Jordan Canzeri 12-120; C.J. Beathard 8-82; Jake Rudock 2-22; Mark Weisman 7-10; LeShun Daniels, Jr.
1-7; Jonathan Parker 1-1; Macon Plewa 1-1; Akrum Wadley 3-1. UT–Jalen Hurd 16-122; Joshua Dobbs 13-76; Devrin Young 4-25;
Alton Howard 2-24; Marlin Lane 9-21; Deanthonie Summerhill 4-9; Von Pearson 2-8; Team 1 (-2).

Passing: IOWA–C.J. Beathard 13-23-1-145; Jake Rudock 2-8-0-32; UT–Joshua Dobbs 16-21-1-129; Marlin Lane 1-1-0-49.

Receiving: IOWA–Ray Hamilton 3-51; Kevonta Martin-Manley 3-23; Tevaun Smith 2-37; Matt VandeBerg 2-34; Jordan Canzeri
2-13; Andrew Stone 1-15; Jacob Hillyer 1-8; Damond Powell 1 (-4); UT–Von Pearson 7-75; Alton Howard 2-29; Ethan Wolf 2-9; Jaden
Hurd 2-4; Vic Wharton 1-49; Josh Malone 1-4.

Bryan McClendon, Mark Richt’s replacement, led his bulldogs into Jacksonville for the second time in three seasons, in 2016. This time the Bulldogs would face the Nittany Lions of Penn State. Georgia was led by wideout Terry Godwin who caught for 34 yards and a touchdown. He also threw a 44 yard touchdown to Malcolm Mitchell. Penn State was led by quarterback Trace McSorley who threw the ball 14 times for 142 yards and two scores. His efforts were not enough as Georgia rolled 24-17.

MVP: Terry Godwin (WR, Georgia), Trace McSorley (QB, Penn State)

Coaches: Bryan McClendon (Georgia), James Franklin (Penn State)

Total Payout: $5.5 million

Attendance: 58,212

Chairman: Heather Duncan

Network: ESPN

Georgia- 24           Penn State- 17

UGA– Marshall Morgan 44 yd. field goal; PSU– Tyler Davis-34 yd. field goal; UGA– Malcolm Mitchell – 44 yd. pass from Terry
Godwin (Marshall Morgan kick); UGA– Terry Godwin 17 yd. pass from Greyson Lambert (Patrick Beless kick); UGA– Sony Michel
– 21 yd. run (Patrick Beless kick); PSU– Geno Lewis – 17 yd. pass from Trace McSorley (Tyler Davis kick); PSU– DaeSean Hamilton
– 20 yd. pass from Trace McSorley (Tyler Davis kick).

Rushing: PSU– Saquon Barkley 17-69; Trace McSorley 7-31; Brandon Polk 3-10; Akeel Lynch 1-4; Christian Hackenberg 1-4;
Nick Scott 1-4; Evan Schwan 1-0; Team 1 (-2). UGA– Sony Michel 20-85; Keith Marshall 14-62; Isaiah McKenzie 1-26; Terry Godwin
1(-3); Grayson Lambert 5 (-4).

Passing: PSU– Trace McSorley 14-27-0-142; Christian Hackenberg 8-14-1-139. UGA– Greyson Lambert 10-20-0-115; Brice Ramsey 1-2-0-2; Terry Godwin 1-1-0-44.

Receiving: PSU– Chris Godwin 6-133; DaeSean Hamilton 5-17; Saquon Barkley 5-13; Geno Lewis 3-53; Saeed Blacknall 1-7; Kyle Carter 1-3; Brandon Polk 1-1. UGA– Malcolm Mitchell 5-114; Terry Godwin 4-34; Jeb Blazevich 2-13; Sony Michel 1-0

The 2016 game, now affectionately called the TaxSlayer Bowl, welcomed back the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to take on the Kentucky Wildcats. Georgia Tech dominated the entire way behind 169 yards rushing and a touchdown from Dedrick Mills. Kentucky’s Stephen Johnson threw for 175 yards and a touchdown, and added one more on the ground from 21 yards out. His efforts were not enough as Georgia Tech steamrolled the Wildcats, 33-18.

MVP: Dedrick Mills (RB, Georgia Tech), Stephon Johnson (QB, Kentucky)

Coaches: Paul Johnson (Georgia Tech), Mark Stoops (Kentucky)

Total Payout: $5.5 million

Attendance: 43,102

Chairman: David Boree

Network: ESPN

Georgia Tech- 33           Kentucky- 18

GT– P.J. Davis 38 yd. fumble recovery (Harrison Butker kick); GT– Harrison Butker 23 yd. field goal; UK– Austin MacGinnis
37 yd. field goal; GT– Justin Thomas 21 yd. run (Harrison Butker kick); Harrison Butker 52 yd. field goal; Harrison Butker 44 yd.
field goal; UK– Dorian Baker 20 yd. pass from Stephen Johnson (Austin MacGinnis kick); GT– Harrison Butker 26 yd. field goal;
UK– Stephen Johnson 21 yd. run (E.J. Conrad pass from Stephen Johnson); GT– Dedrick Mills 3 yd. run (Harrison Butker kick)

Rushing: GT– Dedrick Mills 31-169; Justin Thomas 9-46-4-42; Clinton Lynch 2-23; J.J. Green 2-20; Marcus Allen 1-11; Qua
Searcy -9-7-2; Team –1(-1). UK– Stephen Johnson 14-65-16-49; Stanley Williams 11-36-1-35; Benny Snell 7-34; Jojo Kemp 3-29-1-
28; Dorian Baker 1-3.

Passing: GT– Justin Thomas 6-14-0-105; UK– Stephen Johnson 19-34-0-175.

Receiving: GT– Ricky Jeune 3-59; Brad Stewart 2-10; Qua Searcy 1-36. UK– Jeff Badet 3-31; Ryan Timmons 3-30; Garrett
Johnson 3-17; CJ Conrad 3-14; Dorian Baker 2-38-1; Benny Snell 1-11; Blake Bone 1-11; David Bouvier 1-9; Stanley Williams 1-8;
Charles Walker 1-6.

Fumbles: GT– Qua Searcy 1-0; Justin Thomas 1-0. UK– Stephen
Johnson 1-1

The 73rd game, now known as the TaxSlayer Bowl, featured Heisman-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson of Louisville. He led his team to square off against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs certainly did not back down to the hype of the quarterback. State’s defense forced Jackson to throw four interceptions. He did, however, throw for two touchdowns and run for another. State quarterback Keytaon Thompson ran for 147 yards and three touchdowns, and also threw for 127 yards. But, it was safety Mark McLaurin who was the Bulldogs hero, intercepting Jackson 3 times, leading his team to a 31-27 win.

MVP: Mark McLaurin (S, Mississippi State), Lamar Jackson (QB, Louisville)

Coaches: Bobby Petrino (Louisville), Greg Knox (Mississippi State)

Total Payout:

Attendance: 41,310

Chairman: David Long

Network: ESPN

Louisville- 27           Mississippi State-31

MSU-Aeris Williams 5 Yd Run (Jace Christmann Kick); LOU- Charles Standberry 5 Yd pass from Lamar Jackson (Blanton Creque Kick); MSU- Keytaon Thompson 14 Yd Run (Jace Christmann Kick); LOU– Lamar Jackson 13 Yd Run (Blanton Creque Kick); MSU – Jace Christmann 23 Yd Field Goal; LOU- Jaylen Smith 11 Yd pass from Lamar Jackson (Blanton Creque Kick); LOU- Blanton Creque 23 Yd Field Goal; MSU- Keytaon Thompson 2 Yd Run (Jace Christmann Kick); LOU- Blanton Creque 31 Yd Field Goal; MSU- Keytaon Thompson 1 Yd Run (Jace Christmann Kick)

Rushing: LOU– Lamar Jackson -24-200-42-158; Reggie Bonnafon 7-21-8-13; Malik Williams 5-13-13, Dae Williams 3-4-1-2. MS- Keytaon Thompson 27-155-8-147, Aeris Williams 12-88, Kylin Hill 8-39-10-29, Nick Gibson 6-13, Jesse Jackson 1-1

Passing: LOU– Lamar Jackson 13-31-4-171; MS– Keytaon Thompson 11-20-1-127.

Receiving: LOU– Jaylen Smith 7-107, Seth Dawkins 3-38, Charles Standberry 2-10, Kemari Averett 1-16. MS–  Jesse Jackson 3-38, Jordan Thomas 2-36, Reggie Todd 2-32, Jamal Couch 2-28, Deddrick Thomas 2 (-7)

Interceptions: LOU- Chucky Williams 1-1, MS- Mark McLaurin 3-41, Cameron Dantzler 1-15

Fumbles: LOU– L. Jackson 1-0; MS– R. Todd 1-1, G. Myles 1-1

MVP: Trayveon Williams (RB, Texas A&M), Ryan Finley (QB, NC State)

Coaches: Jimbo Fisher (Texas A&M), Dave Doeren (NC State)

Attendance: 38,206

Chairman: Jamie Shelton

Network: ESPN

TAMU–Kellen Mand 62 yd run (Seth Small kick); NCS–Dunn, C. 43 yd field goal; NCS–Riley, CJ 9 yd pass from Finley, R. (Dunn, C. kick); NCS–Dunn, C. 49 yd field goal; TAMU–T. Williams 2 yd run (Seth Small kick); TAMU–Kendrick Rogers 6 yd pass from Kellen Mond (Seth Small kick); TAMU–Tyrel Dodson 78 yd interception return (Seth Small kick); TAMU–T. Williams 17 yd run (Seth Small kick); TAMU– T. Williams 93 yd run (Seth Small kick); TAMU–Seth Small 35 yd field goal; TAMU–C. Gillaspia 13 yd run (Daniel LaCamera kick)

Rushing: NCS–Reggie Gallaspy 14-82-3-79; Ricky Person 10-52-5-47; Matthew McKay 6-14-0-14; Damontay Rhem 1-0-2-(-2); Ryan Finley 6-16-20-(-4). TAMU–Trayveon Williams 19-241-5- 236; Kellen Mond 5-85-0-85; Jashaun Corbin 4-43-2-41; Cullen Gillaspia 3-20-0-20; Kwame Etwi 3-19-0-19.

Passing: NCS–Ryan Finley 32-19-2-139; TAMU–Kellen Mond 26-14-1-140.

Receiving: NCS–Emeka Emezie 6-36; CJ Riley 6-33; Jakobi Meyers 3-19; Cary Angeline 2-33; Reggie Gallaspy 1-12; Thayer Thomas 1-6. TAMU–Kendrick Rogers 6-44; Jhamon Ausbon 4-25; Quartney Davis 2-39; Jace Sternberger 1-28; Camron Buckley 1-4.