The Florida Gators return to the college football postseason this year as they head to the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa for the second time in three years. After missing out on a bowl bid last fall, a furious finish to the regular season earned the Orange and Blue a spot among many games on the schedule.
Since 2011, Florida has played in 10 bowl games having missed out three times during that stretch, which spanned across four head coaches and a pair of interim coaches — from Will Muschamp to Billy Napier. The Gators are an even 5-5 in those games, but have lost three in a row coming into this year’s matchup with the Tulane Green Wave.
Below is a look at Florida’s track record over the past 10 bowl games, including the HC, regular-season record and results, as well as an overview of the events leading up to and during the game.
2011: Gator Bowl
Head Coach: Will Muschamp
Record: 6-6
Result: W, 24-17
The Muschamp era got off to a slow start after finishing the regular season with a .500 record but the win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Jan. 2, 2012, gave the program a much-needed boost at the end while sending their opponent to a losing record.
John Brantley went 12-for-16 with both a touchdown and an interception while Chris Rainey ran for 71 yards on 16 attempts while also catching three passes for 31 yards. However, the MVP honors were split between Florida’s wide receiver Andre DeBose (two kick returns for 128 yards, one TD) and OSU LB Etienne Sabino.
2012: Sugar Bowl
Head Coach: Will Muschamp
Record: 11-1
Result: L, 33-23
Technically, this was the 2013 Sugar Bowl, but it was played based on the results of the 2012 regular season, in which Florida finished with just one loss against the Georgia Bulldogs. Unfortunately, there was another loss in the cards.
Speaking of cards, Muschamp could not overcome the Louisville Cardinals in his second season at the helm. The Gators came in with one of the best defenses in the nation, but Teddy Bridgewater outdueled Jeff Driskel for the win and MVP trophy.
2014: Birmingham Bowl
Head Coach: DJ Dirkin (Interim)
Record: 6-5
Result: W, 28-20
Another post-New Year game played in January, Dirkin took over for the departed Muschamp after the regular season, coaching the Gators to a victory over the East Carolina Pirates to avoid a losing season.
Florida’s Adam Lane won the game’s MVP award, gaining 109 yards on 16 carries along with a touchdown. Driskel and Treon Harris split time at quarterback, going a combined 13-for-28 passing 171 yards and a pair for touchdowns against an interception.
2015: Citrus Bowl
Head Coach: Jim McElwain
Record: 10-3
Result: L, 41-7
Played on Jan. 1, 2016, Florida took a whooping in Orlando at the hands of the Michigan Wolverines in both McElwain and Jim Harbaugh’s bowl debut with their respective programs. The first quarter was tied up when the final seconds ticked off, but it was all UM after.
Harris completed just 8 of 21 passing attempts including an interception while also leading the Gators on the ground with 55 yards on 11 attempts; he also caught a pass for the team’s lone score. Michigan QB Jake Rudock earned MVP honors for the game.
2016: Outback Bowl
Head Coach: Jim McElwain
Record: 9-3
Result: W, 30-3
Played on Jan. 2, 2017, Florida routed the Iowa Hawkeyes to avenge its loss to a Big Ten school in the bowl game prior. Much like the Citrus Bowl, things were knotted up at the end of the first half, but only one team would go on to score more.
Austin Appleby led the charge for the Orange and Blue that day going 14-for-25 passing for 222 yards and two scores (and two INTs) while Jordan Scarlett scampered for 94 yards on 14 attempts. However, Chauncey Gardner took home the MVP award after grabbing two interceptions including a pick-six.
2018: Peach Bowl
Head Coach: Dan Mullen
Record: 9-3
Result: W, 41-15
Mullen got even more revenge in his first year at the helm of the Gators with a thrashing of the Wolverines in the Peach Bowl, played on Dec. 29. It was a sweet victory, especially after the bounce-back Florida experienced from a losing record the year prior.
The Orange and Blue had two MVP award recipients in this one. Quarterback Feleipe Franks, who finished with 173 yards on 13-for-23 passing and a score, along with defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson, who grabbed a pair of INTs including a pick-six, earned the honors.
2019: Orange Bowl
Head Coach: Dan Mullen
Record: 10-2
Result: W, 36-28
Florida won its third straight bowl appearance against the Virginia Cavaliers on Dec. 30 in Miami, taking an early lead and never letting go despite a fourth-quarter rally by the Cavs. The victory also gave the Gators their second straight 10-win campaign.
Kyle Trask put up a solid performance under center, throwing for 205 yards on 24-for-39 passing along with a touchdown and an interception. However, it was Lamical Perrine who earned the MVP behind his 138-yard effort on 13 rushing attempts, resulting in two scores; he also caught five passes for 43 yards and a score.
2020: Cotton Bowl
Head Coach: Dan Mullen
Record: 8-3
Result: L, 55-20
This game was a brutal one for Mullen and Co. for many reasons, especially following the COVID protocols that allowed the sport to be played that fall. The biggest issue for Florida was the NFL draft opt-outs — particularly those of tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Kadarius Toney.
The Oklahoma Sooners ended up steamrolling the Gators, getting out to a 17-7 lead at the end of the first 15 minutes and outscoring their opponent in each subsequent quarter. OU running back Rhamondre Stevenson earned the MVP on offense while defensive back Tre Norwood got the nod on defense.
2021: Gasparilla Bowl
Head Coach: Greg Knox (Interim)
Record: 6-6
Result: L, 29-17
Florida’s football program was in disarray by the time this game rolled around, with Mullen departing Gainesville and leaving Knox behind to usher in the first of three straight losing seasons. To add salt to the wound, it was also the Gators’ first-ever loss to in-state siblings, the UCF Knights.
Emory struggled under center, throwing 171 yards on just 14-for-36 passing — though he did combine with Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis to give the team 205 yards on the ground. UCF wide receiver Ryan O’Keefe took home the MVP award.
2022: Las Vegas Bowl
Head Coach: Billy Napier
Record: 6-6
Result: L, 30-3
Napier’s first appearance in a bowl game on behalf of the Orange and Blue was a rough one, getting plowed by the Oregon State Beavers in Sin City. But Florida was shorthanded at quarterback after Anthony Richardson opted out to enter the NFL draft, leaving redshirt freshman Jack Miller III as the primary signal caller.
Miller provided a perfectly acceptable performance with the arm, throwing for 180 yards on 13-for-22 passing without a score or interception, but the running game finished with only 39 yards on 33 total attempts. OSU quarterback Ben Gulbranson earned the game’s MVP award.
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