2009 Gator - Profiles, History & More

Player profiles, team history, the breakout players, the best bowl moments and more for the 2009 Gator Bowl.

Gator Bowl History
2008	Texas Tech 31, Virginia 28
2007	W. Virginia 38, Georgia Tech 35
2006	Virginia Tech 35, Louisville 24
2005	Florida St 30, West Virginia 18
2004	Maryland 41, West Virginia 7
2003	NC State 28, Notre Dame 6
2002	Florida St 30, Virginia Tech 17
2001	Virginia Tech 41, Clemson 20
2000	Miami 28, Georgia Tech 13
1999	Georgia Tech 35, Notre Dame 28
1998	North Carolina 42, Virginia Tech 3
1997	North Carolina 20, West Virginia 13
1996	Syracuse 41, Clemson 0
1994	Tennessee 45, Virginia Tech 23
1993	Alabama 24, North Carolina 10
1992	Florida 27, NC State 10
1991 (Dec.)	Oklahoma 48, Virginia 14
1991 (Jan.)	Michigan 35, Mississippi 3
1989 (Dec.)	Clemson 27, West Virginia 7
1989 (Jan.)	Georgia 34, Michigan State 27
1987	LSU 30, South Carolina 13
1986	Clemson 27, Stanford 21
1985	Florida State 34, Oklahoma St 23
1984	Oklahoma State 21, South Carolina 14
1983	Florida 14, Iowa 6
1982	Florida St 31, West Virginia 12
1981	North Carolina 31, Arkansas 27
1980	Pitt 37, South Carolina 9
1979	North Carolina 17, Michigan 15
1978	Clemson 17, Ohio State 15
1977	Pitt 34, Clemson 3
1976	Notre Dame 20, Penn State 9
1975	Maryland 13, Florida 0
1974	Auburn 27, Texas 3
1973	Texas Tech 28, Tennessee 19
1972	Auburn 24, Colorado 3
1971 (Dec.)	Georgia 7, North Carolina 3
1970 (Jan.)	Auburn 35, Mississippi 28
1969	Florida 14, Tennessee 13
1968	Missouri 35, Alabama 10
1967	Florida State 17, Penn State 17
1966	Tennessee 18, Syracuse 12
1965 (Dec.)	Georgia Tech 31, Texas Tech 21
1965 (Jan.)	Florida State 36, Oklahoma 19
1963	North Carolina 35, Air Force 0
1962	Florida 17, Penn State 7
1961	Penn State 30, Georgia Tech 15
1960 (Dec.)	Florida 13, Baylor 12
1960 (Jan.)	Arkansas 14, Georgia Tech 7
1958	Mississippi 7, Florida 3
1957	Tennessee 3, Texas A&M 0
1956	Georgia Tech 21, Pitt 14
1955	Vanderbilt 25, Auburn 13
1954 (Dec.)	Auburn 33, Baylor 13
1954 (Jan.)	Texas Tech 35, Auburn 13
1953	Florida 14, Tulsa 13
1952	Miami 14, Clemson 0
1951	Wyoming 20, Wash. & Lee 0
1950	Maryland 20, Missouri 7
1949	Clemson 24, Missouri 23
1948	Georgia 20, Maryland 20
1947	Oklahoma 34, NC State 13
1946	Wake Forest 26, South Carolina 14

2009 Gator Bowl

Nebraska (8-4) vs. Clemson (7-5)
 
Jan. 1, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

Get Tickets for the Gator Bowl  

- 2008 CFN Gator Bowl Preview

Scroll Down For Each Team's Bowl History

By Richard Cirminiello

Best Tiger Bowl Moment: It’s been a quarter of a century since Clemson participated in one of college football’s marquee bowl games. Back in 1982, the Tigers played No. 4 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl with national supremacy hinging on the outcome. Danny Ford’s underrated defensive unit frustrated the star-studded Husker offense in a 22-15 win that gave the Tigers a perfect season and its only national championship.   
 
Best Husker Bowl Moment: Nebraska’s massive bowl resume includes an unheard of 30 New Year’s Day appearances. You can go in so many directions with this question, such as pasting No. 2 Alabama in the 1972 Orange Bowl, pounding Notre Dame 40-6 in the 1973 Orange Bowl in Bob Devaney’s final game, breaking a seven-game bowl slide, or winning the national title with a win over Miami in the 1995 Orange Bowl. However, no game stands out more than the 62-24 demolition of Florida in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl. In a match up of No. 1 vs. No. 2, the Huskers rushed for a bowl-record 524 yards, putting forth one of the most dominant big game performances the sport has ever witnessed.

The Last Time You'll See ...

Clemson: RB C.J. Spiller. Teammate James Davis is running out of eligibility. Spiller is running out of reasons to return to school for his senior year. He’s an NFL-ready talent with the extra gear that makes scouts salivate. Although Spiller has been the understudy to Davis at Clemson, he’s likely to hear his name called first if he opts to declare early for April’s draft.
 
Nebraska: QB Joe Ganz. From career caddy to unlikely Husker hero, it’s been an interesting ride for Ganz in Lincoln. He got his break in last November’s loss to Kansas and never lost the job, tossing 38 touchdown passes in the 15 games since. While not blessed with the tools of a future first-day draft choice, his leadership, grasp of the offense, and presence in the huddle have been instrumental in Nebraska’s turnaround this season.
 
Breakout Player ...

Clemson: DE Da’Quan Bowers. After getting his feet wet as a true freshman, Bowers should be ready to explode a year from now. An athletic 6-4, 275-pounder, he has an immense upside that’ll begin to reach the surface next year. Once he improves his technique and understanding of the defense, he’ll have a chance to be one of the true pass-rushing monsters of the ACC.
 
Nebraska: RB Roy Helu. Helu. wasn’t quite ready to be the Husker workhorse early in the season. He is now. The sophomore went on a tear in November, averaging 127 yards a game and giving Nebraska some much-needed balance during a solid stretch run. A tough, efficient runner, Helu is making a strong statement to be the focal point of the offense in 2009.   
 
Best Non-Game Event
One of the most talked about events that players and fans seem to enjoy is their day at Adventure Landing where they can enjoy many outdoor activities, such as go-karts, miniature golf and indoor games, like laser tag and arcade games. Fans get to mingle with their teams and have the opportunity to get autographs from their favorite players.

Player Gift Package
Players in this year’s game will receive a Bulova watch, luggage, Oakley Thumps, and a commemorative hat.

Charitable Component
The Konica Minolta Gator Bowl falls under the umbrella of the Gator Bowl Association. The Gator Bowl Association’s primary charitable activities are focused on education and youth in the North Florida area.  Gator Bowl charitable recipients include: Take Stock in Children Scholarship Program, Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Boselli “Celebrate Youth” Scholarship, First Coast Schools, Pop Warner Scholarship, and Dreams Come True.

How Success is Measured
The primary goal of the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl is to showcase the city of Jacksonville to the teams and fans of both universities playing in the game. The bowl strives to conduct first-class events and provide a first-class experience for these individuals. Success can be measured in many ways, but the committee is most proud when it hears players, coaches, and fans state it was one of the best bowls they’ve been to.

MVP of the Bowl
Since there are over 700 volunteers that work on 33 events the Gator Bowl Associations hosts year round, including the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl, it’s difficult to single out one individual who is indispensable. The association’s leadership is also made up of area businessmen and women who volunteer their time and energy to oversee all aspects of the group, including the bowl game from the Executive Committee level.  The most coveted position would be the chairman, who is selected to serve a one-year term at the helm.  Brian Goin, Vice President of the PGA Tour, is this year’s Chairman of the Gator Bowl Association.

Impact to the Community
The Konica Minolta Gator Bowl draws from 30,000 to 35,000 out-of-town fans, who stay an average of two nights, resulting in a direct economic impact of $12.5 million for the city of Jacksonville and the North Florida area.

Role of Volunteers
The Gator Bowl Association has more than 700 volunteers, who work countless hours throughout the year to insure the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl and its related events are successful and conducted in a first-class manner. The bowl has volunteers, who represent all walks of life from businessmen to college students.  Their responsibilities can range from greeters, university hosts, parade marshals, and giant helium balloon handlers to event set-up and game day runners. It’s to their credit that the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl reaps its rewards.

- 2008 CFN Gator Bowl Preview

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Nebraska Bowl History (22-22)

2006	Cotton	Auburn 17, Nebraska 14
2005	Alamo	Nebraska 32, Michigan 28
2003	Alamo	Nebraska 17, Michigan St 3
2002	Indep.	Mississippi 27, Nebraska 23
2001	Rose	Miami 37, Nebraska 14
2000	Alamo	Nebraska 62, Northwestern 17
1999	Fiesta	Nebraska 31, Tennessee 21
1998	Holiday	Arizona 23, Nebraska 20
1997	Orange	Nebraska 42, Tennessee 17
1996	Orange	Nebraska 41, Virginia Tech 21
1995	Fiesta	Nebraska 62, Florida 24
1994	Orange	Nebraska 24, Miami 17
1993	Orange	Florida State 18, Nebraska 16
1992	Orange	Florida State 27, Nebraska 14
1991	Orange	Miami 22, Nebraska 0
1990	Citrus	Georgia Tech 45, Nebraska 21
1989	Fiesta	Florida State 45, Nebraska 21
1988	Orange	Miami 23, Nebraska 3
1987	Fiesta	Florida State 31, Nebraska 28
1986	Sugar	Nebraska 30, LSU 15
1985	Fiesta	Michigan 27, Nebraska 23
1984	Sugar	Nebraska 28, Louisiana State 10
1983	Orange	Miami 31, Nebraska 30
1982	Orange	Nebraska 21, LSU 20
1981	Orange	Clemson 22, Nebraska 15
1980	Sun	Nebraska 31, Miss State 17
1979	Cotton	Houston 17, Nebraska 14
1978	Orange	Oklahoma 31, Nebraska 24
1977	Liberty	Nebraska 21, North Carolina 17
1976	Blue bonnet	Nebraska 27, Texas Tech 2
1975	Fiesta	Arizona St 17, Nebraska 14
1974	Sugar	Nebraska 13, Florida 10
1973	Cotton	Nebraska 19, Texas 3
1972	Orange	Nebraska 40, Notre Dame 6
1971	Orange	Nebraska 38, Alabama 6
1970	Orange	Nebraska 17, LSU 12
1969	Sun	Nebraska 45, Georgia 6
1966	Sugar	Alabama 34, Nebraska 7
1965	Orange	Alabama 39, Nebraska 28
1964	Cotton	Arkansas 10, Nebraska 7
1963	Orange	Nebraska 13, Auburn 7
1962	Gotham	Nebraska 36, Miami 34
1954	Orange	Duke 34, Nebraska 7
1940	Rose	Stanford 21, Nebraska 13

 

Clemson Bowl History (15-15)

2007	Chick-fil-A	Auburn 23, Clemson 20 OT
2006	Music City	Kentucky 28, Clemson 20
2005	Champs Sports	Clemson 19, Colorado 10
2004	Peach	Clemson 27, Tennessee 14
2002	Tangerine	Texas Tech 55, Clemson 15
2001	Humanitarian	Clemson 49, Louisiana Tech 24
2000	Gator	Virginia Tech 41, Clemson 20
1999	Peach	Mississippi State 17, Clemson 7
1997	Peach	Auburn 21, Clemson 17
1996	Peach	LSU 10, Clemson 7
1995	Gator	Syracuse 41, Clemson 0
1993	Peach	Clemson 14, Kentucky 13
1991	Citrus	California 37, Clemson 13
1990	Hall of Fame	Clemson 30, Illinois 0
1989	Gator	Clemson 27, West Virginia 7
1988	Citrus	Clemson 13, Oklahoma 6
1987	Citrus	Clemson 35, Penn State 10
1986	Gator	Clemson 27, Stanford 21
1985	Independence	Minnesota 20, Clemson 13
1981	Orange	Clemson 22, Nebraska 15
1979	Peach	Baylor 24, Clemson 18
1978	Gator	Clemson 17, Ohio State 15
1977	Gator	Pittsburgh 34, Clemson 3
1959	Bluebonnet	Clemson 23, TCU 7
1958	Sugar	LSU 7, Clemson 0
1956	Orange	Colorado 27, Clemson 21
1951	Gator	Miami 14, Clemson 0
1950	Orange	Clemson 15, Miami 14
1948	Gator	Clemson 24, Missouri 23
1939	Cotton	Clemson 6, Boston College 3