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text-align:center; font-weight:bold;"><a href="/wiki/1997_Virginia_Tech_Hokies_football_team" title="1997 Virginia Tech Hokies football team">Virginia Tech Hokies</a></td> <td style="width:50%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold;"><a href="/wiki/1997_North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_football_team" title="1997 North Carolina Tar Heels football team">North Carolina Tar Heels</a></td> </tr><tr> <td style="width:50%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold;">(7–4)</td> <td style="width:50%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold;">(10–1)</td> </tr><tr> <td style="width:50%; text-align:center;"><i><a href="/wiki/Big_East_Conference_(1979%E2%80%932013)" title="Big East Conference (1979–2013)">Big East</a></i></td> <td style="width:50%; text-align:center;"><i><a href="/wiki/Atlantic_Coast_Conference" title="Atlantic Coast Conference">ACC</a></i></td> </tr><tr> <td style="font-size:300%; line-height:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold;">3</td> <td style="font-size:300%; line-height:100%; text-align:center; font-weight:bold;">42</td> </tr><tr> <td style="text-align:center;">Head coach: <br /><b><a href="/wiki/Frank_Beamer" title="Frank Beamer">Frank Beamer</a></b></td> <td style="text-align:center;">Head coach: <br /><b><a href="/wiki/Carl_Torbush" title="Carl Torbush">Carl Torbush</a><br />(interim)</b></td> </tr><tr> <td></td> <td><table style="margin:0 auto; font-size:110%; border:1px solid #AAA; background:#EFEFEF;"> <tbody><tr> <td><i><a href="/wiki/AP_Poll" class="mw-redirect" title="AP Poll">AP</a></i></td><td><i><a href="/wiki/Coaches_Poll" title="Coaches Poll">Coaches</a></i></td><td><i><a href="/wiki/Bowl_Alliance" title="Bowl Alliance">BA</a></i></td> </tr><tr> <td style="text-align:center;"><i>7</i></td><td style="text-align:center;"><i>5</i></td><td style="text-align:center;"><i>6</i></td> </tr></tbody></table></td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-image"><table align="center" style="font-size: 90%"> <tbody><tr> <th></th> <th style="text-align:center; width: 20px; vertical-align: bottom">1</th><th style="text-align:center; width: 20px; vertical-align: bottom">2</th><th style="text-align:center; width: 20px; vertical-align: bottom">3</th><th style="text-align:center; width: 20px; vertical-align: bottom">4</th> <th style="text-align:center; width: 20px; vertical-align: bottom">Total</th> </tr><tr> <td style="text-align:right; white-space: nowrap"><b>Virginia Tech</b></td> <td style="text-align:center; background:#efefef">0</td><td style="text-align:center; background:#efefef">0</td><td style="text-align:center; background:#efefef">3</td><td style="text-align:center; background:#efefef">0</td> <td style="text-align:center; font-weight: bold">3</td> </tr><tr> <td style="text-align:right; white-space: nowrap"><b>North Carolina</b></td> <td style="text-align:center; background:#efefef">16</td><td style="text-align:center; background:#efefef">6</td><td style="text-align:center; background:#efefef">6</td><td style="text-align:center; background:#efefef">14</td> <td style="text-align:center; font-weight: bold">42</td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Date</th><td class="infobox-data">January 1, 1998</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Season</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/1997_NCAA_Division_I-A_football_season" title="1997 NCAA Division I-A football season">1997</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Stadium</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Alltel_Stadium" class="mw-redirect" title="Alltel Stadium">Alltel Stadium</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Location</th><td class="infobox-data location"><a href="/wiki/Jacksonville,_Florida" title="Jacksonville, Florida">Jacksonville, Florida</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">MVP</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Quarterback" title="Quarterback">QB</a> Chris Keldorf (UNC)<br /> QB <a href="/wiki/Nick_Sorensen" title="Nick Sorensen">Nick Sorensen</a> (VT)</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Spread_betting" title="Spread betting">Favorite</a></th><td class="infobox-data">North Carolina by 12</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Official_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Official (American football)">Referee</a></th><td class="infobox-data">Mack Gentry (<a href="/wiki/Southeastern_Conference" title="Southeastern Conference">SEC</a>)</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Halftime_show" title="Halftime show">Halftime show</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Marching_Virginians" class="mw-redirect" title="Marching Virginians">Marching Virginians</a>, Marching Tar Heels, <br /> "Salute to the bowl games of America"</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Attendance</th><td class="infobox-data">54,116</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Payout</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/United_States_dollar" title="United States dollar">US$</a>3.2 million (total)</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="background-color:#efefef;">United States TV coverage</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Television_network" class="mw-redirect" title="Television network">Network</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/National_Broadcasting_Company" class="mw-redirect" title="National Broadcasting Company">NBC</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/List_of_announcers_of_major_college_bowl_games" class="mw-redirect" title="List of announcers of major college bowl games">Announcers</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Charlie_Jones_(sportscaster)" title="Charlie Jones (sportscaster)">Charlie Jones</a>, <a href="/wiki/Bob_Trumpy" title="Bob Trumpy">Bob Trumpy</a>,<br /> <a href="/wiki/John_Dockery" title="John Dockery">John Dockery</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Nielsen_ratings" class="mw-redirect" title="Nielsen ratings">Nielsen ratings</a></th><td class="infobox-data">3.7</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-below noprint"><table style="background:#efefef; width:100%; border-collapse:collapse"> <tbody><tr> <th style="text-align:center" colspan="2"><a href="/wiki/Gator_Bowl_(game)" class="mw-redirect" title="Gator Bowl (game)"> Gator Bowl </a></th> </tr><tr> <td style="width:50%; text-align:center; padding-right:1em"><b>  < <a href="/wiki/1997_Gator_Bowl" title="1997 Gator Bowl"> 1997</a></b> </td> <td style="width:50%; text-align:center; padding-left:1em"><b><a href="/wiki/1999_Gator_Bowl" title="1999 Gator Bowl"> 1999</a> >  </b></td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>The <b>1998 Gator Bowl</b> was a post-season American <a href="/wiki/College_football" title="College football">college football</a> <a href="/wiki/Bowl_game" title="Bowl game">bowl game</a> between the <a href="/wiki/1997_Virginia_Tech_Hokies_football_team" title="1997 Virginia Tech Hokies football team">Virginia Tech Hokies</a> from the <a href="/wiki/Virginia_Tech" title="Virginia Tech">Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University</a> and the <a href="/wiki/1997_North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_football_team" title="1997 North Carolina Tar Heels football team">North Carolina Tar Heels</a> from the <a href="/wiki/University_of_North_Carolina_at_Chapel_Hill" title="University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill">University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill</a>. The 53rd edition of the <a href="/wiki/Gator_Bowl" title="Gator Bowl">Gator Bowl</a>, it was played at <a href="/wiki/Alltel_Stadium" class="mw-redirect" title="Alltel Stadium">Alltel Stadium</a> in <a href="/wiki/Jacksonville,_Florida" title="Jacksonville, Florida">Jacksonville</a>, <a href="/wiki/Florida" title="Florida">Florida</a>, on January 1, 1998. The game was the final contest of the <a href="/wiki/1997_NCAA_Division_I-A_football_season" title="1997 NCAA Division I-A football season">1997 NCAA Division I-A football season</a> for both teams, and ended in a 42–3 victory for North Carolina. </p><p>Virginia Tech was selected to play in the Gator Bowl following a 7–4 regular season. Facing the unranked Hokies were the No. 7-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. The Heels had gone 10–1 during the regular season and were ranked seventh in the <a href="/wiki/AP_Poll" class="mw-redirect" title="AP Poll">Associated Press poll</a> heading into the game. North Carolina narrowly missed an at-large selection to a higher-prestige <a href="/wiki/Bowl_Alliance" title="Bowl Alliance">Bowl Alliance</a> postseason game and was playing under new head coach <a href="/wiki/Carl_Torbush" title="Carl Torbush">Carl Torbush</a> for the first time. Torbush had taken over for former head coach <a href="/wiki/Mack_Brown" title="Mack Brown">Mack Brown</a> on December 8, after Brown announced that he was departing to take the position of head coach at <a href="/wiki/Texas_Longhorns_football" title="Texas Longhorns football">Texas</a>. </p><p>The game kicked off on January 1, 1998, at <a href="/wiki/Alltel_Stadium" class="mw-redirect" title="Alltel Stadium">Alltel Stadium</a> in <a href="/wiki/Jacksonville,_Florida" title="Jacksonville, Florida">Jacksonville</a>, <a href="/wiki/Florida" title="Florida">Florida</a>. From the opening kickoff, North Carolina dominated every aspect of the game. In the first quarter, the Tar Heels scored 16 unanswered points, including a defensive <a href="/wiki/Touchdown" title="Touchdown">touchdown</a>. North Carolina added six points in the second and third quarters before Tech scored its first points of the game—a 40-yard <a href="/wiki/Field_goal_(football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Field goal (football)">field goal</a> by kicker <a href="/wiki/Shayne_Graham" title="Shayne Graham">Shayne Graham</a>. The Tar Heels rounded out the game by scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter. The Tar Heels set school records for largest bowl game margin of victory, most points scored in a bowl game, and most touchdown passes in a bowl game. The eventual 42–3 loss was Virginia Tech's largest bowl loss in school history. </p><p>Quarterbacks Chris Keldorf and <a href="/wiki/Nick_Sorensen" title="Nick Sorensen">Nick Sorensen</a> were named the <a href="/wiki/Most_valuable_player" title="Most valuable player">most valuable players</a> of their respective teams, and each team saw multiple players selected in the <a href="/wiki/1998_NFL_draft" title="1998 NFL draft">1998 NFL draft</a>, which followed the game. </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Team_selection">Team selection</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Team selection"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>During the <a href="/wiki/1997_NCAA_Division_I-A_football_season" title="1997 NCAA Division I-A football season">1997 college football season</a>, the Gator Bowl selection committee held contracts with both the Big East and Atlantic Coast Conferences. In exchange for guaranteeing to pay a total of $3.2 million to the participating teams,<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> the committee held the right to the second pick of <a href="/wiki/Bowl-eligible" class="mw-redirect" title="Bowl-eligible">bowl-eligible</a> teams from each conference.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Each conference's champion was awarded an automatic spot in a <a href="/wiki/Bowl_Alliance" title="Bowl Alliance">Bowl Alliance</a> game, and it was expected that the Gator Bowl would select each conference's second-place team unless other circumstances arose.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Prior to the final week of the regular season, it appeared that circumstances might indeed throw that plan into confusion. North Carolina, the ACC's second-place team, had risen to No. 5 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 7 in the Associated Press college football poll, and was considered to be a candidate for an at-large Bowl Alliance selection.<sup id="cite_ref-bowl_posturing_4-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bowl_posturing-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> If North Carolina was selected for a higher-tier bowl game, the door would be opened for <a href="/wiki/1997_Notre_Dame_Fighting_Irish_football_team" title="1997 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team">Notre Dame</a> to play in the 1998 Gator Bowl—a circumstance provided for if neither the first nor second-place ACC team was available to play.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In the end, however, ACC runner-up North Carolina was bypassed by Bowl Alliance officials, leaving the team available for the Gator Bowl. Facing the Tar Heels were the Virginia Tech Hokies, second-place finishers in the Big East Conference.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Gator Bowl officials considered inviting Big East third-place <a href="/wiki/1997_West_Virginia_Mountaineers_football_team" title="1997 West Virginia Mountaineers football team">West Virginia</a> due to its reputation for bringing large numbers of fans to bowl games,<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> but decided against inviting the Mountaineers out of recognition that North Carolina and West Virginia played each other in the <a href="/wiki/1997_Gator_Bowl" title="1997 Gator Bowl">1997 Gator Bowl</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Virginia_Tech">Virginia Tech</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Virginia Tech"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236090951">.mw-parser-output .hatnote{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output div.hatnote{padding-left:1.6em;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .hatnote i{font-style:normal}.mw-parser-output .hatnote+link+.hatnote{margin-top:-0.5em}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .hatnote{display:none!important}}</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/1997_Virginia_Tech_Hokies_football_team" title="1997 Virginia Tech Hokies football team">1997 Virginia Tech Hokies football team</a></div> <p>The Virginia Tech Hokies began the 1997 college football season having gone <a href="/wiki/1996_Virginia_Tech_Hokies_football_team" title="1996 Virginia Tech Hokies football team">10–2 the previous season</a>, ending with a 41–21 loss to <a href="/wiki/1996_Nebraska_Cornhuskers_football_team" title="1996 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team">Nebraska</a> in the <a href="/wiki/1996_Orange_Bowl_(December)" title="1996 Orange Bowl (December)">1996 Orange Bowl</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The Hokies began the new season with hopes of repeating the success that saw the team reach consecutive Bowl Alliance games in the previous two seasons, but the loss of much of the starting lineup that led the Hokies in those years left some people's skeptical about Tech's chance to reach a third Bowl Alliance game. </p><p>In the Hokies' first three games of the season, however, they answered their critics with wins. A season-opening 59–19 win against <a href="/wiki/1997_Rutgers_Scarlet_Knights_football_team" title="1997 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team">Rutgers</a><sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> was followed by a 31–3 win over <a href="/wiki/1997_Syracuse_Orangemen_football_team" title="1997 Syracuse Orangemen football team">Syracuse</a><sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and a 23–13 triumph against <a href="/wiki/1997_Temple_Owls_football_team" title="1997 Temple Owls football team">Temple</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-12"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> A 50–0 shutout win against <a href="/wiki/1997_Arkansas_State_Indians_football_team" title="1997 Arkansas State Indians football team">Arkansas State University</a> saw the Hokies elevated to the No. 14 position in the national college football polls.<sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-13"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> This, however, was followed by a 24–17 loss to <a href="/wiki/1997_Miami_RedHawks_football_team" title="1997 Miami RedHawks football team">Miami (Ohio)</a> that dropped the Hokies to No. 23.<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-14"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>14<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Tech rose again to No. 19 with a victory against <a href="/wiki/1997_Boston_College_Eagles_football_team" title="1997 Boston College Eagles football team">Boston College</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> At No. 21 <a href="/wiki/1997_West_Virginia_Mountaineers_football_team" title="1997 West Virginia Mountaineers football team">West Virginia</a>, however, the Hokies lost, 30–17.<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-16"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The loss returned Tech to No. 23 in the polls. A recovery to No. 19 followed victories over the <a href="/wiki/1997_UAB_Blazers_football_team" title="1997 UAB Blazers football team">University of Alabama-Birmingham</a><sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-17"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>17<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and the <a href="/wiki/1997_Miami_Hurricanes_football_team" title="1997 Miami Hurricanes football team">University of Miami</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-18"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>18<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In the final two games of the season, however, The Hokies lost to <a href="/wiki/1997_Pittsburgh_Panthers_football_team" title="1997 Pittsburgh Panthers football team">Pittsburgh</a>, 30–23,<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and <a href="/wiki/1997_Virginia_Cavaliers_football_team" title="1997 Virginia Cavaliers football team">Virginia</a>, 34–20.<sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>20<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The dual losses dropped Tech out of the polls for the first time since the opening week of the season, and the Hokies prepared for the Gator Bowl after recording a 7–4 regular-season record.<sup id="cite_ref-21" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-21"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>21<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Pregame_buildup">Pregame buildup</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Pregame buildup"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Pregame media coverage of the contest focused on North Carolina's rejection by the Bowl Alliance, the Tar Heels' new coach, and questions about whether a lightly regarded and unranked Virginia Tech team could compete with a top-five North Carolina squad. This latter fact was reflected in the game's <a href="/wiki/Spread_betting" title="Spread betting">point spread</a>. On December 9, shortly after the matchup was announced, spread bettors favored North Carolina to win by 12 points.<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-22"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>22<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Several sports commentators, including <a href="/wiki/Lou_Holtz" title="Lou Holtz">Lou Holtz</a> and <a href="/wiki/Craig_James_(running_back)" title="Craig James (running back)">Craig James</a>, said North Carolina deserved a more prestigious bowl game due to its high ranking. "The Alliance has not served its purpose," Holtz said in an interview. "It's politics as usual."<sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-23"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>23<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The game was the 27th meeting between the two teams, continuing a matchup that first started in 1895. Despite that early beginning, the two teams hadn't played each other since 1946.<sup id="cite_ref-24" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-24"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>24<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Tickets to the game sold quickly at first, but trailed off as the game approached. Virginia Tech sold 5,000 tickets in the first three days after the Hokies were selected,<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-25"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>25<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> but one week later, Tech managed to increase that total to just 8,300. In an effort to spur sales at the school, Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver asked fans to buy tickets even if they did not plan on attending the game. The tickets could then be donated to charity.<sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-26"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>26<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> As an incentive for Gator Bowl officials to select Virginia Tech, the school agreed to sell 18,000 tickets—more than the minimum 11,500 North Carolina agreed to sell. When a shortfall resulted in Tech selling just 11,000 tickets, the school was forced to purchase the remaining 7,000, costing Virginia Tech $245,000.<sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-27"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>27<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> At North Carolina, tickets sales were even slower, with about 6,000 having been sold through the school two weeks after the matchup was announced.<sup id="cite_ref-outsidetix_28-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-outsidetix-28"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>28<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The Gator Bowl ticket office sold approximately 22,000 tickets directly to fans in the same timeframe, and Gator Bowl officials predicted a crowd of between 50,000 and 55,000 people at the game.<sup id="cite_ref-outsidetix_28-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-outsidetix-28"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>28<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="North_Carolina">North Carolina</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: North Carolina"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/1997_North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_football_team" title="1997 North Carolina Tar Heels football team">1997 North Carolina Tar Heels football team</a></div> <p>The North Carolina Tar Heels began the 1997 college football season having gone <a href="/wiki/1996_North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_football_team" title="1996 North Carolina Tar Heels football team">10–2 in 1996</a>, a year that ended with a 20–13 win over <a href="/wiki/1996_West_Virginia_Mountaineers_football_team" title="1996 West Virginia Mountaineers football team">West Virginia</a> in the <a href="/wiki/1997_Gator_Bowl" title="1997 Gator Bowl">1997 Gator Bowl</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-29" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-29"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>29<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Hopes were high for the Tar Heels heading into the 1997 season, with some writers and fans picking North Carolina to have a chance to compete for the national championship.<sup id="cite_ref-30" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-30"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>30<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-31" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-31"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>31<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The Tar Heels bore out those hopes in the first game of the season, beating <a href="/wiki/Big_Ten_Conference" title="Big Ten Conference">Big Ten</a> opponent <a href="/wiki/1997_Indiana_Hoosiers_football_team" title="1997 Indiana Hoosiers football team">Indiana</a>, 23–6.<sup id="cite_ref-32" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-32"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>32<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>North Carolina rose to No. 7 in the national college football polls, and the victory over Indiana was followed the next week by a 28–17 win over No. 17 <a href="/wiki/1997_Stanford_Cardinal_football_team" title="1997 Stanford Cardinal football team">Stanford University</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-33" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-33"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>33<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The two season-opening wins were followed by six more in succession. The Tar Heels beat <a href="/wiki/1997_Maryland_Terrapins_football_team" title="1997 Maryland Terrapins football team">Maryland</a>, 40–14, on September 20,<sup id="cite_ref-34" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-34"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>34<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and <a href="/wiki/1997_Virginia_Cavaliers_football_team" title="1997 Virginia Cavaliers football team">Virginia</a> on September 27 by a score of 48–20.<sup id="cite_ref-35" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-35"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>35<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Prior to the win against Virginia, North Carolina, rose from No. 7 to No. 5 in the polls, and remained at that level after the win. <a href="/wiki/1997_TCU_Horned_Frogs_football_team" title="1997 TCU Horned Frogs football team">Texas Christian University</a> fell 31–10 to the Tar Heels on October 4,<sup id="cite_ref-36" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-36"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>36<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and <a href="/wiki/1997_Wake_Forest_Demon_Deacons_football_team" title="1997 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team">Wake Forest</a> lost to North Carolina, 30–12, on October 11.<sup id="cite_ref-37" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-37"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>37<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> After a week of inactivity, in which the Tar Heels rose to No. 4, North Carolina defeated in-state rival <a href="/wiki/1997_NC_State_Wolfpack_football_team" title="1997 NC State Wolfpack football team">NC State</a> by a score of 20–7,<sup id="cite_ref-38" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-38"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>38<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and after another week and a half, the Tar Heels beat <a href="/wiki/1997_Georgia_Tech_Yellow_Jackets_football_team" title="1997 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team">Georgia Tech</a> narrowly, 16–13, in a Thursday night game.<sup id="cite_ref-39" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-39"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>39<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In their ninth game of the season, the Tar Heels lost to No. 2 <a href="/wiki/1997_Florida_State_Seminoles_football_team" title="1997 Florida State Seminoles football team">Florida State</a>, 20–3. The loss was the sole losing effort for the Tar Heels in the 1997 season, and came at the hands of the eventual Atlantic Coast champion Seminoles. During the game, the Tar Heels also lost their then-starting quarterback, <a href="/w/index.php?title=Oscar_Davenport&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Oscar Davenport (page does not exist)">Oscar Davenport</a>, to a broken ankle.<sup id="cite_ref-40" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-40"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>40<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> North Carolina recovered from the loss to win its final two games: 17–10 against <a href="/wiki/1997_Clemson_Tigers_football_team" title="1997 Clemson Tigers football team">Clemson</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-41" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-41"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>41<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and 50–14 over <a href="/wiki/1997_Duke_Blue_Devils_football_team" title="1997 Duke Blue Devils football team">Duke</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-42" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-42"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>42<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Despite having only one loss, the Tar Heels were denied a chance to participate in a Bowl Alliance game and instead accepted a bid to the 1998 Gator Bowl.<sup id="cite_ref-43" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-43"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>43<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Reduced ticket sales were a concern for Gator Bowl officials, who eyed an expiring television contract with NBC following the game. If attendance and viewership of the game's broadcast were low, it could have a negative effect on negotiations for future contracts with NBC or its rival, CBS.<sup id="cite_ref-44" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-44"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>44<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Brown_and_Torbush">Brown and Torbush</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Brown and Torbush"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Following the conclusion of the regular season and prior to North Carolina's acceptance of the invitation to play in the Gator Bowl, Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown received an offer from the Texas Longhorns to become that school's head coach.<sup id="cite_ref-45" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-45"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> A day and a half after Texas extended the offer, Brown resigned his position as North Carolina's head coach and accepted the Texas job. He replaced <a href="/wiki/John_Mackovic" title="John Mackovic">John Mackovic</a>, who was fired three days earlier after finishing the season with a 4–7 record.<sup id="cite_ref-46" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-46"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>46<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Immediately after Brown's resignation, the question of his replacement and who would coach the team during the Gator Bowl arose. Brown offered to stay on to coach the team through the bowl game, but the proposal was met with hostility from some North Carolina players who felt betrayed by the coach's resignation.<sup id="cite_ref-47" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>47<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> School administrators' first choice to replace Brown was then-Georgia head coach <a href="/wiki/Jim_Donnan" title="Jim Donnan">Jim Donnan</a>, who previously characterized the North Carolina head coaching position as his "dream job." Donnan rejected the administrators' offer, however, saying that he had a commitment to his then-current players.<sup id="cite_ref-48" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-48"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>48<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Following Donnan's rejection of the North Carolina offer, several Tar Heel players approached North Carolina athletics director Dick Baddour, demanding that he hire Brown's defensive coordinator, Carl Torbush, as the team's new head coach.<sup id="cite_ref-49" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-49"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>49<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Torbush and UNC offensive coordinator <a href="/wiki/Greg_Davis_(American_football_coach)" title="Greg Davis (American football coach)">Greg Davis</a> were considered the two likeliest remaining candidates, but after Davis indicated his intention to follow Brown to Texas,<sup id="cite_ref-50" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-50"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>50<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> UNC administrators acquiesced to the players' demand and named Torbush as North Carolina's new head football coach.<sup id="cite_ref-51" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-51"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>51<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Players'_brawl"><span id="Players.27_brawl"></span>Players' brawl</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Players' brawl"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>On the same day Mack Brown announced his acceptance of the Texas head coaching position, seven North Carolina football players allegedly assaulted a North Carolina student, severely injuring him.<sup id="cite_ref-52" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-52"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>52<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> All seven were charged with offenses ranging from misdemeanor assault to simple assault. Among the players charged were defensive leader and All-American <a href="/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker">linebacker</a> <a href="/wiki/Kivuusama_Mays" title="Kivuusama Mays">Kivuusama Mays</a> and two other starters on North Carolina's defense. At the time, UNC policy dictated the immediate suspension of any player charged with a felony, and punishment for lesser charges to be decided on a case-by-case basis.<sup id="cite_ref-53" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-53"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>53<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> After investigating the incident, North Carolina school officials cleared six of the seven accused players to participate in the Gator Bowl with judicial charges still pending. The seventh accused player, backup defensive tackle Ricco McCain, was suspended indefinitely from the team while legal action proceeded.<sup id="cite_ref-54" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-54"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>54<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The North Carolina coaching staff and administration was criticized for allowing the accused players to participate in the game, with at least one critic saying the school only did so in order to better its chances to win the game.<sup id="cite_ref-55" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-55"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>55<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Following the game, three of the players—Varian Ballard, Greg Harris and Ricco McCain—were found guilty of simple assault.<sup id="cite_ref-56" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-56"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>56<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Two others were found not guilty and charges were dismissed against another. The seventh player, Kivuusama Mays, pleaded no contest to the charge.<sup id="cite_ref-57" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-57"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>57<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Virginia_Tech_offense">Virginia Tech offense</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Virginia Tech offense"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>During the regular season, the Hokies averaged 29.3 points per game and scored at least 21 points in 22 consecutive games—a streak dating to the 1995 season.<sup id="cite_ref-guarantee_58-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-guarantee-58"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Virginia Tech's offense was led on the field by quarterback Al Clark, who passed for 1,476 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also ran for 344 yards during the regular season.<sup id="cite_ref-OutHokies_59-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-OutHokies-59"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>59<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> At the beginning of December, however, Clark underwent <a href="/wiki/Arthroscopic_surgery" class="mw-redirect" title="Arthroscopic surgery">arthroscopic surgery</a> on his left knee in order to repair damaged <a href="/wiki/Cartilage" title="Cartilage">cartilage</a> in the joint. Due to the long recovery time involved with the surgery, it was questioned if he would play in the Gator Bowl or if he would be able to play at full strength.<sup id="cite_ref-60" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>60<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Four days prior to the game, Clark's presence at the game was put even more in doubt when he caught the <a href="/wiki/Influenza" title="Influenza">flu</a> and developed a 102-degree fever.<sup id="cite_ref-61" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-61"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>61<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Clark's backup, redshirt freshman quarterback Nick Sorensen, completed 11 of his 21 pass attempts during the season for 140 yards and two touchdowns.<sup id="cite_ref-62" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-62"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>62<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Also injured was Virginia Tech wide receiver Ricky Scales. Scales didn't play for 10 weeks during the regular season because of surgery to an injured <a href="/wiki/Tendon" title="Tendon">tendon</a>. Despite playing in only four games during the season, he finished the regular season as the Hokies' No. 5 receiver, catching 13 passes for 298 yards.<sup id="cite_ref-63" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-63"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>63<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Scales' injury caused the Hokies to be ranked among the worst in the Big East in receiving yardage, averaging less than 180 yards per game through the air.<sup id="cite_ref-64" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-64"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>64<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> As the game moved closer, however, Scales recovered from his injury and appeared near full strength.<sup id="cite_ref-65" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-65"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>65<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Virginia Tech's rushing offense, led by running back <a href="/wiki/Ken_Oxendine" title="Ken Oxendine">Ken Oxendine</a>, led the Big East in rushing yards, averaging 215.3 yards per game.<sup id="cite_ref-rushing_66-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-rushing-66"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>66<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Oxendine entered the Gator Bowl as the No. 5 rusher in Virginia Tech history to that point, and accumulated 904 rushing yards and 13 receptions during his final season as a Hokie.<sup id="cite_ref-67" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-67"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>67<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Oxendine was supported by fullback Marcus Parker, who ran for 363 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season. Parker also found success in the passing game, becoming Tech's leading receiver for the season by catching 20 passes for 212 yards.<sup id="cite_ref-OutHokies_59-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-OutHokies-59"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>59<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> He was the first Virginia Tech runner since 1969 to lead the team in receptions.<sup id="cite_ref-68" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-68"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>68<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Backing up Oxendine was running back Lamont Pegues, a transfer student from Clemson who accumulated 85 carries for 391 yards and five touchdowns.<sup id="cite_ref-69" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-69"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>69<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> All three players were assisted by Virginia Tech's <a href="/wiki/Offensive_line" class="mw-redirect" title="Offensive line">offensive line</a>, which was led by Gennaro DiNapoli. DiNapoli was named to the All-ACC team, but was predicted to face a tough task in stopping North Carolina's top-ranked defense.<sup id="cite_ref-70" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-70"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>70<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="North_Carolina_offense">North Carolina offense</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: North Carolina offense"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>On the field, North Carolina's offense was led by quarterback Chris Keldorf. Keldorf was plagued by injuries during his college career, but still managed to set a North Carolina single-game passing record when he threw for 415 yards against <a href="/wiki/Texas_Christian_University" title="Texas Christian University">Texas Christian University</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-71" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-71"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>71<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> He replaced original starting quarterback Oscar Davenport, who broke his ankle midway through the regular season. Keldorf finished the season having completed 104 of 181 passes for 1,448 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. With Keldorf and Davenport splitting command during the regular season, North Carolina averaged 27.8 points and 379 yards per game.<sup id="cite_ref-carolinablue_72-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-carolinablue-72"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>72<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The favorite passing target for Keldorf and Davenport was wide receiver <a href="/wiki/Na_Brown" title="Na Brown">Na Brown</a>, who set a school record by catching 55 passes during the regular season.<sup id="cite_ref-carolinablue_72-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-carolinablue-72"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>72<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Overall, North Carolina's offense averaged 262 passing yards per game during the season.<sup id="cite_ref-73" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-73"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>73<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>On the ground, North Carolina's rushing game was led by running back Johnathan Linton, who finished the season with 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns.<sup id="cite_ref-carolinablue_72-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-carolinablue-72"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>72<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> He was the 24th player in North Carolina history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season and against Georgia Tech became the first Tar Heel in school history to rush for more than 100 yards and have more than 100 yards receiving in the same game.<sup id="cite_ref-74" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-74"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>74<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In a practice just before the game, however, Linton strained a ligament in his right knee, putting his presence at the game in doubt.<sup id="cite_ref-GatorBriefs_75-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-GatorBriefs-75"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>75<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Linton's backup was Mike Geter, who played in 11 games this year and had 55 rushes for 245 yds and 5 receptions for 20yds. Geter was the team's 2nd Leading Rusher behind Linton<sup id="cite_ref-76" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-76"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>76<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> North Carolina fullback Deon Dyer, who rushed 25 times for 90 yards during the regular season, was not expected to play in the Gator Bowl due to a fractured <a href="/wiki/Fibula" title="Fibula">fibula</a> suffered in the Tar Heels' 10th game of the season.<sup id="cite_ref-77" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-77"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>77<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Virginia_Tech_defense">Virginia Tech defense</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: Virginia Tech defense"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The Hokies' defense, which appeared strong in the first games of the season, faltered in later games, allowing 129 points in its final five games. During the entire season, the Hokies allowed only 185 points.<sup id="cite_ref-78" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-78"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>78<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> One of the stars of the Virginia Tech defense was defensive tackle Nat Williams, who had a team-best 8.5 tackles for loss amid 52 total tackles.<sup id="cite_ref-79" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-79"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>79<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Linebacker Steve Tate was the team's leader in tackles, recording 104.<sup id="cite_ref-80" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-80"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>80<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Former <a href="/wiki/Walk-on_(sport_term)" class="mw-redirect" title="Walk-on (sport term)">walk-on</a> defensive tackle Kerwin Hairston was fifth on the team in tackles (69) and tied for third in sacks (3.5) and quarterback hurries (eight).<sup id="cite_ref-81" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-81"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>81<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Starting linebacker <a href="/wiki/Cory_Bird" title="Cory Bird">Cory Bird</a> was predicted to miss the game due to a knee injury.<sup id="cite_ref-GatorBriefs_75-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-GatorBriefs-75"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>75<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Virginia Tech's special teams squad was more highly regarded than its defense. Overall, Virginia Tech was 14th nationally in net punting and 37th in kickoff returns.<sup id="cite_ref-82" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-82"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>82<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Punter Jimmy Kibble was the No. 10 player in the country at his position, averaging 45.1 yards per kick during the regular season.<sup id="cite_ref-83" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-83"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>83<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Because of Virginia Tech's success at blocking kicks—the Hokies blocked seven during the season—North Carolina made a special effort to prepare for Virginia Tech's kick blockers on special teams.<sup id="cite_ref-84" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-84"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>84<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Virginia Tech <a href="/wiki/Placekicker" title="Placekicker">placekicker</a> <a href="/wiki/Shayne_Graham" title="Shayne Graham">Shayne Graham</a> set Big East single-season records for field goals made (19) and points scored by kicking (92) during the season. He was 35 of 36 on extra points and 19 for 23 on field goals, but caught the flu prior to the Gator Bowl.<sup id="cite_ref-85" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-85"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>85<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="North_Carolina_defense">North Carolina defense</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: North Carolina defense"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>North Carolina's defense was among the best in the country during the regular season, finishing the year ranked second in total defense (209.3 yards per game) and fifth in scoring defense (13 points per game).<sup id="cite_ref-86" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-86"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>86<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The Tar Heels also were ranked second in the country in terms of rushing yards, allowing an average of 77.9 rushing yards per game during the regular season.<sup id="cite_ref-rushing_66-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-rushing-66"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>66<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Those statistics were due to the performance of three consensus first-team All-America defenders: defensive end Greg Ellis, linebacker Brian Simmons and cornerback <a href="/wiki/Dr%C3%A9_Bly" title="Dré Bly">Dré Bly</a>. Ellis had 87 tackles during the season (18 for loss) to lead the team in both categories. Another defender, linebacker Kivuusama Mays, was a third-team All-American.<sup id="cite_ref-carolinablue_72-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-carolinablue-72"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>72<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Simmons in particular felt confident enough to guarantee prior to the game that the Tar Heels would win if they held Virginia Tech to 20 points or less. No team had scored more than that total since the 1995 season.<sup id="cite_ref-guarantee_58-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-guarantee-58"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Other North Carolina defensive players also performed well during the season. Defensive tackle <a href="/wiki/Vonnie_Holliday" title="Vonnie Holliday">Vonnie Holliday</a> was named a first-team All-ACC selection after earning 64 tackles—13 for loss. Fellow defensive tackle Russell Davis finished just behind Holliday in total tackles with 60.<sup id="cite_ref-87" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-87"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>87<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The Tar Heels faced a setback on defense when first-team All-ACC defensive back Robert Williams was involved in a car accident that injured his face, neck, and shoulder.<sup id="cite_ref-88" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-88"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>88<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Despite requiring more than 20 stitches, however, Williams recovered from his injuries to play in the game. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Game_summary">Game summary</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: Game summary"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The 53rd edition of the annual Gator Bowl game <a href="/wiki/Kickoff_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Kickoff (American football)">kicked off</a> on January 1, 1998. An estimated 54,116 fans were in attendance at the game, which was held in <a href="/wiki/Jacksonville,_Florida" title="Jacksonville, Florida">Jacksonville</a>'s Alltel Stadium, since renamed <a href="/wiki/Jacksonville_Municipal_Stadium" class="mw-redirect" title="Jacksonville Municipal Stadium">Jacksonville Municipal Stadium</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-89" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-89"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>89<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The game was televised on <a href="/wiki/National_Broadcasting_Company" class="mw-redirect" title="National Broadcasting Company">NBC</a>, and an estimated 5.1 million Americans watched the broadcast, giving the game a <a href="/wiki/Nielsen_ratings" class="mw-redirect" title="Nielsen ratings">television rating</a> of 3.7, 12th highest of the 21 bowl games that season.<sup id="cite_ref-90" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-90"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>90<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/Charlie_Jones_(sportscaster)" title="Charlie Jones (sportscaster)">Charlie Jones</a>, <a href="/wiki/Bob_Trumpy" title="Bob Trumpy">Bob Trumpy</a>, <a href="/wiki/John_Dockery" title="John Dockery">John Dockery</a> were the <a href="/wiki/Sportscaster" class="mw-redirect" title="Sportscaster">sportscasters</a> of the broadcast. During the week prior to the game, the weather had been cold and rainy, with temperatures in the mid-40s and more than two inches of rain.<sup id="cite_ref-91" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-91"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>91<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> At kickoff, the weather was clear, with temperatures near 55 degrees.<sup id="cite_ref-92" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-92"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>92<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> North Carolina won the ceremonial pre-game <a href="/wiki/Coin_flipping" title="Coin flipping">coin toss</a> to determine first possession and elected to play defense to begin the game. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="First_quarter">First quarter</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: First quarter"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The game's opening kickoff was <a href="/wiki/Kickoff_return" class="mw-redirect" title="Kickoff return">returned</a> to the Virginia Tech 22-yard line, and the Hokies ran the first play of the game—a pass from quarterback Al Clark to <a href="/wiki/Fullback_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Fullback (American football)">fullback</a> Marcus Parker. The play went for nine yards, but the Hokies needed two runs by running back Ken Oxendine to pick up the remaining yard and the first down. From the Tech 32-yard line, the Hokies earned one yard on two plays before Clark completed a seven-yard pass to <a href="/wiki/Wide_receiver" title="Wide receiver">wide receiver</a> Angelo Harrison. Still short of the first down, the Hokies were forced to <a href="/wiki/Punt_(gridiron_football)" title="Punt (gridiron football)">punt</a>. The ball rolled out of bounds at the North Carolina 19-yard line, and with 12:16 remaining in the first quarter, North Carolina prepared for its first possession of the game.<sup id="cite_ref-1st_93-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1st-93"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>93<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>On the Tar Heels' first play of the game, running back Jonathan Linton ran up the middle for a three-yard gain. After the gain, Carolina quarterback Chris Keldorf completed a 31-yard pass to tight end <a href="/wiki/Alge_Crumpler" title="Alge Crumpler">Alge Crumpler</a> for a first down at the Virginia Tech 47-yard line. Now inside Virginia Tech territory, Linton ran for a five-yard gain, which was followed by a pass from Keldorf to Linton, who gained 26 yards on the play. Following the catch, North Carolina had a first down at the Virginia Tech 16-yard line. Linton left the field limping slightly, and backup running Mike Geter replaced him, then ran for four yards up the middle. Geter was stopped for no gain on the next play, and a third down pass by Keldorf fell incomplete. North Carolina kicker Josh McGee entered the game to attempt a 29-yard <a href="/wiki/Field_goal_(football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Field goal (football)">field goal</a>, which was good. With 9:15 remaining in the quarter, North Carolina took a 3–0 lead.<sup id="cite_ref-1st_93-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1st-93"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>93<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>North Carolina's post-score kickoff was returned to the Virginia Tech 25-yard line, and the Hokies prepared for their second possession of the game. Parker was stopped for no gain on a run attempt, and another attempt on the next play was stopped for a loss of a yard. Facing third down, Clark attempted to <a href="/wiki/Quarterback_scramble" title="Quarterback scramble">scramble</a> for the first down, but was stopped after a gain of six yards. Having gone <a href="/wiki/Three_and_out" class="mw-redirect" title="Three and out">three and out</a>, the Hokies punted again. The kick was downed at the 36-yard line, and North Carolina's offense returned for its second possession of the game. On the first play of the drive, Linton gained two yards on a run up the middle of the field. On the next play, Keldorf completed a 62-yard pass to Octavus Barnes, who had broken free of the Virginia Tech defense. Barnes sprinted into the <a href="/wiki/End_zone" title="End zone">end zone</a> for a <a href="/wiki/Touchdown" title="Touchdown">touchdown</a>, and after the <a href="/wiki/Extra_point" class="mw-redirect" title="Extra point">extra point</a> kick, North Carolina led 10–0 with 6:07 remaining in the quarter.<sup id="cite_ref-1st_93-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1st-93"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>93<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Following the kickoff by North Carolina and a short return, Virginia Tech took over at its 26-yard line. On Tech's first play, Clark completed a seven-yard pass to Williams. Running back Lamont Pegues then was stopped for a one-yard loss, and Clark's third-down pass attempt fell incomplete. After again going three and out, Tech punted. The kick was returned to the North Carolina 14-yard line, and the Tar Heels began their third possession of the game. The first play of the drive was a pass from Keldorf to Crumpler, who gained 10 yards and a first down. From the Tar Heels' 24-yard line, Linton gained one yard on a short run, then Keldorf threw a 30-yard pass to wide receiver Na Brown. The play gave the Tar Heels a first down at the Tech 44-yard line, and Linton gained four yards with a running play on first down. Two incomplete passes later, North Carolina punted for the first time in the game. The ball rolled into the end zone for a <a href="/wiki/Touchback" title="Touchback">touchback</a>, and the Hokies' offense started at the 20-yard line with 2:49 left in the quarter.<sup id="cite_ref-1st_93-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1st-93"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>93<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>A one-yard rush was followed by a pass to running back Ken Oxendine that lost three yards. Following the negative-yardage play, North Carolina committed a five-yard penalty that gave the Hokies a third down and seven. Despite the extra yardage provided by the penalty, Clark's pass attempt on third down was incomplete and the Hokies again prepared to punt. During the kick, however, North Carolina defender Quinton Savage broke through the Virginia Tech offensive line and blocked the punt by Jimmy Kibble. Tar Heels' defender Dre Bly picked up the loose ball and ran into the end zone for North Carolina's second touchdown of the game. Following the play, North Carolina was penalized 15 yards for excessive celebration and the resulting 35-yard extra point kick was no good. Despite the missed kick, North Carolina extended its lead to 16–0 with 1:03 remaining in the first quarter.<sup id="cite_ref-1st_93-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1st-93"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>93<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Virginia Tech's kick returner slipped during the subsequent kickoff, and the Hokies' offense started at its 13-yard line. Oxendine gained three yards on the first play of the drive, then Clark was <a href="/wiki/Quarterback_sack" title="Quarterback sack">sacked</a> for a nine-yard loss. The sack was the final play of the first quarter, and North Carolina had a 16–0 lead with three quarters still to be played.<sup id="cite_ref-1st_93-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1st-93"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>93<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Second_quarter">Second quarter</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: Second quarter"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The second quarter began with Virginia Tech in possession of the ball and facing a long third down after a quarterback sack on the final play of the first quarter. On the first play of the quarter, Tech quarterback Al Clark was sacked by Brian Simmons, and this time he <a href="/wiki/Fumble" title="Fumble">fumbled</a> the ball. The loose ball was picked up in the end zone by Carolina defender Greg Ellis for the Tar Heels' third touchdown of the game. Because North Carolina missed its extra-point kick following its previous touchdown, Tar Heels' head coach Carl Torbush ordered the team to attempt a <a href="/wiki/Two-point_conversion" title="Two-point conversion">two-point conversion</a> in order to gain the missed extra point from the previous play. A pass attempt by Keldorf fell incomplete, but with just seven seconds elapsed in the second quarter, North Carolina led 22–0.<sup id="cite_ref-2nd_94-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2nd-94"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>94<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The Tar Heels' kickoff was returned to the Hokies' 24-yard line. Clark scrambled for one yard, then completed a five-yard pass. Facing third down and four, Clark scrambled for a first down at the Tech 38-yard line. Following the first down, Parker gained two yards on a running play. Clark then completed a 10-yard pass to Parker, and the Hokies were aided by a 15-yard personal foul facemask penalty against North Carolina during the play. Following the pass and penalty, Tech entered North Carolina territory for the first time and had a first down at the Tar Heels' 35-yard line. On the first play inside Carolina territory, Clark completed a 35-yard pass to Parker for an apparent touchdown, but the play was negated by a 15-yard penalty against Virginia Tech. From the 50-yard line, Pegues ran for four yards and Clark threw two incomplete passes, forcing a punt. The kick was downed at the Carolina 10-yard line, and the Tar Heels' offense took over with 10:40 remaining before <a href="/wiki/Halftime" class="mw-redirect" title="Halftime">halftime</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-2nd_94-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2nd-94"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>94<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Linton ran for nine yards, then picked up a first down with a five-yard gain on second down. Keldorf completed a 12-yard pass to Barnes for a first down, Linton ran seven yards to the Carolina 43-yard line, then gained another first down with a run to the 50-yard line. From midfield, Keldorf attempted a deep pass on first down, but the ball fell incomplete. On second down, Keldorf completed a four-yard pass to Linton but was sacked on third down by the Virginia Tech defense. The sack forced Carolina to punt for the second time in the game, and the ball rolled out of bounds at the Virginia Tech 11-yard line.<sup id="cite_ref-2nd_94-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2nd-94"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>94<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>From that point, Pegues rushed for 13 yards on the first play of the drive, giving the Hokies a first down at their 24-yard line. Two more rushes by Pegues gained seven yards, then North Carolina committed a five-yard offsides penalty, giving the Hokies a first down at the 36-yard line. Clark threw an incomplete pass, Pegues was tackled for no gain on a running play, then Tech committed a five-yard delay of game penalty. On third down, Clark was sacked for a loss, and Tech punted. The kick was partially blocked, allowing North Carolina to return the ball to the 45-yard line of Virginia Tech. The Tar Heels thus began a drive inside Virginia Tech territory with 3:33 remaining in the first half.<sup id="cite_ref-2nd_94-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2nd-94"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>94<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The first play of the drive was a six-yard run by Linton, and it was followed by an incomplete pass from Keldorf to Crumpler. Crumpler made up for the missed pass on the next play, when he caught a short pass for a first down from Keldorf. Now at the Hokies' 31, Linton ran straight ahead for a two-yard gain. Linton's run was followed by two incomplete passes by Keldorf, but rather than punt, the Tar Heels attempted to try to convert the fourth down. The fourth-down pass fell incomplete, and the Tar Heels <a href="/wiki/Turnover_on_downs" title="Turnover on downs">turned the ball over on downs</a> at the Tech 30-yard line. Clark completed a six-yard pass to Parker, then threw an incomplete pass downfield with less than a minute remaining on the clock. On third down, Clark completed a nine-yard pass to Michael Stuewe for a first down. A first-down pass attempt was batted down by the North Carolina defense, but on second down, Clark completed a pass to Stuewe for a first down at the Tar Heels 40-yard line. After a deep pass went incomplete, Clark was sacked and fumbled the ball for the second time in the first half. The loose ball was picked up by Vonnie Holliday with 13 seconds remaining, and the Tar Heels' offense returned to the field. North Carolina tried a deep pass in an attempt to get into scoring position before the end of the half, but Keldorf was sacked and the Tar Heels <a href="/wiki/Quarterback_kneel" title="Quarterback kneel">kneeled on the football</a> to end the half with a 22–0 lead.<sup id="cite_ref-2nd_94-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2nd-94"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>94<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Third_quarter">Third quarter</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=14" title="Edit section: Third quarter"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Because Virginia Tech began the first half in possession of the football, North Carolina received the ball to begin the second half. The Hokies' kickoff was returned to the 39-yard line, Virginia Tech committed a 15-yard personal foul penalty, and North Carolina began the first possession of the second half at the Virginia Tech 46-yard line. The first play of the half was a short run by Linton, and after two incomplete passes by Keldorf, the Tar Heels prepared to punt. Rather than kick, however, North Carolina faked a punt and had punter Brian Schmitz pass the ball to linebacker Brian Simmons, who normally played defense. Simmons gained 28 yards and a first down on the play, which allowed the Tar Heels to continue their drive. Now at the Hokies' 13-yard line, North Carolina committed a five-yard delay of game penalty. On the next play, Linton made up the lost yardage, gaining six yards and advancing the ball to the Tech 12-yard line. The running play was followed by a pass from Keldorf to Linton for an eight-yard gain. Needing one yard to gain a first down, North Carolina was stopped on third down then attempted to convert the fourth down rather than kick a field goal. Keldorf ran the ball straight ahead and gained the needed yardage, gaining a first down at the three-yard line. Two plays later, Linton ran across the goal line and into the end zone for the Tar Heels' first touchdown of the second half. The extra point kick was partially blocked by the Virginia Tech defense and was no good, but the Tar Heels still extended their lead to 28–0 with 9:43 remaining in the quarter.<sup id="cite_ref-3rd_95-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3rd-95"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>95<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Virginia Tech returned North Carolina's kickoff to their 22-yard line, and the Hokies began their first drive of the second half. Quarterbacking the Hokies was backup quarterback Nick Sorensen, who replaced starter Al Clark. On the drive's first play, running back Ken Oxendine broke free of the North Carolina defense for a 36-yard gain and a first down at the North Carolina 42-yard line. Sorensen scrambled for a two-yard gain, then completed a pass to wide receiver Shawn Scales at the 27-yard line for another first down. A run by Marcus Parker gained one yard, Sorensen was tackled for a two-yard loss, then threw an incomplete pass. Facing fourth down and needing 11 yards, Tech coach Frank Beamer attempted to convert the fourth down rather than punt, and Sorensen scrambled for a first down at the 16-yard line. From there, Oxendine was stopped for a loss of five yards, Sorensen was sacked for a seven-yard loss, and Sorensen completed a short pass to Parker. Beamer elected not to attempt to convert another fourth down and instead sent kicker Shayne Graham into the game to attempt a 40-yard field goal. The kick was good, and with 4:37 remaining in the quarter, Tech cut North Carolina's lead to 28–3.<sup id="cite_ref-3rd_95-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3rd-95"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>95<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The Hokie kickoff rolled into the end zone for a touchback, and North Carolina started its second drive of the half from its 20-yard line. The first play of the drive was a three-yard run, and it was followed by a six-yard pass from Keldorf to Linton. Needing a single yard for a first down, the Tar Heels rushed straight ahead and gained two yards and the first down at the 31-yard line. North Carolina continued to move the ball efficiently: Linton gained two yards on a rushing play, then Keldorf threw a short pass to Linton that gained 37 yards after Linton broke free of the Virginia Tech defense. The play resulted in a first down at the Virginia Tech 31-yard line. There, however, Keldorf was sacked for a three-yard loss. After the sack, Keldorf completed a 21-yard pass to Crumpler for a first down at the 13-yard line. Keldorf then attempted to scramble for a gain, but was stopped for no gain. That play was the final one of the quarter, which ended with North Carolina still in possession of a firm lead, 28–3.<sup id="cite_ref-3rd_95-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3rd-95"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>95<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Fourth_quarter">Fourth quarter</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=15" title="Edit section: Fourth quarter"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The fourth quarter began with North Carolina in possession of the ball and facing a second down and 11 on the Tech 14-yard line. On the first play of the quarter, Keldorf completed a 14-yard pass to Barnes for a touchdown. The extra point was good, and the Tar Heels extended their lead to 35–3 with 14:55 remaining in the game. North Carolina's kickoff was returned to the Tech 34-yard line, and the Hokies' offense began the first full drive of the fourth quarter. Tech's first play of the drive was a trick reverse to Scales, who gained 29 yards and a first down on the trick play. After an incomplete pass by Sorensen from the Carolina 37-yard line, Pegues rushed for four yards, then the Hokies were stopped for no gain on third down. Tech attempted to convert the fourth down, but Sorensen's pass fell incomplete and Virginia Tech turned the ball over on downs with 12:39 remaining.<sup id="cite_ref-4th_96-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4th-96"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>96<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Following the turnover, the Tar Heels had a first down at their 32-yard line. Linton was stopped for no gain on a rushing play, passed for no gain, then completed a nine-yard pass to Brown. Failing to gain the first down, the Tar Heels punted and the ball was returned to the 30-yard line. Oxendine gained two yards on a rush up the right side, then Sorensen ran for one yard on the left side of the field. On third down, Sorensen scrambled for a first down before fumbling the football. The loose ball was picked up by Tech lineman Derek Smith, and the Hokies' drive continued. After a rush for no gain, another running play resulted in a Tech fumble, their second of the drive. Unlike the previous fumble, however, this one was recovered by North Carolina's Russell Davis, and the Tar Heels offense was put into position for another scoring attempt.<sup id="cite_ref-4th_96-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4th-96"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>96<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>After the turnover, North Carolina had a first down at the Tech 34-yard line. Keldorf threw an eight-yard pass to Crumpler, North Carolina, was stopped for a one-yard loss on a running play, then the Tar Heels earned a first down with a four-yard run by Geter. On first down, Keldorf threw an incomplete pass. Second down resulted in a 15-yard gain and a first down on a run by Geter along the left side of the field. Now at the Tech eight-yard line, Geter ran straight ahead for a five-yard gain. Geter was stopped for a two-yard loss on the next play, but North Carolina recovered from the loss with a five-yard pass from Keldorf to Carrick for a touchdown. The extra point kick was blocked, but a penalty against Virginia Tech allowed Carolina kicker Josh McGee another chance at the extra point. The second attempt was successful, and the kick gave the Tar Heels a 42–3 lead with 5:01 remaining in the game.<sup id="cite_ref-4th_96-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4th-96"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>96<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The Hokies returned North Carolina's kickoff to the Tech 35-yard line, and the Hokies began their final possession of the game. Sorensen completed a four-yard pass, then ran for 19 yards and a first down at the North Carolina 42-yard line. A shovel pass by Sorensen gained three yards, but he lost three yards on the next play and was sacked for a six-yard loss on third down. A fourth-down pass was batted down by the Carolina defense, and the Tar Heels' offense returned to the field with 2:41 remaining in the game.<sup id="cite_ref-4th_96-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4th-96"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>96<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Backup quarterback Kevin Carty came onto the field for the Tar Heels, and handed the ball to Dominique Williams, who ran the ball twice for one yard. On third down, he broke free of the Virginia Tech defense and gained 20 yards and a first down at the Tech 33-yard line. Two more rushes gained three yards and ran the remaining time off the game clock. Time expired, and North Carolina won the 1998 Gator Bowl, 42–3.<sup id="cite_ref-4th_96-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4th-96"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>96<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Statistical_summary">Statistical summary</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=16" title="Edit section: Statistical summary"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; float: right;"> <table class="wikitable"> <caption><b>Statistical Comparison</b><sup id="cite_ref-USA_Today_box_score_97-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-USA_Today_box_score-97"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>97<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </caption> <tbody><tr> <th></th> <th>VT</th> <th>UNC </th></tr> <tr> <td><b>1st downs</b></td> <td>14</td> <td>18 </td></tr> <tr> <td><b>Total yards</b></td> <td>185</td> <td>427 </td></tr> <tr> <td><b>Passing yards</b></td> <td>90</td> <td>318 </td></tr> <tr> <td><b>Rushing yards</b></td> <td>95</td> <td>109 </td></tr> <tr> <td><b>Penalties</b></td> <td>6–38.8</td> <td>3–40.3 </td></tr> <tr> <td><b>Punts</b></td> <td>3–11</td> <td>6–17 </td></tr> <tr> <td><b>Turnovers</b></td> <td>3</td> <td>0 </td></tr> <tr> <td><b>Time of possession</b></td> <td>30:29</td> <td>29:31 </td></tr></tbody></table> </div> <p>In recognition of their performances during the game, North Carolina quarterback Chris Keldorf was named the most valuable player of the winning team,<sup id="cite_ref-98" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-98"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>98<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and Virginia Tech backup quarterback Nick Sorensen was named the most valuable player of the losing team.<sup id="cite_ref-99" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-99"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>99<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Keldorf finished the game having completed 12 of his 28 pass attempts for 290 yards. On the opposite side of the ball, Sorensen completed four of eight passes for 24 yards and carried the ball 10 times on the ground for a total of 19 yards. Al Clark, the quarterback whom Sorensen replaced, finished the game having completed nine of 17 pass attempts for 66 yards.<sup id="cite_ref-Gator_Bowl_box_100-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Gator_Bowl_box-100"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>100<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>North Carolina's receivers benefited from Keldorf's passing proficiency. Octavus Barnes caught three passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns, while Alge Crumpler caught five passes for 77 yards. Virginia Tech's leading receiver was Parker, who caught four passes for just 32 yards. On the ground, North Carolina's Linton carried the ball 20 times for 68 yards and a touchdown. He also was the game's second-leading receiver in terms of yardage, catching six passes for 81 yards. The Tar Heels' Geter was second on the team in rushing, accumulating 25 yards on seven carries. For Virginia Tech, running back Ken Oxendine led all Hokie rushers with 39 yards on 10 carries.<sup id="cite_ref-Gator_Bowl_box_100-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Gator_Bowl_box-100"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>100<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Barnes' 62-yard touchdown reception from Keldorf was the sixth-longest scoring play in Gator Bowl history at the time of the game.<sup id="cite_ref-101" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-101"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>101<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div style="clear:both;" class=""></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Postgame_effects">Postgame effects</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=17" title="Edit section: Postgame effects"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Virginia Tech's loss dropped it to a final 1997 record of 7–5, while North Carolina's win raised it to a final record of 11–1. The Tar Heels also rose in the final college football polls of the season, finishing in fourth place in the Coaches' Poll and sixth in the Associated Press media poll.<sup id="cite_ref-102" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-102"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>102<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Virginia Tech's defeat was its worst loss since a 45–0 shutout by <a href="/wiki/Tulane_University" title="Tulane University">Tulane</a> in 1983.<sup id="cite_ref-103" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-103"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>103<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Jacksonville businesses and hotels benefited from the influx of out-of-town guests. At least 25,000 fans arrived from outside of the Jacksonville area, injecting an estimated $30 million extra into the city's economy.<sup id="cite_ref-104" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-104"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>104<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Many fans praised the stadium, facilities, and attractions available for visitors.<sup id="cite_ref-105" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-105"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>105<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> NBC's television coverage of the game was not given as high marks, however, and at least one commentator called the broadcast "sloppy" and "routine".<sup id="cite_ref-106" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-106"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>106<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Though they were concerned by low attendance at the game,<sup id="cite_ref-107" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-107"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>107<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Gator Bowl officials were able to renegotiate a sponsorship agreement with <a href="/wiki/Toyota_Motor_Company" class="mw-redirect" title="Toyota Motor Company">Toyota Motor Company</a> after the game's previous contract expired following the game. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Coaching_changes">Coaching changes</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=18" title="Edit section: Coaching changes"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Though North Carolina head coach Carl Torbush was confirmed in his position prior to the Gator Bowl, several assistant coaching positions were not filled at the school until after the game. On January 11, Torbush hired then-<a href="/wiki/Texas_A%26M_Aggies_football" title="Texas A&M Aggies football">Texas A&M</a> running backs coach Ken Rucker to fill the new position of special-teams coach.<sup id="cite_ref-108" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-108"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>108<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> To fill Torbush's former job as offensive coordinator, he hired Texas A&M offensive coordinator Steve Marshall,<sup id="cite_ref-109" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-109"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>109<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> who filled the position until 1999.<sup id="cite_ref-110" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-110"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>110<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="NFL_draft">NFL draft</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=19" title="Edit section: NFL draft"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In the weeks following the game, several players from each team announced their intentions to enter the <a href="/wiki/1998_NFL_draft" title="1998 NFL draft">1998 NFL draft</a>. North Carolina defender Dre Bly was among a handful of eligible players (the <a href="/wiki/National_Football_League" title="National Football League">National Football League</a> requires a player to be at least three years out of <a href="/wiki/High_school" class="mw-redirect" title="High school">high school</a>) who declined to enter the draft, instead choosing to return to school for another year.<sup id="cite_ref-111" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-111"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>111<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> North Carolina had seven players taken in the draft, three of whom were selected in the first round: Greg Ellis was taken with the eighth pick, Brian Simmons with the 17th pick, and Vonnie Holliday with the 19th pick. The four remaining selections were Omar Brown (103rd overall), Kivuusama Mays (110th), Robert Williams (128th), and Jonathan Linton (131st).<sup id="cite_ref-112" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-112"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>112<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Virginia Tech had no players taken in the first round during the 1998 draft, but four players were taken in later rounds: Todd Washington (104th overall), Gennaro DiNapoli (109th), Ken Oxendine (201st), and Marcus Parker (202nd).<sup id="cite_ref-113" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-113"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>113<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Notes">Notes</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=1998_Gator_Bowl&action=edit&section=20" title="Edit section: Notes"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist reflist-columns references-column-width reflist-columns-3"> <ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">The Gator Bowl. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.gatorbowl.com/media_history_yby.html">"Year-by-Year results"</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20091218080418/http://gatorbowl.com/media_history_yby.html">Archived</a> 2009-12-18 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>, Gatorbowl.com. Accessed January 10, 2009.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Hickman, Dave. "Bowl picture unclear for WVU", <i>The Charleston (W.V.) Gazette</i>. December 1, 1997. Page D1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Cherry, Mike. "Pastilong's best guess is Gator", <i>The Charleston (WV) Daily Mail</i>. December 2, 1997. Page B1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-bowl_posturing-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-bowl_posturing_4-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Fairbank, Dave. "Posturing for bowls under way", <i>The (Newport News) Daily Press</i>. December 1, 1997. Page D1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-5">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">The Associated Press. "Now Irish fans are waiting", The St. Petersburg Times. December 1, 1997. Page C5.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-6">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Johnson, Dave. "Bowls make their picks – Tech faces UNC; Cavaliers left out", <i>The (Newport News) Daily Press</i>. December 8, 1997.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-7"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-7">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Hickman, Dave. "Gator Bowl looks like West Virginia vs. UNC", <i>The Charleston (W.V.) Gazette</i>. December 6, 1997. Page B4.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-8">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Tech to face North Carolina on January 1 in Gator Bowl", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. December 8, 1997. Page B1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-9">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Virginia Tech Athletics Communications Department. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.hokiesports.com/football/pastschedules.html?season=1996">"Virginia Tech Past football schedules: 1996-1997", Hokiesports.com</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20081202035237/http://www.hokiesports.com/football/pastschedules.html?season=1996">Archived</a> 2008-12-02 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>. Accessed January 16, 2009.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-10"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-10">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Staff report. "Tech Report", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. August 31, 1997. Page B6.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-11"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-11">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Hokies beat Orange to a pulp", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. September 14, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-12"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-12">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Hokies escape from Temple of doom", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. September 21, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-13"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-13">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Hokies get their money's worth", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. September 28, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-14"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-14">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Nightmare interrupts Hokies' dream season", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. October 5, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-15"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-15">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Hokies get feet back on ground", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. October 12, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-16"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-16">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Hokies get an 'Eer-ful", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. October 26, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-17"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-17">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Hokies smother Blazers", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. November 2, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-18"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-18">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Hokies turn back Miami at the pass", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. November 9, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-19"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-19">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Hokies have a fit with Pitt", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. November 23, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-20"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-20">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Doughty, Doug. "Saving the best for last", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. November 30, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-21"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-21">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Virginia Tech Athletics Communications Department. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.hokiesports.com/football/pastschedules.html?season=1997">"Virginia Tech Past football schedules: 1997-1998", Hokiesports.com</a>. Accessed January 16, 2009.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-22"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-22">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Staff report. "Latest line", <i>The Charleston (WV) Gazette</i>. December 9, 1997. Page B2.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-23"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-23">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Friedlander, Brett. "Holtz and Pony give Alliance two thumbs down", <i>The Fayetteville Observer</i>. December 14, 1997. Page Sports 1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-24"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-24">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Virginia Tech Athletics Communications Department. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.hokiesports.com/football/opponents.html?opponent=North%20Carolina">"Virginia Tech Football opponent database: North Carolina", Hokiesports.com</a>. Accessed January 19, 2009.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-25"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-25">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Staff reports. "Tech sells 5,000 tickets for Gator", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. December 9, 1997. Page C7.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-26"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-26">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Staff Reports. "Tech AD asks fans to buy tickets", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. December 17, 1997. Page B8.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-27"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-27">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Bogaczyk, Jack. "AD says shortfall is worth it", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. December 31, 1997. Page B8.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-outsidetix-28"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-outsidetix_28-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-outsidetix_28-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">Smits, Garry. "Gator Bowl tickets selling in Carolina", <i>The Jacksonville Times-Union</i>. December 18, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-29"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-29">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Staff report. "ACC football schedules, season schedules", <i>The (Wilmington, N.C.) Star-News</i>. August 31, 1997. Page C11.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-30"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-30">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Boaz, Mike. "UNC counting on its defense", The (Wilmington, N.C.) Star-News. August 31, 1997. Page C10.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-31"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-31">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Staff reports. "Tar Heels set their sights high", <i>The Washington Post</i>. September 2, 1997. Page D2.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-32"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-32">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Mehrtens, Cliff. "UNC's defense compensates for struggling Keldorf in win", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. September 7, 1997. Page H1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-33"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-33">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Landreth, Eddy. "Furious finishes", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. September 14, 1997. Page D1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-34"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-34">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Green, Ron. "Tar Heels thump Terrapins", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. September 21, 1997. Page C14.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-35"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-35">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Green, Ron. "Haunting memory eased on day of redemption", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. September 28, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-36"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-36">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Landreth, Eddy. "Keldorf gets a win, record", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. October 5, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-37"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-37">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Olson, Stan. "Heels snuff Deacons", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. October 12, 1997. Page H1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-38"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-38">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Green, Ron. "Heels boot Pack", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. October 19, 1997. Page H1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-39"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-39">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Green, Ron. "Heels duck wreck at Tech, set sights on Seminoles", The Charlotte Observer. October 31, 1997. Page B1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-40"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-40">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Green, Ron. "Rush buries Heels", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. November 9, 1997. Page C16.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-41"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-41">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Green, Ron. "Ghosts in the Valley", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. November 16, 1997. Page H1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-42"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-42">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Green, Ron. "A bowl statement – UNC blasts Blue Devils", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. November 23, 1997. Page H12.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-43"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-43">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">North Carolina Athletics Department. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/100198aac.html">"UNC Wins 11 Games in 1997", Tarheelblue.cstv.com</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20081209050250/http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/100198aac.html">Archived</a> 2008-12-09 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>. Accessed January 17, 2009.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-44"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-44">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Smits, Garry. "Gator well-positioned", <i>The Jacksonville Times-Union</i>. December 28, 1997. Page D1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-45"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-45">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Alexander, Chip. "Brown offered Texas job", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. December 4, 1997. Page A1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-46"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-46">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Alexander, Chip. "Texas feels right to Brown", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. December 5, 1997. Page A1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-47"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-47">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Stevens, Tim. "Davis, Torbush get strong backing", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. December 6, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-48"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-48">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Batten, Sammy. "Donnan rejects offer", <i>The Fayetteville Observer</i>. December 8, 1997. Page Sports 1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-49"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-49">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">The Associated Press. "Players speak: Torbush named head coach", <i>The Miami Herald</i>. December 9, 1997. Page D4.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-50"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-50">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Elling, Steve. "Heels' Davis to join Brown in Texas", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. December 9, 1997. Page C4.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-51"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-51">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Green, Ron Jr. "Torbush: I am the choice to lead 'Heels", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. December 9, 1997. Page B1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-52"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-52">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Elling, Steve and Nelson, Todd. "Seven UNC football players charged with assault in melee outside club", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. December 16, 1997. Page A1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-53"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-53">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Doyel, Gregg. "Mays among Tar Heels charged with assault", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. December 17, 1997. Page B1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-54"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-54">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Elling, Steve. "UNC clears 6 for bowl", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. December 20, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-55"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-55">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Tudor, Caulton. "Sheridan's rules? Not at UNC", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. December 23, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-56"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-56">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Nelson, Todd. "3 players sentenced, 2 cleared in assault", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. May 2, 1998. Page B1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-57"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-57">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Robiglio, Deborah. "Former UNC player pleads no contest to assault", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. May 19, 1998. Page B4.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-guarantee-58"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-guarantee_58-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-guarantee_58-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Simmons issues guarantee – with a catch", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. December 28, 1997. Page C11.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-OutHokies-59"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-OutHokies_59-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-OutHokies_59-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">Staff Reports. "Hokies honor outstanding performers", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. December 21, 1997. Page C9.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-60"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-60">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Clark to have surgery," <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. December 1, 1997. Page B1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-61"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-61">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Hokies wait for signal on QB", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. December 28, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-62"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-62">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">White, Jeff. "Gator Bowl not hot ticket for Tech fans", <i>The Richmond Times-Dispatch</i>. December 25, 1997. Page C5.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-63"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-63">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Hokies hope Scales can pull his weight", The Roanoke Times. December 16, 1997. Page C5.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-64"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-64">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Fairbank, Dave. "Two key injured Hokies are on the mend", <i>The (Newport News) Daily Press</i>. December 16, 1997. Page D4.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-65"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-65">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Minium, Harry. "Virginia Tech report", <i>The Virginian-Pilot</i>. December 25, 1997. 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Page D2.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-GatorBriefs-75"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-GatorBriefs_75-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-GatorBriefs_75-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">Fairbank, Dave. "Gator Bowl brief: Clark to start, says he's 100 percent", <i>The (Newport News) Daily Press</i>. December 31, 1997. Page B4.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-76"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-76">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Cole, Bill. "Tar Heels' runner could miss Gator Bowl with knee injury", <i>The Winston-Salem Journal</i>. December 31, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-77"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-77">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Minium, Harry. "Virginia Tech Report", <i>The Virginian-Pilot</i>. December 17, 1997. Page C6.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-78"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-78">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Smits, Garry. "Virginia Tech aims to shore up defense", <i>The Jacksonville Times-Union</i>. December 26, 1997. Page C8.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-79"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-79">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Morgan, Marlon W. "Hokies lineman likes second home", <i>The Jacksonville Times-Union</i>. December 29, 1997. Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-80"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-80">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Fairbank, Dave. "Tech linebacker takes final walk", <i>The (Newport News) Daily Press</i>. December 31, 1997. Page B1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-81"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-81">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">King, Randy. "Unexpected success", <i>The Roanoke Times</i>. December 30, 1997. Page B5.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-82"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-82">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Elling, Steve. "Hokies' clear edge: special-teams play", The Charlotte Observer. December 31, 1997. Page C3.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-83"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-83">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Parks, Brad. "Instead of walking away, OP's Kibble decides to punt", The Washington Post. December 28, 1997. Page V8.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-84"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-84">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Smits, Garry. "Blocked punts worry North Carolina staff", <i>The Jacksonville Times-Union</i>. December 29, 1997. Page C4.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-85"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-85">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">White, Jeff. "Graham toeing line for Tech", <i>The Richmond Times-Dispatch</i>. December 31, 1997. Page E1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-86"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-86">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">White, Jeff. "Swamped: Hokies, Heels return to familiar setting", <i>The Richmond Times-Dispatch</i>. December 9, 1997. Page E3.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-87"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-87">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Batten, Sammy. "UNC's Davis bides his time", <i>The Fayetteville Observer</i>. December 30, 1997. Page Sports 1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-88"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-88">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Staff Report. "Shelby car wreck puts Heels' Williams in doubt", The Charlotte Observer. December 29, 1997. Page B7.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-89"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-89">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">The Gator Bowl Association. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.gatorbowl.com/media_history_yby.html">"Year-by-Year results"</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20091218080418/http://gatorbowl.com/media_history_yby.html">Archived</a> 2009-12-18 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>, Gatorbowl.com. Accessed December 21, 2008.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-90"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-90">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">The Associated Press. "Herd bowl game outdraws WVU's", <i>The Charleston (WV) Daily Mail</i>. January 24, 1998. Page B2.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-91"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-91">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Nagy, John. 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January 1, 1998.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-2nd-94"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-2nd_94-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-2nd_94-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-2nd_94-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-2nd_94-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-2nd_94-4"><sup><i><b>e</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">The Gator Bowl. "2nd Quarter Play-by-Play," Virginia Tech Hokies vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Box Score. January 1, 1998.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3rd-95"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-3rd_95-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-3rd_95-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-3rd_95-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">The Gator Bowl. "3rd Quarter Play-by-Play," Virginia Tech Hokies vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Box Score. January 1, 1998.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-4th-96"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-4th_96-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-4th_96-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-4th_96-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-4th_96-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-4th_96-4"><sup><i><b>e</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">The Gator Bowl. "4th Quarter Play-by-Play," Virginia Tech Hokies vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Box Score. January 1, 1998.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-USA_Today_box_score-97"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-USA_Today_box_score_97-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><i>USA Today</i> staff report. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores98/98001/98001305.htm">Virginia Tech vs. North Carolina</a> USAToday.com. January 1, 1998. 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Page C1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-104"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-104">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Daniels, Earl. "Fans fill area hotels, hit stores", The Jacksonville Times-Union. December 31, 1997. Page A1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-105"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-105">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Smits, Garry. "Visiting fans give Gator high marks", <i>The Jacksonville Times-Union</i>. January 2, 1998. Page C4.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-106"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-106">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Lindquist, Jerry. "NBC not too snappy with its Gator Bowl coverage", <i>The Richmond Times-Dispatch</i>. January 5, 1998. Page C5.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-107"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-107">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Frenette, Gene. "Alliance choking life from Gator Bowl", <i>The Jacksonville Times-Union</i>. January 2, 1998. Page C4.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-108"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-108">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Elling, Steve. "UNC gets football assistant", <i>The Charlotte Observer</i>. January 12, 1998. Page D2.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-109"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-109">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Batten, Sammy. "UNC search for offensive chief at end", <i>The Fayetteville Observer</i>. January 24, 1998. Page Sports 1.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-110"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-110">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">The Cleveland Browns. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/coaches_detail.php?id=51">"Steve Marshall", clevelandbrowns.com.</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080902055753/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/coaches_detail.php?id=51">Archived</a> 2008-09-02 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a> Accessed January 13, 2009.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-111"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-111">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Staff Reports. "Gator Bowl Extra Points", <i>The Jacksonville Times-Union</i>. January 2, 1998. Page C4.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-112"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-112">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">The National Football League. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?abbr=N&collegeName=North+Carolina&abbrFlag=0&type=school">"North Carolina Draft History", NFL.com.</a> Accessed January 13, 2009.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-113"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-113">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">The National Football League. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?abbr=N&collegeName=Virginia+Tech&abbrFlag=0&type=school">"Virginia Tech Draft History", NFL.com.</a> Accessed January 13, 2009.</span> </li> </ol></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1129693374">.mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist 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.navbar-brackets::after{margin-left:-0.125em;content:" ]"}.mw-parser-output .navbar li{word-spacing:-0.125em}.mw-parser-output .navbar a>span,.mw-parser-output .navbar a>abbr{text-decoration:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-mini abbr{font-variant:small-caps;border-bottom:none;text-decoration:none;cursor:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-full{font-size:114%;margin:0 7em}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-mini{font-size:114%;margin:0 4em}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}}@media print{.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:none!important}}</style><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:1997_bowl_game_navbox" title="Template:1997 bowl game navbox"><abbr title="View this template" style="color:#000000">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:1997_bowl_game_navbox" title="Template talk:1997 bowl game navbox"><abbr title="Discuss this template" style="color:#000000">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:1997_bowl_game_navbox" title="Special:EditPage/Template:1997 bowl game navbox"><abbr title="Edit this template" style="color:#000000">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="1997–98_NCAA_football_bowl_game_season" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/1997%E2%80%9398_NCAA_football_bowl_games" title="1997–98 NCAA football bowl games"><span class="tmp-color" style="color:white">1997–98 NCAA football bowl game season</span></a></div></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1997_Las_Vegas_Bowl" title="1997 Las Vegas Bowl">Las Vegas</a> (Dec. 20)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1997_Aloha_Bowl" title="1997 Aloha Bowl">Aloha</a> (Dec. 25)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1997_Motor_City_Bowl" title="1997 Motor City Bowl">Motor City</a> (Dec. 26)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1997_Insight.com_Bowl" title="1997 Insight.com Bowl">Insight.com</a> (Dec. 27)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1997_Independence_Bowl" title="1997 Independence Bowl">Independence</a> (Dec. 28)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1997_Carquest_Bowl" title="1997 Carquest Bowl">Carquest</a> (Dec. 29)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1997_Holiday_Bowl" title="1997 Holiday Bowl">Holiday</a> (Dec. 29)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1997_Humanitarian_Bowl" title="1997 Humanitarian Bowl">Humanitarian</a> (Dec. 29)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1997_Alamo_Bowl" title="1997 Alamo Bowl">Alamo</a> (Dec. 30)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1997_Liberty_Bowl" title="1997 Liberty Bowl">Liberty</a> (Dec. 31)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1997_Sun_Bowl" title="1997 Sun Bowl">Sun</a> (Dec. 31)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1998_Outback_Bowl" title="1998 Outback Bowl">Outback</a> (Jan. 1)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Gator</a> (Jan. 1)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1998_Florida_Citrus_Bowl" title="1998 Florida Citrus Bowl">Citrus</a> (Jan. 1)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1998_Cotton_Bowl_Classic" title="1998 Cotton Bowl Classic">Cotton</a> (Jan. 1)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1998_Rose_Bowl" title="1998 Rose Bowl">Rose</a> (Jan. 1)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1998_Peach_Bowl_(January)" title="1998 Peach Bowl (January)">Peach</a> (Jan. 2)</span></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><span class="nowrap"><b><a href="/wiki/Bowl_Alliance" title="Bowl Alliance">Bowl Alliance</a> games:</b> <a href="/wiki/1997_Fiesta_Bowl_(December)" title="1997 Fiesta Bowl (December)">Fiesta</a> (Dec. 31)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1998_Sugar_Bowl" title="1998 Sugar Bowl">Sugar</a> (Jan. 1)</span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/1998_Orange_Bowl" title="1998 Orange Bowl">Orange</a> (Jan. 2)</span></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239334494"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="Gator_Bowl" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2" style="background:#2a3439; color:#FFFFFF; box-shadow: inset 2px 2px 0 #E2223B, inset -2px -2px 0 #E2223B;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Gator_Bowl_navbox" title="Template:Gator Bowl navbox"><abbr title="View this template" style="color:#FFFFFF">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Gator_Bowl_navbox" title="Template talk:Gator Bowl navbox"><abbr title="Discuss this template" style="color:#FFFFFF">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Gator_Bowl_navbox" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Gator Bowl navbox"><abbr title="Edit this template" style="color:#FFFFFF">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Gator_Bowl" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/Gator_Bowl" title="Gator Bowl"><span class="tmp-color" style="color:#FFFFFF">Gator Bowl</span></a></div></th></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2" style="background:#2a3439; color:#FFFFFF; box-shadow: inset 2px 2px 0 #E2223B, inset -2px -2px 0 #E2223B;"><div>Known as the TaxSlayer Bowl from 2014–2017</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#2a3439; color:#FFFFFF; box-shadow: inset 2px 2px 0 #E2223B, inset -2px -2px 0 #E2223B;;width:1%">History & conference tie-ins</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/TaxSlayer_Bowl#History" class="mw-redirect" title="TaxSlayer Bowl">History</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gator_Bowl_Stadium" title="Gator Bowl Stadium">Gator Bowl Stadium</a> (1946–1993)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ben_Hill_Griffin_Stadium" title="Ben Hill Griffin Stadium">Ben Hill Griffin Stadium</a> (1994)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/EverBank_Stadium" title="EverBank Stadium">EverBank Stadium</a> (1995–present)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Big_Ten_Conference" title="Big Ten Conference">Big Ten Conference</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Southeastern_Conference" title="Southeastern Conference">Southeastern Conference</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#2a3439; color:#FFFFFF; box-shadow: inset 2px 2px 0 #E2223B, inset -2px -2px 0 #E2223B;;width:1%">Games</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/1946_Gator_Bowl" title="1946 Gator Bowl">1946</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1947_Gator_Bowl" title="1947 Gator Bowl">1947</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1948_Gator_Bowl" title="1948 Gator Bowl">1948</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1949_Gator_Bowl" title="1949 Gator Bowl">1949</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1950_Gator_Bowl" title="1950 Gator Bowl">1950</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1951_Gator_Bowl" title="1951 Gator Bowl">1951</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1952_Gator_Bowl" title="1952 Gator Bowl">1952</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1953_Gator_Bowl" title="1953 Gator Bowl">1953</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1954_Gator_Bowl_(January)" title="1954 Gator Bowl (January)">1954 (Jan)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1954_Gator_Bowl_(December)" title="1954 Gator Bowl (December)">1954 (Dec)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1955_Gator_Bowl" title="1955 Gator Bowl">1955</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1956_Gator_Bowl" title="1956 Gator Bowl">1956</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1957_Gator_Bowl" title="1957 Gator Bowl">1957</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1958_Gator_Bowl" title="1958 Gator Bowl">1958</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1960_Gator_Bowl_(January)" title="1960 Gator Bowl (January)">1960 (Jan)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1960_Gator_Bowl_(December)" title="1960 Gator Bowl (December)">1960 (Dec)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1961_Gator_Bowl" title="1961 Gator Bowl">1961</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1962_Gator_Bowl" title="1962 Gator Bowl">1962</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1963_Gator_Bowl" title="1963 Gator Bowl">1963</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1965_Gator_Bowl_(January)" title="1965 Gator Bowl (January)">1965 (Jan)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1965_Gator_Bowl_(December)" title="1965 Gator Bowl (December)">1965 (Dec)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1966_Gator_Bowl" title="1966 Gator Bowl">1966</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1967_Gator_Bowl" title="1967 Gator Bowl">1967</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1968_Gator_Bowl" title="1968 Gator Bowl">1968</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1969_Gator_Bowl" title="1969 Gator Bowl">1969</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1971_Gator_Bowl_(January)" title="1971 Gator Bowl (January)">1971 (Jan)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1971_Gator_Bowl_(December)" title="1971 Gator Bowl (December)">1971 (Dec)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1972_Gator_Bowl" title="1972 Gator Bowl">1972</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1973_Gator_Bowl" title="1973 Gator Bowl">1973</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1974_Gator_Bowl" title="1974 Gator Bowl">1974</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1975_Gator_Bowl" title="1975 Gator Bowl">1975</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1976_Gator_Bowl" title="1976 Gator Bowl">1976</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1977_Gator_Bowl" title="1977 Gator Bowl">1977</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1978_Gator_Bowl" title="1978 Gator Bowl">1978</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1979_Gator_Bowl" title="1979 Gator Bowl">1979</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1980_Gator_Bowl" title="1980 Gator Bowl">1980</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1981_Gator_Bowl" title="1981 Gator Bowl">1981</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1982_Gator_Bowl" title="1982 Gator Bowl">1982</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1983_Gator_Bowl" title="1983 Gator Bowl">1983</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1984_Gator_Bowl" title="1984 Gator Bowl">1984</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1985_Gator_Bowl" title="1985 Gator Bowl">1985</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1986_Gator_Bowl" title="1986 Gator Bowl">1986</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1987_Gator_Bowl" title="1987 Gator Bowl">1987</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1989_Gator_Bowl_(January)" title="1989 Gator Bowl (January)">1989 (Jan)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1989_Gator_Bowl_(December)" title="1989 Gator Bowl (December)">1989 (Dec)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1991_Gator_Bowl_(January)" title="1991 Gator Bowl (January)">1991 (Jan)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1991_Gator_Bowl_(December)" title="1991 Gator Bowl (December)">1991 (Dec)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1992_Gator_Bowl" title="1992 Gator Bowl">1992</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1993_Gator_Bowl" title="1993 Gator Bowl">1993</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1994_Gator_Bowl" title="1994 Gator Bowl">1994</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1996_Gator_Bowl" title="1996 Gator Bowl">1996</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1997_Gator_Bowl" title="1997 Gator Bowl">1997</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">1998</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1999_Gator_Bowl" title="1999 Gator Bowl">1999</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2000_Gator_Bowl" title="2000 Gator Bowl">2000</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2001_Gator_Bowl" title="2001 Gator Bowl">2001</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2002_Gator_Bowl" title="2002 Gator Bowl">2002</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2003_Gator_Bowl" title="2003 Gator Bowl">2003</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2004_Gator_Bowl" title="2004 Gator Bowl">2004</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2005_Gator_Bowl" title="2005 Gator Bowl">2005</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2006_Gator_Bowl" title="2006 Gator Bowl">2006</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2007_Gator_Bowl" title="2007 Gator Bowl">2007</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2008_Gator_Bowl" title="2008 Gator Bowl">2008</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2009_Gator_Bowl" title="2009 Gator Bowl">2009</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2010_Gator_Bowl" title="2010 Gator Bowl">2010</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2011_Gator_Bowl" title="2011 Gator Bowl">2011</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2012_Gator_Bowl" title="2012 Gator Bowl">2012</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2013_Gator_Bowl" title="2013 Gator Bowl">2013</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2014_Gator_Bowl" title="2014 Gator Bowl">2014</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2015_TaxSlayer_Bowl" title="2015 TaxSlayer Bowl">2015</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2016_TaxSlayer_Bowl_(January)" title="2016 TaxSlayer Bowl (January)">2016 (Jan)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2016_TaxSlayer_Bowl_(December)" title="2016 TaxSlayer Bowl (December)">2016 (Dec)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2017_TaxSlayer_Bowl" title="2017 TaxSlayer Bowl">2017</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2018_Gator_Bowl" title="2018 Gator Bowl">2018</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2020_Gator_Bowl" title="2020 Gator Bowl">2020</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2021_Gator_Bowl_(January)" title="2021 Gator Bowl (January)">2021 (Jan)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2021_Gator_Bowl_(December)" title="2021 Gator Bowl (December)">2021 (Dec)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2022_Gator_Bowl" title="2022 Gator Bowl">2022</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2023_Gator_Bowl" title="2023 Gator Bowl">2023</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2025_Gator_Bowl" title="2025 Gator Bowl">2025 (Jan)</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#2a3439; color:#FFFFFF; box-shadow: inset 2px 2px 0 #E2223B, inset -2px -2px 0 #E2223B;;width:1%">Notes</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li>There was a Gator Bowl in January and December in 1954, 1960, 1965, 1971, 1989, 1991, 2016, and 2021.</li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239334494"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="Virginia_Tech_Hokies_bowl_games" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2" style="background-color:#861F41;color:#FFFFFF;box-shadow: inset 2px 2px 0 #E87722, inset -2px -2px 0 #E87722;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Virginia_Tech_Hokies_bowl_game_navbox" title="Template:Virginia Tech Hokies bowl game navbox"><abbr title="View this template" style="color:#FFFFFF">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Virginia_Tech_Hokies_bowl_game_navbox" title="Template talk:Virginia Tech Hokies bowl game navbox"><abbr title="Discuss this template" style="color:#FFFFFF">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Virginia_Tech_Hokies_bowl_game_navbox" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Virginia Tech Hokies bowl game navbox"><abbr title="Edit this template" style="color:#FFFFFF">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Virginia_Tech_Hokies_bowl_games" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/List_of_Virginia_Tech_Hokies_bowl_games" title="List of Virginia Tech Hokies bowl games"><span class="tmp-color" style="color:#FFFFFF">Virginia Tech Hokies bowl games</span></a></div></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/1947_Sun_Bowl" title="1947 Sun Bowl">1947 Sun Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1966_Liberty_Bowl" title="1966 Liberty Bowl">1966 Liberty Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1968_Liberty_Bowl" title="1968 Liberty Bowl">1968 Liberty Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1981_Peach_Bowl_(January)" title="1981 Peach Bowl (January)">1981 Peach Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1984_Independence_Bowl" title="1984 Independence Bowl">1984 Independence Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1986_Peach_Bowl" title="1986 Peach Bowl">1986 Peach Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1993_Independence_Bowl" title="1993 Independence Bowl">1993 Independence Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1994_Gator_Bowl" title="1994 Gator Bowl">1994 Gator Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1995_Sugar_Bowl_(December)" title="1995 Sugar Bowl (December)">1995 Sugar Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1996_Orange_Bowl_(December)" title="1996 Orange Bowl (December)">1996 Orange Bowl</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">1998 Gator Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1998_Music_City_Bowl" title="1998 Music City Bowl">1998 Music City Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2000_Sugar_Bowl" title="2000 Sugar Bowl">2000 Sugar Bowl</a> <b>#</b></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2001_Gator_Bowl" title="2001 Gator Bowl">2001 Gator Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2002_Gator_Bowl" title="2002 Gator Bowl">2002 Gator Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2002_San_Francisco_Bowl" title="2002 San Francisco Bowl">2002 San Francisco Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2003_Insight_Bowl" title="2003 Insight Bowl">2003 Insight Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2005_Sugar_Bowl" title="2005 Sugar Bowl">2005 Sugar Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2006_Gator_Bowl" title="2006 Gator Bowl">2006 Gator Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2006_Chick-fil-A_Bowl" title="2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl">2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2008_Orange_Bowl" title="2008 Orange Bowl">2008 Orange Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2009_Orange_Bowl" title="2009 Orange Bowl">2009 Orange Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2009_Chick-fil-A_Bowl" title="2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl">2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2011_Orange_Bowl" title="2011 Orange Bowl">2011 Orange Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2012_Sugar_Bowl" title="2012 Sugar Bowl">2012 Sugar Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2012_Russell_Athletic_Bowl" title="2012 Russell Athletic Bowl">2012 Russell Athletic Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2013_Sun_Bowl" title="2013 Sun Bowl">2013 Sun Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2014_Military_Bowl" title="2014 Military Bowl">2014 Military Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2015_Independence_Bowl" title="2015 Independence Bowl">2015 Independence Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2016_Belk_Bowl" title="2016 Belk Bowl">2016 Belk Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2017_Camping_World_Bowl" title="2017 Camping World Bowl">2017 Camping World Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2018_Military_Bowl" title="2018 Military Bowl">2018 Military Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2019_Belk_Bowl" title="2019 Belk Bowl">2019 Belk Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2021_Pinstripe_Bowl" title="2021 Pinstripe Bowl">2021 Pinstripe Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2023_Military_Bowl" title="2023 Military Bowl">2023 Military Bowl</a></li></ul> <p><i>Pound sign (#) denotes national championship game.</i> </p> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_bowl_games" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2" style="background-color:#7BAFD4;color:black;box-shadow: inset 2px 2px 0 #13294B, inset -2px -2px 0 #13294B;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_bowl_game_navbox" title="Template:North Carolina Tar Heels bowl game navbox"><abbr title="View this template" style="color:black">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_bowl_game_navbox" title="Template talk:North Carolina Tar Heels bowl game navbox"><abbr title="Discuss this template" style="color:black">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_bowl_game_navbox" title="Special:EditPage/Template:North Carolina Tar Heels bowl game navbox"><abbr title="Edit this template" style="color:black">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_bowl_games" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/List_of_North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_bowl_games" title="List of North Carolina Tar Heels bowl games"><span style="color:black">North Carolina Tar Heels bowl games</span></a></div></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/1947_Sugar_Bowl" title="1947 Sugar Bowl">1947 Sugar Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1949_Sugar_Bowl" title="1949 Sugar Bowl">1949 Sugar Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1950_Cotton_Bowl_Classic" title="1950 Cotton Bowl Classic">1950 Cotton Bowl Classic</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1963_Gator_Bowl" title="1963 Gator Bowl">1963 Gator Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1970_Peach_Bowl" title="1970 Peach Bowl">1970 Peach Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1971_Gator_Bowl_(December)" title="1971 Gator Bowl (December)">1971 Gator Bowl (December)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1972_Sun_Bowl" title="1972 Sun Bowl">1972 Sun Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1974_Sun_Bowl" title="1974 Sun Bowl">1974 Sun Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1976_Peach_Bowl" title="1976 Peach Bowl">1976 Peach Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1977_Liberty_Bowl" title="1977 Liberty Bowl">1977 Liberty Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1979_Gator_Bowl" title="1979 Gator Bowl">1979 Gator Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1980_Astro-Bluebonnet_Bowl" title="1980 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl">1980 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1981_Gator_Bowl" title="1981 Gator Bowl">1981 Gator Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1982_Sun_Bowl" title="1982 Sun Bowl">1982 Sun Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1983_Peach_Bowl" title="1983 Peach Bowl">1983 Peach Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1986_Aloha_Bowl" title="1986 Aloha Bowl">1986 Aloha Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1993_Peach_Bowl_(January)" title="1993 Peach Bowl (January)">1993 Peach Bowl (January)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1993_Gator_Bowl" title="1993 Gator Bowl">1993 Gator Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1994_Sun_Bowl" title="1994 Sun Bowl">1994 Sun Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1995_Carquest_Bowl_(December)" title="1995 Carquest Bowl (December)">1995 Carquest Bowl (December)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1997_Gator_Bowl" title="1997 Gator Bowl">1997 Gator Bowl</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">1998 Gator Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/1998_Las_Vegas_Bowl" title="1998 Las Vegas Bowl">1998 Las Vegas Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2001_Peach_Bowl" title="2001 Peach Bowl">2001 Peach Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2004_Continental_Tire_Bowl" title="2004 Continental Tire Bowl">2004 Continental Tire Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2008_Meineke_Car_Care_Bowl" title="2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl">2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2009_Meineke_Car_Care_Bowl" title="2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl">2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2010_Music_City_Bowl" title="2010 Music City Bowl">2010 Music City Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2011_Independence_Bowl" title="2011 Independence Bowl">2011 Independence Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2013_Belk_Bowl" title="2013 Belk Bowl">2013 Belk Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2014_Quick_Lane_Bowl" title="2014 Quick Lane Bowl">2014 Quick Lane Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2015_Russell_Athletic_Bowl" title="2015 Russell Athletic Bowl">2015 Russell Athletic Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2016_Sun_Bowl" title="2016 Sun Bowl">2016 Sun Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2019_Military_Bowl" title="2019 Military Bowl">2019 Military Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2021_Orange_Bowl_(January)" title="2021 Orange Bowl (January)">2021 Orange Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2021_Duke%27s_Mayo_Bowl" title="2021 Duke's Mayo Bowl">2021 Duke's Mayo Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2022_Holiday_Bowl" title="2022 Holiday Bowl">2022 Holiday Bowl</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/2023_Duke%27s_Mayo_Bowl" title="2023 Duke's Mayo Bowl">2023 Duke's Mayo Bowl</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>    </div><noscript><img src="https://login.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?type=1x1&useformat=desktop" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border: none; position: absolute;"></noscript> <div class="printfooter" data-nosnippet="">Retrieved from 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