The 2014 Gator Bowl was an American

college football College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...

bowl game In North America, a bowl game, or simply bowl, is one of a number of postseason college football games primarily played by NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams. For most of its history, the FBS did not use a playoff tourname ...

that was played on January 1, 2014, at

EverBank Field EverBank Stadium is an American football stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. It is the home facility of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL), and the headquarters of the professional wrestling promotions Al ...

Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville ( ) is the most populous city proper in the U.S. state of Florida, located on the Atlantic coast of North Florida, northeastern Florida. It is the county seat of Duval County, Florida, Duval County, with which the City of Jacksonv ...

. The 69th edition of the

Gator Bowl The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game held in Jacksonville, Florida, usually contested on or around New Year's Day. It has been held continuously since 1946, making it the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first televise ...

, it featured the

Nebraska Cornhuskers The Nebraska Cornhuskers (often abbreviated to Huskers) are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The university is a member of the Big Ten Conference and competes in NCAA Division I, fielding t ...

from the

Big Ten Conference The Big Ten Conference (stylized B1G, formerly the Western Conference and the Big Nine Conference, among others) is a collegiate List of NCAA conferences, athletic conference in the United States. Founded as the Intercollegiate Conference of Fa ...

against the

Georgia Bulldogs The Georgia Bulldogs are the College athletics in the United States, intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I and are members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The offic ...

from the

Southeastern Conference The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is a collegiate List of NCAA conferences, athletic conference whose member institutions are located primarily in the South Central United States, South Central and Southeastern United States. Its 16 members in ...

. The game began at 12:00 noon EST and aired on

ESPN2 ESPN2 is an American multinational pay television network owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communications (which owns the remaining 20%). ESPN2 was initially ...

. It was one of the 2013–14 bowl games that concluded the 2013 FBS football season. The game was sponsored by tax preparation software company

TaxSlayer.com TaxSlayer LLC (formerly known as TaxSlayer.com) is a privately held tax preparation and tax software company based in Augusta, Georgia. The company offers online tax preparation technology for American consumers and tax professionals, allowing th ...

and was officially known as the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl. Nebraska finished their season with a record of 8–4 (5–3 Big Ten), tied for second place in the Big Ten Legends Division. Georgia had a regular season record of 8–4 (5–3 SEC). They finished in third place in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division, and were ranked #22 in the BCS. Nebraska beat Georgia by a score of 24–19. Nebraska wide receiver Quincy Enunwa, who had 4 receptions for 129 yards, including a 99-yard touchdown reception, was named the game's most valuable player.

Teams

The 2014 Gator Bowl marked the third time Nebraska and Georgia have played each other. Georgia won the last meeting 45–31 in the 2013 Capital One Bowl. The series was tied 1–1 coming into the game.Timanus, Eddie
Gator Bowl preview: Georgia vs. Nebraska

USA Today ''USA Today'' (often stylized in all caps) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth in 1980 and launched on September 14, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headq ...

. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.

Nebraska

Nebraska entered the game with an 8–4 (5–3 conference) record. The Cornhuskers began the season ranked #18 in the AP Poll. Nebraska began the season with a 5–1 record, but went 3–3 in the second half of the season to finish third in the Legends Division.Nebraska Cornhuskers Schedule - 2013

ESPN ESPN (an initialism of their original name, which was the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by the Walt Disney Company (80% and operational control) and Hearst Commu ...

. Retrieved 2 January 2014. In addition, senior quarterback

Taylor Martinez Taylor Todd Martinez (born September 15, 1990) is an American former college football quarterback who played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers The Nebraska Cornhuskers (often abbreviated to Huskers) are the intercollegiate athletic teams that re ...

was injured in the season opener, and was limited to only four games in 2013. With Martinez's injury, Tommy Armstrong Jr. and Ron Kellogg III took over quarterback duties.Ching, David
Injuries impacted UGA, Nebraska seasons

. 23 December 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2014. After the Cornhuskers lost to

Iowa Iowa ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the upper Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west; Wisconsin to the northeast, Ill ...

17–38 in the Heroes Game, there was speculation that coach

Bo Pelini Mark Anthony "Bo" Pelini (born December 13, 1967) is a former American football coach and former player. He was most recently the defensive coordinator for the LSU Tigers football, Louisiana State University Tigers football team. He is the youn ...

would be fired. However, Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eichorst released a statement saying that Pelini will remain Nebraska's coach.Fornelli, Tom
Nebraska AD: Bo Pelini will continue 'to lead our program'
CBSSports.com. 30 November 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2014. The 2014 edition of the Gator Bowl marked Nebraska's second appearance in the game. The Cornhuskers won their previous appearance in

2009 2009 was designated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first known astronomical studies with a telescope and the publication of Astronomia Nova by Joha ...

in a 26–21 victory over Clemson. The 2014 Gator Bowl also marked Nebraska's 50th bowl game appearance.

Georgia

Georgia entered the game with an 8–4 (5–3 conference) record. The Bulldogs began the season ranked #5 in the AP Poll and were picked by SEC media to be winners of the SEC East division.The AP Top 25 Poll - Preseason
. ap.org. Retrieved 2 January 2014.King, Bill
UGA fans hope preseason camp eliminates question marks
. AJC.com. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014. After losing its opener to Clemson, the Bulldogs would win their next four games, which included victories over #6

LSU Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as Louisiana State University (LSU), is an American Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louis ...

and #6

South Carolina South Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders North Carolina to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and Georgia (U.S. state), Georg ...

, to move to a 4–1 record on the season. However, the injury-ridden Bulldogs would go 4–3 the rest of the season, with losses to

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

, Vanderbilt and eventual SEC champions Auburn in the

Prayer at Jordan–Hare The Prayer at Jordan-Hare was a touchdown from a Hail Mary pass thrown during a college football game between the Auburn Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs, played on November 16, 2013, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn in the 117th installment of the ...

. The Bulldogs finished third in the SEC East division.Georgia 2013 Schedule

. Retrieved 2 January 2014. In addition, quarterback

Aaron Murray Aaron William Murray (born November 10, 1990) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a quarterback. He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL) in the fifth round of the ...

suffered a season-ending injury in a game against Kentucky.Fornelli, Tom
Aaron Murray has a torn ACL
CBSSports.com. 24 November 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014. Murray had passed for 13,166 yards and 121 touchdowns, and had started 52 straight games prior to his injury.Ellis, Zac
Georgia QB Aaron Murray tears ACL vs. Kentucky to end college career
. SI.com. 24 November 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2014. Hutson Mason took over quarterback duties following Murray's injury and was the starting quarterback for Georgia in the 2014 Gator Bowl. The 2014 edition of the Gator Bowl marked the fourth appearance by Georgia in the game. The Bulldogs won their previous Gator Bowl appearance in 1989 in a 34–27 victory over Michigan State.NEBRASKA TO PLAY GEORGIA IN THE JANUARY 1, 2014 TaxSlayer.com GATOR BOWL
gatorbowl.com. 8 December 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2014.

Game summary

First half

The first quarter of the game was scoreless, as all the drives in the quarter ended in punts. In the second quarter, the Bulldogs drove to Nebraska's 10-yard line. However, Georgia was unable to reach the endzone and settled for a 39-yard field goal to give the Bulldogs a 3–0 lead. The Bulldogs' defense then forced the Cornhuskers to punt after Nebraska was unable to get a first down. Georgia muffed the ensuing punt, and Nebraska was able to recover the punt at Georgia's 14-yard line. Taking advantage of the turnover, the Cornhuskers took a 7–3 lead on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Armstrong Jr. to Quincy Enunwa. On the ensuing Bulldogs drive, Georgia once again drove deep into Nebraska territory, but this time were stopped at Nebraska's 11-yard line. Georgia placekicker Marshall Morgan kicked a 28-yard field goal to make it a 7–6 game. On the next drive, Nebraska took a 10–6 lead on a 46-yard field goal from Pat Smith. The Bulldogs responded on its next drive with a 38-yard field goal from Marshall Morgan as time expired in the first half to make it a 10–9 game.99-yard TD pass propels Cornhuskers past No. 23 Bulldogs

. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Georgia Bulldogs - Boxscore

. Retrieved 2 January 2014.Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Georgia Bulldogs - Play-By-Play

. Retrieved 2 January 2014.

Second half

Georgia's opening drive of the second half was ended when Hutson Mason was intercepted by Josh Mitchell at Georgia's 42-yard line. Taking advantage of the turnover, Nebraska extended their lead to 17–9 on a 1-yard touchdown run by

Ameer Abdullah Ameer Abdullah (born June 13, 1993) is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner, who most recently played for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the se ...

. On the following Georgia drive, the Bulldogs once again drove deep into Nebraska territory. However, Georgia was once again forced to settle for a field goal, closing the gap to 17–12. The ensuing Nebraska drive started at the Cornhuskers' 5-yard line, after Nebraska committed a holding penalty on the kickoff. On a second and 6 play at Nebraska's 9-yard line, quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. fumbled the snap and was sacked at Nebraska's 1-yard line.Georgia vs Nebraska Highlight - Tommy Armstrong Jr. sacked by Jordan Jenkins for a loss of 8 yards, fumbled, recovered by Neb Tommy Armstrong Jr. at the Neb 1.

. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014. Facing a third and 14 situation, Armstrong connected with Quincy Enunwa on a 99-yard touchdown pass to take a 24–12 lead with 4:58 remaining in the third quarter. After forcing the Bulldogs to punt, Nebraska once again received the ball with 3:21 remaining in the third quarter. On the third play of the drive, however, Armstrong's pass was intercepted by Shaq Wiggins at Nebraska's 39-yard line with 2:03 remaining in the third quarter. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Georgia scored its first touchdown of the game on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Hutson Mason to

Todd Gurley Todd Jerome Gurley II (born August 3, 1994) is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons, primarily with the Los Angeles Rams. He played college football for the Georg ...

to make it a 24–19 game. Georgia's defense then stepped up, forcing the next two Nebraska drives to end in punts. Starting at their own 20-yard line with 7:31 remaining in the game, the Bulldogs once again drove deep into Nebraska territory. Facing a fourth down and 2 situation at Nebraska's 14-yard line, Georgia elected to go for it instead of kicking the field goal. The Bulldogs were unable to convert, however, when wide receiver Rantavious Wooten dropped what would have been a first-down pass.Huguenin, Mike
Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah rushes for 122 yards in victory
NFL.com. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014. After forcing the Cornhuskers to punt, Georgia once again drove deep into Nebraska's territory. With 31 seconds remaining in the game, the Bulldogs needed to convert a fourth and 3 situation at Nebraska's 16-yard line. Georgia failed to convert, however, when tight end Arthur Lynch dropped a pass from Mason. With 25 seconds remaining in the game, Nebraska ran the clock out to seal the victory.

Scoring summary

Statistics

Nebraska wide receiver Quincy Enunwa was named the game's

most valuable player In team sports, a most valuable player (MVP) award is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particular competition, or ...

. Enunwa had 4 receptions for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns. Enunwa's 99-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter also set the record for longest pass play in bowl history. Georgia outgained Nebraska 416–307 in total yards. The Bulldogs outgained the Cornhuskers 320–163 in passing yards, while the Cornhuskers outgained the Bulldogs 144–96 in rushing yards. The Bulldogs also made seven trips inside of Nebraska's 21-yard line. Nebraska's leading rusher was Ameer Abdullah, who rushed for 122 yards on 27 carries. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. completed 6 of his 14 passes for 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Armstrong was also the Cornhuskers' second-leading rusher, rushing for 26 yards on 10 carries. Georgia's leading rusher was Todd Gurley, who rushed for 86 yards on 21 carries. Gurley was also the Bulldogs' leading receiver, catching 7 passes for 97 yards and 1 touchdown. Arthur Lynch was Georgia's second leading receiver, catching 6 passes for 69 yards. Quarterback Hutson Mason completed 21 of his 39 passes for 1 touchdown and 1 interception.

References

{{Georgia Bulldogs bowl game navbox

Gator Bowl Nebraska Cornhuskers football bowl games Georgia Bulldogs football bowl games

21st century in Jacksonville, Florida