Nebraska To Face Georgia In Jacksonville Tomorrow
By GatorBowl.com // December 31, 2013
kickoff set for noon
ABOVE VIDEO: Bill O’Brien and Tom Luginbill preview the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl between Nebraska and Georgia.
GatorBowl.com — Andy Pradella, Chairman of the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl and President of Mercury Luggage Mfg. Co., announced that the University of Nebraska will play the University of Georgia in the Jan. 1, 2014 TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Big Ten Conference representative, finished their regular season with an overall record of 8-4. This match-up will mark their second appearance in the Gator Bowl Classic, where they hold a 1-0 record after defeating Clemson in the 2009 Gator Bowl.
THIS IS GEORGIA’S 4TH APPEARANCE IN THE GATOR BOWL
The Georgia Bulldogs, the Southeastern Conference representative, also has an 8-4 record entering the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl. This will be Georgia’s 4th appearance in the Gator Bowl and their first appearance since January 1, 1989 when the Bulldogs beat Michigan State 34 – 27 in Coach Vince Dooley’s last game as Georgia’s Head Football Coach. Georgia has a 2-0-1 overall record in the Gator Bowl. “Nebraska and Georgia are truly among the greatest of football traditions in the nation.
The Cornhuskers and Bulldogs have had exciting seasons and we are looking forward to a truly great Bowl match-up in Jacksonville on New Year’s Day,” said Chairman Andy Pradella.
“The Gator Bowl gives our football team the opportunity to play in a New Year’s Day bowl for a third straight season, and we look forward to the trip to Jacksonville,” Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini said.
“We had a great experience at the Gator Bowl when we played there in my first year here. We have some familiarity with Georgia having played them last year in the bowl game, but these are two different football teams. This will be a great challenge for our football team, and we look forward to the opportunity.”
“We are proud to celebrate our 50th bowl appearance with a trip to Jacksonville for the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl,” University of Nebraska Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst said.
“The Gator Bowl has been a wonderful partner for the Big Ten for several years, and our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans will have a great experience in Jacksonville. The University of Georgia is an exceptional institution, has an outstanding football program and will be a great matchup for our team.”
“We are delighted with the selection of our team to represent the Southeastern Conference in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl,” said UGA J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity.
“It’s hard to believe we have not played there since Vince Dooley’s last game following the 1988 season. While we do play in Jacksonville every year during the regular season, this will be a completely new experience and environment for most of our fans and certainly all our players. Jacksonville is blessed with good weather, outstanding attractions, a first class stadium and we look forward to competing against an outstanding Nebraska team. Our fans have been a big part of our success, and I’m confident they will support the team with their attendance in this bowl game.”
“I couldn’t be more excited for our team and especially our seniors with the opportunity to play in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl which has long been one of the premier games on January 1,” said UGA head coach Mark Richt.
“It will be an opportunity to return to the city we visit briefly each Fall but this time it will be a completely new opportunity to spend time and enjoy the attractions of a dynamic southern city. We’re also looking forward to the challenge of playing a quality opponent with the rich tradition of Nebraska. They’ve had an outstanding season and I’m sure will bring their best to Jacksonville.”
The 69th Annual TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl will be played on Jan. 1, 2014 at noon in EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.
