Tampa Bay Football History Network

2003 Outback Bowl

The Florida Gators made their first Outback Bowl appearance and were the first team from the state to play in the game. The Gators, under first year head coach Ron Zook, were 8-4 and ranked number twenty-three. It was Florida's thirtieth bowl game, its twelfth consecutive and tenth straight on New Year's Day. The University of Michigan, who went 9-3 with a number thirteen ranking under head coach Lloyd Carr, were making their fourth trip to the Outback Bowl. It was the Wolverines twenty-seventh consecutive bowl bid and thirty-fourth overall. The first match-up between these two schools sold out quick.

Chris Perry ran for a score and Michigan lead 7-0 after the first quarter. Florida running back Earnest Graham rushed for 120 yards and his two second quarter touchdowns put the Gators in front, before the Wolverines took a 21-16 half time lead. Behind Perry, who ran for four touchdowns on the day and set the Outback Bowl scoring record, Michigan lead 35-23 after three quarters. Also having big games for Michigan were quarterback John Navarre (21 of 36 for 319 yards with 1 TD) and receiver Braylon Edwards (4 catches for 110 yards). Rex Grossman (21 of 41 for 323) did toss a pair of touchdown passes for Florida, but Michigan won the game 38-30. Wolerines running back Chris Perry won MVP honors. Not only did he have 85 yards on 28 carries, with the four scores, he also caught six passes for 108 yards. The game set Outback Bowl records for total points (68), touchdowns (9), offensive plays (159) and total yards (929). Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr said of the game, "I thought Florida did a good job early, but we had patience."

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