Outback Bowl Gets Florida
(December 4, 2002)

The University of Florida will make its first appearance in the Outback Bowl on January 1, 2003. The University of Michigan will make its fourth trip to the game. "We are just ecstatic to have two of the greatest football programs playing for the first time in our game," said Bowl Chairman Steve Schember. "This game has all the makings of being the greatest Outback Bowl ever."

The seventeenth version of Tampa's New Year's Day bowl game will be the first time a team from the state of Florida plays in the game. The Gators finished this season 8-4 and are currently ranked 23rd in the AP Poll and 20th in the ESPN/USA Today Poll. This will be the 30th bowl appearance for UF and the 12th consecutive. It is also their 10th straight New Year's Day bowl. Florida's bowl record is 14-15.

"We are excited to be playing in another January Bowl game," said first year head coach Ron Zook. "Our coaching staff and players are eager to get back to practice and preparing for Michigan, one of the storied programs in all of college football. It will be a great match up and we are looking forward to seeing all of our Gator fans in Tampa."

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to play in the Outback Bowl and in Tampa," echoed Florida Athletics Director Jeremy Foley. "This is a first class bowl and we know it will be an outstanding trip for our players and staff. Tampa is a great Gator city and it will be special to have the opportunity to play in front of so many of our fans."

Michigan finished the 2002 regular season with a 9-3 record. The Wolverines are currently ranked 13th in the AP Poll and 11th in the ESPN/USA Today Poll. This will be the school's 34th bowl appearance and the 27th consecutive. Michigan's bowl record is 17-16, including a 2-1 record in previous trips to the Tampa bowl game. Lloyd Carr is in his eighth year as the head coach of the Wolverines.

Michigan Athletic Director Bill Martin believes "This should be an outstanding game against a tough Florida team. Our student-athletes, coaches, support staff and fans look forward to the trip to Tampa."

The first match up between these two high-profile football programs should generate high television rating. Also, the fact that a Florida team is playing should produce the game's fourth sellout in five years at Raymond James Stadium.

And it could be a very good football game.