Michigan Tops Florida in Offensive Outback
(January 2, 2003)

While University of Florida fans may not have liked the result, the Outback Bowl again painted a wonderful portrait of Tampa Bay. The seventeenth version of the Tampa game featured a bright sunny day, a full stadium and a good football game too. It was a back and forth game that featured almost 1,000 yards in total yards before Michigan left town with a victory over the Gators.

It was the first time the Florida Gators and Michigan Wolverines had met on the football field. Running back Chris Perry, who would go on to win MVP honors, scored the first of his four touchdowns to give Michigan an early 7-0 lead. 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 set the Outback Bowl scoring record, Michigan lead 35-23 after three quarters.

Chris Perry had 85 yards on 28 carries, with the four scores, and he also caught six passes for 108 yards. 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.

Again, it was a good game. Outback Bowl records broken included total points (68), touchdowns (9), offensive plays (159) and total yards (929). After the game was tied 7-7, there were six lead changes before the result became final.

Surely, there are plenty of Gators fans in the area disappointed in the 2003 Outback Bowl result. A chamber-of-commerce type day, a decked out and sold out Raymond James Stadium and good football game. It was another great New Year's Day for the Outback Bowl.