1963 Gator Bowl
| MVP | RB Ken Willard (North Carolina) |
|---|---|
The 1963 Gator Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game that featured the Air Force Falcons and the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Background
This was the Falcons' first bowl game since 1959. The Tar Heels were co-champions of the Atlantic Coast Conference, which was their first conference title since the 1949 Southern Conference title. This was their first bowl game 1950.
Game summary
- UNC - Willard 1 run (Kick failed), 2:34 remaining
- UNC - Edge 6 run (Pass failed), 9:40 remaining
- UNC - Robinson 5 pass from Black (Robinson pass from Black), 4:29 remaining
- UNC - Kessler 1 run (Lacey pass from Edge), 4:44 remaining
- UNC - Black 5 run (Chapman kick), 13:19 remaining
Willard ran for 94 yards on 18 carries.[1]
Aftermath
The night after the game, a fire broke out in downtown Jacksonville, with 22 dying.
Statistics
| Statistics | Air Force | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 14 | 23 |
| Rushing Yards | 95 | 251 |
| Passing Yards | 165 | 119 |
| Punts-Average | 4-40.0 | 6-36.0 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 3-2 | 2-0 |
| Penalties-Yards | 3-42 | 3-35 |