1967 Orange Bowl
| MVP | TB Larry Smith |
|---|---|
The 1967 Orange Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Background
The Gators were led by quarterback Steve Spurrier, who had won the Heisman Trophy earlier in the season. They finished 2nd to Georgia and Alabama, who went to the Cotton Bowl Classic and Sugar Bowl, respectively. This was Florida's first ever Orange Bowl appearance, and fourth bowl appearance in six years under Ray Graves, who used to be an assistant to Bobby Dodd at Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets were making their first Orange Bowl appearance since 1952.
Game summary
Kim King threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Craig Baynham to give Tech a 6-0 lead. Graham McKeel gave Florida 7-6 halftime lead on his touchdown plunge. Georgia Tech was on the Florida 6 when Bobby Downs intercepted a pass from King to give Florida the ball. On the next play, Smith ran 94 yards for a touchdown to give Florida a 14-6 lead. McKeel ran for another touchdown to make it 21-6 in the fourth quarter. Florida added another touchdown run to make it 27-6. Jack Coons caught a 5-yard pass from Harmon Wages to make it 27-12, but that proved to be the final score of the game as Florida won their first ever Orange Bowl. Larry Smith ran for 187 yards.[1]
Aftermath
Dodd retired after the game, though he stayed as athletic director until 1976. The Yellow Jackets did not return to an Orange Bowl until 2010. The Gators did not return to an Orange Bowl until 1999.
Statistics
| Statistics | Florida | Georgia Tech |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 22 | 17 |
| Rushing Yards | 284 | 197 |
| Passing Yards | 165 | 122 |
| Total Yards | 449 | 319 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 4 |
| Punts-Average | 7/36.1 | 6/42.3 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 1/1 | 2/1 |
| Penalties-Yards | 4/32 | 5/41 |