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The 1994 Gator Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Tennessee Volunteers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida on December 30, 1994. The game was the final contest of the 1994 NCAA Division I-A football season for both teams, and ended in a 45-23 victory for Tennessee. The 1994 Gator Bowl saw 17th-ranked Virginia Tech face off against regional rival Tennessee at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the campus of the University of Florida. The game was moved to Gainesville in 1994 due to renovations to the Gator Bowl for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Virginia Tech came into the game with an 8–3 regular-season record that included a record of 5–2 in Big East Conference competition.〔(Virginia Tech Football Past Schedules: 1994-1995 ) Virginia Tech Athletics Department, Hokiesports.com. Accessed February 23, 2008.〕 The Tennessee Volunteers came entered the game with a regular-season record of 7–4 under head coach Phillip Fulmer that included a 5–3 record in Southeastern Conference competition.〔(2007 Tennessee football media guide ) Tennessee Athletics Department, July 19, 2007. Page 166. Accessed February 23, 2008.〕 The game kicked off on December 30, 1994 in Gainesville, Florida. From the start, Tennessee's high-scoring offense dominated. The Volunteers scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and three in the second, while Virginia Tech was able to muster a lone touchdown and field goal in the second quarter. At halftime, Tennessee had a commanding 35–10 lead, behind the strong play of Freshman QB Peyton Manning.〔(1994 Gator Bowl ) Virginia Tech Athletics Department, Hokiesports.com. Accessed February 23, 2008.〕 The Hokies struggled back in the third quarter, scoring six unanswered points to close the score to 35–16. In the fourth quarter, however, Tennessee answered Virginia Tech's effort with 10 points, putting the game out of reach for the Hokies, who managed only a single touchdown in the fourth quarter.〔 The Hokies fumbled the ball five times—losing it once—and threw two interceptions, allowing Tennessee to cruise to an easy victory, 45–23. Tennessee running back James Stewart was named the game's most valuable player.〔(Tennessee Bowl History ) Tennessee Athletics Department, UTsports.com. Accessed February 23, 2008.〕 == Renovations == In early 1994, Jacksonville Mayor Ed Austin proposed $49 million in renovations to Jacksonville's aging Gator Bowl Stadium in order to keep the stadium up to date for the annual Florida-Georgia rivalry game.〔Sun-Sentinel staff and wire reports. "Sports in brief", South Florida Sun-Sentinel. March 4, 1993. Page C2.〕 After Florida and Georgia accepted the renovations, agreeing to play the rivalry game in Athens, Georgia during the renovations, Jacksonville investors proposed expanding the renovation plan in order to attract a National Football League team.〔Sun-Sentinel staff. "Jacksonville back in race", South Florida Sun-Sentinel. August 25, 1995. Page C6.〕 The price tag was revised upward—to $121 million—and the city successfully attracted a team.〔Browning, Michael. "Fantastic finish wins NFL team for Jacksonville", The Miami Herald. Dec. 1, 1993. Page A1.〕 Shortly after Jacksonville was awarded its new franchise—the Jacksonville Jaguars—the final plans were unveiled. The stadium would have additional luxury boxes, expanded seating, and upgraded facilities for teams and fans.〔Word, Ron. "Gator Bowl to undergo facelift", The Associated Press. The Bradenton Herald. December 1, 1993. Page D1.〕 The renovations were much more extensive than had initially been proposed, and required more time to be completed. Instead of beginning in early 1995, work would have to begin in 1994, leaving the site of the 1994 Gator Bowl (played on Dec. 30) in doubt.〔St. Petersburg Times staff report. "Gator Bowl site in question", St. Petersburg Times. January 5, 1994. Page C5.〕 By the end of January 1994, as the Gator Bowl was being demolished, that doubt was also demolished when a deal was struck to host the Gator Bowl at the University of Florida, in that school's Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.〔Dame, Mike. "Gator Bowl moves to Gainesville for one year", South Florida Sun-Sentinel. January 28, 1994. Page C4.〕 The game's title sponsor, Outback Steakhouse, and its television sponsor, TBS, would remain constant, and both were in their final year of contracts with the Gator Bowl.〔Alfonso, Dave. "Proposals in new alliance would pay more to bowls", The Tampa Tribune. June 23, 1994. Page Sports 8.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「1994 Gator Bowl」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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