1967 Gator Bowl


The 1967 Gator Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game that featured the Florida State Seminoles and the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Background

Florida State was making their third bowl game appearance in four years, with two Gator Bowls in a two-year span. Penn State was making their fifth bowl game in eight years, with three Gator Bowls in a seven-year span.

Game summary

Kim Hammond completed 37-of-53 passes for 362 yards, with four interceptions and one touchdown, while rushing for 28 yards on nine carries. Tom Sherman completed 9-of-17 passes for 69 yards, with two interceptions and two touchdowns, while rushing for 27 yards on six carries, contributing a field goal and two extra points. Florida State scored 17 straight points in the second half, with Grant Guthrie's field goal from 26 yards out contributing to the first tie in a Gator Bowl since 1948. It remains the last tie game in the Gator Bowl. Florida State had 23 first downs; Penn State had 12. Florida State rushed for only 55 yards while Penn State rushed for 175. Florida State threw for 363 yards; Penn State threw for 69 yards. Both teams turned the ball over four times.

Aftermath

The Seminoles reached one more bowl game in the decade, while not returning to the Gator Bowl until 1982. Penn State also reached one more bowl game in the decade. They did not lose for the next 23 games, completing two undefeated seasons. The Nittany Lions returned to the Gator Bowl in 1976.