1989 Gator Bowl (January)


The 1989 Gator Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Michigan State Spartans

Background

Georgia finished 3rd in the Southeastern Conference and first bowl game since 1987. Michigan State finished 2nd in the Big Ten Conference after a 0-3-1 start ended with six straight victories before being invited to their second straight bowl game and first ever Gator Bowl.

Game summary

First Quarter

UGA – Rodney Hampton 6 pass from Wayne Johnson, 0:01 left.

Second Quarter

Andre Rison caught 9 pass for 252 yards. Wayne Johnson went 15-of-27 for 227 yards.

Aftermath

This was Vince Dooley's final game with the Bulldogs. The following year, Ray Goff became head coach. The Bulldogs did not return to the Gator Bowl until 2014. As for the Spartans, they reached another bowl game the same year. They have not played in the Gator Bowl since this game.

Statistics