| Game Name: | Gator Bowl |
| Year Game Played: | 1969 |
| Subheader: | 25th Gator Bowl |
| Football Season: | 1969 |
| Date Game Played: | December 27 |
| Stadium: | Gator Bowl |
| City: | Jacksonville, Florida |
| Visitor Name Short: | Florida |
| Visitor Nickname: | Gators |
| Visitor Record: | 8–1–1 |
| Visitor Coach: | Ray Graves |
| Visitor Conference: | SEC |
| Visitor Rank Ap: | 15 |
| Visitor Rank Coaches: | 17 |
| Visitor 1Q: | 7 |
| Visitor 2Q: | 0 |
| Visitor 3Q: | 7 |
| Visitor 4Q: | 0 |
| Home Name Short: | Tennessee |
| Home Nickname: | Volunteers |
| Home Record: | 9–1 |
| Home Coach: | Doug Dickey |
| Home Conference: | SEC |
| Home Rank Ap: | 11 |
| Home Rank Coaches: | 11 |
| Home 1Q: | 0 |
| Home 2Q: | 10 |
| Home 3Q: | 0 |
| Home 4Q: | 3 |
| Referee: | Johnny Cook (SEC) |
| Attendance: | 72,248 |
| Mvp: | Mike Kelley (LB, Florida) & Curt Watson (FB, Tennessee)[1] |
| Different Previous: | 1968 |
| Different Next: | 1971 (Jan) |
The 1969 Gator Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers, both representing the SEC. Florida defeated Tennessee, 14 - 13.[2]
The expected high-scoring battle featuring Florida's "Super Sophs" passing attack against Tennessee's powerful ground game led by quarterback Bobby Scott never materialized,[3] as both defenses were superb in the Gators' 14–13 win. Quarterback John Reaves connected with wide receiver Carlos Alvarez for the Gators' only offensive touchdown, and the Gator defense stopped the Volunteers at Florida's one-yard line late in the game to preserve the victory. The game's MVPs were Florida linebacker Mike Kelley, who had an interception, a fumble recovery, a blocked punt recovered for a touchdown, a sack, and 17 tackles,[4] and fullback Curt Watson of Tennessee.