1982 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl Explained

Game Name:Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl
Date Game Played:December 31
Year Game Played:1982
Football Season:1982
Stadium:Astrodome
City:Houston, Texas
Visitor School:University of Arkansas
Visitor Name Short:Arkansas
Visitor Nickname:Razorbacks
Visitor Record:8–2–1
Visitor Coach:Lou Holtz
Visitor Rank Ap:14
Visitor Rank Coaches:12
Visitor 1Q:7
Visitor 2Q:0
Visitor 3Q:7
Visitor 4Q:14
Home School:University of Florida
Home Name Short:Florida
Home Nickname:Gators
Home Record:8–3
Home Coach:Charley Pell
Home Rank Ap:NR
Home Rank Coaches:19
Home 1Q:7
Home 2Q:10
Home 3Q:7
Home 4Q:0
Mvp:Gary Anderson, RB, Arkansas
Dwayne Dixon, WR, Florida
Attendance:31,557
Game Link:Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl
Us Network:ESPN
Us Announcers:Fred White and Paul Maguire

The 1982 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl was held on December 31, 1982 at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas. The #14 Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the Florida Gators by a score of 28–24.[1]

Arkansas opened the scoring in the first quarter after running back Gary Anderson found the end zone from 16 yards out. The PAT was good and the Razorbacks led 7–0. The Gators responded, though, scoring 17 unanswered points (a 3-yard pass, a 34-yard field goal, and a 13-yard pass) to end the first quarter 7–7 and go into halftime up 17–7. The first points of the third quarter came from Arkansas, who scored on a 1-yard run from Anderson to make it a 17–14 game. Florida responded again, this time a 17-yard pass, to retake their ten-point lead and enter the fourth quarter up 24–14. Arkansas's defense pitched a shutout in the fourth quarter, while the Razorback offense found the end zone twice. Arkansas' first fourth quarter score came on a touchdown pass to make it 24-21, and the second came on a quarterback sneak from the one yard line. The game finished 28–24 in favor of Arkansas.

Throughout the game, Arkansas recorded five more first downs, 185 more rushing yards, 73 more total yards, and one less penalty. However, Florida recorded 112 more passing yards.

Notes and References

  1. News: Arkansas nips Florida 28-24. Odessa American. January 1, 1983. June 7, 2024. 9. Newspapers.com.