1990 Florida Citrus Bowl Explained

Game Name:Florida Citrus Bowl
Title Sponsor:Florida Citrus Growers Association
Date Game Played:January 1
Year Game Played:1990
Football Season:1989
Stadium:Florida Citrus Bowl
City:Orlando, Florida
Visitor School:University of Illinois
Visitor Name Short:Illinois
Visitor Nickname:Fighting Illini
Visitor Record:9–2
Visitor Rank Ap:11
Visitor Rank Coaches:11
Visitor Coach:John Mackovic
Visitor Conference:Big Ten
Visitor 1Q:7
Visitor 2Q:10
Visitor 3Q:7
Visitor 4Q:7
Home School:University of Virginia
Home Name Short:Virginia
Home Nickname:Cavaliers
Home Record:10–2
Home Rank Ap:15
Home Rank Coaches:14
Home Coach:George Welsh
Home Conference:ACC
Home 1Q:0
Home 2Q:7
Home 3Q:7
Home 4Q:7
Mvp:QB Jeff George, Illinois
Referee:Loyd Dale (Southern Independent)
Attendance:60,016
Us Network:ABC
Us Announcers:Gary Bender and Dick Vermeil

The 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game at the Florida Citrus Bowl stadium in Orlando, Florida between the University of Illinois Fighting Illini and the Virginia Cavaliers on January 1, 1990. The game was the final contest of the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season for both teams, and ended in a 31 - 21 victory for Illinois.

Game summary

Illinois snapped a 26-year bowl victory drought with a 31–21 win over Virginia in the Florida Citrus Bowl. Illinois jumped on the Cavaliers early, with linebacker Bill Henkel recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff. Five plays later, quarterback Jeff George drilled a 15-yard scoring strike to Steven Williams. After Virginia tied the game early in the second quarter, George directed Illinois on an 80-yard scoring drive. Illinois opened the second half with an 84-yard drive capped by fullback Howard Griffith's three-yard touchdown. Early in the fourth quarter, receiver Mike Bellamy scored on a 26-yard pass from George to clinch an Illini victory. George earned MVP honors, completing 26-of-38 for 321 yards and three TDs.[1]

Scoring summary

Quarter Team Scoring summary Score
Illinois Virginia
1 IllinoisSteven Williams 15-yard touchdown reception from Jeff George, Doug Higgins kick good7 0
2 VirginiaTim Finkelston 30-yard touchdown reception from Shawn Moore, Jake McInerney kick good7 7
IllinoisDan Donovan 1-yard touchdown reception from Jeff George, Doug Higgins kick good14 7
Illinois34-yard field goal by Doug Higgins17 7
3 Illinois3-yard touchdown run by Howard Griffith, Doug Higgins kick good24 7
Virginia2-yard touchdown run by Marcus Wilson, Jake McInerney kick good24 14
4 IllinoisMike Bellamy 24-yard touchdown reception from Jeff George, Doug Higgins kick good31 14
VirginiaHerman Moore 4-yard touchdown reception from Shawn Moore, Jake McInerney kick good31 21
31 21

Statistical summary

Team Statistics

(Rushing-Passing-Total): UI – 176-321-497; UV – 110-112-322.

Individual Statistical Leaders

Rushing (Att.-Yds.-TD): UI – Griffith 18-93-0, Steve Feagin 10-54-0; UV – Terry Kirby 8-64-0.

Passing (Att.-Comp.-Int.-TD-Yds.): UI – George 38-26-1-3-321; UV – S. Moore 27-17-2-2-191.

Receiving (No.-Yds.-TD): UI – Bellamy 8-166-1, Williams 4-45-1; UV – Finkelston 3-69-1, Herman Moore 5-56-1.

Notes and References

  1. News: Illinois just too strong for Virginia in 31–21 win. St. Petersburg Times. January 2, 1990. February 3, 2024. Newspapers.com.