1992 Florida Citrus Bowl Explained

Game Name:Florida Citrus Bowl
Title Sponsor:Florida Citrus Growers Association
Date Game Played:January 1
Year Game Played:1992
Football Season:1991
Home Name Short:Clemson
Home Nickname:Tigers
Home Record:9–1–1
Home Rank Ap:13
Home Rank Coaches:12
Home 1Q:3
Home 2Q:7
Home 3Q:3
Home 4Q:0
Mvp:QB Mike Pawlawski (California)
Visitor Name Short:California
Visitor Nickname:Golden Bears
Visitor Record:9–2
Visitor Rank Ap:14
Visitor Rank Coaches:14
Visitor 1Q:17
Visitor 2Q:10
Visitor 3Q:10
Visitor 4Q:0
Us Network:ABC
Type:bg
Referee:Loyd Dale (SWC)
Attendance:64,192

The 1992 Florida Citrus Bowl matched the Clemson Tigers and the California Golden Bears. It was the final game for both teams for the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season and the 46th annual Citrus Bowl game held.

Background

The Tigers were champions of the Atlantic Coast Conference in Hatfield's 2nd year coaching the team. This was the third overall appearance in the Citrus Bowl for the Tigers, all happening in a span of four years as the team rode a six-game winning streak. The Golden Bears were 2nd in the Pacific-10 Conference to Washington after losses to Washington to Stanford, both losses knocking Cal out of the top 10 in the AP Poll. This was the Bears first consecutive bowl game appearance since the Bears' streak of three straight Rose Bowls from 1949 to 1951, and first Citrus Bowl.

Game summary

By the time the first quarter ended the Bears had a 17–3 lead, as Russell White ran for 103 yards on 22 rushes, Brian Treggs returned a punt return 72 yards for a touchdown, as the Cal defense made DeChane Cameron throw three interceptions and limit him to 123 yards. By halftime, it was 27–10, and the second half only had 13 points, 10 coming from California.[1] [2]

Aftermath

Clemson would not win another ACC title until 2011. Snyder would leave for Arizona State after the bowl win, and Keith Gilbertson would follow as coach, and he continued the bowl win streak until he was fired after his 4th season. Neither team has appeared in the Citrus Bowl since this game.

Statistics

Statistics California Clemson
First Downs 2219
Yards Rushing146206
Yards Passing 230123
Total Yards 376329
Punts-Average --
Fumbles-Lost --
Interceptions03
Penalties-Yards --

Notes and References

  1. News: Crafty Cal fools Clemson. The Orlando Sentinel. January 2, 1992. February 4, 2024. Newspapers.com.
  2. Web site: Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl > history . January 2, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141216203306/http://buffalowildwingscitrusbowl.com/history.aspx . December 16, 2014 . dead .