1993 Peach Bowl (January) Explained

Game Name:Peach Bowl
Date Game Played:January 2
Year Game Played:1993
Football Season:1992
Stadium:Georgia Dome
City:Atlanta, Georgia
Visitor School:Mississippi State University
Visitor Name Short:Mississippi State
Visitor Nickname:Bulldogs
Visitor Record:7 - 4
Visitor Conference:SEC
Visitor Rank Ap:24
Visitor Rank Coaches:NR
Visitor Rank Bowlcoalition:25
Visitor Coach:Jackie Sherrill
Visitor 1Q:14
Visitor 2Q:0
Visitor 3Q:0
Visitor 4Q:3
Home School:University of North Carolina
Home Name Short:North Carolina
Home Nickname:Tar Heels
Home Record:8 - 3
Home Conference:ACC
Home Rank Ap:19
Home Rank Coaches:20
Home Rank Bowlcoalition:20
Home Coach:Mack Brown
Home 1Q:0
Home 2Q:0
Home 3Q:14
Home 4Q:7
Mvp:Offense: RB Natrone Means, UNC
Defense: DB Bracey Walker, UNC
Referee:Richard Honig (Big Ten)
Attendance:69,125
Different Previous:1992
Different Next:1993 (Dec)

The 1993 Peach Bowl, part of the 1992–92 bowl game season, featured the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels.[1] It was the first Peach Bowl played at the Georgia Dome after 20 years at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium.[2]

North Carolina came from behind for the win after trailing 14–0 after a quarter of play. Mississippi State missed chances to extend its lead in the second quarter when two touchdowns were scuttled by holding penalties. The Tar Heels then drove 82 yards to open the second half and Natrone Means pounded in the score, UNC's only offensive touchdown of the day. Means finished with 128 yards.

Bracey Walker blocked two punts, including one for a 24-yard scoring return that tied the game at 14 in the third quarter. The defensive MVP also laid a big hit to key a 44-yard interception return by teammate Cliff Baskervillle for the go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter. MSU added a late field goal, but turned the ball over via interception and downs inside the Tar Heels' 30 on two late drives.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mississippi State Bowl History. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231940/http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/16800/pdf/fb/fb_06mg_bowls.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=16800. dead. March 3, 2016. Mississippi State Athletics. March 21, 2019.
  2. Web site: Top 10 Games in Peach Bowl History. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Alex Makrides. December 25, 2017. March 21, 2019.