TAMPA, Fla.– It has been 40 years since Florida and Tulane met on the gridiron. Yet, the teams share a history. It is one that traverses the timeline of Southern college football, and includes Tampa, where they will play once again.
The Gators (7-5/4-4 SEC) and Green Wave (9-4/7-1 American) will renew acquaintance at Raymond James Stadium on December 20 (3:30 | ESPN2) in the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl.
The teams met at Phillips Field on the campus of the University of Tampa in 1920, the year the “Green Wave” nickname became synonymous with Tulane athletics. The Olive and Blue, coached by the offensive innovator Clark Shaughnessy, won, 14-0.
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Nearly half a century later, in 1969, the teams met at two-year-old Tampa Stadium where UF prevailed, 18-17. They have met twice since, including 1984 in Gainesville where the Gators erupted for a 63-21 win. Thanks to being engulfed in NCAA Violations, the game was Charley Pell’s last on the UF sideline. Galen Hall took over and the Gators did not lose again, finishing 9-1-1, though having to vacate their first SEC title.
A super conference? The Southern Conference had 21 teams in 1922. That was the year Florida and Tulane joined the league, which was in its second year. The Gators and Green Wave were among 13 teams to break away and help form the Southeastern Conference in 1933. While UF remains a member, Tulane became an independent in 1965 following a stretch of nine consecutive losing seasons.
The Matchup
The 2024 Gasparilla Bowl includes a Florida team that turned its season around. Big time. The faithful were reaching for pitchforks after a season-opening loss at the hands of visiting Miami. There was little hint over the next several weeks of what was to come.
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The heat directed toward third-year coach Billy Napier eventually abated thanks in large part to the performance of true freshman quarterback D.J. Lagway. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Texan threw five touchdown passes over the Gators’ final three games, all wins. Included were improbable victories on consecutive Saturdays in Gainesville over what was No. 22 LSU and No. 9 Ole Miss. A win at Florida State completed a regular season that saw 4-5 turn into 7-5, and a bus ride to Tampa.
What was No. 17 Tulane, with a reservation to the American championship game secured, had an outside shot at making the College Football Playoff. However, the Green Wave lost at home Thanksgiving evening to Memphis and, coupled with Army’s win over UTSA two days later, had to travel to West Point to play the championship game. The result was a 35-14 setback.
Green Wave quarterback Darian Mensah, who threw 22 touchdown passes, is reported to be entering his name in the transfer portal.
The Gators lead the series 13-6-2, and have won the last 11 meetings dating to 1958.
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