The 2020 Gator Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 2, 2020, with kickoff at 7:00 p.m. EST on ESPN.[6] It was the 75th edition of the Gator Bowl, and was one of the 2019–20 bowl games concluding the 2019 FBS football season. Sponsored by financial technology company TaxSlayer, the game was officially known as the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

2020 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
75th Gator Bowl
Tennessee's win was vacated
by the NCAA in 2023.
1234 Total
Indiana 03163 22
Tennessee 06314 23
DateJanuary 2, 2020
Season2019
StadiumTIAA Bank Field
LocationJacksonville, Florida
MVPEric Gray (RB, Tennessee)[1] & Peyton Ramsey (QB, Indiana)[2]
FavoriteTennessee by 3.5[3]
National anthemThe Brown Kelly
RefereeMike McCabe (Pac-12)[4]
Halftime show Indiana Marching Band Tennessee Marching Band
Attendance61,789
PayoutUS$5,350,000[5]
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN
AnnouncersTom Hart (play-by-play), Tim Hasselbeck (analyst) and Katie George (sideline)
Gator Bowl
 < 2018 2021

In July 2023, the NCAA vacated Tennessee's win as part of a disciplinary action affecting the 2019 and 2020 seasons.[7]

Teams

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The game matched the Indiana Hoosiers from the Big Ten Conference and the Tennessee Volunteers from the Southeastern Conference (SEC). This was the second meeting between the programs; they previously met in the January 1988 Peach Bowl, won by Tennessee, 27–22.[8]

Indiana Hoosiers

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Indiana entered the game with an 8–4 record (5–4 in conference). They finished in fourth place in the Big Ten's East Division. The Hoosiers' four losses were all to ranked opponents: Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State, and Michigan. This was Indiana's first Gator Bowl appearance.

Tennessee Volunteers

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Tennessee entered the game with a 7–5 record (5–3 in conference). They finished in third place in the SEC's East Division. The Volunteers lost to all three ranked opponents they faced: Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. After starting their season 2–5, the Volunteers entered the bowl on a five-game winning streak. This was Tennessee's seventh Gator Bowl; the Volunteers had a record of 4–2 in prior appearances.

Game summary

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2020 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Indiana 0 3 16322
Tennessee 0 6 31423

at TIAA Bank FieldJacksonville, Florida

Game information
First Quarter
No scoring
Second Quarter
  • (14:49) TENN – Brent Cimaglia 23 yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 67 yards, 6:04; Tennessee 3–0)
  • (5:21) TENN – Brent Cimaglia 32 yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 50 yards, 6:14; Tennessee 6–0)
  • (0:00) IND – Logan Justus 24 yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 36 yards, 2:24; Tennessee 6–3)
Third Quarter
  • (9:29) IND – Peyton Ramsey 1 yard rush, Logan Justus kick (Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 5:31; Indiana 10–6)
  • (8:26) IND – Jamar Johnson 63 yard interception return, kick failed (Indiana 16–6)
  • (4:11) TENN – Brent Cimaglia 43 yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 4:15; Indiana 16–9)
  • (1:01) IND – Logan Justus 49 yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 3:05; Indiana 19–9)
Fourth Quarter
  • (10:27) IND – Logan Justus 30 yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 35 yards, 3:54; Indiana 22–9)
  • (4:21) TENN – Quavaris Crouch 1 yard rush, Brent Cimaglia kick (Drive: 10 plays, 82 yards, 2:45; Indiana 22–16)
  • (3:51) TENN – Eric Gray 16 yard rush, Brent Cimaglia kick (Drive: 3 plays, 54 yards, 0:28; Tennessee 23–22)

Statistics

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Statistics IND TENN
First downs 17 19
Plays–yards 65–303 69–374
Rushes–yards 31–76 35–136
Passing yards 227 238
Passing: compattint 20–34–1 19–34–2
Time of possession 29:27 30:33
Team Category Player Statistics
Indiana Passing Peyton Ramsey 20/34, 227 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Peyton Ramsey 17 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Peyton Hendershot 6 receptions, 67 yards
Tennessee Passing Jarrett Guarantano 18/31, 221 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Eric Gray 14 carries, 86 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Josh Palmer 6 receptions, 68 yards

References

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  1. ^ Carson, Brad (January 2, 2020). "Tennessee scores twice late to stun Indiana 23–22 in Gator Bowl". 929espn.radio.com. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  2. ^ "Postgame Notes: TaxSlayer Gator Bowl". iuhoosiers.com. January 3, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  3. ^ "Indiana vs. Tennessee – Game Summary". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  4. ^ "2019–20 bowl officiating assignments". footballzebras.com. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  5. ^ "2019 Bowl Schedule". collegefootballpoll.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  6. ^ Sallee, Barrett (January 7, 2020). "2019–20 college football bowl schedule, games, scores, dates, kickoff times, TV channels". CBSSports.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  7. ^ Sparks, Adam (July 15, 2023). "These Tennessee football wins under Jeremy Pruitt have been vacated". USA Today. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  8. ^ "Indiana Hoosiers vs. Tennessee Volunteers football series history". winsipedia.com. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
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