1963 Gator Bowl


The 1963 Gator Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game that featured the Air Force Falcons and the North Carolina [Tar Heels football|North Carolina Tar Heels].

Background

This was the Falcons' first bowl game since 1959. The Tar Heels were co-champions of the Atlantic Coast Conference, which was their first conference title since the 1949 Southern Conference title. This was their first bowl game in 1950.

Game summary

  • UNC – Willard 1-yard run, 2:34 remaining
  • UNC – Edge 6-yard run, 9:40 remaining
  • UNC – Robinson 5-yard pass from Black, 4:29 remaining
  • UNC – Kesler 1-yard run, 4:44 remaining
  • UNC – Black 5-yard run, 13:19 remaining
Willard ran for 94 yards on 18 carries.

Aftermath

Air Force did not return to a bowl game until 1971, nor win one until 1982. North Carolina did not return to a bowl game until 1970.
The morning after the game, there was a fire at the Hotel Roosevelt in downtown Jacksonville, with 22 dying.