1963 Gator Bowl
The 1963 Gator Bowl was a college football postseason bowl game that featured the Air Force [Falcons football|Air Force Falcons] and the North [Carolina Tar Heels football|North Carolina Tar Heels].
Background
This was the Falcons' first bowl game since 1959 [Cotton Bowl Classic|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 Cotton [Bowl Classic|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
Aftermath
Air Force did not return to a bowl game until 1971, nor win one until 1982 [Hall of Fame Classic|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.