1990 Florida Citrus Bowl

Last updated

1990 Florida Citrus Growers Association Florida Citrus Bowl
1234Total
Illinois7107731
Virginia077721
DateJanuary 1, 1990
Season 1989
Stadium Florida Citrus Bowl
Location Orlando, Florida
MVPQB Jeff George, Illinois
Referee Loyd Dale (Southern Independent)
Attendance60,016
United States TV coverage
Network ABC
Announcers Gary Bender and Dick Vermeil
Florida Citrus Bowl
  1989   1991  

The 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game at the Florida Citrus Bowl stadium in Orlando, Florida between the University of Illinois Fighting Illini and the Virginia Cavaliers on January 1, 1990. The game was the final contest of the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season for both teams, and ended in a 3121 victory for Illinois.

Contents

Game summary

Illinois snapped a 26-year bowl victory drought with a 31–21 win over Virginia in the Florida Citrus Bowl. Illinois jumped on the Cavaliers early, with linebacker Bill Henkel recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff. Five plays later, quarterback Jeff George drilled a 15-yard scoring strike to Steven Williams. After Virginia tied the game early in the second quarter, George directed Illinois on an 80-yard scoring drive. Illinois opened the second half with an 84-yard drive capped by fullback Howard Griffith's three-yard touchdown. Early in the fourth quarter, receiver Mike Bellamy scored on a 26-yard pass from George to clinch an Illini victory. George earned MVP honors, completing 26-of-38 for 321 yards and three TDs. [1]

Scoring summary

QuarterTeamScoring summaryScore
IllinoisVirginia
1IllinoisSteven Williams 15-yard touchdown reception from Jeff George , Doug Higgins kick good70
2VirginiaTim Finkelston 30-yard touchdown reception from Shawn Moore , Jake McInerney kick good77
IllinoisDan Donovan 1-yard touchdown reception from Jeff George, Doug Higgins kick good147
Illinois34-yard field goal by Doug Higgins177
3Illinois3-yard touchdown run by Howard Griffith , Doug Higgins kick good247
Virginia2-yard touchdown run by Marcus Wilson, Jake McInerney kick good2414
4Illinois Mike Bellamy 24-yard touchdown reception from Jeff George, Doug Higgins kick good3114
Virginia Herman Moore 4-yard touchdown reception from Shawn Moore, Jake McInerney kick good3121
3121

Statistical summary

Team Statistics

(Rushing-Passing-Total): UI – 176-321-497; UV – 110-112-322.

Individual Statistical Leaders

Rushing (Att.-Yds.-TD): UI – Griffith 18-93-0, Steve Feagin 10-54-0; UV – Terry Kirby 8-64-0.

Passing (Att.-Comp.-Int.-TD-Yds.): UI – George 38-26-1-3-321; UV – S. Moore 27-17-2-2-191.

Receiving (No.-Yds.-TD): UI – Bellamy 8-166-1, Williams 4-45-1; UV – Finkelston 3-69-1, Herman Moore 5-56-1.

References

  1. "Illinois just too strong for Virginia in 31–21 win". St. Petersburg Times. January 2, 1990. Retrieved February 3, 2024 via Newspapers.com.