2013 Sugar Bowl
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| 2013 Allstate Sugar Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| BCS Bowl Game 79th Sugar Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
.JPG) The Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, hosted the Sugar Bowl. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date | January 2, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Season | 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stadium | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | New Orleans, Louisiana | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MVP | Teddy Bridgewater (QB - Louisville) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Favorite | Florida by 13½[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Referee | Dan Capron (Big Ten) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Attendance | 54,178 [2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payout | US$17,000,000 per team[3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States TV coverage | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Network | ESPN, ESPN Deportes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Announcers | ESPN:
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| Nielsen ratings | 6.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 2013 Allstate Sugar Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game on Wednesday, January 2, 2013, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game featured the Florida Gators of the SEC and the Louisville Cardinals of the Big East.[4] The game was broadcast live on ESPN at 8:30 p.m. ET.[3] Louisville was selected to their first Sugar Bowl after a 10–2 regular season that culminated in a share of the Big East title. Florida was picked as the other half of the matchup following an 11–1 campaign.
As two touchdown underdogs, the Louisville Cardinals beat the Gators 33–23.[5] In recognition of his performance during the game, Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was named the game's most valuable player.[6]
Florida
The 2013 Sugar Bowl marked the third meeting between Florida and Louisville, with Florida holding a 2–0 advantage coming into the game. The previous meeting was on October 24, 1992, in a 31–17 win for the Gators.[7]
Florida started the season with 7 straight wins before suffering their only regular season loss against rivals Georgia. The Gators ended the season 11–1 and were SEC Eastern Division Co-Champions. Because of their loss to Georgia, Florida did not play in the 2012 SEC Championship Game against Alabama. However, because Alabama was playing in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game, Florida was selected as an at-large pick to replace Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.[7]
Florida came into the game with one of the nation's best defenses. In the regular season, Florida allowed an average of only 12.9 points per game, which was third in the FBS, and allowed only 5 passing touchdowns while making 19 interceptions. The Gators' defense was led by first-team All-America safety Matt Elam. On offense, the Gators were led by All-SEC running back Mike Gillislee, who came into the game with 1,104 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.[7][8]
This was the Gators' 9th Sugar Bowl appearance; they had previously appeared in the 2010 game against Cincinnati, where they won 51–24. Florida had a 3–5 record in the Sugar Bowl coming into the game.[7]
Louisville
Louisville started the season with a 9–0 record before dropping back-to-back games against Syracuse and Connecticut. In their regular season finale, the Cardinals were able to beat Rutgers 20–17 in a come from behind victory to clinch a share of the final Big East title. Louisville ended the season with an overall record of 10–2.[7]
Louisville entered the game averaging 31 points and 425.67 yards of offense per game. The Cardinals offense was led by Big East Offensive Player of the Year Teddy Bridgewater, who came into the game with 3,452 yards passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns. Louisville's ground game was led by running backs Jeremy Wright and Senorise Perry, who combined for 1,445 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns.[7]
This was Louisville's first appearance in the Sugar Bowl.[7]
