NCAA football bowl games, 1982-83

The 1982-83 Bowl Season featured 16 games starting early in December and ending on January 1, 1983. The Aloha Bowl was introduced this year.

Independence Bowl

December 11, 1982 Shreveport, LA
"Independence Stadium"

Holiday Bowl

December 17, 1982 San Diego, CA
"Jack Murphy Stadium"
At Large (): Ohio St. Buckeyes 47, WAC Champion: BYU Cougars 17

Tangerine Bowl

December 18, 1982 Orlando, FL
"Orlando Stadium"

California Bowl

December 18, 1982 Fresno, CA
PCAA Champion: Fresno St. Bulldogs 29, MAC Champion: Bowling Green Falcons 28

Sun Bowl

Aloha Bowl

Liberty Bowl

Gator Bowl

Hall of Fame Classic

Played in Birmingham, AL, this Hall of Fame Classic game (lasted from 1977 to 1985, then became the All-American Bowl for 5 more years) pitted the 8-4 Air Force Falcons against the 8-4 Vanderbilt Commodores on December 31, 1982. Down by 28-17, the Falcons struck for 19 points in final quarter to win 36-28. (source: Air Force Falcon Football Media Guide, 1996)

Bluebonnet Bowl

Peach Bowl

Fiesta Bowl

"'January 1, 1983 Tempe, AZ
"Sun Devil Stadium"

Arizona St. 32 Oklahoma (Big-8) 21

Orange Bowl

"'January 1, 1983 Miami, FL
"Miami Orange Bowl"
Big 8 Champion: Nebraska Cornhuskers 21, At Large (SEC # ) LSU Tigers 20
Most Valuable Players: Turner Gill and Dave Rimington

Sugar Bowl

"'January 1, 1983 New Orleans, LA
"Louisiana Superdome"
At Large (Independent): Penn St. Nittany Lions 27, Georgia 23Linescore Amfootball
Road=Penn St.
R1=7
R2=13
R3=0
R4=7
RT=27
Home=Georgia
H1=3
H2=7
H3=7
H4=6
HT=23

After Penn State controlled the first half, Georgia attempted to muster a comeback in the second half. It looked like they might be successful, until Penn State completed a 47 yard play-action pass from Todd Blackledge to a diving Gregg Garrity for a touchdown in the 4th quarter. Still, Georgia came back to score a touchdown of their own to get to within 4 points with 4 minutes remaining, but the Nittany Lions were able to run out the clock for the victory. The win earned Penn State its first national championship.

*Scoring
*Penn St: Touchdowns - Warner (2), Garrity
*Penn St: Field Goals - Gancitano (2)
*Penn St: PAT - Gancitano (3)
*Georgia: Touchdown - Archie, Walker, Kay
*Georgia: Field Goal - Manca
*Georgia: PAT - Manca (2)Most Valuable Player: Todd Blackledge

Rose Bowl

Linescore Amfootball
Road=UCLA
R1=7
R2=3
R3=7
R4=7
RT=24
Home=Michigan
H1=0
H2=0
H3=7
H4=7
HT=14

January 1, 1983 Pasadena, CA
"Rose Bowl"
Pac Ten Champion: UCLA Bruins 24, Big Ten champion Michigan Wolverines 14
Most Outstanding Players: Tom Ramsey and Don Rogers

Cotton Bowl

January 1, 1983 Dallas, TX
"Cotton Bowl"
SWC Champion: SMU Mustangs 7, At Large (Independent): Pitt Panthers 3
Linescore Amfootball
Road=Pittsburgh
R1=0
R2=0
R3=3
R4=0
RT=3
Home=Southern Methodist
H1=0
H2=0
H3=7
H4=0
HT=7

SMU had a pair of great runners in Eric Dickerson and Craig James, while Pitt had a great passer in Dan Marino. However, a mistake-ridden performance would kill all the expected offensive fireworks, with SMU giving away two fumbles and Dan Marino throwing an interception in the end zone in the final quarter. The victory earned undefeated SMU the number two spot in the polls.

*Scoring
*SMU: Touchdown - McIllhenny
*SMU: PAT - Harrell
*Pitt: Field Goal - SchubertMost Outstanding Players: Lance McIllhenny and Wes Hopkins