2021 UNION HOME MORTGAGE GASPARILLA BOWL GAME NOTES – FINAL SCORE: UCF 29, Florida 17
Game MVP:
Ryan O’Keefe, UCF – 251 all-purpose yards; 110 yards rushing, 85 yards receiving, 56 yards returning kickoffs; 1 touchdown receiving
Bowl Notes:
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The game attendance of 63,669 is a new Gasparilla Bowl record, eclipsing the total of 29,763 established when Rutgers faced UCF in 2009 when the game was played at Tropicana Field. The previous record attendance for games played at Raymond James Stadium was 28,987 for the 2019 game between Marshall and UCF
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The victory is the third in five Gasparilla Bowl appearances for UCF, matching Marshall for the most victories by a school in the 13-year history of the bowl.
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The American Athletic Conference improves to 3-3 in Gasparilla Bowl appearances while the Southeastern Conference (SEC) falls to 1-1.
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UCF is the first team trailing at the half to win the Gasparilla Bowl since Mississippi State in 2016.
Bowl Game Records Set/Tied:
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Longest run from scrimmage: 74 yards, Ryan O’Keefe, UCF
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All-Purpose Yards (Run, Rev., KR, PR, IR): 251 yards, Ryan O’Keefe, UCF
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Most Rushing Attempts: 35, Isaiah Bowser, UCF
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Most Field Goals Made: 3 (ties record), Daniel Obarski, UCF
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Worst Third Down Conversion Percentage: .154, Florida (2-of-13)
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Most Combined Punts: 11 (ties record), UCF (5) vs. Florida (6)
Game Notes
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The 74-yard run by Ryan O’Keefe of UCF in the third quarter is the longest run in Gasparilla Bowl history and the longest play from scrimmage for UCF this season. The run setup a four-yard touchdown by Isaiah Bowser.
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Later in the third quarter, O’Keefe caught a 54-yard touchdown pass that was the longest pass reception of the season for UCF. He also had a 38-yard kick return in the game to establish a bowl record for all-purpose yards.
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Ryan O’Keefe (110) and Isaiah Bowser (155) of UCF became the first teammates and fifth and sixth runners, respectively, in Gasparilla Bowl history to eclipse 100-yards rushing. Bowser’s 147-yards are the second most in game history while O’Keefe’s 110 yards is the third highest.