TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 23: The 2019 Champion trophy waits on the sidelines during the Gasparilla Bowl between the University of Central Florida Knights and the Marshall Thundering Herd on December 23, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mary Holt/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UCF (8-4, American Athletic) vs. Florida (6-6, SEC), Dec. 23, 7 p.m. ET
LOCATION: Tampa, Florida.
TOP PLAYERS
UCF: DE Big Kat Bryant, all-AAC first-team selection, team leader with six sacks, 14 tackles for loss and eight quarterback hurries.
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Florida: QB Emory Jones, led Florida in passing and rushing, 2,563 yards passing, 19 touchdowns; 696 yards rushing, four touchdowns.
NOTABLE
UCF: Knights first-year coach Gus Malzahn has qualified for a bowl game all 10 of his seasons as a college head coach.
Sports
Florida: The Gators were a top-10 team in early October before losing five of seven that led to the dismissal of coach Dan Mullen. It took a 24-21 rivalry win over Florida State on the season's final weekend to secure a bowl game.
LAST TIME
Florida 42, UCF 0. (Sept. 9, 2006).
BOWL HISTORY
UCF: Fifth appearance in the Gasparilla Bowl and ninth postseason trip in the past 10 years.
Florida: First appearance in the Gasparilla Bowl, 48th postseason game in program history.
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