1982–83 NCAA football bowl games

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

Wisconsin (Big 10) 14 Kansas State (Big 8) 3

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 Auburn Tigers (SEC) 33 v. Boston College Eagles (Ind) 26

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

Sun Bowl
December 25, 1982 El Paso, Texas

Sun Bowl Stadium

North Carolina (ACC) 26, Texas (SWC) 10

Aloha Bowl
December 25, 1982 Honolulu, Hawaii

Aloha Stadium

Washington (Pac-10) 26, Maryland (ACC) 20

Liberty Bowl
December 29, 1982: Alabama 21 (SEC) v. Illinois 15 (Big 10)

Gator Bowl
December 30, 1982 Jacksonville, Florida

Gator Bowl Stadium

Florida State (Independent) 26, West Virginia (Independent) 20

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
'''January 1, 1983 Houston, Texas Astrodome

Arkansas (SWC) 28 Florida 24 (SEC)

Peach Bowl
'''December 31, 1982 Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium

Iowa (Big 10) 28 Tennessee 22 (SEC)

Fiesta Bowl
'''January 1, 1983 Tempe, AZ Sun Devil Stadium

Arizona St. 32 (Pac 10) Oklahoma (Big-8) 21

Orange Bowl
'''January 1, 1983 Miami, FL Miami Orange Bowl Big 8 Champion: Nebraska Cornhuskers 21, At Large (SEC #2 ) 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 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.

Most Valuable Player: Todd Blackledge
 * 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)

Rose Bowl
January 1, 1983 Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl Pac-10 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

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.

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