2001 Sugar Bowl


The 2001 Sugar Bowl a 2000-01 BCS game was played on January 2, 2001. This 67th edition to the Sugar Bowl featured the Florida Gators, and the Miami Hurricanes, in an in-state rivalry game. Miami came into the game ranked 3rd in the BCS, 2nd in both the Coaches and AP Poll, at 10-1, whereas Florida came into the game ranked 7th in the BCS at 10-2.
Florida started the scoring with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Florida quarterback Rex Grossman to tight end Kirk Wells. Miami responded with a 44-yard Todd Sievers field goal to trim the lead to 7-3. Later in the quarter, quarterback Ken Dorsey fired an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeremy Shockey, and Miami took a 10-7 lead after 1 quarter.
Todd Sievers kicked a 29-yard field goal in the second quarter to extend the lead to 13-7. Florida kicker Jeff Chandler kicked a 51-yard field goal before halftime to get the Gators to 13-10. In the third quarter, running back Earnest Graham rushed 36 yards for the go-ahead touchdown, and Florida took a 17-13 lead.
Ken Dorsey later fired a 19-yard touchdown pass to running back D.J. Williams, and Miami reclaimed the lead, 20-17. A Ken Dorsey touchdown later in the quarter increased the lead to 27-17. Florida got within 27-20 following a Jeff Chandler field goal, but Miami scored the game's final 10 points to close the scoring.
The game featured a rare penalty incurred by a mascot. Sebastian the Ibis received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for excessive celebration when he celebrated a Miami touchdown with Najeh Davenport.