1990 Florida Citrus Bowl

American college football game December 2025 August 2023 Florida Citrus Bowl Florida Citrus Growers Association January 1 1990 1989 Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, Florida University of Illinois Illinois Fighting Illini 9–2 11 11 John Mackovic Big Ten 7 10 7 7 University of Virginia Virginia Cavaliers 10–2 15 14 George Welsh ACC 0 7 7 7 QB Jeff George, Illinois Loyd Dale (Southern Independent) 60,016 ABC Gary Bender and Dick Vermeil The 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game at the Florida Citrus Bowl stadium in Orlando, Florida between the University of Illinois Fighting Illini and the Virginia Cavaliers on January 1, 1990. The game was the final contest of the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season for both teams, and ended in a 31–21 victory for Illinois. Game summary Illinois snapped a 26-year bowl victory drought with a 31–21 win over Virginia in the Florida Citrus Bowl. Illinois jumped on the Cavaliers early, with linebacker Bill Henkel recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff. Five plays later, quarterback Jeff George drilled a 15-yard scoring strike to Steven Williams. After Virginia tied the game early in the second quarter, George directed Illinois on an 80-yard scoring drive. Illinois opened the second half with an 84-yard drive capped by fullback Howard Griffith's three-yard touchdown. Early in the fourth quarter, receiver Mike Bellamy scored on a 26-yard pass from George to clinch an Illini victory. George earned MVP honors, completing 26-of-38 for 321 yards and three TDs.https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-illinois-just-too-strong/140156187/ St. Petersburg Times Illinois just too strong for Virginia in 31–21 win January 2, 1990 February 3, 2024 Newspapers.com Scoring summary Quarter Team Scoring summary Score Illinois Virginia1 IllinoisSteven Williams 15-yard touchdown reception from Jeff George, Doug Higgins kick good 7 02 VirginiaTim Finkelston 30-yard touchdown reception from Shawn Moore, Jake McInerney kick good 7 7 IllinoisDan Donovan 1-yard touchdown reception from Jeff George, Doug Higgins kick good 14 7 Illinois34-yard field goal by Doug Higgins 17 73 Illinois3-yard touchdown run by Howard Griffith, Doug Higgins kick good 24 7 Virginia2-yard touchdown run by Marcus Wilson, Jake McInerney kick good 24 144 IllinoisMike Bellamy 24-yard touchdown reception from Jeff George, Doug Higgins kick good 31 14 VirginiaHerman Moore 4-yard touchdown reception from Shawn Moore, Jake McInerney kick good 31 21 31 21 Statistical summary Team Statistics (Rushing-Passing-Total): UI – 176-321-497; UV – 110-112-322. Individual Statistical Leaders Rushing (Att.-Yds.-TD): UI – Griffith 18-93-0, Steve Feagin 10-54-0; UV – Terry Kirby 8-64-0. Passing (Att.-Comp.-Int.-TD-Yds.): UI – George 38-26-1-3-321; UV – S. Moore 27-17-2-2-191. Receiving (No.-Yds.-TD): UI – Bellamy 8-166-1, Williams 4-45-1; UV – Finkelston 3-69-1, Herman Moore 5-56-1. References Florida Citrus Bowl Category:Citrus Bowl (game) Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football bowl games Category:Virginia Cavaliers football bowl games Florida Citrus Bowl Florida Citrus Bowl