2003 Sugar Bowl

The 2003 Sugar Bowl, a 2002–03 BCS game, was played on January 1, 2003. This 69th edition to the Sugar Bowl featured the Georgia Bulldogs, and the Florida State Seminoles. Georgia came into the game 12–1 and ranked 3rd in the BCS, whereas Florida State came into the game 9–4 and ranked 14th in the BCS.

2003 Nokia Sugar Bowl
Georgia Bulldogs Florida State Seminoles
(12-1) (9-4)
26 13
Head coach: 
Mark Richt		 Head coach: 
Bobby Bowden
APCoachesBCS
443
APCoachesBCS
161614
1234 Total
Georgia 31463 26
Florida State 0760 13
DateJanuary 1, 2003
Season2002
StadiumLouisiana Superdome
LocationNew Orleans, Louisiana
FavoriteGeorgia by 7.5
RefereeChuck McFerrin (Pac-10)
Attendance74,269

Kicker Billy Bennett kicked a 23-yard field goal with 10 minutes left in the opening quarter to account for the quarter's only points. In the second quarter, FSU quarterback Fabian Walker threw a 5-yard slant pass to Anquan Boldin as FSU took a 7–3 lead. Florida State was driving again in the second quarter before cornerback Bruce Thornton stepped in front of a Walker pass and raced 73 yards to the opposite end zone, to give Georgia a 10–7 lead. Quarterback D.J. Shockley threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Terrence Edwards before halftime to give the Bulldogs a 17–7 half time lead.

Billy Bennett accounted for two more Georgia field goals in the third quarter, as Georgia posted a 23–7 lead. On the final play of the third quarter, wide receiver Anquan Boldin (who had replaced quarterback Fabian Walker) threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Craphonso Thorpe. The ensuing two-point conversion failed, and the lead was 23–13. Billy Bennett kicked another field goal in the fourth quarter, as Georgia held off Florida State. Georgia's running back Musa Smith won the MVP award.

Seminoles defensive tackle Darnell Dockett was suspended from the game after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor theft charge.[1]

Aftermath

Georgia completed the season 13–1 and finished ranked #3 in both major polls. Florida State finished the season 9–5 and #21/#24 in the polls.

References
  1. "Seminoles' Dockett suspended for bowl". The Times-Union. December 23, 2002.
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