1983 Gator Bowl...

MitchKing

Freshman
Jan 2, 2023
32
91
18
I think it is still to this day the coldest Gator Bowl played on record. Kick off temps I believe we're low 30s. I was in middle school at the time and the thing I remember most about the game outside of the temperatures were the obnoxious Gator fans. Near fisticuffs.
 

KuwaitHawk

All-American
Apr 18, 2004
7,452
7,918
113
Was there, end zone, near the top. It was cold as hell. I remember in my hotel room on the exterior wall a big ‘X’ where steel beams were. It was that cold.
 

MitchKing

Freshman
Jan 2, 2023
32
91
18
We took a chartered bus down and had to stop for the night in Terre Haute because the interstate was shut down. The bus was a full fledged party, alcohol and smoke....no fun for a 15 year old. Thank God for my yellow Sony Walkman and cassette tapes!
 

NevdaHawk

Redshirt
Jul 2, 2001
25
22
3
I remember watching that game on TV. Wilbur Marshall was a handful for the Hawwk offense. The Gators owned us from start to finish.
 
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15

All-Conference
Dec 3, 2014
1,351
2,685
113
I drove up from Boca Raton where I was spending time with family at my in-laws Condo.
Cold as heck but I hooked up with former Beckman coach Tom Jenk (RIP) he had a warm beverage for me ,,,somehow made the game go faster.
 
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Frydaze

Heisman
Nov 25, 2001
35,590
36,938
113
Anyone attend? Cold night, Chuck w 4 picks. Gators had two future NFL RBs and future NFL LB Wilber Marshall.
Cold *** is right. The Orange Bowl game vs GT some 27 years later was almost as cold and the Outback in Tampa vs LSU not long after that was mother crap Florida day.
 

Dukeslater21

Junior
Aug 5, 2022
210
349
63
Maybe the coldest game I've ever attended, and that includes the snow and ice bowl at Kinnick back in '91, I believe, and late November games in East Lansing and Minneapolis. Not only were the temps so bad for that night game in Jacksonville, but the wind was howling in off the St. John River, and it sliced right through me. Wind chill had to be near or below zero. Combined with Iowa's poor offensive showing, that 14-6 defeat was one of the most miserable games, in every respect, that I've ever had the misfortune of attending.
 
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rfgiowa

Sophomore
Sep 14, 2003
108
138
43
I was there as a 3rd grader...I vaguely remember the game...but remember how cold it was.
 

BDJfam

Senior
Iowa Swarm member
Dec 20, 2002
362
830
93
We were there in the upper deck where the wind in our faces made the cold even worse. I didn’t remember Chuck’s picks but do remember him being called for delay of game several times when he was never called for it during the season. Hayden was yelling at the refs as they went to the locker room for halftime which he also never did. We later found out the clock operator was starting the play clock a bit early thus the delay of game penalties or having to rush the play and Hayden was making the refs aware of that. Sucks to play the Gators (and their clock operators ) in the Gator Bowl!!
 

MitchKing

Freshman
Jan 2, 2023
32
91
18
I don't think Florida had "arrived" nationally as a powerhouse at that point. Charlie Pell was their HC at the time. I believe they got hit with probation and that cost Charlie his job. Could be wrong on that.
 
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EasyHawk

Heisman
Iowa Swarm member
Jun 21, 2015
4,853
15,077
113
Was there with my Dad (RIP) and brother, we were kind of pumped for the cold as we thought it favored Iowa and Florida would be in trouble. Sure didn't work out that way. I sure do remember the cold.
 

828Hawk

All-Conference
Apr 24, 2002
425
1,211
93
Wasn't at that one... but was at the Orange Bowl in 09 and the Outback in 13. Both cold as hell. We lived in FLA for 13 years. For some reason, 30's/40's in Floria feels colder than 10s/20s in Iowa!
 
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hawkeyeandy

Redshirt
Jan 9, 2023
10
22
3
Was on South Padre Island, freezing my *** off, watching the game. The main waterline to the island had frozen, leaving everyone without water. Spent the first two days of vacation living primitive in a nice resort. Had to go to the mainland for every meal.
 

haightt

Senior
Iowa Swarm member
Nov 8, 2004
447
674
93
Yep, was there. Had driven from St. Pete; nice motel in St. Augustine until the hotel's heating system broke down. Got tix from a Bull Gator so sat amongst Gators on the 45 yd. line 20 rows up from the Iowa bench (I think). Layered clothing, long underwear, double socks, sleeping bags and plastic bags. Brutal conditions; brutal outcome. Talked to some Iowa folks from my Marshalltown hometown who were in the south end zone. Wind chill unreal up there. Agree with Frydaze re: Outback Bowl v LSU. Cold and rainy if I remember right. Outcome as crappy for that one, too.
 

Cidsports

All-American
Iowa Swarm member
Nov 8, 2001
45,141
9,944
113
Maybe the coldest game I've ever attended, and that includes the snow and ice bowl at Kinnick back in '91, I believe, and late November games in East Lansing and Minneapolis. Not only were the temps so bad for that night game in Jacksonville, but the wind was howling in off the St. John River, and it sliced right through me. Wind chill had to be near or below zero. Combined with Iowa's poor offensive showing, that 14-7 defeat was one of the most miserable games, in every respect, that I've ever had the misfortune of attending.

The final score was 14-6 and apparently Florida's first Top 10 finish ever in FB 🤔



Hayden Fry would move to 2-2 in bowl games the next season with the wet, but blowout victory over Texas.
 

o_IAVagabond

All-Conference
Iowa Swarm member
Jan 1, 2023
653
1,093
93
I remember watching that game on TV. Wilbur Marshall was a handful for the Hawwk offense. The Gators owned us from start to finish.

I do vaguely remember though, Joe Levelis slamming Marshall to the ground on one play….really enjoyed that. But, yes, he moved around a lot wreaked havoc.
 
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ks4iowa

Freshman
Jul 30, 2006
16
58
13
Anyone attend? Cold night, Chuck w 4 picks. Gators had two future NFL RBs and future NFL LB Wilber Marshall.
That was my first Hawkeye bowl game. Attended with my dad. I was 18 and on Christmas leave from Army basic training. Remember going for a run on the beach and freezing my butt off. The game was disappointing but one of many precious memories with my dad and the Hawkeyes.
 

NIhawk79

All-Conference
Jul 23, 2001
1,005
1,307
113
Wasn't at that one... but was at the Orange Bowl in 09 and the Outback in 13. Both cold as hell. We lived in FLA for 13 years. For some reason, 30's/40's in Floria feels colder than 10s/20s in Iowa!
I was at both bowl games. I stayed at diamond jo casino in Northwood night before flying to fort myers for orange bowl. -25 that morning. Drove across alligator alley. No alligators. Orange bowl was cold.
I booked black Friday flights to 2013-14 outback bowl. I was guessing Iowa would go there but flights were cheap enough I was going no matter. The worst weather of the 5 outback bowls I have been to but not terrible. Bought a rain poncho.
 

CurlyHawk

Senior
Iowa Swarm member
Dec 1, 2001
267
614
93
We were there in the upper deck where the wind in our faces made the cold even worse. I didn’t remember Chuck’s picks but do remember him being called for delay of game several times when he was never called for it during the season. Hayden was yelling at the refs as they went to the locker room for halftime which he also never did. We later found out the clock operator was starting the play clock a bit early thus the delay of game penalties or having to rush the play and Hayden was making the refs aware of that. Sucks to play the Gators (and their clock operators ) in the Gator Bowl!!
I was also there and like you the four of us who decided to take a Florida winter break, we’re on the top row in the South end zone with the wind blasting us in our face. And we did not bring the proper clothing. Froze our asses off.
before the game they said the cold would be an advantage for Iowa. Ah, not so much.
 
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ks4iowa

Freshman
Jul 30, 2006
16
58
13
Anyone attend? Cold night, Chuck w 4 picks. Gators had two future NFL RBs and future NFL LB Wilber Marshall.
My first Hawkeye bowl game, Attended with my dad while on leave from Army Basic Training. As already mentioned, it was cold as hell and I believe the pipes in the stadium froze. The performance from the Hawks was disappointing, but one of many great Hawkeye memories with my dad.