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Florida quarterback Emory Jones looks for a receiver against Florida State on Nov. 27 in Gainesville, Fla. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)
Florida will face UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa on Dec. 23 at 7 p.m.
The Knights out of the American Athletic Conference finished the season 8-4 while the Gators were 6-6.
Here’s a breakdown:
TOP PLAYERS
UCF: DE Big Kat Bryant, all-AAC first-team selection, team leader with six sacks, 14 tackles for loss and eight quarterback hurries.
Florida: QB Emory Jones, led Florida in passing and rushing, 2,563 yards passing, 19 touchdowns; 696 yards rushing, four touchdowns.
NOTABLE
UCF: Knights first-year coach Gus Malzahn has qualified for a bowl game all 10 of his seasons as a college head coach.
Florida: The Gators were a top-10 team in early October before losing five of seven that led to the dismissal of coach Dan Mullen. It took a 24-21 rivalry win over Florida State on the season's final weekend to secure a bowl game.
LAST TIME
Florida 42, UCF 0. (Sept. 9, 2006).
BOWL HISTORY
UCF: Fifth appearance in the Gasparilla Bowl and ninth postseason trip in the past 10 years.
Florida: First appearance in the Gasparilla Bowl, 48th postseason game in program history.