JACKSONVILLE — TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Chairman Andy King and the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Board of Trustees announced today that Duke will play #14 Ole Miss in the 80th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 2.
The 80th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl will be the first ever meeting between these two teams. This will be the first appearance in the Bowl by Duke who finished 9-3 and coming off five consecutive Bowl wins. Over the past three years, Duke has finished 26-12.
In its 79-game history, the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl has hosted Ole Miss three times including one of the most iconic games in bowl history. In January 1971, Ole Miss met Auburn in Jacksonville for the 26th Gator Bowl featuring Heisman runner up and Ole Miss icon Archie Manning in a full arm cast.
“It’s a tremendous honor to host the 80th annual TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. As the 6th oldest bowl game in the nation, writing the 80th chapter of this iconic game carries a lot of pride for our membership and our community,” said Andy King. “The opportunity to host two top-tier teams in Duke vs Ole Miss as well as their players, coaches and fans to our city for a great week of activities celebrating both programs’ successful seasons.”
The 80th Annual TaxSlayer Gator Bowl will be played on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m. on Bill Gay Grounds at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., and will be nationally televised on ESPN.
“Our company has proudly been the title sponsor of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl for 14 years,” said Jamie Saxe, CEO of TaxSlayer. “We’re excited to be a part of this legacy that spans generations. Congratulations to the Duke Blue Devils and Ole Miss Rebels for making it this far.”
