2013 Sugar Bowl The 2013 Allstate Sugar Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game on Wednesday , January 2 , 2013 , at the Mercedes - Benz Superdome in New Orleans , Louisiana . The game featured the Florida Gators of the SEC and the Louisville Cardinals of the Big East . The game was broadcasted live on ESPN at 8 : 30 PM ET . Louisville was selected to their first Sugar Bowl after a 10 - 2 regular season that culminated in a share of the Big East title . Florida was picked as the other half of the matchup following an 11 – 1 campaign As two touchdown underdogs , the Louisville Cardinals beat the Gators 33 - 23 in the largest upset in BCS history . In recognition of his performance during the game , Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was named the game ' s most valuable player . Teams . The 2013 Sugar Bowl marked the third meeting between Florida and Louisville , with Florida holding a 2 - 0 advantage coming into the game . The previous meeting was on October 24 , 1992 , in a 31 - 17 win for the Gators . Florida . Florida started the season with 7 straight wins before suffering their only regular season loss against rivals Georgia . The Gators ended the season 11 - 1 and were SEC Eastern Division Co - Champions . Because of their loss to Georgia , Florida did not play in the 2012 SEC Championship Game against Alabama . However , because Alabama was playing in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game , Florida was selected as an at - large pick to replace Alabama in the Sugar Bowl . Florida came into the game with one of the nation ' s best defense . In the regular season , Florida allowed an average of only 12 . 9 points per game , which was third in the FBS , and allowed only 5 passing touchdowns while making 19 interceptions . The Gators ' defense was led by first - team All - America safety Matt Elam . On offense , the Gators were led by All - SEC running back Mike Gillislee , who came into the game with 1 , 104 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns . This was the Gators ' 9th Sugar Bowl appearance ; they had previously appeared in the 2010 game against Cincinnati , where they won 51 - 24 . Florida had a 3 - 5 record in the Sugar Bowl coming into the game . Louisville . Louisville started the season with a 9 - 0 record before dropping back - to - back games against Syracuse and Connecticut . In their regular season finale , the Cardinals were able to beat Rutgers 20 - 17 in a come from behind victory to clinch a share of the Big East title . Louisville ended the season with an overall record of 10 - 2 . Louisville entered the game averaging 31 points and 425 . 67 yards of offense per game . The Cardinals offense was led by Big East Offensive Player of the Year Teddy Bridgewater , who came into the game with 3 , 452 yards passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns . Louisville ' s ground game was led by running backs Jeremy Wright and Senorise Perry , who combined for 1 , 445 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns . This was Louisville ' s first appearance in the Sugar Bowl . Game summary . First half . Louisville scored on the first offensive play of the game when Louisville cornerback Terell Floyd intercepted Jeff Driskel and returned the ball 38 yards for a touchdown . Louisville further extended their lead to 14 - 0 on a 1 - yard touchdown run by Jeremy Wright . Florida finally got on board in the second quarter with a 33 - yard field goal from Caleb Sturgis to make it 14 - 3 . Louisville responded with a 27 - yard field goal from John Wallace to make it 17 - 3 . After forcing Florida to punt , Louisville extended their lead 24 - 3 on a 15 - yard touchdown pass from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to DeVante Parker . Florida was able to close the gap towards the end of the second quarter on a 4th down , 1 - yard touchdown run from Matt Jones to make the score 24 - 10 going into halftime . Second half . Florida opened the second half on with an onside kick . However , Florida was unable to recover the onside kick , giving Louiville the ball at Florida ' s 19 - yard line following personal foul penalties on Florida . Taking advantage of the good field position , the Cardinals scored on a 19 - yard touchdown pass from Teddy Bridgewater to Damian Copeland . The extra point was blocked , however , giving Louisville a 30 - 10 lead . Louisville had a few more opportunities in the third quarter to extend their lead . The Cardinals defense recovered a fumble at Florida ' s 4 - yard line . However , after Bridgewater was sacked twice on drive , placekicker John Wallace missed a 43 yard field goal . After forcing Florida to punt on the ensuing drive , Louisville was able to drive to Florida ' s 9 - yard line . However , after an illegal block penalty that backed up the Cardinals to the 24 - yard line , John Wallace ' s 41 - yard field goal attempt was blocked . Early in the 4th quarter , Florida drove to Louisville ' s 9 - yard line . Florida came up empty , however , after Louisville ' s Andrew Johnson intercepted Jeff Driskel in the endzone . Taking advantage of the interception , Louisville extended their lead to 33 - 10 on a 30 - yard field goal from John Wallace . On the ensuing kickoff , Florida ' s Andre Debose returned the ball 100 yards to cut the lead down to 33 - 17 . After forcing Louisville to punt , Florida was able to cut further into the lead on a 5 - yard touchdown pass from Jeff Driskel to Kent Taylor . Florida ' s two - point conversion attempt was unsuccessful , however , making the score 33 - 23 with 2 : 13 left in regulation . Florida was unable to recover the ensuing onside kick , and Louisville was able to hold on for the victory after getting a 1st down .