2000 - 2009 Climbing the Ranks
A Brave New Millenium
The 2000s were all about soaring to new heights for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The annual ACC/SEC grudge match was translating into massive ratings and sold out games, continuing a sellout streak that would last into the next decade. The Bowl was becoming a larger player on the national scene, attracting highly-ranked teams and providing a spotlight for some of the best players and coaches in the game.
LSU 28 - #15 Georgia Tech 14
Despite the near homefield for Georgia Tech, Nick Saban’s Tigers gave the SEC their 5th consecutive Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl victory in front of 73,614 fans–a third consecutive attendance record.
North Carolina 16
Auburn 10
A smothering UNC defense limited Auburn to 176 total yards, breaking the SEC’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl winning streak.
#13 Maryland 30
Tennessee 3
The Terrapins cruised to a 27-point win over the Volunteers. Maryland return-man Steve Suter had a Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl record 95 yards in punt returns.
Since 2002, the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl has given more than
$21 Million
in Charity + Scholarships
Under Chick-fil-A’s leadership, the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl became college football’s most charitable bowl game. Primary initiatives include the Academic Mentoring Program in Atlanta Public Schools, the Extra Yard for Teachers program, and the Lions Lighthouse Foundation andVision Screening Initiative.
Clemson 27
#6 Tennessee 14
Clemson used Coach Tommy Bowden’s hurry-up offense and a fumblerooski to beat the sixth-ranked Volunteers.
#14 Miami 27
#20 Florida 10
The Hurricanes knocked off their in-state rivals with an intimidating defense and two 70+ yard special teams touchdowns.
Bye, Bye Peach
After 38 Peachy games, the Bowl made their third name change in 2006. The Peach was plucked from the title and the game became the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Georgia 31
#14 Virginia Tech 24
Down 21-3 at halftime, UGA staged the game’s largest second-half comeback to win the inaugural Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Since 1968 there has been exactly one overtime game in Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl history–the Trial of the Tigers, between Auburn and Clemson on New Year’s Eve 2007. Following a Clemson field goal on the opening possession of overtime, Auburn running back Kodi Burns sprinted into the endzone from seven yards out to seal the victory.
LSU 38
#14 Georgia Tech 3
LSU scored a record-tying 28 points in the second quarter and never looked back, pushing the Tiger’s Chick-fil-A Bowl record to 5-0, while the Yellow Jackets fell to 0-4.
#11 Virginia Tech 37
Tennessee 14
Virginia Tech made good on the saying “third time’s the charm.” The Hokies had lost twice in Atlanta that season, at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game and at Georgia Tech.
