The 2001 Sugar Bowl a 2000–2001 BCS game was played on January 2, 2001. This 67th edition to the Sugar Bowl featured the Florida Gators, and the Miami Hurricanes, in an in-state rivalry game. Miami came into the game ranked 3rd in the BCS, 2nd in both the Coaches and AP Poll, at 10–1, whereas Florida came into the game ranked 7th in the BCS at 10–2. The game featured a rare penalty incurred by a mascot. Sebastian the Ibis received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for excessive celebration when he celebrated a Miami touchdown with Najeh Davenport.