The 58th edition of the Gator Bowl, it was played in Jacksonville, Florida, on January 1, 2003.
The game was the final contest of the 2002 NCAA Division I–A football season for both teams and ended in a 28–6 victory for NC State.
The Wolfpack had finished 4th in the Atlantic Coast Conference and were playing in a bowl game for the third consecutive year.
After achieving an 8–0 record, they were ranked as high as #4 in the Media Poll and #6 in the Coaches Poll before losing to Boston College in midseason and lost to USC in the last game of the regular season that cost them their shot at a BCS bowl game.
T. A. McLendon ran for only 18 yards, but two of his 11 rushes were for touchdowns as Philip Rivers threw 23 of 37 for 228 yards and two touchdowns of his own as Notre Dame's defense allowed 21 points in the second quarter and the Irish never recovered, having more interceptions (3) than scores (2 field goals).