American college football season
1993 Florida Gators football |
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SEC champion SEC Eastern Division co-champion Sugar Bowl champion |
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SEC Championship Game, W 28–13 vs. Alabama |
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Conference | Southeastern Conference |
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Division | Eastern Division |
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Ranking |
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Coaches | No. 4 |
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AP | No. 5 |
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Record | 11–2 (7–1 SEC) |
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Head coach | - Steve Spurrier (4th season)
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Offensive scheme | Fun and gun |
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Defensive coordinator | Ron Zook (3rd season) |
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Base defense | 4–4–3 |
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Home stadium | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium |
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Seasons |
1993 Southeastern Conference football standings | Conf | | | Overall |
Team | W | | L | | T | | | W | | L | | T |
Eastern Division |
No. 5 Florida x$ | 7 | – | 1 | – | 0 | | | 11 | – | 2 | – | 0 |
No. 12 Tennessee* x | 6 | – | 1 | – | 1 | | | 9 | – | 2 | – | 1 |
Kentucky | 4 | – | 4 | – | 0 | | | 6 | – | 6 | – | 0 |
Georgia | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | | | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 |
South Carolina* | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | | | 4 | – | 7 | – | 0 |
Vanderbilt* | 1 | – | 7 | – | 0 | | | 4 | – | 7 | – | 0 |
Western Division |
No. 4 Auburn† | 8 | – | 0 | – | 0 | | | 11 | – | 0 | – | 0 |
No. 14 Alabama* x | 5 | – | 2 | – | 1 | | | 9 | – | 3 | – | 1 |
Arkansas* | 3 | – | 4 | – | 1 | | | 5 | – | 5 | – | 1 |
LSU | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | | | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 |
Ole Miss* | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | | | 5 | – | 6 | – | 0 |
Mississippi State* | 2 | – | 5 | – | 1 | | | 3 | – | 6 | – | 2 |
Championship: Florida 28, Alabama 13 |
- $ – Conference champion
- x – Division champion/co-champions
- † – Ineligible for the postseason due to NCAA probation.
* – Alabama later forfeited all regular-season wins and one tie due to NCAA violations, giving an official record of 1–12 overall and 0–8 SEC. The forfeit of the tie retroactively gave Tennessee a share of the East title.
Rankings from AP Poll |
The 1993 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1993 NCAA Division I-A football season. The season was the fourth for Steve Spurrier as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. The Gators compiled a 10–2 overall record.
The Gators used coach Spurrier's pass-heavy "fun 'n gun" offense".[1] Although the Gators fell short of their hopes for a national championship, the 1993 season marked the first time that they were ranked in the top ten of the Associated Press Poll during every week of the season, and they were ranked fifth in the final AP Poll, following their 41–7 Sugar Bowl victory over the 11-0, 3rd ranked West Virginia Mountaineers.[2]
Before the season
The players' and fans' preseason expectations for the Gators' fourth season under Spurrier were high, and some commentators began to speak openly about the possibility of the Gators making a run for the national title.[citation needed]
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
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September 4 | | Arkansas State* | No. 8 | | | W 44–6 | 84,051 | [3] |
September 11 | 7:00 p.m. | at Kentucky | No. 7 | | PPV | W 24–20 | 58,175 | [4] |
September 18 | 3:30 p.m. | No. 5 Tennessee | No. 9 | - Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
- Gainesville, FL (rivalry)
| ABC | W 41–34 | 85,247 | [5] |
October 2 | 12:30 p.m. | Mississippi State | No. 5 | - Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
- Gainesville, FL
| JPS | W 38–24 | 84,738 | [6] |
October 9 | 7:30 p.m. | at LSU | No. 5 | | ESPN | W 58–3 | 60,060 | [7] |
October 16 | 2:00 p.m. | at No. 19 Auburn | No. 4 | | | L 35–38 | 85,284 | [8] |
October 30 | 12:00 p.m. | vs. Georgia | No. 10 | | ABC | W 33–26 | 80,392 | [9] |
November 6 | | Southwestern Louisiana* | No. 9 | - Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
- Gainesville, FL
| | W 61–14 | 83,711 | [10] |
November 13 | 12:30 p.m. | at South Carolina | No. 8 | | JPS | W 37–26 | 70,188 | [11] |
November 20 | | Vanderbilt | No. 8 | - Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
- Gainesville, FL
| JPS | W 52–0 | 83,818 | [12] |
November 27 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 1 Florida State* | No. 7 | - Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
- Gainesville, FL (rivalry)
| ABC | L 21–33 | 85,507 | [13] |
December 4 | 3:30 p.m. | vs. No. 17 Alabama | No. 9 | | ABC | W 28–13 | 76,345 | [14] |
January 1, 1994 | 8:30 p.m. | vs. No. 3 West Virginia* | No. 8 | | ABC | W 41–7 | 75,437 | [15] |
- *Non-conference game
- Homecoming
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
- All times are in Eastern time
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[2]
Roster
1993 Florida Gators football team roster |
Players | Coaches |
Offense | Defense Pos. | # | Name | Class | DT | | David Barnard | So | DT | 67 | Mark Campbell | So | LB | | James Bates | DL | | Mark Campbell | DE | 57 | Kevin Carter | Jr | LB | | Dexter Daniels | DT | 94 | William Gaines (C) | Sr | DB | | Michael Gilmore | DB | | Monty Grow | LB | | Ben Hanks | DT | 61 | Ellis Johnson | Jr | CB | | Larry Kennedy | CB | 9 | Anthone Lott | DL | | Henry McMillian | LB | | Ed Robinson (C) | DB | | Shea Showers | S | | Lawrence Wright | Fr | DB | 20 | Sammy McCorkle | So | | Special teams Pos. | # | Name | Class | K | | Judd Davis | P | | Shayne Edge | K | | Bart Edmiston | K | | Ryan Ruland | | - Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
- Injured
- Redshirt
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Game summaries
Arkansas State
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | Arkansas St. | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | • Florida | 3 | 21 | 13 | 7 | 44 | - Date: September 4
- Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
- Game attendance: 84,051
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | AS | M. Williams 6-yard run (kick failed) | AS 6-0 | | 1 | | FLA | Davis 27-yard field goal | AS 6-3 | | 2 | | FLA | J. Jackson 35-yard pass from Dean (Edmiston kick) | FLA 10-6 | | 2 | | FLA | Rhett 1-yard run (Davis kick) | FLA 17-6 | | 2 | | FLA | W. Jackson 40-yard pass from Dean (Edmiston kick) | FLA 24-6 | | 3 | | FLA | Frazier 29-yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | FLA 31-6 | | 3 | | FLA | Houston 20-yard pass from Wuerffel (kick failed) | FLA 37-6 | | 4 | | FLA | Randolph 6-yard run (Davis kick) | FLA 44-6 | |
The season opened in the Swamp with a 44–6 defeat of Arkansas State.[16]
Arkansas State scored first, but Florida responded with 44 unanswered, including a 35-yard touchdown pass from Terry Dean to Jack Jackson.[16]
At Kentucky
Florida Gators (1–0) at Kentucky Wildcats
at Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky
- Date: September 11
- Game weather: Clear, mid-60s
- Game attendance: 58,175
- [17]
Game information |
First quarter - FLA – Judd Davis 31-yard field goal. Florida 3–0. Drive:
- KY – Alfonzo Browning 3-yard pass from Pookie Jones (Juha Leonoff kick). Kentucky 7–3. Drive:
Second quarter - FLA – Terry Dean 1-yard run (kick failed). Florida 9–7. Drive:
Third quarter - KY – Moe Williams 79-yard run (Leonoff kick). Kentucky 14–9. Drive:
- KY – Juha Leonoff 22-yard field goal. Kentucky 17–9. Drive:
- FLA – Chris Doering 19-yard pass from Danny Wuerffel (pass good). Tie 17–17. Drive:
Fourth quarter - KY – Juha Leonoff 25-yard field goal, 1:23. Kentucky 20–17. Drive:
- FLA – Chris Doering 28-yard pass from Danny Wuerffel (Judd Davis kick), 0:08. Florida 24–20. Drive:
| - Top passers
- FLA – Terry Dean – 18/30, 150 yards, 4 INT
- KY – Pookie Jones – 5/13, 40 yards, TD, INT
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
- FLA – Chris Doering – 6 receptions, 95 yards, 2 TD
- KY – Troy Hobbs – 1 reception, 16 yards
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In the second week of play, Florida managed a close 24–20 win over Kentucky. Quarterbacks Danny Wuerffel and Terry Dean combined to throw a total of seven interceptions.[18]
With eight seconds left, Wuerffel threw a pass down the middle to walk-on receiver Chris Doering for the game-winning touchdown;[19] Gator play-by-play announcer Mick Hubert shouted, "Doering's got a touchdown!"[20][21]
Tennessee
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | Tennessee | 0 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 34 | • Florida | 7 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 41 | - Date: September 18
- Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
- Game attendance: 85,247
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | FLA | Hill 8-yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | FLA 7-0 | | 2 | | FLA | Doering 17-yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | FLA 14-0 | | 2 | | FLA | Rhett 1-yard run (Davis kick) | FLA 21-0 | | 2 | | TENN | Fleming 54-yard pass from Shuler (Becksvoort kick) | FLA 21-7 | | 2 | | TENN | B. Williams 41-yard pass from Shuler (Becksvoort kick) | FLA 21-14 | | 3 | | FLA | Houston 30-yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | FLA 28-14 | | 3 | | FLA | Davis 37-yard field goal | FLA 31-14 | | 3 | | TENN | B. Williams 70-yard pass from Shuler (run failed) | FLA 31-20 | | 4 | | FLA | Rhett 1-yard run (Davis kick) | FLA 38-20 | | 4 | | TENN | B. Williams 13-yard pass from Shuler (pass failed) | FLA 38-26 | | 4 | | FLA | Davis 42-yard field goal | FLA 41-26 | | 4 | | TENN | Kent 5-yard pass from Shuler (Garner run) | FLA 41-34 | |
In a "shootout"[22] the Gators defeated the Vols by a single touchdown, 41 to 34.
Heath Shuler completed 25 of 41 passes for 355 yards and five touchdowns; and Danny Wuerffel completed 19 of 38 for 231 yards and three touchdowns. Errict Rhett rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns.[22][23]
A group of Tennessee fans, including coach Phillip Fulmer's wife, complained to the SEC about the behavior of Gators fans. They claim cups of urine were thrown on them during the game.[24]
Mississippi State
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | Miss. St. | 14 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 24 | • Florida | 7 | 7 | 17 | 7 | 38 | - Date: October 2
- Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
- Game attendance: 84,738
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | MISSST | C. Jones 52-yard pass from Jordan (Burke kick) | MISSST 7-0 | | 1 | | FLA | Doering 11-yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | Tied 7-7 | | 1 | | MISSST | Bouie 54-yard run (Burke kick) | MISSST 14-7 | | 2 | | FLA | Doering 13-yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | Tied 14-14 | | 3 | | FLA | Davis 46-yard field goal | FLA 17-14 | | 3 | | MISSST | Moulds 63-yard pass from Jordan (Burke kick) | MISSST 21-17 | | 3 | | FLA | J. Jackson 100-yard kickoff return (Davis kick) | FLA 24-21 | | 3 | | FLA | Rhett 5-yard run (Davis kick) | FLA 31-21 | | 4 | | MISSST | Burke 31-yard field goal | FLA 31-24 | | 4 | | FLA | Doering 11-yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | FLA 38-24 | |
The next week saw a 38–24 win over Mississippi State.[25] Wuerffel and Doering teamed up for three touchdown passes.[25]
Down 21–17, Jack Jackson had a 100-yard kickoff return to put the Gators up 24–21.[25]
LSU
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • Florida | 10 | 13 | 21 | 14 | 58 | LSU | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | - Date: October 9
- Location: Tiger Stadium
- Game attendance: 60,060
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Scoring summary |
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| Q1 | | LSU | LaFleur 29 yard field goal | LSU 3-0 | | Q1 | | FLA | Davis 19 yard field goal | Tied 3-3 | | Q1 | | FLA | J. Jackson 39 yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | FLA 10-3 | | Q2 | | FLA | Houston 16 yard pass from Wuerffel (kick failed) | FLA 16-3 | | Q2 | | FLA | W. Jackson 10 yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | FLA 23-3 | | Q3 | | FLA | Houston 35 yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | FLA 30-3 | | Q3 | | FLA | Rhett 15 yard run (Davis kick) | FLA 37-3 | | Q3 | | FLA | Palmer 34 yard pass from Dean (Davis kick) | FLA 44-3 | | Q4 | | FLA | Mobley 7 yard run (Davis kick) | FLA 51-3 | | Q4 | | FLA | Foy 6 yard run (Davis kick) | FLA 58-3 | |
In Baton Rouge, Florida scored 58 unanswered to beat the LSU Tigers 58–3. Wuerffel completed 14 passes for 221 yards and four touchdowns.[26]
It was the largest margin of victory over a road opponent under Spurrier[26] and the worst loss in LSU football history.[27]
At Auburn
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | Florida | 10 | 17 | 0 | 8 | 35 | • Auburn | 7 | 7 | 7 | 17 | 38 | - Date: October 16
- Location: Jordan–Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama
- Game attendance: 85,214
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | FLA | Davis 49-yard field goal | FLA 3-0 | | 1 | | FLA | Jackson 50-yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | FLA 10-0 | | 1 | | AUB | C. Jackson 96-yard interception return (Etheridge kick) | FLA 10-7 | | 2 | | AUB | White 2-yard run (Etheridge kick) | AUB 14-10 | | 2 | | FLA | Davis 36-yard field goal | AUB 14-13 | | 2 | | FLA | Rhett 24-yard run (Davis kick) | FLA 20-14 | | 2 | | FLA | Hill 23-yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | FLA 27-14 | | 3 | | AUB | Richardson 23-yard pass from White (Davis kick) | FLA 27-21 | | 4 | | AUB | Bostic 4-yard run (Etheridge kick) | AUB 28-27 | | 4 | | AUB | Sanders 9-yard run (Etheridge kick) | AUB 35-27 | | 4 | | FLA | Jackson 13-yard pass from Wuerffel (Jackson pass from Wuerffel) | Tied 35-35 | | 4 | | AUB | Etheridge 41-yard field goal | AUB 38-35 | |
Coach Terry Bowden's undefeated Auburn Tigers upset the Gators 38–35.[28] On a cold, drizzling, dreary day in Auburn, the fourth-ranked Gators amassed 560 yards of total offense, including 386 yards passing by quarterback Danny Wuerffel and 196 yards rushing by tailback Errict Rhett.[28]
But the Gators' offensive fireworks were not enough for the win, as Auburn's defense sacked Wuerffel four times and made two key interceptions.[28] The two teams were tied at 35 with 1:21 left in the game, when Tigers placekicker Scott Etheridge booted a 41-yard field to beat the Gators, 38–35.[28][29] Auburn dropped the Gators to their lowest ranking (10th) of the season.
Vs. Georgia
Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs
at Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: October 30
- Game weather: Rain
- Game attendance: 80,392
Game information |
First quarter - UF – Davis 29-yard field goal. Florida 3–0.
- UGA – Parkman 22-yard field goal. Tie 3–3.
- UF – Rhett 9-yard run (Davis kick). Florida 10–3.
- UF – Davis 27-yard field goal. Florida 13–3.
Second quarter - UGA – Hunter 2-yard pass from Zeier (Parkman kick). Florida 13–10.
- UGA – Mitchell 6-yard pass from Zeier (Parkman kick). Georgia 17–13.
- UGA – Parkman 27-yard field goal. Georgia 20–13.
- UF – Davis 36-yard field goal. Georgia 20–16.
- UF – Houston 35-yard pass from Dean (Davis kick). Florida 23–20.
Third quarter - UF – Rhett 1-yard run (Davis kick). Florida 30–20.
Fourth quarter - UGA – Parkman 21-yard field goal. Florida 30–23.
- UF – Davis 31-yard field goal. Florida 33–23.
- UGA – Parkman 25-yard field goal. Florida 33–26.
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Florida beat rival Georgia 33–26.[30] In constant rain, the usually prolific passing game of coach Steve Spurrier's Gators was stymied.[31] Instead, the Gators relied on tailback Errict Rhett to amass 183 yards and two touchdowns to build a 33–26 fourth-quarter lead.[31]
Led by quarterback Eric Zeier, the Georgia Bulldogs mounted a drive into Florida territory in the final minute and a half.[31] Zeier completed what appeared to be the game-tying touchdown to Jerry Jerman with five seconds remaining in the game.[32]
However, Gators cornerback Anthone Lott had called a timeout just before the ball was snapped, forcing the Bulldogs to play the down again.[32] Lott was called for pass interference on the ensuing play, giving Georgia one last untimed chance to score.[32] Zeier's final pass fell incomplete, and the Gators won a hard-fought, but controversial 33–26 victory.[32][33]
Southwestern Louisiana
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | SW Louisiana | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 | • Florida | 14 | 26 | 7 | 14 | 61 | - Date: November 6
- Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
- Game attendance: 83,711
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | FLA | Doering 6-yard pass from Dean (Davis kick) | FLA 7-0 | | 1 | | FLA | J. Jackson 19-yard pass from Dean (Davis kick) | FLA 14-0 | | 2 | | FLA | Davis 29-yard field goal | FLA 17-0 | | 2 | | FLA | Safety (Richard downed in endzone) | FLA 19-0 | | 2 | | FLA | W. Jackson 35-yard pass from Dean (Davis kick) | FLA 26-0 | | 2 | | FLA | J. Jackson 49-yard pass from Dean (Davis kick) | FLA 33-0 | | 2 | | FLA | W. Jackson 16-yard pass from Dean (Davis kick) | FLA 40-0 | | 2 | | SWL | Sensley 57-yard run (Shafer kick) | FLA 40-7 | | 3 | | FLA | J. Jackson 21-yard pass from Dean (Davis kick) | FLA 47-7 | | 4 | | FLA | Foy 14-yard run (Davis kick) | FLA 54-7 | | 4 | | FLA | T. Davis 11-yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | FLA 61-7 | | 4 | | SWL | Gasaway 14-yard interception return (Shafer kick) | FLA 61-14 | |
Florida piled up a 61–14 score on the Ragin' Cajuns. Terry Dean burned the Cajun defense for 6 touchdown passes, "one of the most productive halves by a quarterback in UF history."[34]
South Carolina
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • Florida | 0 | 20 | 10 | 7 | 37 | South Carolina | 10 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 26 | |
In Columbia, the Gators beat the South Carolina Gamecocks 37–26. The Gamecocks jumped out to a 17–0 lead, but the Gators cut the lead to 23–20 by halftime.[35]
Down 26–23, Jack Jackson avoided a safety and ran free for 76 yards. After a roughing the passer penalty, Errict Rhett scored and the Gators never relinquished the lead.[35]
Vanderbilt
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | Vanderbilt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | • Florida | 21 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 52 | - Date: November 20
- Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
- Game attendance: 83,818
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | FLA | Dean 35-yard pass from Doering (Davis kick) | FLA 7-0 | | 1 | | FLA | Hill 18-yard pass from Dean (Davis kick) | FLA 14-0 | | 1 | | FLA | Hill 4-yard pass from Dean (Davis kick) | FLA 21-0 | | 2 | | FLA | Davis 45-yard field goal | FLA 24-0 | | 2 | | FLA | J. Jackson 19-yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | FLA 31-0 | | 3 | | FLA | Robinson 48-yard fumble return (Davis kick) | FLA 38-0 | | 3 | | FLA | C. Dean 12-yard pass from T. Dean (Davis kick) | FLA 45-0 | | 4 | | FLA | Frazier 67-yard pass from Kresser (Davis kick) | FLA 52-0 | |
Florida clinched another SEC east title, shutting out the Vanderbilt Commodores 52–0. The offense sputtered despite the score, but Ron Zook's defense provided the shutout.[36]
Florida State
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • FSU | 7 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 33 | Florida | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 21 | - Date: November 27
- Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
- Game attendance: 85,507
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | FSU | Vanover 5-yard pass from Ward (Bentley kick) | FSU 7-0 | | 2 | | FSU | Bentley 23-yard field goal | FSU 10-0 | | 2 | | FSU | Bentley 22-yard field goal | FSU 13-0 | | 2 | | FLA | Jackson 11-yard pass from Wuerffel (Davis kick) | FSU 13-7 | | 3 | | FSU | McCorvey 7-yard pass (Bentley kick) | FSU 20-7 | | 3 | | FSU | McCorvey 16-yard pass (Bentley kick) | FSU 27-7 | | 4 | | FLA | W. Jackson 13-yard pass from Dean (Davis kick) | FSU 27-14 | | 4 | | FLA | J. Jackson 31-yard pass from Dean (Davis kick) | FSU 27-21 | | 4 | | FSU | Dunn 79-yard pass from Ward (pass failed) | FSU 33-21 | |
Florida also lost to the national champion and rival Florida State Seminoles 33–21. The Florida offense was stymied early, and Dean subbed for Wuerffel by the second half.[37] The Gators never led, although they had cut the score to 27–21 late.
With just under six minutes left and the crowd roaring, the Seminoles faced third down at its 21-yard-line.[37] Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Charlie Ward hit freshman running back Warrick Dunn on a drag route,[38] who turned up the sideline for a 79-yard touchdown and a 33–21 FSU win.[39][40]
Postseason
SEC Championship Game: Alabama
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • Florida | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 | Alabama | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 13 | |
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | | ALA | Lynch 1-yard run (Proctor kick) | ALA 7-0 | | 1 | | FLA | Houston 13-yard pass from Dean (Davis kick) | Tied 7-7 | | 2 | | ALA | Proctor 45-yard field goal | ALA 10-7 | | 2 | | FLA | Dean 2-yard run (Davis kick) | FLA 14-10 | | 3 | | ALA | Proctor 25-yard field goal | FLA 14-13 | | 3 | | FLA | J. Jackson 43-yard pass from Dean (Davis kick) | FLA 21-13 | | 4 | | FLA | Rhett 3-yard run (Davis kick) | FLA 28-13 | |
The Gators finished the regular season with a conference record of 7–1, and in first place among the six teams of the SEC Eastern Division, thus earning a berth in the second SEC Championship Game in Birmingham, Alabama. The Gators were paired against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the championship game—a rematch of the 1992 SEC Championship Game.[41]
The Gators defeated the Crimson Tide 28–13, winning their first SEC Championship Game and their second SEC football championship in three seasons.[41]
Sugar Bowl: West Virginia
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | • Florida | 7 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 41 | West Virginia | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | - Date: January 1
- Location: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans
- Game attendance: 75,437
|
The Gators then defeated third-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers 41–7 in the Sugar Bowl, finishing fifth in the AP Poll.[42] After a quick touchdown from Jake Kelchner to Jay Kearney to put West Virginia up 7–0 early, the Gators came right back and answered with a touchdown by Errict Rhett to tie the score at 7.[43]
External videos |
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1994 Sugar Bowl, YouTube video. |
It seemed the half would end that way, but just before halftime, Gator defensive back Lawrence Wright picked off an errant pass from West Virginia QB Darren Studstill right on the midfield logo. He first made his way to his right side, but when he ran out of blocking help just inside the WVU 40, he turned around and backtracked, circling back to the 45 before finding some running room, and he sprinted into the end zone from there to cap a 51-yard interception return touchdown. That put Florida up 14–7, and crushed the Mountaineers' competitive spirit, as Florida's defense proceeded to force a quick three and out, which gave Terry Dean time to connect with Jack Jackson for a 39-yard touchdown to make it 21–7 at halftime.[43]
From there, the Gators cruised in the second half. Errict Rhett ran in two more touchdowns and Judd Davis added two insurance field goals in the fourth quarter to make the final score a convincing 41–7.[43]
Postseason
The 1993 team set a then-record for wins in a season.[44] Halfback Errict Rhett, offensive tackle Reggie Green, and defensive tackle William Gaines were first-team All-SEC. Placekicker Judd Davis won the Lou Groza Award.[45]
References
- ^ "Steve Spurrier's Fun 'n' Gun brought football evolution to the SEC".
- ^ a b 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 107 (2015). Retrieved August 16, 2015.
- ^ "Florida routs Ark. State". The Commercial Appeal. September 5, 1993. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gators survive close call 24–20". Florida Today. September 12, 1993. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gators outlast Vols". News-Press. September 19, 1993. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Florida stays unbeaten behind freshman QB". The Charlotte Observer. October 3, 1993. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gators hand LSU worst loss in school history". The Commercial Appeal. October 10, 1993. Retrieved November 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Etheridge's field goal sinks No. 4 Florida". The Greenville News. October 17, 1993. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "The mudder of all finishes". St. Petersburg Times. October 31, 1993. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Eaten alive!...61–14". The Daily Advertiser. November 7, 1993. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gators, bowl hopes elude Gamecocks' grasp 37–26". The State. November 14, 1993. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "No party for victorious UF". The Miami Herald. November 21, 1993. Retrieved November 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ward, Seminoles survive 'The Swamp'". The Times and Democrat. November 28, 1993. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Florida beats Alabama to win SEC". The Tampa Tribune. December 5, 1993. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Florida crashes West Virginia's party, 41–7". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 2, 1994. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Gator QBs impressive in 44-6 win". Ocala Star-Banner. pp. 1C, 5C – via Google News Archive Search.
- ^ Gainesville Sun. 1993 Sep 12. Retrieved 2019-Dec-07.
- ^ "Gators' streak vs. 'Cats filled with close calls". Gatorsports.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015.
- ^ "Wuerffel saves UF from upset, 24-20". Ocala Star-Banner. p. 1C – via Google News Archive Search.
- ^ Kassidy Hill. "FlashBack Friday with the Florida Gators: Chris Doering". GatorCountry.com.
- ^ "Gators Dodge 7 Misguided Bullets". Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
- ^ a b "Shuler's Advice To Vols: Avoid A Gator Shootout".
- ^ "Florida holds off Tennessee, 41-34". Ocala Star-Banner. pp. 1C, 6C – via Google News Archive Search.
- ^ "Vols-gators: Plots, Subplots".
- ^ a b c Robbie Andreu (October 3, 1993). "Gators pound Bulldogs, 38-24". Ocala Star-Banner. pp. 1C, 9C – via Google News Archive.
- ^ a b Mic Huber. "Explosive Gator attack bombs LSU". Ocala Star-Banner. pp. 1C, 6C – via Google News Archive Search.
- ^ Poseur (July 26, 2013). "Biggest Disasters in SEC History: LSU Hires Curley Hallman".
- ^ a b c d Associated Press, "Auburn's Defense Stops Florida When It Counts", The New York Times (October 17, 1993). Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- ^ "Tigers hand Gators first loss". Ocala Star-Banner. October 17, 1993. pp. 1C, 8C – via Google News Archive Search.
- ^ Gainesville Sun. 1993 Oct 31.
- ^ a b c Robbie Andreu, "Gators reign, 33–26", The Gainesville Sun, pp. 1C & 7C (October 31, 1993). retrieved August 22, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Associated Press, "Officials: timeout call was the right one in last Saturday's Florida–Georgia game", Sun Journal, p. 16 (November 2, 1993). Retrieved August 22, 2011.
- ^ Jay Stone, "Bad Call May Cost 'Dogs Bowl Berth", Calhoun Times, p. 1B (November 3, 1993). Retrieved August 22, 2011.
- ^ "Dean throws 6 TD passes". Ocala Star-Banner. November 7, 1993. pp. 1C, 10C – via Google News Archive Search.
- ^ a b "On the road with the Gators in '99". Gainesville Sun. August 28, 1999. p. 23 – via Google News Archive Search.
- ^ "Defense delivers in 52-0 rout of Vanderbilt". Ocala Star-Banner. November 21, 1993. p. 7C – via Google News Archive Search.
- ^ a b "'Noles freshman gets the job 'Dunn'". Ocala Star-Banner. November 28, 1993. pp. 8C, 9C – via Google News Archive Search.
- ^ "Gators Dunn In By 'Noles". November 28, 1993.
- ^ Stephen F. Holder (July 14, 2011). "Greatest point ever: Warrick Dunn's touchdown sets up Florida State Seminoles' championship berth". Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ "The History of FSU Football: 1993 - Fifteen Years Ago".
- ^ a b "Florida whips Bama for SEC title". Ocala Star-Banner. pp. 1C, 5C – via Google News Archive Search.
- ^ "1993 Final Football Polls - College Poll Archive - Historical College Football and Basketball Polls and Rankings".
- ^ a b c "1994 Game Recap / Allstate Sugar Bowl".
- ^ "National title Gators' goal". Rome News-Tribune. August 17, 1994. p. 4-B.
- ^ "Previous Winners – PB Sports Commission – Lou Groza".
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Venues | - The Baseball Park (1906–1910)
- University Athletic Field / Fleming Field (1911–1930)
- Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (1930–present)
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Bowls & rivalries | |
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Culture & lore | |
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People | |
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Seasons | |
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National championship seasons in bold |
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National championships in bold |