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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 8, 2002
FLORIDA 17, ALABAMA 13 (1990): In his second game as Florida's coach, Steve Spurrier produced a win that indicated his teams would not be the Gators of old. Richard Fain recovered a Jimmy Spencer-blocked punt for the winning TD, and safety Will White had a career day with three interceptions. The win launched the Gators toward an SEC title that was not recognized but is one of the coach's favorite achievements at Florida.
FLORIDA 35, KENTUCKY 26 (1991): After 59 years in the SEC, the fifth-ranked Gators wrapped up their first official league title. The Gators cruised to a 28-3 second quarter lead, then watched as the Wildcats closed to 28-26. It took a 71-yard, fourth-quarter drive to clinch it. After the game, traffic was stopped on University Avenue as UF fans celebrated.
ALABAMA 28, FLORIDA 21 (1992): Against an Alabama team that would claim the national title, the Gators fell behind 21-7 in the first SEC Championship Game. They rallied behind Shane Matthews, who directed two third-quarter scoring drives against the nation's top-ranked defense. With 3:25 left and the score 21-21, the Gators took over at their 25. Seconds later, a Matthews pass was intercepted by Antonio Langham, who took it 27 yards for the winning score.
FSU 33, FLORIDA 21 (1993): In what many believe to be the loudest game in Swamp history, FSU quarterback Charlie Ward, who passed for 446 yards, had one of his finest games. The Seminoles built a 27-7 lead before Florida rallied to make things interesting. With 5:58 left, UF quarterback Terry Dean hit Jack Jackson for a 31-yard score to make it 27-21. On third and 10 on FSU's next series, Ward silenced the crowd by eluding a defender and hitting Warrick Dunn for a 79-yard touchdown pass.
FLORIDA 31, FSU 31 (1994): For Spurrier, this tie was like a loss. Fourth-ranked UF led 31-3 after three quarters and looked as if it would win in Tallahassee for the first time since 1986. FSU rallied as quarterback Danny Kanell went 18-of-22 for 232 yards in the fourth quarter against the Gators' prevent defense. The Seminoles made it 31-30 on a 4-yard run by Rock Preston with 1:45 left, then chose to go for the tie.
FLORIDA 24, ALABAMA 23 (1994): One week after its meltdown against the Seminoles, UF knocked unbeaten and third-ranked Alabama out of the national title race in the SEC Championship Game. Behind 23-17, UF delivered with an 80-yard drive complete with a fake quarterback injury, a double-pass, and a fourth-and-1 conversion. The win set up a rematch with FSU in the Sugar Bowl.
FLORIDA 62, TENNESSEE 37 (1995): Spurrier's high-octane offense had its most memorable game. The Gators, down 30-14 late in the first half of arguably their most crucial conference game, scored 48 consecutive points to go 2-0 against Volunteers quarterback Peyton Manning. Wuerffel threw for six touchdowns and 381 yards for the fourth-ranked Gators.
NEBRASKA 62, FLORIDA 24 (1996 FIESTA BOWL): Spurrier's most humbling defeat came on college football's biggest stage after the 1995 season. With UF unbeaten and playing in the Fiesta Bowl for its first chance at a national title, it barely made a whimper. UF led 10-6 after one quarter, then wilted against Nebraska's option offense and dominating defense. Huskers quarterback Tommie Frazier rushed for 199 yards and two scores and threw for 105 yards. Nebraska had 629 yards of total offense.
FLORIDA 52, FSU 20 (1997 SUGAR BOWL): With the national title again on the line after the 1996 season, No. 3 Florida dominated the same FSU (ranked No. 1) team it had lost to five weeks earlier in Tallahassee. Against a Seminoles defense that entered as the nation's best against the run and third in total defense and scoring defense, the Gators moved the ball with ease and the UF defense played equally well. The win gave UF its only national championship.
FLORIDA 32, FSU 29 (1997): Displaying his coaching abilities at their most unconventional, goofy and dominating all at once, Spurrier alternated quarterbacks Doug Johnson and Noah Brindise on nearly every play. The payoff came in the final minutes as a 63-yard Johnson-to-Jacquez Green pass led to two big Fred Taylor runs and the winning TD. The game prevented the Seminoles from an undefeated season and national title shot.