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By Compiled by Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 12, 2000
Theme song
Florida players celebrating the Eastern Division championship were serenaded by Lee Ann Womack's I Hope You Dance over the public-address system, the song Steve Spurrier used to inspire the Gators in practice after their 47-35 loss at Mississippi State.
Florida drew consecutive false-start penalties on first and 10 at its 1-yard line. Each time, officials inched the ball closer to the goal line to mark off half the distance.
The South Carolina mascot, Cocky, and several cheerleaders celebrated the Gamecocks' first touchdown by running through the end zone with oversized flags. Florida fans booed.
Senior kicker Jeff Chandler, who awaits word on an NCAA appeal to gain a fifth year of eligibility, was in tears as he left Florida Field for what could have been the last time.
"Am I thinking about Florida State? Nah. Did they win? I'll think about FSU on Monday." -- UF defensive end Alex Brown