Florida Gators football, 1990–1999

The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The University of Florida fielded its first official varsity football team in the fall of 1906, and has fielded a team every season since then, with the exception of 1943. During the 1990s, the Gators competed in Division I-A of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They played their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (formerly known as Florida Field) on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus.

This article includes a game-by-game list of the Florida Gators' ten football seasons from 1990 to 1999. During the 1990s, the Gators were coached by Stephen O. "Steve" Spurrier (1990–2001), who led the Gators to six SEC championships, one consensus national championship and an overall win-loss record of 122–27–1 (.817).

Contents: 1990  • 1991  • 1992  • 1993  • 1994  • 1995  • 1996  • 1997  • 1998  • 1999

1990

1990 Florida Gators football
Conference Southeastern Conference
Ranking
AP #12
1990 record 9–2 (6–1 1st* SEC)
Head coach Steve Spurrier
Offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier
Defensive coordinator Jim Bates
Home stadium Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Seasons
« 1989 1991 »
1990 SEC football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#13 Florida 6 – 1 – 0     9 – 2 – 0
#8 Tennessee † 5 – 1 – 1     9 – 2 – 2
#21 Ole Miss 5 – 2 – 0     9 – 3 – 0
Alabama 5 – 2 – 0     7 – 5 – 0
#19 Auburn 4 – 2 – 1     8 – 3 – 1
Kentucky 3 – 4 – 0     4 – 7 – 0
LSU 2 – 5 – 0     5 – 6 – 0
Georgia 2 – 5 – 0     4 – 7 – 0
Mississippi State 1 – 6 – 0     5 – 6 – 0
Vanderbilt 1 – 6 – 0     1 – 10 – 0
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

Season overview

The 1990 college football season marked the return of the Gators' Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Steve Spurrier to his alma mater as the new head coach of the Florida Gators football team.[1] Before Spurrier returned to Gainesville, the Gators had never won a Southeastern Conference (SEC) or national football championship; before Spurrier resigned to seek a coaching position in the National Football League in January 2002, the Gators would win six SEC titles, play for two national championships, and win one in 1996.[1]

During Spurrier's first season, he was able to build on the strong talent recruited by departing Gators coach Galen Hall, but the Gators also reaped the benefits of Spurrier's "there are no excuses for losing" mantra.[2] The 1990 season's highlights included a confidence-building 17–13 signature road win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, which set the tone for the remainder of the season,[2] followed by conference blowouts of the Mississippi State Bulldogs (34–21), LSU Tigers (34–8), fourth-ranked Auburn Tigers (48–7), Georgia Bulldogs (38–7) and Kentucky Wildcats (47–15). The Gators also suffered two disappointing road losses to the fifth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers (3–45) in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the eighth-ranked Florida State Seminoles (30–45) in Tallahassee, Florida.

Even as Spurrier's new "fun 'n' gun" offensive scheme led by quarterback Shane Matthews, wide receiver Ernie Mills and tight end Kirk Kirkpatrick was breaking team scoring and yardage records, defensive coordinator Jim Bates coached one of the best defensive squads in team history, including two first-team All-Americans, defensive end Huey Richardson and safety Will White.[2][3] Matthews finished the season with 2,952 passing yards and twenty-three touchdowns—then the most passing yards in Gators history.[2]

Spurrier's 1990 Florida Gators, while ineligible to win the SEC title or receive a bowl bid because of lingering NCAA probation,[2] nevertheless posted a best-in-the-SEC record of 6–1 and an overall record of 9–2,[3] and laid the foundation for the Gators' run of six SEC championships and a national title during the next decade.[1] They finished twelfth in the last Associated Press Poll.

Date Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
9–8–1990 Oklahoma State* Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 50–7  
9–15–1990 Alabama #24 Bryant-Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, Alabama TBS W 17–13  
9–22–1990 Furman* #19 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 27–3  
9–29–1990 Mississippi State #17 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida TBS W 34–21  
10–6–1990 Louisiana State #10 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ESPN W 34–8  
10–13–1990 #5 Tennessee #9 Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee ESPN L 3–45  
10–20–1990 Akron* #17 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Fla. (Homecoming) W 59–0  
11–3–1990 #4 Auburn #15 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ESPN W 48–7  
11–10–1990 Georgia #10 Gator Bowl Stadium • Jacksonville, Florida TBS W 38–7  
11–17–1990 Kentucky #6 Commonwealth Stadium • Lexington, Kentucky TBS W 47–15  
12–1–1990 #8 Florida State* #6 Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, Florida ESPN L 30–45  
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1991

1991 Florida Gators football
SEC Champions
Sugar Bowl, L 28–39 v. Notre Dame
Conference Southeastern Conference
Ranking
Coaches #8
AP #7
1991 record 10–2 (7–0 1st SEC)
Head coach Steve Spurrier
Offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier
Defensive coordinator Ron Zook
Home stadium Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Seasons
« 1990 1992 »
1991 SEC football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#7 Florida † 7 – 0 – 0     10 – 2 – 0
#5 Alabama 6 – 1 – 0     11 – 1 – 0
#14 Tennessee 5 – 2 – 0     9 – 3 – 0
#17 Georgia 4 – 3 – 0     9 – 3 – 0
Mississippi State 4 – 3 – 0     7 – 5 – 0
LSU 3 – 4 – 0     5 – 6 – 0
Vanderbilt 3 – 4 – 0     5 – 6 – 0
Auburn 2 – 5 – 0     5 – 6 – 0
Ole Miss 1 – 6 – 0     5 – 6 – 0
Kentucky 0 – 7 – 0     3 – 8 – 0
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

Season overview

The 1991 college football season was Steve Spurrier's second as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. The Gators were led by quarterback Shane Matthews and first-team All-American defensive tackle Brad Culpepper.[4] The highlights of the season included dominating Southeastern Conference (SEC) victories over the seventeenth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (35–0), twenty-first-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs (29–7), LSU Tigers (16–0), fourth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers (35–18), Auburn Tigers (31–10) and twenty-third-ranked Georgia Bulldogs (45–13), a hardfought win over the Kentucky Wildcats (35–26) to clinch the Gators' first officially recognized SEC championship, and an upset of the third-ranked Florida State Seminoles (14–9).[3] The 1991 season also included a disappointing 38–21 road loss to the seventeenth-ranked Syracuse Orangemen in the Carrier Dome.[3]

Among the Gators' 1991 victories, the 14–9 defensive upset of the Florida State Seminoles was a particularly memorable victory played in front of an overflow home crowd at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators scored touchdowns on a first-quarter run by tailback Errict Rhett, and a 72-yard bomb from Shane Matthews to wide receiver Harrison Houston in the third quarter, and held on to win. Gators defensive ends Darren Mickell and Harvey Thomas kept Seminoles quarterback Casey Weldon off balance and on the run in the second half, and, in the fourth quarter, Gators safeties Will White and Del Speer combined to break up a fourth-down pass to the end zone by Weldon, thus saving the victory for Florida.

Spurrier's 1991 Florida Gators compiled the first-ever ten-win season in program history, an overall record of 10–2 and a perfect SEC record of 7–0.[3] The Gators closed out their season with their first New Year's Day bowl appearance since 1974, a 28–39 defeat by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Sugar Bowl, and were ranked seventh in the final Associated Press Poll.[3]

Schedule and results

Date Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
9–7–1991 San Jose State* #6 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 59–21  
9–14–1991 #17 Alabama #6 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ESPN W 35–0  
9–21–1991 #17 Syracuse* #5 Carrier Dome • Syracuse, New York ABC L 21–38  
9–28–1991 #21 Mississippi State #14 Florida Citrus Bowl • Orlando, Florida TBS W 29–7  
10–5–1991 Louisiana State #13 Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, Louisiana W 16–0  
10–12–1991 #4 Tennessee #10 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ESPN W 35–18  
10–19–1991 Northern Illinois* #6 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Fla. (Homecoming) W 41–10  
11–2–1991 Auburn #6 Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama ABC W 31–10  
11–9–1991 #23 Georgia #6 Gator Bowl Stadium • Jacksonville, Florida ESPN W 45–13  
11–16–1991 Kentucky #5 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 35–26  
11–30–1991 #3 Florida State* #5 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ABC W 14–9  
1–1–1992 #18 Notre Dame* #3 Louisiana Superdome • New Orleans, La. (Sugar Bowl) ABC L 28–39  
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1992

1992 Florida Gators football
SEC Eastern Division Champions
SEC Championship Game, L 21–28 vs. Alabama
Gator Bowl, W 27–10 v. North Carolina State
Conference Southeastern Conference Eastern Division
Ranking
Coaches #11
AP #10
1992 record 9–4 (6–2 1st East SEC)
Head coach Steve Spurrier
Offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier
Defensive coordinator Ron Zook
Home stadium Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Seasons
« 1991 1993 »

Season overview

The 1992 college football season was Steve Spurrier's third as the Florida Gators football team's head coach, and the wins were harder to come by as the star-studded senior classes from 1990 and 1991 had graduated. The Gators racked up six tough Southeastern Conference (SEC) wins over the Kentucky Wildcats (35–19), LSU Tigers (28–21), Auburn Tigers (24–9), seventh-ranked Georgia Bulldogs (26–24), South Carolina Gamecocks (14–9), and Vanderbilt Commodores (41–21). They also suffered two crushing SEC losses to the fourteenth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers (14–31) in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the twenty-fourth-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs (6–30) on a Thursday night in Starkville, Mississippi.

The Gators' non-conference schedule included a homecoming victory over the Louisville Cardinals (31–17), and another surprisingly difficult win over Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (24–20). They closed their regular season with a road loss to the third-ranked Florida State Seminoles (24–45) in Tallahassee.

The Gators finished their SEC schedule with a 6–2 conference record, placing first among the six teams of the new SEC Eastern Division and earning a berth in the first-ever SEC Championship Game in Birmingham, Alabama. Spurrier's scrappy young Gators, however, fell short against the SEC Western Division champion, the second-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (21–28). The Crimson Tide would later defeat the Miami Hurricanes in the Sugar Bowl to win the 1992 national championship.

Spurrier's 1992 Florida Gators posted a 9–4 overall record, concluding their season with a victory over the twelfth-ranked North Carolina State Wolfpack (27–10) in the Gator Bowl, and ranking tenth in the final Associated Press Poll.[3]

Schedule and results

Date Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
9–12–1992 Kentucky #4 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida JP W 35–19  
9–19–1992 #14 Tennessee #4 Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee ABC L 14–31  
10–1–1992 #24 Mississippi State #13 Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, Mississippi ESPN L 6–30  
10–10–1992 Louisiana State #23 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida JP W 28–21  
10–17–1992 Auburn #23 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ABC W 24–9  
10–24–1992 Louisville* #20 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Fla. (Homecoming) W 31–17  
10–31–1992 #7 Georgia #20 Gator Bowl Stadium • Jacksonville, Florida ABC W 26–24  
11–7–1992 Southern Mississippi* #14 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 24–20  
11–14–1992 South Carolina #11 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida JP W 14–9  
11–21–1992 Vanderbilt #9 Vanderbilt Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee JP W 41–21  
11–28–1992 #3 Florida State* #6 Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, Florida ABC L 24–45  
12–5–1992 #2 Alabama #12 Legion Field • Birmingham, Ala. (SEC Championship) ABC L 21–28  
12–31–1992 #12 North Carolina State* #14 Gator Bowl Stadium • Jacksonville, Florida (Gator Bowl) TBS W 27–10  
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1993

1993 Florida Gators football
SEC Champions
SEC Eastern Division Champions
SEC Championship Game, W 28–13 vs. Alabama
Sugar Bowl, W 41–7 v. West Virginia
Conference Southeastern Conference Eastern Division
Ranking
Coaches #4
AP #5
1993 record 11–2 (7–1 1st SEC)
Head coach Steve Spurrier
Offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier
Defensive coordinator Ron Zook
Home stadium Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Seasons
« 1992 1994 »

Season overview

The 1993 college football season was the fourth for Steve Spurrier as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. 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.

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. The Gators defeated the Crimson Tide 28–13, winning their first SEC Championship Game and their second SEC football championship in three seasons.

Spurrier's 1993 Florida Gators compiled a 10–2 overall record. 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 West Virginia Mountaineers.[3]

Schedule and results

Date Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
9–4–1993 Arkansas State* #8 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 44–6  
9–11–1993 Kentucky #7 Commonwealth Stadium • Lexington, Kentucky W 24–20  
9–18–1993 #5 Tennessee #9 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ABC W 41–34  
10–2–1993 Mississippi State #5 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida JP W 38–24  
10–9–1993 Louisiana State #5 Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, Louisiana ESPN W 58–3  
10–16–1993 #19 Auburn #4 Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama L 35–38  
10–30–1993 Georgia #10 Gator Bowl Stadium • Jacksonville, Florida ABC W 33–26  
11–6–1993 Southwestern Louisiana* #9 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Fla. (Homecoming) W 61–14  
11–13–1993 South Carolina #8 Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina JP W 37–26  
11–20–1993 Vanderbilt #8 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida JP W 52–0  
11–27–1993 #1 Florida State* #7 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ABC L 21–33  
12–4–1993 #17 Alabama #9 Legion Field • Birmingham, Alabama (SEC Championship) ABC W 28–13  
1–1–1994 #3 West Virginia* #8 Louisiana Superdome • New Orleans, La. (Sugar Bowl) ABC W 41–7  
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1994

1994 Florida Gators football
SEC Champions
SEC Eastern Division Champions
SEC Championship Game, W 24–23 vs. Alabama
Sugar Bowl, L 17–23 v. Florida State
Conference Southeastern Conference Eastern Division
Ranking
Coaches #7
AP #7
1994 record 10–2–1 (7–1 1st SEC)
Head coach Steve Spurrier
Offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier
Defensive coordinator Bob Pruett
Home stadium Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Seasons
« 1993 1995 »

Season overview

The 1994 college football season was Steve Spurrier's fifth as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Spurrier's 1994 Florida Gators posted an overall record of 10–2–1 and a 6–2 record in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), placing first among the six SEC Eastern Division teams and winning the SEC championship.[3]

Schedule and results

Date Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
9–3–1994 New Mexico State* #1 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 70–21  
9–10–1994 Kentucky #2 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ABC W 73–7  
9–17–1994 #15 Tennessee #1 Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee ESPN W 31–0  
10–1–1994 Mississippi #1 Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, Mississippi JP W 38–14  
10–8–1994 Louisiana State #1 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida JP W 42–18  
10–15–1994 #6 Auburn #1 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ABC L 33–36  
10–29–1994 Georgia #5 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ESPN W 52–14  
11–5–1994 Southern Mississippi* #4 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Fla. (Homecoming) W 55–17  
11–12–1994 South Carolina #4 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida JP W 48–17  
11–19–1994 Vanderbilt #3 Vanderbilt Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee W 24–7  
11–26–1994 #7 Florida State* #4 Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, Florida ABC T 31–31  
12–3–1994 #3 Alabama #6 Georgia Dome • Atlanta, Georgia (SEC Championship) ABC W 24–23  
1–1–1995 #7 Florida State* #5 Louisiana Superdome • New Orleans, La. (Sugar Bowl) ABC L 17–23  
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1995

1995 Florida Gators football
SEC Champions
SEC Eastern Division Champions
SEC Championship Game, W 34–3 vs. Arkansas
Fiesta Bowl, L 24–62 vs. Nebraska
Conference Southeastern Conference Eastern Division
Ranking
Coaches #3
AP #2
1995 record 12–1 (8–0 1st SEC)
Head coach Steve Spurrier
Offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier
Defensive coordinator Bob Pruett
Home stadium Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Seasons
« 1994 1996 »

Season overview

The 1995 college football season was the Florida Gators football team's sixth year under head coach Steve Spurrier. The Gators won their first twelve games of the season, defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 34–3 in the 1995 SEC Championship Game, and were ranked second in the nation, before losing the Bowl Alliance national championship game 24–62 to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl. Spurrier's 1995 Florida Gators compiled an overall record of 12–1 and a Southeastern Conference (SEC) record of 8–0, placing first among the six SEC Eastern Division teams and winning the SEC championship.[3]

Schedule and results

Date Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
9–2–1995 Houston* #5 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 45–21  
9–9–1995 Kentucky #5 Commonwealth Stadium • Lexington, Kentucky W 42–7  
9–16–1995 #8 Tennessee #4 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ABC W 62–37  
9–30–1995 Mississippi #3 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 28–10  
10–7–1995 #21 Louisiana State #3 Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, Louisiana JP W 28–10  
10–14–1995 #7 Auburn #3 Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama ABC W 49–38  
10–28–1995 Georgia #3 Sanford Stadium • Athens, Georgia ABC W 52–17  
11–4–1995 Northern Illinois* #3 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Fla. (Homecoming) W 58–20  
11–11–1995 South Carolina #3 Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina ESPN W 63–7  
11–18–1995 Vanderbilt #3 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida JP W 38–7  
11–25–1995 #6 Florida State* #3 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ABC W 35–24  
12–2–1995 #24 Arkansas #2 Georgia Dome • Atlanta, Georgia (SEC Championship) ABC W 34–3  
1–2–1996 #1 Nebraska* #2 Sun Devil Stadium • Tempe, Arizona (Fiesta Bowl) CBS L 24–62  
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1996

1996 Florida Gators football
National Champions
SEC Champions
SEC Eastern Division Champions
SEC Championship Game, W 45–30 vs. Alabama
Sugar Bowl, W 52–20 v. Florida State
Conference Southeastern Conference Eastern Division
Ranking
Coaches #1
AP #1
1996 record 12–1 (8–0 1st SEC)
Head coach Steve Spurrier
Offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier
Defensive coordinator Bob Stoops
Home stadium Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Seasons
« 1995 1997 »

Season overview

See also: 1996 Florida Gators football team

The 1996 college football season was Steve Spurrier's seventh as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Spurrier's 1996 Florida Gators posted a 12–1 overall record an 8–0 record in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), placing first among the six SEC Eastern Division teams and winning the SEC championship.[3] The Gators capped their season by defeating the top-ranked Florida State Seminoles 52–20 in a rematch in the Sugar Bowl and winning the national championship.

Schedule and results

Date Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
8–31–1996 Southwestern Louisiana* #4 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 55–21  
9–7–1996 Georgia Southern* #4 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida SS W 62–14  
9–21–1996 #2 Tennessee #4 Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee CBS W 35–29  
9–28–1996 Kentucky #1 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida CBS W 65–0  
10–5–1996 Arkansas #1 Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, Arkansas JP W 42–7  
10–12–1996 #12 Louisiana State #1 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Fla. (Homecoming) CBS W 56–13  
10–19–1996 #16 Auburn #1 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida CBS W 51–10  
11–2–1996 Georgia* #1 Alltel Stadium • Jacksonville, Florida CBS W 47–7  
11–9–1996 Vanderbilt #1 Vanderbilt Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee JP W 28–21  
11–16–1996 South Carolina #1 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ESPN W 52–25  
11–30–1996 #2 Florida State* #1 Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, Florida ABC L 21–24  
12–7–1996 #11 Alabama #4 Georgia Dome • Atlanta, Georgia (SEC Championship) ABC W 45–30  
1–2–1997 #1 Florida State* #3 Louisiana Superdome • New Orleans, La. (Sugar Bowl) ABC W 52–20  
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1997

1997 Florida Gators football
Florida Citrus Bowl, W 21–6 v. Penn State
Conference Southeastern Conference Eastern Division
Ranking
Coaches #6
AP #4
1997 record 10–2 (6–2 T-2nd East SEC)
Head coach Steve Spurrier
Offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier
Defensive coordinator Bob Stoops
Home stadium Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Seasons
« 1996 1998 »

Season overview

The 1997 college football season was the eighth for Steve Spurrier as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Spurrier's 1997 Florida Gators finished with a 10–2 overall record and a 6–2 record in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), tying for second place among the six SEC Eastern Division teams.[3]

Schedule and results

Date Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
8–30–1997 Southern Mississippi* #2 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ESPN2 W 21–6  
9–6–1997 [[{{{school}}}|Central Michigan]]* #2 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 82–6  
9–20–1997 #4 Tennessee #3 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida CBS W 33–20  
9–27–1997 [[{{{school}}}|Kentucky]] #1 Commonwealth Stadium • Lexington, Kentucky CBS W 55–28  
10–4–1997 Arkansas #1 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ESPN2 W 56–7  
10–11–1997 #14 Louisiana State #1 Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, Louisiana ESPN L 21–28  
10–18–1997 #6 Auburn #7 Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama CBS W 24–10  
11–1–1997 #14 Georgia #6 Alltel Stadium • Jacksonville, Florida CBS L 17–37  
11–8–1997 [[{{{school}}}|Vanderbilt]] #13 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Fla. (Homecoming) JP W 20–7  
11–15–1997 South Carolina #12 Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina JP W 48–21  
11–22–1997 #2 Florida State* #10 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida CBS W 32–29  
1–1–1998 #11 Penn State* #6 Citrus Bowl • Orlando, Florida (Florida Citrus Bowl) ABC W 21–6  
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1998

1998 Florida Gators football
Orange Bowl, W 31–10 v. [[{{{school}}}|Syracuse]]
Conference Southeastern Conference Eastern Division
Ranking
Coaches #6
AP #5
1998 record 10–2 (7–1 2nd East SEC)
Head coach Steve Spurrier
Offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier
Defensive coordinator Bob Stoops
Home stadium Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Seasons
« 1997 1999 »

Season overview

The 1998 college football season was the Florida Gators football team's ninth under head coach Steve Spurrier. Spurrier's 1998 Florida Gators compiled an overall record of 10–2 and a Southeastern Conference (SEC) record of 7–1, placing second among the six teams of the SEC Eastern Division.[3]

Schedule and results

Date Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
9–5–1998 [[{{{school}}}|The Citadel]]* #3 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 49–10  
9–12–1998 [[{{{school}}}|Northeast Louisiana]]* #3 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 42–10  
9–19–1998 #6 Tennessee #2 Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee CBS L 17–20 OT 
9–26–1998 #25 Kentucky #8 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida CBS W 51–35  
10–3–1998 Alabama #8 Bryant-Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, Alabama JP W 16–10  
10–10–1998 #11 Louisiana State #6 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ESPN W 22–10  
10–17–1998 Auburn #5 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida CBS W 24–3  
10–31–1998 #11 Georgia #5 Alltel Stadium • Jacksonville, Florida CBS W 38–7  
11–7–1998 [[{{{school}}}|Vanderbilt]] #5 Vanderbilt Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee W 45–13  
11–14–1998 South Carolina #4 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Fla. (Homecoming) JP W 33–14  
11–21–1998 #5 Florida State* #4 Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, Florida ABC L 12–23  
1–2–1999 #18 [[{{{school}}}|Syracuse]]* #7 Orange Bowl Stadium • Miami, Florida (Orange Bowl) ABC W 31–10  
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1999

1999 Florida Gators football
SEC Eastern Division Champions
SEC Championship Game, L 7–34 vs. Alabama
Citrus Bowl, L 37–34 v. Michigan State
Conference Southeastern Conference Eastern Division
Ranking
Coaches #14
AP #12
1999 record 9–4 (7–1 1st East SEC)
Head coach Steve Spurrier
Offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier
Defensive coordinator Jon Hoke
Home stadium Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Seasons
« 1998 2000 »

Season overview

The 1999 college football season was Steve Spurrier's tenth as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. The Gators returned to the SEC Championship Game after a two-year hiatus, but did not bring home another SEC Championship trophy. After losing the SEC Championship Game 34–7 to the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Gators ended their season with a last-second 37–34 loss to the Michigan State Spartans in the Citrus Bowl. Spurrier's 1999 Florida Gators posted a 9–4 overall record and a 7–1 record in the Southeastern Conference, placing first among the six SEC Eastern Division teams.[3]

Schedule and results

Date Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result
9–4–1999 [[{{{school}}}|Western Michigan]]* #4 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 55–26  
9–11–1999 [[{{{school}}}|Central Florida]]* #4 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 58–27  
9–18–1999 #2 Tennessee #4 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida CBS W 23–21  
9–25–1999 [[{{{school}}}|Kentucky]] #3 Commonwealth Stadium • Lexington, Kentucky ESPN W 38–10  
10–2–1999 #21 Alabama #3 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida CBS L 39–40 OT 
10–9–1999 Louisiana State #8 Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, Louisiana CBS W 31–10  
10–16–1999 Auburn #7 Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama ESPN2 W 32–14  
10–30–1999 #10 Georgia #5 Alltel Stadium • Jacksonville, Florida CBS W 30–14  
11–6–1999 [[{{{school}}}|Vanderbilt]] #5 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Fla. (Homecoming) CBS W 13–6  
11–13–1999 South Carolina #4 Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina JP W 20–3  
11–18–1999 #1 Florida State* #3 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida CBS L 23–30  
12–4–1999 #7 Alabama #5 Georgia Dome • Atlanta, Georgia (SEC Championship) ABC L 7–34  
1–1–2000 #9 Michigan State* #10 Citrus Bowl • Orlando, Florida (Florida Citrus Bowl) ABC L 34–37  
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

See also

American football portal
College football portal
Florida portal

References

  1. ^ a b c Norm Carlson, University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators, Whitman Publishing, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia, pp. 104–126 (2007).
  2. ^ a b c d e Carlson, University of Florida Football Vault, pp. 105–109.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n 2011 Florida Gators Football Media Guide, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 116–125 (2011). Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  4. ^ Carlson, University of Florida Football Vault, pp. 107–108.

Bibliography

External links

Venues
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People
Seasons
National championship seasons in bold