1969 - My 1st game as a UF freshman was special to me. Houston came in ranked pre-season #1 by Playboy, #7 in most polls, Florida young and unranked. John Reaves to Carlos Alvarez for a 70 yard TD on the 3rd play of the game set the tone. We led 38-6 at the half and won 59-24. Went on to start 6-0 and finish with 9 wins for a group called the "Super Sophs." I'd love to watch that game again in its entirety because I was only 17 and don't remember much about it other than the big shocker it was to most of the crowd and the nation.
Being on a boat sucked during football season. News was always last on the broadcast so you’d get stuff like, “In the greatest game ever played …………” You might not ever know.
I was at that game! Wow! We sat in the South End Zone in seats they had added just for that game against the walkway wall. Watched Fred on that last drive go around left end down to the 1. I can still see it! Wished I was at the '91 Bama Game. Things were magical that year after all the pain we endured in the '80's. Wished I could have been there or the UT game that year.
Another very honorable mention is the 1986 Auburn game. Down 17-0 in the fourth quarter. Kerwin limps into the game and brings us back for an 18-17 win, converting the 2 pt conversion himself in what must be the slowest 2 point conversion run in NCAA history. IIRC, UF we were named the best student section that year, mostly based on that game.
1997 Sugar Bowl 52-20. There isn’t anything sweeter than beating your most bitter rival to win a Natty while crushing their dreams of doing the same. I’d like a do-over on that one because it was so sweet AND because of the where and when. I was having a few drinks and not watching it as seriously, thinking that with Spurrier as coach there would be plenty more of these moments.
I agree with everyone who chose ‘97 UF v FSU. 2001 beatdown of a hyped LSU was also fun. *Going throw in 2016 vs LSU. The game wasn’t great but loved the goaline stand. I actually went immediately to the LSU boards after that (if you remember they were calling the Gators scared because the game had been postponed and was talk of cancellation) to enjoy their misery. Reading their game thread and seeing the change from s—t talking to gloom was outstanding
I was there. Damn cornhusker fan was obnoxious all game long. Said get those leotard baby girls off the field and get us a better team to play against. Of course years later we all know that their team was full of convicted murderers, rapists, etc.
I'd go back and attend that 2006 game against Ohio St. To me that game ushered in the dynasty of SEC football.
"I just saw Frasier running by my couch" or something similar in random posts was a running joke on this very forum at it's origins (back in the shut down servers if no account when it was a big game days) but yeah. I was the first bad Gator game I ever saw. Watching the answers, I realize how lucky I am to have been at the mathematically possible games that are amazing, I was at. Home away, etc. Still nothing to me beats the loss/win being at both in Doak and at Nokie for our first time "the one you always remember". After that year, firstly EVERYONE had the "You always remember your first time" tees. And finally after that year because of the help of Texas to get in, Gators wore Texas hats and shirts for at least a year and hook em horn cheers at the stadium. Those were some fun f'n days.
Thanks for that! Just watched every minute. It brought back memories and feelings that have nothing to do with football even. I loved all my time in Gainesville and this game was when just my brother was there and I came to visit as a young kid ready to follow suit in a couple years.
For me, I would say 1985 #2 florida at #5 auburn and Bo Jackson. We were on probation so it wasn’t televised. Defense smothered Bo and 14-10 win elevated us to #1. I was in grad school so it was one of the few big gator victories I didn’t witness in person from 1980 to present. RIP Alonzo Johnson
I agree with everyone who said the '97 FSU game. I wasn't at the game. The thing I remember most watching on TV was when the ball was intercepted at the end, the end zone camera shot was so shaky because of the crowd going crazy. I wish I could go back and be in the stadium to witness that energy. I've been to other games where it got loud, but I can't imagine what that felt like.
A lot of fine moments, '97 was my favorite, an absolute roller coaster. Fred Taylor fumbles, Fred Taylor 4 TD redemption, no answer for Quezzie. I play "Green is behind the Defense" whenever I'm down. I'll leave one more for the memories, this game put UF back in the Big Leagues. 1982 UF vs USC. Just around the corner from 0-10-1, Wilbur Marshall, Oh My!, Charlie Pell and Marshall Criser jumping up and down and pumping their fists in the air.
Mine was remembering Quezzie and I was like near the corner end zone at about the 7 yard line and that pass near the end looked like it was a mile in the sky to land in his arms. It looked like a kick off with a perfect spiral. Soooo high (the ball). Point it we were behind it and it was just the perfect angle to see the pass. All the seniors were in the street hugging all the fans by the time we were out of the stadium. That was rare and awesome!