“Doering’s’ Got a Touchdown!!!” (31yrs ago today)

Living in metro DC, the only way to watch the game was on a midnight tape delay from a PBS station in Goldvein VA who for some bizarre reason showed Kentucky sports. Easier to avoid scores and results back then, so I decided to do that. It was probably close to 330a when he caught that, heaven knows how many people I woke up.

 

We were at a rehearsal dinner for a buddy's wedding. . . all the guys in his future wife's dad's office, listening on the radio.

 

That was the year I knew I was going to UF but was still a while away but I was rooting for them. I thought I was a canes fan then uke: but I was really just not a college fan yet. There was no breaking of allegiances but my family mostly went to UF so all were happy. Remember thinking “well this looks fun”.

 

Sure do.

On the 40 yard line closet to the play about half way up.

Screamed so much and so loud that I lost my voice for about four or five days

 

Do I remember?

We were down at my mom’s place at Crescent Beach with the kids for vacay. Flew down from Louisville, KY where I lived at the time, had spent a great week and was flying home on Sunday, the day after the game. No TV so all we had was radio. It was a discouraging game to say the least. I had about given up hope and my wife reminded me we needed to run to Publix for diapers or something. Might as well. We drove in mom’s little Toyota to the store and walked in when Kentucky was about to punt to us with minutes to go. Came back out and radio came back on. I heard Mick say something about “...inside the 30...” and I thought “No way we’re going that far to score.” Then, as we pulled onto A1A I realized it was the Cats 30 yard line we were inside. Hope flickered. When Mick started screaming it was damn near unintelligible through mom’s crappy stereo in the car. I’m pounding the steering wheel screaming “What the hell happened!?!?” My wife thought I had lost my mind. Then all I heard was “…Gators have taken the lead!! Unbelievable!!” It was a good night.

Flew into Louisville Airport the next day – wearing my UF ball cap, like I always did.

Got a LOT of dirty looks waiting at baggage claim that morning.

Yes, I remember where I was that night...just passing Dondanville Road heading south on A1A.

 

The Kentucky TV guys.

 

Was in the middle of a PACKED house crowd, at The Thirsty Gator ( Owned by former Gator Great, Tim Groves), in Orlando. Crowd was in suspense as the clock ticked down,.... Some nole fans, (about 4-5 ) walked in the front door chanting their silly chime to try and rub in a prospective loss to all of us Gator fans. The play unfolded, Danny dropped back, threw the pass, Doering hauled it in, Mick went bonkers, and pandemonium was on in the TG!!!! The nole fans got driven out the front door, I actually rolled back and forth on the floor (like the famous scene of Larry Cole of the Cowboys), I did'nt care..... We were all so thrilled and happy. Beer flowed the rest of the night. Great time as a Gator, Coach Spurs just getting it rolling....
GO GATORS!!!!

 

We the Gator faithful in L.A. were in a satellite TV bar, near the beach. ... Amid all the excitement, this cool guy we didn't know ordered up "the tower of tequila" for all to share. Cheers ...

 

I was at the Abbey Road pub in palm beach gardens. Good times.

 

I was sitting in the car, in a motel parking lot, listening to the game on the radio. I was in Lexington, KY on a business trip, family in tow.

 

East 3 watching on TV in my dorm room. UF housing did some kind of special broadcast where we were able to watch. And as Chris hauled it in the cheers roared through the building as we all rushed out of our rooms and into the hall, jumping into each other's arms and yelling in disbelief. It was like an away game where every stranger wearing orange and blue was suddenly your best friend. What a memory!

 

Man, I really miss the days when as a fan I could watch a pressure situation and feel like we had a team of well coached, talented players who would give their all and a coach who would intelligently call a damn good play, all in, to win. Thankful to have gloried in the unimaginable HBC years and felt like a king of CFB under Meyer.

Edit - was on the phone with my buddy watching and my screaming sent the dog, kids and wife into high alert before recognizing that dad had lost his damn mind.

 

Damn I feel old.

 

As many times as I have heard or watched this, I’ve never heard the other side. I thought they’d be more upset about it. Lol