Greatest Single Gator Football Play Ever...

[ovillegator]

Inspired by the 'greatest player' thread...

thought we needed one where you all can put up VIDEOS of the single greatest football play in Gator history.

I have trouble posting videos, so I'll leave that up to you all.

A couple I'd nominate are 'The Hand Blocking the Field Goal' vs. S Carolina, the 'Wuerrfel to Doering' last-second TD pass vs. KY, the helmetless tackle in the OSU NC game...

And yours...

[bsaunders]

Doug Johnson to Quezzie against FSU.

[UFreak]

Ahmad Black's interception in the national title game vs. Oklahoma.

In terms of game impact, importantness of the game and spectacularness, it has to be in the top 5.

[hgators]

Biggest play of '96 season..Danny to Reidel on 4th and 15 against tennessee.

[No1GatorFreak]

Lito interception return when Georgia was about to score again in 2000 that propelled us to another SEC title. We were trailing 17-3 i believe and Georgia was driving in midway through the 2nd quarter and Lito had an amazing pick he returned about 80 yards but really ran about a 140

[RepubliGator84]

2006 final FG block against SC certainly qualifies. Kept us in thenSEC championship and helped lead an improbable 2006 BCS championship run

[GATORQUEDOG]

Lito interception return when Georgia was about to score again in 2000 that propelled us to another SEC title. We were trailing 17-3 i believe and Georgia was driving in midway through the 2nd quarter and Lito had an amazing pick he returned about 80 yards but really ran about a 140

Just watched that play. The mutts were up 17-9 and driving just as you said at the end of the half.
It's funny watching the mutt fans reaction in the stands after the play. Total disbelief!

[geauxgator1]

Danny to Doehring..Kentucky game for the win and prevent a huge upset.

[geauxgator1]

Jarvis Moss blocks field goal 2006 vs SC to keep us in NC hunt.

[ovillegator]

Biggest play of '96 season..Danny to Reidel on 4th and 15 against tennessee.

Bigger than Danny to Doering same year?

[Jaggator]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoLPAAFB0o8

[Jaggator]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg5zueafElc

[Jaggator]

Classic Spurrier-Brilliant!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bDbnn4wRIQ

[g8rboy]

Ahmad Black's interception in the national title game vs. Oklahoma.

In terms of game impact, importantness of the game and spectacularness, it has to be in the top 5.

same game, the 4th down stop by torrey davis down by the goal line.

[Jaggator]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-jSnoxJ1zM

[Jaggator]

2nd play of the game?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QY-laDyAd4

[Jaggator]

One of the hardest hits ever by Major Wright

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fJxN3DWQCI

[g8rboy]

my actual pick would be the johnson to green play.

but so many great plays to pick from

[Jaggator]

Worst acting job of the year by any Gator I've seen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrpGdo9MyH4

[GatorSean]

Good calls by everyone...

a few older ones...

Kerwin to Ricky for 97 (yes 97!) yards against uga.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7ms5cwPu3w

Kerwin scrambles for 2 points to win against Auburn after being down 17 points.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvE5ob0VQ-o

[Jaggator]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6ANBZXi9Qs

[gator1986]

Major wright leveling the Oklahoma WR first play of the 08' NCG, and setting the tone

[Distant Gator]

The 2 INTs mentioned earlier were game changers.
1) Lito pick vs UGA
2) Black pick vs Bradford.

Obviously we don't know but I think the Gators would have lost both games without these picks. Furthermore they were incredible feats of athleticism (sp?)

Ike's "stop on a dime" in the Sugar was pretty sweet too.

[Jaggator]

Monty Grow lays out QB Darren Studstill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prbk6t74rSo

[Jaggator]

The "DRIVE" that beat FSU 32-29 Johnson to Green!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nMz5bpvOZs

[Jaggator]

At the 2:12 mark Joey Kent meet Lawrence Wright

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2w2uOL7XsI

[tilly]

My faves:

1. Johnson to Green.
2. Cock Block
3. Palmer to Gaffney vs. UT
4. "Doerring caught a touchdown"
5. Mannings 80 yard pick 6.

I also still love Cam trucking that Rogan guy from UT.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tablet using Gator Country

[WESGATORS]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p8RtYQnY04

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

[TheRaid]

Other notable nominees:
The Catch by James Jones.
Marshall running down USC RBs
Hilliard stop and go

[UFreak]

Biggest play of '96 season..Danny to Reidel on 4th and 15 against tennessee.

Probably my all-time favorite.

[UFreak]

The Florida Flop???

[geauxgator1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6ANBZXi9Qs

I'm glad Steve finally went to the shotgun, as it gave Wuerffel another split second to get rid of the ball and let us beat the noles convincingly.

[nawlinsgator]

Hilliard stop and go

That one's burned into my memory because:
1. It was for a national championship
2. It was against FSU
3. It looked amazing, even in slomo...he made the FSU DB's look like fools!

Check out the 4 minute mark:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msj65T_sYvs

[99gator]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p8RtYQnY04

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

rep to you.

i thought i would be the only one to think about this. but, imo, the greatest play in florida football history did not occur during a florida game.

it's this play right here

[No1GatorFreak]

Honestly, MY PERSONAL FAV was the Johnson to Quezzie. I was there and around 16 years old. What an amazing feeling that was. Felt even better than any game we've ever won at the Swamp. MOST IMPORTANT play... now that is another question. All listed were huge plays and this is a NICE THREAD :)

Im sure next month we will have the worst defeats thread going that will make us kick our chickens, dogs, or whatever pets u may have at home, but for now I'll shut up and enjoy this

[BobK89]

Another good one: 1990 at Bama. After an INT, ball on our goal line, Matthews hits Ernie Mills on a play that became named the Mills Route.

Sent from my iPhone using GatorCountry

[Swamp_of_Gators]

Lito interception return when Georgia was about to score again in 2000 that propelled us to another SEC title. We were trailing 17-3 i believe and Georgia was driving in midway through the 2nd quarter and Lito had an amazing pick he returned about 80 yards but really ran about a 140

The "Lito" Shuffle!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDuDBOpUgyA

I remember being sick as hell watching that game, and then going absolute ape chit, my mom in the other room saying "you don't sound that sick to me"

[gatorchamp27]

Percy Harvin period

[g8r2g8r]

Hambrick's run vs. Mutts

[UFreak]

Another good one: 1990 at Bama. After an INT, ball on our goal line, Matthews hits Ernie Mills on a play that became named the Mills Route.

Sent from my iPhone using GatorCountry

That's a really good one. That was huge.

Some others not yet mentioned:
1991 Shane to Harrison Houston vs. visiting FSU.
Lawrence Wright int return for six vs. West Va. In Sugar Bowl.
The Danny to Hilliard bomb for a TD in 95 to answer an FSU score. Place went nuts. Emmitt was there on the field and the cameras showed him celebrating following the play.
Ben Hanks intercepting the pitch vs. Arkansas in the 95 SEC championship game and racing the other way 97 yards for six.
The Terry Jackson long TD run in the 96 Sugar Bowl. The strut into the end zone and the subsequent Spurrier doing that fist rolling thing is pretty iconic in Gator lore.
2006 int return for 6 by Reggie Nelson vs. Bama.
The original Tebow Jump Pass to Tate Casey.
2008 bomb from Tebow to Percy vs LSU. The stadium went nuts.

[UFreak]

Hambrick's run vs. Mutts

Good one

[geauxgator1]

2006 Ben Hanks intercepted a pitch from Arkansas QB and ran the ball back 95 yards in SEC title game. The game really wasn't in doubt but if Arky scores it makes the game fairly close at that point.

[Ahab]

The 1993 UF - F$U game had the most amazing Gator play even though it was in a heartbreaking loss. Jack Jackson tips an underthrown pass away from an F$U defender, then off his helmet, tips the ball twice more with his left hand before catching a TD with his right. Pulls UF within 6 points in the 4th and the Swamp goes nuts.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=w-pyZUUM7BM#t=11099s

[UFreak]

2006 Ben Hanks intercepted a pitch from Arkansas QB and ran the ball back 95 yards in SEC title game. The game really wasn't in doubt but if Arky scores it makes the game fairly close at that point.

It was in 1995. Read two posts earlier

[Ahab]

1991 Shane to Harrison Houston vs. visiting FSU.


<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yTCOfJQc4bU?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[GoGator]

The play against OK for the NC. Interception by Black---O my--so many great ones..

[geauxgator1]

It was in 1995. Read two posts earlier

oops my bad. didn't see it.. keep me honest. I googled the date and read it wrong.

[whitelakegator]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKijV6MWgE4

Goosebumps

[whitelakegator]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3lt1xmlUD8

fast forward to 3:40 for vintage spurrier and danny...

[wygator]

Wes Chandler...two great ones in this clip. The first 10 seconds are dark.

One against Auburn where he fakes out three different defenders one at a time (the last one to the ground) on a long jaunt across the field...War Eagle jumps him in the end zone.

The other a one hander in the back of the end zone against Georgia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJUQqdYqe9E

[Marshall]

The 1984 GA game was the turnaround of UF football. We finally put a stake in the heart of the monster. The goal line stand, followed but the gutsy bomb from Bell to Nattiel finished off a game that UF was really winning, stopped a GA comeback and then dropped the nail in the coffin....hence my vote is the site of Ricky Nattiel going down the same sideline Lindsay Scott had traversed......evil monster was dead.

[bluecreekgator]

Lawerence Wright meets Joey Kent or Ike's stop and go.

[bluecreekgator]

Or maybe Tyrone Young's touchdown against FSUcks in Tally way back when. I was the only Gator standing and cheering on the alumni side of the field. Got all kind of stuff thrown at me as the criminal fans were leaving their tinker toy stadium.

[wygator]

Just so you can appreciate his brilliance, a Wes Chandler pro highlight reel. Best hands of any Gator receiver ever. Especially great runs or catches at 2:33 and 5:00. Punt return TD at the end. Made everything look easy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU0JzMhHdKM

[wygator]

Jacquez Green back-to-back punt return TD's against Kentucky. One a true sideline to sideline gem where it seemed every player had a shot at him. SEC record 272 punt return yards in the game.

[GatorRx87]

One of most historic happened in 1960.....Larry Libertore's last second pass to
Jon MacBeth to upset Bobby Dodd's Geogia Tech 18-17 and start a new era
in Gator football.

[UFreak]

Spurrier's field goal

[Ahab]

Just so you can appreciate his brilliance, a Wes Chandler pro highlight reel. Best hands of any Gator receiver ever. Especially great runs or catches at 2:33 and 5:00. Punt return TD at the end. Made everything look easy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU0JzMhHdKM

Thanks for posting that.

[BobK89]

The 1993 UF - F$U game had the most amazing Gator play even though it was in a heartbreaking loss. Jack Jackson tips an underthrown pass away from an F$U defender, then off his helmet, tips the ball twice more with his left hand before catching a TD with his right. Pulls UF within 6 points in the 4th and the Swamp goes nuts.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=w-pyZUUM7BM#t=11099s

Another great J. Jackson play: 1993 at USCe. He catches a quick pass from Danny and is pushed back to our own goal line, shakes off a tackle and sprints 75 yards to the USCe 25. GREAT PLAY! Can't locate it on youtube.

[Hill_Raiser]

props to Wesgator.

[bsaunders]

Was there for these. So many great ones. James Jones falling into endzone vs da U at Florida Field. Wow I'm old.

[gatormoe1]

Just to add some variety..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0aNhEeM1W8

[g8rjd]

I seriously can't believe that no one has said Reeves to Alvarez vs. No. 1 Houston. I wasn't even born yet, but when I talk to older Gators, everyone talks about that play. In fact, when I saw Alvarez speak, he knew everyone wanted to hear about it and just went right into his recollection about it.

[WESGATORS]

rep to you.

i thought i would be the only one to think about this. but, imo, the greatest play in florida football history did not occur during a florida game.

it's this play right here

It just felt like Nebraska had taken control of the game and it was just a matter of whether they were going to stuff Texas or force them to punt and then drive down the field. We were going nuts watching that game as we were doing an in-house tailGATOR in Atlanta before our big game. GATOR Nation was properly amped for that SEC Championship Game.

If Texas doesn't convert, most believe Nebraska goes on to win that game and it leads to us rooting for Arizona State instead of Ohio State (fail) and then a likely Seminole victory over the Cornhuskers for their 2nd national championship. Who knows how things progress from that point forward for FLORIDA football.

Was it the greatest play ever for FLORIDA? I don't know, but if you ask me to pick one, that's always going to be one of the ones I'll be thinking of even if it did not directly involve the GATORS.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

[secgator]

First off--there is NO "Single Greatest Play" for the Gators, other than various opinions--way too many great plays for any one single to truthfully be the greatest.

Having said that, in addition to those mentioned throughout this awesome thread--two 'significant' plays come to mind which had far reaching impacts besides the plays themselves.

1--1990 first game against Okie St.....new head coach SOS...Gainesville murders fresh on the minds of everyone adding tension beyond words. No one really knew what to expect from SOS and the distraction of the student deaths make the entire event so friggin surreal it simply can't be described. Everyone in the stands was anxious to see what the prodigal-son-come-home was going to do for the Gators. I don't recall the exact timeline of the plays, but very early I believe in the first drive, our unknown no-name QB Shane Matthews who had been 5th string back in the spring dropped back to pass and hit TE Kirk Kirkpatrick for a long TD....something none of us had been accustomed to for a long time with Emmitt being the entire show the previous 3 years. Shane went on to throw 20-29 that game, 332 passing yards hitting 10 total receivers. THAT play...IMO...set the tone for the next 12 years as we were blindsided by the brilliance of SOS and discovered what it was like to turn the SEC upside down and begin a long era of control and domination. THAT pass play to Kirkpatrick stands out to me as one of THE most significant plays in Gator history. Maybe not the greatest, but certainly one of the most important plays ever.

2--as a couple of others finally mentioned....Reave-to-Alvarez 70 yd TD pass on the 3rd play of the game. I didn't see it live, but listening to Otis Boggs do the play-by-play on the radio was one of "those moments" as a kid you will NEVER forget. THAT play launched the Super Sophs for Florida and showed the college football world that UF did indeed know how to play football down here. Florida absolutely stunned Houston 59-34 in a HUGE upset that no one ever imagined. Most importantly from a personal note--it was that play which made me a Florida Gator. Period. I swear that one single play is when I became a Florida Gator for life.

Here is a cool video I just stumbled onto a few minutes ago trying to find a video clip of the Reaves to Alvarez bomb, but instead found this(which apparently is a series I had never even heard of. Here is Carlos recalling that play---absolutely great video along with the others in this series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ8nPfI9XC4

[number1]

Tebow jump pass.

[theologator]

It just felt like Nebraska had taken control of the game and it was just a matter of whether they were going to stuff Texas or force them to punt and then drive down the field. We were going nuts watching that game as we were doing an in-house tailGATOR in Atlanta before our big game. GATOR Nation was properly amped for that SEC Championship Game.

If Texas doesn't convert, most believe Nebraska goes on to win that game and it leads to us rooting for Arizona State instead of Ohio State (fail) and then a likely Seminole victory over the Cornhuskers for their 2nd national championship. Who knows how things progress from that point forward for FLORIDA football.

Was it the greatest play ever for FLORIDA? I don't know, but if you ask me to pick one, that's always going to be one of the ones I'll be thinking of even if it did not directly involve the GATORS.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

I was standing in a Service Merchandise doing some Christmas shopping and watched it on the store TV rack - 20 at once.

If you know right where you were, that says something.

A few fond ones:

Ike's stop on a dime catch in the 1997 Sugar Bowl pounding of FSU.

Black's int vs Oklahoma

Everett's helmetless tackle vs. OSU.

Joey Kent 1995

Johnson to Quezzie 1997 FSU at The Swamp

Tebow running right the hell over LaRon Landry of LSU in 2006.

1994 4th & 11 at UT in the rain

[UFreak]

Kerwin to Natiel in the rain at FSU in 86. Probation years and TV ban. Was listening to it on the radio at my high school gym.

[gatorwilk1]

Here's a couple of good ones to remember:
Ball Couches field goal vs Auburn
K Bell comes off bench and runs to set up winning score vs. Auburn
Fred Taylor runs thru FSU defense to set up winning score.
Reeves TD pass to Alvarez

[theologator]

Here's a couple of good ones to remember:
Ball Couches field goal vs Auburn
K Bell comes off bench and runs to set up winning score vs. Auburn
Fred Taylor runs thru FSU defense to set up winning score.
Reeves TD pass to Alvarez

Doering's pass out of the Emory & Henry formation on the way to the closest SECCG win so far, and over Bama.

Danny'a fake injury leading to a beautiful Kresser play action pass in the same game.

THAT was a genius - er, mastermind - coached game.

[nawlinsgator]

It just felt like Nebraska had taken control of the game and it was just a matter of whether they were going to stuff Texas or force them to punt and then drive down the field. We were going nuts watching that game as we were doing an in-house tailGATOR in Atlanta before our big game. GATOR Nation was properly amped for that SEC Championship Game.

If Texas doesn't convert, most believe Nebraska goes on to win that game and it leads to us rooting for Arizona State instead of Ohio State (fail) and then a likely Seminole victory over the Cornhuskers for their 2nd national championship. Who knows how things progress from that point forward for FLORIDA football.

Was it the greatest play ever for FLORIDA? I don't know, but if you ask me to pick one, that's always going to be one of the ones I'll be thinking of even if it did not directly involve the GATORS.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

That was the single most exciting non-Gator game I had ever seen. Nebraska looked unbeatable for a 2 year stretch, including their pounding of us in the previous years National Championship game. That play was so great.

[g0ggles]

Tebow 4th down conversion against Tenn in 06. That team should be nicknamed "cardiac gators" cuz they gave me a couple of heart attacks that season.

Percy's inside run against USCe in 08. Looked like he had a jet pack on running away from their secondary

Spikes hit on moreno. Set the tone for the entire game

[tcmba]

One of my all time favorites was Richard Trapp's catch and run against Georgia in 1967. I can't even remember who the quarterback was (maybe Rentz), but Trapp ran all over the field and broke a bunch of tackles. Keith Jackson thought it was one of the best plays he had ever seen.

[tilly]

Percy's inside run against USCe in 08. Looked like he had a jet pack on running away from their secondary


Yeah, I was there, and that one burns in my memory. Problem was, the game was basically already over at halftime...so even though that was the first play of the half, it seems anticlimactic in retrospect.

Spikes pick 6 is what started the snowball in that game.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tablet using Gator Country

[g0ggles]

Yeah, I was there, and that one burns in my memory. Problem was, the game was basically already over at halftime...so even though that was the first play of the half, it seems anticlimactic in retrospect.

Spikes pick 6 is what started the snowball in that game.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tablet using Gator Country

True. The game was already over. I also liked the reverse against tenn in 07, him faking inside, then cutting up the sideline. That was almost unfair

[Jaggator]

I'd say one of the top 5 play makers of all-time was Brandon James and boy do I miss him. He was quick & shifty with that first step and I can't remember us having a punt returner as explosive as him. He was a threat every time he touched the ball.

He made so many big plays. I'm not sure which was the best. The UT game punt return for a TD was my favorite. See it in this highlight reel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EWsSZSdPC8



http://www.getseengetsigned.com/Images/Brandon_James_vs_Vols.jpg

[co_gator89]

Jarvis Herring intercepting Rix at the end of the '04 FSU game and thus christening Ron Zook Field.

[wygator]

One of my all time favorites was Richard Trapp's catch and run against Georgia in 1967. I can't even remember who the quarterback was (maybe Rentz), but Trapp ran all over the field and broke a bunch of tackles. Keith Jackson thought it was one of the best plays he had ever seen.

Couldn't find the clip, but here is Richard Trapp and teammate Jim Yarborough talking about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARbn6SJg8X8

[wygator]

Just remembered this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Uzu-wPFmc

[Gatorrick22]

I'd say one of the top 5 play makers of all-time was Brandon James and boy do I miss him. He was quick & shifty with that first step and I can't remember us having a punt returner as explosive as him. He was a threat every time he touched the ball.

He made so many big plays. I'm not sure which was the best. The UT game punt return for a TD was my favorite. See it in this highlight reel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EWsSZSdPC8



http://www.getseengetsigned.com/Images/Brandon_James_vs_Vols.jpg

Great stuff as usual, Jag. James was our human highlight player.

[99gator]

It just felt like Nebraska had taken control of the game and it was just a matter of whether they were going to stuff Texas or force them to punt and then drive down the field. We were going nuts watching that game as we were doing an in-house tailGATOR in Atlanta before our big game. GATOR Nation was properly amped for that SEC Championship Game.

If Texas doesn't convert, most believe Nebraska goes on to win that game and it leads to us rooting for Arizona State instead of Ohio State (fail) and then a likely Seminole victory over the Cornhuskers for their 2nd national championship. Who knows how things progress from that point forward for FLORIDA football.

Was it the greatest play ever for FLORIDA? I don't know, but if you ask me to pick one, that's always going to be one of the ones I'll be thinking of even if it did not directly involve the GATORS.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

well, i was thinking that to be the "greatest play ever" it had to lead to a national championship. there are only a handful of individual plays i can point to.

in 1996, that was the biggest play. all games were blowouts except the game we lost. that play by texas was the biggest that season that lead to a championship.

2006, the field goal blocked by jarvis moss was the biggest individual play that season.

2008, the play by torrey davis against oklahoma. maybe the sack by jermaine cunningham against bama in the 4th qtr.

[theologator]

well, i was thinking that to be the "greatest play ever" it had to lead to a national championship. there are only a handful of individual plays i can point to.

in 1996, that was the biggest play. all games were blowouts except the game we lost. that play by texas was the biggest that season that lead to a championship.

2006, the field goal blocked by jarvis moss was the biggest individual play that season.

2008, the play by torrey davis against oklahoma. maybe the sack by jermaine cunningham against bama in the 4th qtr.

Great picks. Torrey Davis is generally regarded as a bust but that was a huge play.

How about Mike Peterson stuffing "Pooh Bear" Williams on 4th & 1 early in the Sugar Bowl win over FSU to get that first NC?

[ApexNC]

One of my first great Gator memories was James Jones' "The Catch" vs miami in 1982. I was a senior in high school and a few buddies and I drove up for the game. Great game and a great play. Gators won 17-14 thanks to The Catch..

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1125902/index.htm

[gatorbogey]

as a kid - the catch in '69 stands out. it's legendary. the run by richard trapp too was memorable.
as a student - loved the one handed catch by jones. and the combo of the goal line stand and bomb to nattiel. storm the field! i'd go w/ the bomb because of the elation - bedlam in the stands. that was sooOOOooo much fun.
as an alum - wow, so many to choose. that texas play really does stand out when you really think about. i wasn't 'there' but people tell me how 'out of control' amped the gator nation got watching that - sensing what was unfolding for us. we all just rode that big wave to the nat'l title. everything fell into place. it has an almost a "30 on 30" espn type story ring to it: "the greatest gator play may have never involved a single gator player."

[theologator]

And when Spurrier approached Texas coach John Mackovich to thank him for swinging that door open, Mackovich had never given a thought to how it had affected Florida.

Wasn't the Texas QB named James Brown? Ha! Huh!

[StonewallJawkson]

Wes Chandler...War Eagle jumps him in the end zone.

Thanks for finding that one. I've never seen the video for it after watching the game live in 1976. Nobody in the stands knew what the 15 yard penalty was for since they didn't announce them back then: Unsportsmanlike conduct on the mascot!

[supagator]

Doug Johnson to Quezzie against FSU.

I was there that was awesome!

[DoctorGator]

1995 - Auburn had inexplicably beaten us in '93 and '94. We just couldn't beat any Bowden. In '93, SOS had kind of lost his mind and wouldn't give the ball to Erict Rhett (I don't think AU tackled him all afternoon) and we threw a ton of interceptions and lost. In '94, we threw another boatload of interceptions and lost on the last play of the game when DC Ron Zook allowed Baby Bowden to isolate a 6'-3" AA WR that spent 12 years in the league on a 6' Safety that wasn't built for, or intended to cover that kind of player. Bobby meanwhile beat us in '93 on a clip that wasn't called and benefitted from the legendary meltdown called the Choke at Doak in '94 Part 1 and the Slasher Movie at the Sugar Bowl Banquest in '94 Part 2 to cut our hearts out three times in two years.

So.....we go to Auburn in 1995 undefeated, just as we were when we played them the previous two years. It was the loudest non-Swamp cfb stadium of all time as they picked up a fumble and ran it in on our first possession (first snap, I believe) of the game. They kicked off and immediately got another turnover (fumbled KO return?). We hold them 3-and-out and they kick a FG. After about 100 seconds of game time, its 10-0 Auburn and AU had about a yard of total offense, with no first downs and I don't think we had snapped the ball but once.

They kicked off for the third time in less than two minutes. Reidell Anthnony received the kick, took a couple of steps to his left and cut upfield. After about 20 yards, he veered slightly left and went untouched 90+ yards for a TD and the rout was on. AU scored a couple of meaningless TDs late or the score would have been really ugly.

That play broke the invincibility facade of Baby Bowden, broke the "Bowden Hex" over SOS and propelled us to our first undefeated regular season, an SEC championship and a spot in the MNC game. It also was the beginning of the end for Baby Bowden. BTW, I was living in Tally at the time and breaking the Bowden Hex may have been the best of all for me, as we nailed Bobby in Gainesville to top off that undefeated regular season.

[socraticsilence]

Not the greatest play, but the one where I knew we had something special in the Meyer-Tebow combo-- the first self-play action vs. LSU in 2006, not the jump pass (which was awesome but is of limited value)- when that happened I was like how do you stop that and for the next 3 and a half years basically no one did.

[socraticsilence]

Ahmad Black's interception in the national title game vs. Oklahoma.

In terms of game impact, importantness of the game and spectacularness, it has to be in the top 5.

Just an amazing play- that was basically a perfect throw and he took it away.

[socraticsilence]

rep to you.

i thought i would be the only one to think about this. but, imo, the greatest play in florida football history did not occur during a florida game.

it's this play right here

Such a ballsy call- and bringing in the jumbo package to sell it:joecool:

[socraticsilence]

Man reading this read is awesome, I want an offense again.

[WESGATORS]

1995 - Auburn had inexplicably beaten us in '93 and '94. We just couldn't beat any Bowden. In '93, SOS had kind of lost his mind and wouldn't give the ball to Erict Rhett (I don't think AU tackled him all afternoon) and we threw a ton of interceptions and lost. In '94, we threw another boatload of interceptions and lost on the last play of the game when DC Ron Zook allowed Baby Bowden to isolate a 6'-3" AA WR that spent 12 years in the league on a 6' Safety that wasn't built for, or intended to cover that kind of player. Bobby meanwhile beat us in '93 on a clip that wasn't called and benefitted from the legendary meltdown called the Choke at Doak in '94 Part 1 and the Slasher Movie at the Sugar Bowl Banquest in '94 Part 2 to cut our hearts out three times in two years.

So.....we go to Auburn in 1995 undefeated, just as we were when we played them the previous two years. It was the loudest non-Swamp cfb stadium of all time as they picked up a fumble and ran it in on our first possession (first snap, I believe) of the game. They kicked off and immediately got another turnover (fumbled KO return?). We hold them 3-and-out and they kick a FG. After about 100 seconds of game time, its 10-0 Auburn and AU had about a yard of total offense, with no first downs and I don't think we had snapped the ball but once.

They kicked off for the third time in less than two minutes. Reidell Anthnony received the kick, took a couple of steps to his left and cut upfield. After about 20 yards, he veered slightly left and went untouched 90+ yards for a TD and the rout was on. AU scored a couple of meaningless TDs late or the score would have been really ugly.

That play broke the invincibility facade of Baby Bowden, broke the "Bowden Hex" over SOS and propelled us to our first undefeated regular season, an SEC championship and a spot in the MNC game. It also was the beginning of the end for Baby Bowden. BTW, I was living in Tally at the time and breaking the Bowden Hex may have been the best of all for me, as we nailed Bobby in Gainesville to top off that undefeated regular season.

Great description. I remember it well, that was my first trip to Jordan-Hare and we were pretty late. We parked a lot further away than we needed to and heard the crowd going nuts walking up and knew bad things were happening. We got to our seats just in time for the kickoff after they took a 10-0 lead.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

[theologator]

Not the greatest play, but the one where I knew we had something special in the Meyer-Tebow combo-- the first self-play action vs. LSU in 2006, not the jump pass (which was awesome but is of limited value)- when that happened I was like how do you stop that and for the next 3 and a half years basically no one did.

You mean the rocker step then throw to David Nelson who was so alone he was sobbing and writing a letter home?

That was a stunner. Nelson turned out to be a very capable receiver and a solid pro, but before that play only us recruitniks even knew his name.

Great memory - thanks!

[RayGator]

One of most historic happened in 1960.....Larry Libertore's last second pass to
Jon MacBeth to upset Bobby Dodd's Geogia Tech 18-17 and start a new era
in Gator football.

I'm glad someone else remembers that! Also the 1st year the NCAA put the 2 point pat in effect and it was the 1st game the Gators did the 2 point play. An exciting day at Florida Field in 1960!

And now the next Fall when the Gators handed Bear Bryant his first home loss at Tuscaloosa! I think it was HB Dick Kirk who scored about a 40 yard TD to seal the 10-6 win! After the game was over "other" students stormed the intersection of 13 street and Univ Ave and started a huge bonfire as
I "watched"! Backed up US 441 for miles! And there was no such thing as I 75 then. Later that Saturday night a couple thousand of us went to the Gainesville airport to cheer and welcome the back. The DC 3 plane had to circle the field a couple of times because students had blocked the landing strip. Can't remember how I got there and back, I didn't have a car.

And think it was the Fall of 1966 when Gator QB Steve Spurrier kicks a FG to get the win over Auburn at Florida Field. Wàs back in Miami then and listened to the game on the Gator Radio Network. Very, very few college football games on TV back then.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

For me: Doug Johnson's pass to Quez Green late in the '97 game.

My father always talked about Nattiel's 96-yard touchdown catch against Georgia in 1984, the year I was born.

You could make a case for many of the plays discussed in this thread, but that pass to Green, along with Taylor's subsequent pounding to punch it in, had me more amped up than I'd ever been.

[UFreak]

You mean the rocker step then throw to David Nelson who was so alone he was sobbing and writing a letter home?

That was a stunner. Nelson turned out to be a very capable receiver and a solid pro, but before that play only us recruitniks even knew his name.

Great memory - thanks!

I believe that was to Louis Murphy, not Nelson.

[theologator]

I believe that was to Louis Murphy, not Nelson.

You are correct. I think at the time I had those two filed in the same drawer early on, then Murphy became quite a leader while Nelson bloomed a but later and more modestly (though a very solid WR.)

[fortmyersgator]

Been to pretty much every big game since 79. That is top 10 match ups, both teams are good and there are national title implications.

On offense it is Quezzies catch vs FSU in 97. Incredible moment that won the game in what is easily the best football game I have ever been to. That game had it all.

On defense, it is Lawrence Wright's hit on Joey Kent. Tennessee outplayed and outscored us in the first half, Manning was throwing beautiful passes all over the place. The Gators had already started to pick up their effort level, the crowd was ROARING, and the image of Kent flying backwards 4 yards just ignighted the Swamp into a frenzy. Even though we fumbled on the next play and they ran it in for a TD, I had no doubt we would win and the rain of touchdowns in the 2nd half was magical. Who can forget Peyton slack jawed on their bench with the rain soaking him. The funnest game I have ever been to.

[theologator]

On defense, it is Lawrence Wright's hit on Joey Kent. Tennessee outplayed and outscored us in the first half, Manning was throwing beautiful passes all over the place. The Gators had already started to pick up their effort level, the crowd was ROARING, and the image of Kent flying backwards 4 yards just ignighted the Swamp into a frenzy. Even though we fumbled on the next play and they ran it in for a TD, I had no doubt we would win and the rain of touchdowns in the 2nd half was magical. Who can forget Peyton slack jawed on their bench with the rain soaking him. The funnest game I have ever been to.

A truly great, sea-changing moment, despite, as you note, the fumble & UT TD on the next play.

What were we down by, 17? Won by 25 and Fulmer whined about us running up the score.

And a springboard to 1996 IMHO.

[tilly]

You mean the rocker step then throw to David Nelson who was so alone he was sobbing and writing a letter home?

That was a stunner. Nelson turned out to be a very capable receiver and a solid pro, but before that play only us recruitniks even knew his name.

Great memory - thanks!


You mean Tebow's roommate? You know they were roommates right? Has anyone ever told America that they were roommates? Because I'm pretty sure they were roommates. - Vern Lundquist :wink:

[theologator]

You mean Tebow's roommate? You know they were roommates right? Has anyone ever told America that they were roommates? Because I'm pretty sure they were roommates. - Vern Lundquist :wink:

Lol. Great work if you can get it.

[ofmgator]

Richard Trapp against uga in about 1967

[mh2os]

Greatest Gator is obviously subjective, and we're fortunate to have a lot from which to choose. Somewhere in the mix has to be All SEC LB Jack Card! How can such a small man, playing a big man position and excelling at it, not be in the mix?

[precboom]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKijV6MWgE4

Goosebumps

Goosebumps for me, too! The second play of the game (JQ's bobbled catch) is something that I'll always remember. I had the S.I. picture of Quezie coming down with the ball hung in my school locker.

My all time favorite play was Percy's reverse vs Tennessee. That single play was the most amazing display of athleticism that I've ever seen. I haven't read through every page of this thread, so it might already be on here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8DyslcSHf4&sns=em