1983 Florida Gators football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1983 Florida Gators football Southeastern Conference SEC 6 6 9–2–1 4–2 Charley Pell 5th Mike Shanahan 4th Joe Kines 3rd Florida Field Gator Bowl W Won 14–6 vs. Iowa The 1983 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1983 NCAA Division I-A football season. The season was Charley Pell's fifth as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Pell's Gators posted a 9–2–1 overall record and a Southeastern Conference (SEC) record of 4–2, placing third among ten SEC teams. Behind a stout defense and a rushing attack led by future pros Neal Anderson, John L. Williams, and Lorenzo Hampton the 1983 Gators were the first squad in program history to be ranked among the top ten teams in the final Associated Press (AP) poll. It was also the second time that the Gators were ranked in every weekly AP Poll throughout the season, (1975 being the first). Schedule 1983 AP September 3 w y Miami (FL) Florida Field Gainesville, FL rivalry 28–3 73,907 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-for-gators-a-peace-full/134604386/ St. Petersburg Times For Gators, a Peace-full victory September 4, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com September 10 t y y 18 USC 9 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 19–19 53,948 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-usc-rallies-to-tie-florid/134604482/ The Fresno Bee USC rallies to tie Florida, then flubs extra-point try September 11, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com September 17 w y 15 Indiana State Florida Field Gainesville, FL 17–13 68,191 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-sycamore-upset-bid/134604544/ The Indianapolis Star Sycamore upset bid just misses September 18, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com September 24 w y 15 Mississippi State Scott Field Starkville, MS 35–12 31,875 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-bulldogs-lose-in-fourth-quarter/134590426/ The Sun Bulldogs lose in fourth quarter September 25, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com October 1 w y 12 LSU 16 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA rivalry 31–17 78,616 LSU just Gator bait for Florida Daily World October 2, 1983 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-world-lsu-just-gator-bait-for-flor/134589544/ November 3, 2023 Newspapers.com October 8 w 9 Vanderbilt Florida Field Gainesville, FL 29–10 73,764 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-undefeated-gators-b/134565215/ The Orlando Sentinel Undefeated Gators break out cigars October 9, 1983 November 3, 2023 Newspapers.com October 22 w y y 6 East Carolina Florida Field Gainesville, FL 24–17 73,943 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72722718/florida-overcomes-6-turnovers-east/ The Palm Beach Post Florida overcomes 6 turnovers, East Carolina October 23, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com October 29 l y 5 Auburn 4 Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL rivalry CBS 21–28 75,700 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-auburn-wins-28/134604701/ The Atlanta Journal & Constitution Auburn wins 28–21 thriller, but Florida disputes it October 30, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com November 5 l y 9 Georgia 4 Gator Bowl Stadium Jacksonville, FL rivalry CBS 9–10 82,166 https://www.newspapers.com/article/pensacola-news-journal-dogs-hang-in-th/134604791/ The Pensacola News-Journal 'Dogs 'hang in there, 'nip Gators, 10–9 November 6, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com November 12 w 14 Kentucky rivalry Florida Field Gainesville, FL 24–7 73,192 https://www.newspapers.com/article/pensacola-news-journal-gators-bounce-bac/134603324/ The Pensacola News-Journal Gators bounce back, rip 'Cats November 13, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com December 3 w y 12 Florida State Florida Field Gainesville, FL rivalry CBS 53–14 74,113 https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-unexpected-rout-florida-r/134604859/ Florida Today Unexpected rout, Florida rips rival Florida State, 53–14 December 4, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com December 30 w y y 11 Iowa 10 Gator Bowl Stadium Jacksonville, FL Gator Bowl ABC 14–6 81,293 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-gators-put-bite/134604933/ The Des Moines Register Gators put bite on Hawkeyes, 14–6 December 31, 1983 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide https://web.archive.org/web/20151208143532/http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2015/media_guide.pdf 2015-12-08 , University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 107 (2015). Retrieved August 16, 2015. Roster 1983 Florida Gators y 27 So Neal Anderson RB y 89 Fr Ricky Nattiel WR y 15 Sr Wayne Peace QB y 22 So John L. Williams FB y John L. Williams (American football) 18 Sr Tony Lilly S y 88 Sr Wilber Marshall LB y Jr Bobby Raymond K Charley Pell Mike Shanahan (OC) Joe Kines (DC) Mike Heimerdinger (WR) Vince Kendrick (RB) Charlie Strong (GA) Team players in the 1984 NFL draft 1984 NFL draft Player Position Round Pick NFL club Wilber Marshall Linebacker 1 11 Chicago Bears Tony Lilly Safety 3 78 Denver Broncos Randy Clark Defensive back 8 202 Kansas City Chiefs John Hunt Guard 9 232 Dallas Cowboyspro-football-reference.com 1984 NFL Draft https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1984.htm 2019-08-10 2007-12-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20071221193408/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1984.htm dead References Florida Category:Florida Gators football seasons Category:Gator Bowl champion seasons Florida Gators football