1997 Florida Gators football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1997 Florida Gators football Florida Gators script logo.svg Southeastern Conference Eastern Division SEC 6 4 10–2 6–2 Steve Spurrier 8th Carl Franks 3rd Fun and gun Bob Stoops 2nd 4–3 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Florida Citrus Bowl champion Florida Citrus Bowl W Won 21–6 vs. Penn State The 1997 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida as a member of the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Steve Spurrier, the Gators compiled an overall record of 10–2 with mark of 6–2 in conference play, tying for second place among the six SEC Eastern Division teams. Florida was invited to the Florida Citrus Bowl, where the Gators defeated Penn State. The team played home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. Schedule 1997 AP August 30 w y 2 Southern Miss Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL ESPN2 21–6 85,439 https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-gators-crawl-to-win/152119164/ Florida Today Gators crawl to win August 31, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 6 w y 2 Central Michigan Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL PPV 82–6 85,347 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-no-2-florida-a/152119248/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram No. 2 Florida airs it out in 82–6 rout September 7, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 20 w 3 Tennessee 4 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL rivalry, College GameDay CBS 33–20 85,714 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-chokehold-stymies-vols/152117123/ Chicago Tribune Chokehold stymies Vols September 21, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 27 w y 1 Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY rivalry CBS 55–28 59,244 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-kentucky-closes-gap/152119347/ The Orlando Sentinel Kentucky closes gap, but UF rolls September 28, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 4 w 1 Arkansas Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL ESPN2 56–7 85,253 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bradenton-herald-no-1-gators-butche/152116632/ The Bradenton Herald No. 1 Gators butcher Hogs October 5, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 11 l y 1 LSU 14 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA rivalry, College GameDay ESPN 21–28 80,677 https://www.newspapers.com/article/albuquerque-journal-motivated-tigers-ups/152114819/ Albuquerque Journal Motivated Tigers upset Gators October 12, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 18 w y 7 Auburn 6 Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL rivalry, College GameDay CBS 24–10 85,244 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-gators-top-auburn-wi/152102153/ The Atlanta Journal Gators top Auburn with No. 3 QB October 19, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 1 l y 6 Georgia 14 Alltel Stadium Jacksonville, FL rivalry CBS 17–37 84,297 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tallahassee-democrat-the-partys-over-as/152118768/ Tallahassee Democrat The party's over as Dawgs chomp on Gators November 2, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 8 w y 13 Vanderbilt Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL JPS 20–7 85,305 https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-to-gators-va/152119489/ South Florida Sun Sentinel To Gators, Vandy is handy November 9, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 15 w y 12 South Carolina Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC JPS 48–21 80,072 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-and-democrat-florida-pulls-awa/152119589/ The Times and Democrat Florida pulls away from Gamecocks November 16, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 22 w y 10 Florida State 2 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL rivalry, College GameDay CBS 32–29 85,677 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-gator-redemptio/152077053/ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Gator redemption: Rally shocks FSU November 23, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com January 1, 1998 w y y 6 Penn State 11 Florida Citrus Bowl Orlando, FL Florida Citrus Bowl ABC 21–6 72,940 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-leader-somber-ending-senior-n/152119722/ The Times Leader Somber ending; Senior Nittany Lions melancholy after loss to Florida January 2, 1998 July 27, 2024 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. Rankings 1997 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 17 2 (12) 2 (14) 2 (14) 2 (15) 3 (14) 1 (32) 1 (36) 1 (35) 7 6 6 13 12 10 7 6 6 4 Coaches 0 17 1 (19) 1 (19) 1 (25) 1 (25) 1 (25) 1 (43) 1 (45) 1 (48) 6 6 6 13 12 10 8 8 8 6 Game summaries Southern Miss May 2025 Central Michigan May 2025 Tennessee Florida Gators 2; text-align:center collapsed #4 Tennessee Volunteers (2–0) at #3 Florida Gators (2–0) September 20 3:30 p.m. EDT Tennessee 0 7 7 6 Florida 14 6 6 7 Ben Hill Griffith Stadium, Gainesville, Florida 85,714 Sunny, 95 F C Box Score, Box Score/Recap First quarter UF – Jamie Richardson 11-yard pass from Doug Johnson (Collins Cooper kick), 9:43. Florida 7–0. UF – Tony George 88-yard interception return (Collins Cooper kick), 0:15. Florida 14–0. Second quarter UT – Jermaine Copeland 22-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick), 1:33. Florida 14–7. UF – Jacquez Green 19-yard pass from Doug Johnson (kick failed), 0:45. Florida 20–7. Third quarter UF – Collins Cooper 37-yard field goal, 8:33. Florida 23–7. UF – Collins Cooper 40-yard field goal, 3:44. Florida 26–7. UT – Jermaine Copeland 8-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick), 2:32. Florida 26–14. Fourth quarter UF – Taran Ross 30-yard pass from Doug Johnson (Collins Cooper kick), 6:23. Florida 33–14. UT – Cedrick Wilson 16-yard pass from Peyton Manning (pass failed), 2:21. Florida 33–20. Top passers UT – Peyton Manning – 29/51, 353 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT UF – Doug Johnson – 14/32, 261 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT Top rushers UT – Mark Levine – 4 rushes, 27 yards UF – Fred Taylor – 17 rushes, 134 yards Top receivers UT – Andy McCullough – 5 receptions, 105 yards UF – Jacquez Green – 8 receptions, 185 yards, TD The Gators seemed poised for another title, never trailing Manning-led Tennessee at home to regain the top spot in the polls.Tony George memorably returned an interception 88 yards for a score.https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-21-sp-34829-story.html No. 3 Gators Find Willing Volunteers Los Angeles Times September 21, 1997 Peyton Manning went on to be the first overall pick in the NFL draft and break numerous NFL records, but ended his career without a win against Florida.https://www.onlygators.com/03/06/2016/looking-back-on-peyton-mannings-four-losses-to-the-florida-gators-1994-97/ Looking back on Peyton Manning's four losses to the Florida Gators, 1994-97 - OnlyGators.com At Kentucky May 2025 Arkansas May 2025 At LSU 1997 LSU Tigers football team They struggled midway through the schedule, however, first losing to LSU on the road. Humiliated by the previous season's 56–13 thrashing, LSU came into the 1997 game ready to play. Once again, the Gators were favored in this matchup in Baton Rouge. But it was LSU who jumped out to a big early lead, scoring two touchdowns in the first 8 minutes on runs by Herb Tyler and Tommy Banks. The Gators came right back with two TD runs by Fred Taylor, each of which capped off an 80-yard drive. Then, Doug Johnson threw an ill-advised pass, and Cedric Donaldson picked it off and returned it for a touchdown to give LSU a 21–14 lead. The Gators' frustration mounted when another Johnson pass was picked off, this time by Mark Roman, and when Herb Tyler scored another touchdown to give LSU a 28–14 lead with 11:40 to go, the Gators appeared to be in big trouble. Undaunted, Johnson tried to redeem himself with a 13-play, 78-yard drive that ended with Fred Taylor banging into the end zone to cut the Tigers' lead to 28–21. LSU could do nothing with their next possession, and Doug Johnson began moving the ball downfield again. He then faced a rush on a third and two and threw up a Hail Mary which was intercepted by Raion Hill. The Tigers held on for the 28–21 upset. At Auburn Florida Gators 2; text-align:center collapsed #7 Florida Gators (5–1) at #6 Auburn Tigers (6–0) October 18 2:30 p.m. CDT Florida 10 0 7 7 Auburn 7 3 0 0 Jordan–Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama 85,244 Partly cloudy, 65 F C A. Sizemore Box Score First quarter UF – Jamie Richardson 12-yard pass from Jacquez Green (Collins Cooper kick), 11:00. Florida 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 43 yards, 1:41. UF – Collins Cooper 22-yard field goal, 5:49. Florida 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 19 yards, 4:03. AUB – Tyrone Dillard 15-yard pass from Dameyune Craig (Jaret Holmes kick), 0:16. Florida 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 49 yards, 1:56. Second quarter AUB – Jaret Holmes 20-yard field goal, 0:00. Tie 10–10. Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 2:28. Third quarter UF – Jacquez Green 10-yard pass from Noah Brindise (Collins Cooper kick), 7:50. Florida 17–10. Drive: 14 plays, 97 yards, 5:20. Fourth quarter UF – Jacquez Green 5-yard run (Collins Cooper kick), 4:27. Florida 24–10. Drive: 2 plays, 6 yards, 0:49. Top passers UF – Jesse Palmer – 8/14, 92 yards, 2 INT AUB – Dameyune Craig – 18/34, 187 yards, TD, INT Top rushers UF – Fred Taylor – 34 rushes, 140 yards AUB – Rusty Williams – 8 rushes, 22 yards Top receivers UF – Travis McGriff – 3 receptions, 44 yards AUB – Karsten Bailey – 4 receptions, 56 yards Vs. Georgia Florida Gators 2; text-align:center collapsed #6 Florida Gators (6–1) vs. #17 Georgia Bulldogs (6–1) November 1 Georgia 7 7 7 16 Florida 0 3 14 0 Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida 84,297 CBS Box Score/Recap First quarter UGA – Robert Edwards 27-yard run (Hap Hines kick), 10:16. Georgia 7–0. Second quarter UF – Collins Cooper 36-yard field goal, 6:03. Georgia 7–3. UGA – Robert Edwards 1-yard run (Hap Hines kick), 3:23. Georgia 14–3. Third quarter UF – Noah Brindise 1-yard run (Collins Cooper kick), 11:23. Georgia 14–10. UF – Rod Frazier 3-yard run (Collins Cooper kick), 6:32. Florida 17–14. UGA – Robert Edwards 1-yard run (Hap Hines kick), 1:30. Georgia 21–17. Fourth quarter UGA – Dax Langley 27-yard field goal, 9:02. Georgia 24–17. UGA – Robert Edwards 37-yard run (kick failed), 5:58. Georgia 30–17. UGA – Olandis Gary 7-yard run (Hap Hines kick), 2:44. Georgia 37–17. Top passers UGA – Mike Bobo – 16/27, 260 yards, 3 INT UF – Doug Johnson – 12/25, 115 yards, 2 INT Top rushers UGA – Robert Edwards – 26 rushes, 124 yards, 4 TD UF – Fred Taylor – 18 rushes, 85 yards Top receivers UGA – Corey Allen – 5 receptions, 116 yards UF – Jamie Richardson – 6 receptions, 97 yards First loss to Georgia since 1989. Vanderbilt May 2025 At South Carolina May 2025 Florida State Florida Gators; text-align:center collapsed #1 Florida State Seminoles at #10 Florida Gators November 22 Florida St 10 7 9 3 Florida 6 12 7 7 Ben Hill Griffith Stadium • Gainesville, Florida 85,677 USA Today Florida St Thad Busby23/39, 219 Yds, TD, 2 INT Travis Minor21 Rush, 142 Yds, TD E.G. Green7 Rec, 83 Yds Florida Doug Johnson13/25, 218 Yds, TD Fred Taylor22 Rush, 162 Yds, 4 TD Jacquez Green7 Rec, 145 Yds Florida ended the regular season with a 32–29 upset of top-ranked FSU known as the "greatest game ever played in the Swamp."https://www.alligatorarmy.com/2012/5/27/3046887/the-greatest-game-ever-played-in-the-swamp-video Florida Football 2012 100 For 100, No. 97: Remember 1997, And The Greatest Game Ever Played In The Swamp Andy Hutchins 27 May 2012 Alligator Army The Seminoles were driving late in the fourth quarter when the Gator defense stopped them at the 5-yard line, and they settled for a Sebastian Janikowski field goal for a 29–25 lead. On first down of the next drive, quarterback Doug Johnson passed to consensus All-American receiver Jacquez Green from the Gator 20-yeard line for a 62-yard gain. Running back Fred Taylor completed the drive with a touchdown, and Florida took the lead for good 32–29. FSU's final comeback attempt was stymied when senior linebacker Dwayne Thomas intercepted a third-down pass from Thad Busby, costing the Seminoles a chance at the national championship.http://www.ocala.com/article/20071123/SPORTS/211230332 Best Florida-Florida State game ever? 1997 FSU FLA collapsed 1 10:45 Florida RushTD Fred Taylor 3 no good Collins Cooper run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 6 1 4:32 Florida St FumbleTD Sam Cowart 15 good Sebastian Janikowski run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 6 1 1:51 Florida St FG 28 Sebastian Janikowski 10 6 2 6:49 Florida St RecTD Melvin Pearsall Thad Busby 5 good Sebastian Janikowski run/pass good/failed/incomplete 17 6 2 7:10 Florida RecTD Travis McGriff Doug Johnson 6 pass failed 17 12 2 4:13 Florida RushTD Fred Taylor 4 pass failed 17 18 3 10:32 Florida St FG 31 Sebastian Janikowski 20 18 3 9:25 Florida RushTD Fred Taylor 61 good Collins Cooper run/pass good/failed/incomplete 20 25 3 5:24 Florida St 8 74 RushTD Travis Minor 18 pass incomplete 26 25 4 2:38 Florida St FG 20 Sebastian Janikowski 29 25 4 1:50 Florida 3 80 RushTD Fred Taylor 1 good Collins Cooper run/pass good/failed/incomplete 29 32 29 32 Florida Citrus Bowl (vs. Penn State) 1997 Penn State Nittany Lions football team May 2025 Roster 1997 Florida Gators y Ian Alestock RB Cheston Blackshear OL Noah Brindise QB Bo Carroll RB Mo Collins OL Dwight Edge TE Rod Frazier FB 5 Jr Jacquez Green WR y Darrell Jackson WR y Terry Jackson RB y Terry Jackson (running back) Erron Kinney TE y Eugene McCaslin RB y 7 Fr Jesse Palmer QB y 12 So Doug Johnson QB y Doug Johnson (American football) Ryan Kalich OL Nafis Karim WR 3 Jr Travis McGriff WR y Zach Piller OL Jamie Richardson WR Larry Richart QB Wyley Ritch OL Taras Ross TE Ian Skinner WR 21 Sr Fred Taylor RB y Fred Taylor (running back) Travis Taylor WR y Travis Taylor (American football) Tim Beauchamp DL y Teako Brown DB Ed Chester DL Willie Cohens DL 1 Jr Tony George CB y Tony George (American football) Ron Graddy DB Jevon Kearse DL y Keith Kelsey LB Reggie McGrew DL Mike Moten DL y Mike Peterson LB y Willie Rodgers DL Johnny Rutledge LB Dwayne Thomas LB 24 Sr Fred Weary CB y Fred Weary (defensive back) Elijah Williams DB Jeff Chandler K y Jeff Chandler (American football) 95 RS Jr Collins Cooper K Josh Korn P Robby Stevenson P Steve Spurrier Bob Stoops Rod BroadwayDefensive line Carl FranksOffensive coordinator/Running backs Sammy McCorkleGraduate assistant References Florida Category:Florida Gators football seasons Category:Citrus Bowl champion seasons Florida Gators football