1998 Florida Gators football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1998 Florida Gators football Florida Gators script logo.svg Southeastern Conference Eastern Division SEC 6 5 10–2 7–1 Steve Spurrier 9th Carl Franks 4th Fun and gun Bob Stoops 3rd 4–3 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Orange Bowl champion Orange Bowl W Won 31–10 vs. Syracuse The 1998 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida as a member of the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1998 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by ninth-year head coach Steve Spurrier, the Gators compiled an overall record of 10–2 with mark of 7–1 in conference play, placing second the six SEC Eastern Division teams. Florida was invited to the Orange Bowl, where the Gators defeated Syracuse. The team played home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. Schedule 1998 AP September 5 w y 3 The Citadel Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL PPV 49–10 85,061 Jones David September 6, 1998 Florida runs past Citadel https://www.newspapers.com/article/pensacola-news-journal-florida-runs-past/157266782/ October 16, 2024 Pensacola News Journal Newspapers.com September 12 w y 3 Northeast Louisiana Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL PPV 42–10 85,228 https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-gators-reflec/157266901/ South Florida Sun Sentinel Gators reflect on errors despite win September 13, 1998 October 16, 2024 Newspapers.com September 19 l y 2 Tennessee 6 Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN rivalry CBS 17–20 OT 107,653 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-errors-finally-sink-uf/157265166/ The Miami Herald Errors finally sink UF September 20, 1998 October 16, 2024 Newspapers.com September 26 w 8 Kentucky Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL rivalry CBS 51–35 85,011 https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-florida-outguns-kentu/157267027/ Messenger-Inquirer Florida outguns Kentucky, Couch 51–35 September 27, 1998 October 16, 2024 Newspapers.com October 3 w y 8 Alabama Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry JPS 16–10 83,818 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71635416/road-warriors/ The Orlando Sentinel Road warriors October 4, 1998 February 20, 2021 Newspapers.com October 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211011233308/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71635416/road-warriors/ live October 10 w 6 LSU 11 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL rivalry ESPN 22–10 85,407 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-revenge-satisfying/152176383/ The Orlando Sentinel Revenge satisfying, but costly, for Gators October 11, 1998 July 28, 2024 Newspapers.com October 17 w 5 Auburn Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL rivalry CBS 24–3 85,557 https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-gators-power-pas/157267175/ Asheville Citizen-Times Gators power past Tigers October 18, 1998 October 16, 2024 Newspapers.com October 31 w y 5 Georgia 11 Alltel Stadium Jacksonville, FL rivalry CBS 38–7 84,321 https://www.newspapers.com/article/anderson-independent-mail-gators-shoot-d/157267289/ Anderson Independent-Mail Gators shoot down 'Dogs November 1, 1998 October 16, 2024 Newspapers.com November 7 w y 5 Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN PPV 45–13 33,576 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-gators-ground/157267363/ The Montgomery Advertiser Gators ground 'Dores November 8, 1998 October 16, 2024 Newspapers.com November 14 w y 4 South Carolina Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL JPS 33–14 85,528 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bradenton-herald-gators-ride-mcgriff/157267505/ The Bradenton Herald Gators ride McGriff past Gamecocks November 15, 1998 October 16, 2024 Newspapers.com November 21 l y y 4 Florida State 5 Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL rivalry ABC 12–23 81,614 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jackson-sun-seminoles-pound-rival-ga/152140366/ The Jackson Sun Seminoles pound rival Gators, 23–12 November 22, 1998 July 26, 2024 Newspapers.com January 2, 1999 w y y 7 Syracuse 18 Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL Orange Bowl ABC 31–10 67,919 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-offensive-gator/157267621/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Offensive Gators; Despite losing starting QB, Florida clobbers Syracuse January 3, 1999 October 16, 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 1998 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 15 3 (5) 3 (4) 2 (9) 8 8 6 5 5 6 5 4 4 8 7 7 5 Coaches 0 15 4 (1) 4 (2) 2 (1) 9 8 6 5 5 5 5 4 4 8 7 7 6 BCS 8 14 7 5 5 5 8 7 8 Game summaries Tennessee After Peyton Manning and several other star players moved on to the NFL after the 1997 season, most preseason prognosticators saw Tennessee's 1998 squad as taking a step backward from championship contention."Tennessee wants to keep proving people wrong" - Tom Sharp, Ocala Star-Banner, Jan. 3, 1999 However, they were still ranked No. 6 when the No. 2 Gators rolled into Knoxville looking to beat their rivals for the sixth consecutive year. It was not to be. Led by junior quarterback Tee Martin and a stout defense, the Vols recovered four Gators fumbles, held their opponent to -30 yards rushing, and slowed UF's two-quarterback passing attack, which featured Doug Johnson and Jesse Palmer alternating plays. The game was close throughout, with the score knotted at 10 at halftime and 17 at the end of regulation. Tennessee was held to a Jeff Hall field goal during their first possession of overtime. When it was UF's turn, placekicker Collins Cooper missed an answering field goal, giving UT a 20–17 win and inspiring the jubilant home fans to rush the turf of Neyland Stadium and tear down the goalposts.https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/20/sports/college-football-tennessee-beats-florida-to-end-long-waiting-game.html The New York Times Joe Drape COLLEGE FOOTBALL; Tennessee Beats Florida to End Long Waiting Game September 20, 1998 Florida State This 1998 battle between the in state rivals started before the whistle even blew. A pre-game fight caused Florida's starting senior safety, Tony George, and a couple walk-on FSU players who were not even dressed, to be ejected from the game. In the midst of the fight, it is rumored that Florida quarterback Doug Johnson attempted to peg FSU coach Bobby Bowden with a football. Johnson did later apologize to Bowden, claiming that he had no target, he just threw the ball. Florida State's defense came in the ballgame rated No. 1 in the nation, Florida's defense was rated No. 1 in the SEC, so the game was set to be a defensive battle. Florida struck first with a 50-yard Doug Johnson touchdown pass, but Seminoles Peter Warrick and Travis Minor put the Seminoles in scoring position twice and Placekicker Sebastian Janikowski kicked two field goals to make the game 7–6. After a Florida punt the Seminoles were at their own 5-yard-line and Florida forced a safety. And then Doug Johnson drove Florida deep into Florida State territory after the safety kick, but Florida State's defense stiffened and forced Florida to settle for three points. At halftime, the game was 12–6, Florida. In the second half Florida State's defense held Florida scoreless. Florida State's first touchdown of the game came when Seminoles quarterback Marcus Outzen connected with Peter Warrick on a touchdown throw, then later in the game, Peter Warrick threw a touchdown to Ron Dugans. The game ended 23–12, with Florida State the winner. References Florida Category:Florida Gators football seasons Category:Orange Bowl champion seasons Florida Gators football