1984 Florida Gators football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1984 Florida Gators football 1984Gatorsceremony.jpg 285 Southeastern Conference SEC 7 3 9–1–1 5–0–1 Charley Pell 6th first 3 games Galen Hall interim; final 8 games Galen Hall 1st Joe Kines 4th Florida Field SEC champion (vacated) The 1984 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1984 NCAA Division I-A football season. The campaign was Charley Pell's sixth and last as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team, as he was forced to resign three games into the season after the release of an NCAA report detailing numerous recruiting and other rules violations committed during his tenure at Florida. Offensive coordinator Galen Hall had been hired the previous summer and was not implicated in the scandal, so he was named interim head coach. After starting the season 1–1–1 under Pell, the Gators went 8–0 under Hall to post a 9–1–1 overall record, including 5–0–1 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and Hall was named the SEC Coach of the Year. Florida was ranked #3 in the final Associated Press poll - the highest finish in program history up to that time - and were declared national champions by several selectors, including the New York Times computer pollWhite Jr. Gordon S. January 3, 1985 B11 Brigham Young Is Voted Top Team in Major Polls — Times Places Cougars 10th https://www.nytimes.com/1985/01/03/sports/brigham-young-is-voted-top-team-in-major-polls.html The New York Times The New York Times's final computer ranking, which places emphasis on the quality of a given team's opposition, had Florida (9-1-1) in first place, Boston College (10-2) second, Washington (11-1) fifth and Brigham Young (13-0) 10th. But where opinion counted more than microchips, Brigham Young swept the other contenders. and The Sporting News. However, due to NCAA sanctions, the Gators were not permitted to participate in a bowl game. Florida led the SEC in both points scored (31 points per game) and points allowed (15.5 points per game). The balanced offense featured freshman quarterback and SEC Player of the Year Kerwin Bell, three running backs who would be NFL first round draft picks in John L. Williams, Neal Anderson, and Lorenzo Hampton, and another future first round pick in freshman wide receiver Ricky Nattiel. The offensive line was dubbed "The Great Wall of Florida" and featured several all-conference lineman, including yet another future first round pick in tackle Lomas Brown, helping Florida lead the conference in rushing with 240 yards per game. The defense featured two consensus all-conference players in noseguard Tim Newton and linebacker Alonzo Johnson.Carlson Norm The Great Wall of Florida https://floridagators.com/news/2003/9/11/5911.aspx University of Florida Athletic Association August 18, 2021 en1984 Southeastern Conference Year Summary https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/sec/1984.html College Football at Sports-Reference.com August 19, 2021 en No Florida football squad had ever been undefeated in the SEC or had won a conference championship, so there was much rejoicing in Gainesville when the 1984 team clinched the best record in the league in November. However, due to the NCAA violations committed under Pell, the title was retroactively vacated in May 1985 by a vote of the presidents of the SEC schools. Florida would again top the conference standings in 1985 but had been declared ineligible for the SEC championship before the season began. The program did not win an officially recognized SEC football championship until 1991.Dooley Pat Do not forget 1984, UF football's first SEC title https://www.gainesville.com/article/LK/20091120/News/604165822/GS August 17, 2021 Gainesville Sun November 20, 2009 en Schedule 1984 AP September 1 l y y 17 Miami (FL) 10 Tampa Stadium Tampa, FL rivalry ESPN 20–32 72,813 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bradenton-herald-kosar-colossal-in-3/134620903/ Kosar colossal in 32–20 UM win over Gators The Bradenton Herald September 2, 1984 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com September 8 t LSU Florida Field Gainesville, FL rivalry TBS 21–21 70,197 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-florida-lsu-scrap-to-21/134619936/ Florida, LSU scrap to 21–21 tie The Tennessean September 9, 1984 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com September 15 w y Tulane Florida Field Gainesville, FL 63–21 65,265 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87470303/gators-wipe-out-green-wave/ The Orlando Sentinel Gators wipe out Green Wave September 16, 1984 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com September 29 w Mississippi State Florida Field Gainesville, FL 27–12 68,186 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-gators-drop-mississippi/134606835/ The Miami Herald Gators drop Mississippi St., 27–12 September 30, 1984 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com October 6 w y Syracuse Florida Field Gainesville, FL 16–0 70,189 https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-florida-dejuices/134621096/ The Sunday Press Florida dejuices the Orange, 16–0 October 7, 1984 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com October 13 w y 18 Tennessee Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN rivalry 43–30 94,016 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110776771/bombs-away-gators-burn-vols-4330/ News-Press Bombs away! Gators burn Vols 43–30 October 14, 1984 October 5, 2022 Newspapers.com October 20 w y 17 Cincinnati Florida Field Gainesville, FL 48–17 73,690 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-gators-cool-confide/134621204/ The Palm Beach Post Gators cool, confident during 48–17 victory October 21, 1984 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com November 3 w 13 Auburn 11 Florida Field Gainesville, FL rivalry ABC 24–3 74,397 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-gators-take-giant-step/134615169/ St. Petersburg Times Gators take giant step, 24–3 over Auburn November 4, 1984 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com November 10 w y 10 Georgia 8 Gator Bowl Stadium Jacksonville, FL rivalry CBS 27–0 82,349 https://www.newspapers.com/article/anderson-independent-mail-bulldogs-miss/134614127/ Anderson Independent-Mail Bulldogs' missed opportunity ends Florida's frustrations November 11, 1984 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com November 17 w y 5 Kentucky rivalry Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY TBS 25–17 52,823 https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-gators-get-the-glory/134610063/ The Messenger-Inquirer Gators get the glory November 18, 1984 November 4, 2023 Newspapers.com December 1 w y y 3 Florida State 12 Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL rivalry ABC 27–17 58,930 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-lucie-news-tribune-hall-we-are-the/134621345/ St. Lucie News Tribune Hall: We are the best team in the nation December 2, 1984 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 December 8, 2015 , University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 107 (2015). Retrieved August 16, 2015. Personnel 1984 Florida Gators y 27 Jr Neal Anderson RB y 12 Fr Kerwin Bell QB y Rodney Brewer QB Phil Bromley OL Lomas Brown OL y Reggie Corlew RB Jimmy Davis OL Jack Gerzina OL Lorenzo Hampton RB y Joe Henderson RB 60 Billy Hinson OL Rodney Jones TE Crawford Ker OL James Massey RB Ray McDonald WR 89 So Ricky Nattiel WR y 21 So Frankie Neal WR y Walter Odom TE Duncan Parham TE Tom Peddle TE Gary Rolle WR Linzey Smith WR Bret Wiechmann WR Anthony Williams RB 22 Jr John L. Williams FB y John L. Williams (American football) Jeff Zimmerman OL Scott Armstrong LB Vernell Brown S Tommy Duhart DT Ricky Easmon DB Sam Garland DL Alonzo Johnson LB Mark Korff LB Patrick Miller LB Alonzo Mitz LB Ron Moten LB Tim Newton DL Leon Pennington LB Roger Sibbald DB Curtis Stacey DB Don Tinny DT Adrian White DB Jarvis Williams CB Keith Williams DL Ray Criswell P David Nadone P Chris Perkins K Sr Bobby Raymond K Charley Pell (first three games) Galen Hall (remaining eight games) Galen Hall (OC) Joe Kines (DC) Mike Heimerdinger (WR) Charlie Strong (GA) Gunnar Paulson (GA) Game summaries Vs. Miami (FL) #10 Miami (FL) vs. #17 Florida Hurricanes 3 13 3 13 Gators 3 7 3 7 September 1 Tampa Stadium, Tampa, FL ESPN yes 1 MIA Cox 29-yard field goal MIA 3–0 1 FLA Raymond 44-yard field goal Tie 3–3 2 FLA Hampton 64-yard run (Raymond kick) FLA 10–3 2 MIA Cox 20-yard field goal FLA 10–6 2 MIA Oliver 21-yard run (Cox kick) MIA 13–10 2 MIA Cox 27-yard field goal MIA 16–10 3 MIA Cox 25-yard field goal MIA 19–10 3 FLA Raymond 30-yard field goal MIA 19–13 4 0:41 FLA Neal 5-yard pass from Bell (Raymond kick) FLA 20–19 4 0:07 MIA Brown 12-yard pass from Kosar (Cox kick) MIA 26–20 4 0:00 MIA Bain 59-yard interception return MIA 32–20 yes 1984 Miami Hurricanes football team Florida–Miami football rivalry The Florida Gators opened the 1984 season with a neutral site clash at Tampa Stadium against their in-state rival and defending national champion Miami Hurricanes. The game was nationally televised by ESPN as the second game of a double-header on the network's first day broadcasting live college football. Redshirt freshman Kerwin Bell unexpectedly became Florida's starting quarterback four days before the game when senior Dale Dorminey suffered a serious knee injury in practice. Supported by an effective rushing attack, Bell played well in his first collegiate appearance, and the game was close throughout. With his team down by six points late in the fourth quarter, Bell led the Gators on a long drive that culminated with a touchdown pass that gave them a 20-19 lead with under a minute remaining.Paul Jenkins, "Dale Dorminey: guy who made Kerwin Bell famous," Lakeland Ledger, p. 1D (September 13, 1987). Retrieved February 13, 2016.White Gordon LAST-MINUTE RALLY LIFTS MIAMI, 32-20 https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/02/sports/last-minute-rally-lifts-miami-32-20.html October 5, 2018 New York Times September 2, 1984 en However, Miami senior quarterback Bernie Kosar quickly led the Hurricanes down the field and threw a responding touchdown pass with six seconds left, putting Miami back ahead 26-20. The Gators lined up for one last play deep in their own territory with one second left. Bell threw a Hail Mary pass that was intercepted by Miami defensive back Tolbert Bain and returned for touchdown as time expired, giving Miami a 32–20 victory and covering the point spread, as the Hurricanes had been a 6.5 point favorite.Hooper Ernest Miyagi’s wisdom, Kerwin Bell’s fearlessness highlighted memorable day https://www.tampabay.com/sports/gators/2019/08/21/miyagis-wisdom-kerwin-bells-fearlessness-highlighted-memorable-day/ August 17, 2021 Tampa Bay Times August 21, 2019 en At Tennessee 1984 Tennessee Volunteers football team Florida–Tennessee football rivalry Florida Gators 2; text-align:center collapsed Florida Gators (3–1–1) at Tennessee Volunteers (2–1–1) October 13 Florida 13 10 0 20 Tennessee 10 3 3 14 Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee 94,016 Sunny Gainesville Sun. 1984 Oct 14. Pg. 8F. Retrieved 2020-Dec-05. First quarter UT – Tim McGee 52-yard pass from Tony Robinson (Fuad Reveiz kick). Tennessee 7–0. Drive: FLA – Frankie Neal 50-yard pass from Kerwin Bell (Bobby Raymond kick), 1:28. Tie 7–7. Drive: UT – Fuad Reveiz 26-yard field goal. Tennessee 10–7. Drive: FLA – Neal Anderson 80-yard run (kick failed). Florida 13–10. Drive: Second quarter UT – Fuad Reveiz 40-yard field goal. Tie 13–13. Drive: FLA – Chris Perkins 51-yard field goal. Florida 16–13. Drive: FLA – Ricky Nattiel 8-yard run (Bobby Raymond kick). Florida 23–13. Drive: 16 plays. Third quarter UT – Fuad Reveiz 35-yard field goal. Florida 23–16. Drive: Fourth quarter FLA – Bobby Raymond 42-yard field goal. Florida 26–16. Drive: FLA – Bobby Raymond 41-yard field goal. Florida 29–16. Drive: UT – Joey Clinkscales 48-yard pass from Tony Robinson (Fuad Reveiz kick). Florida 29–23. Drive: FLA – Ray McDonald 13-yard pass from Kerwin Bell (Bobby Raymond kick). Florida 36–23. Drive: UT – Johnnie Jones 4-yard run (Fuad Reveiz kick), 7:23. Florida 36–30. Drive: FLA – John L. Williams 47-yard run (Bobby Raymond kick), 0:54. Florida 43–30. Drive: Top passers FLA – Kerwin Bell – 9/12, 201 yards, 2 TD, INT UT – Tony Robinson – 29/43, 371 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers FLA – Neal Anderson – 23 rushes, 178 yards, TD UT – Johnnie Jones – 17 rushes, 94 yards, TD Top receivers FLA – John L. Williams – 4 receptions, 96 yards UT – Tim McGee – 10 receptions, 157 yards, TD John L. Williams led the team in receiving and added 100 yards on the ground. The game featured 1,060 total yards and 47 first downs. Vs. Georgia 1984 Georgia Bulldogs football team Florida–Georgia football rivalry After suffering several defeats to the Bulldogs with a conference championship at stake, the Gators entered the rivalry game in Jacksonville undefeated in the SEC. The Gators dominated early, building a 17–0 lead by early in the second half. Georgia seemed to come alive in the third quarter, mounting a long time-consuming drive into Florida territory. However, they were stopped near Florida's goal line on a fourth down play, giving the Gators the ball inside their own one yard line. On the third play following the change of possession, Gator quarterback Kerwin Bell dropped back into his own end zone and lofted a long pass down the sideline to wide receiver Ricky Nattiel, who went 96 yards for a touchdown. Florida regained the momentum and went on to win 27–0, their largest margin of victory in the series at the time. Kentucky Florida 3 9 7 6 Kentucky 3 0 7 7 November 17 52,823 yes Q1 FLA Raymond 30 yard field goal FLA 3–0 Q1 KEN Worley 50 yard field goal Tie 3–3 Q2 FLA Raymond 38 yard field goal FLA 6–3 Q2 FLA Raymond 27 yard field goal FLA 9–3 Q2 FLA Raymond 30 yard field goal FLA 12–3 Q3 KEN Phillips 7 yard pass from Ransdell (Worley kick) FLA 12–10 Q3 FLA Neal 9 yard pass from Bell (Raymond kick) FLA 19–10 Q4 FLA Raymond 36 yard field goal FLA 22–10 Q4 KEN Phillips 8 yard pass from Ransdell (Worley kick) FLA 22–17 Q4 FLA Raymond 43 yard field goal FLA 25–17 yes Gainesville Sun. 1984 Nov 18. Retrieved 2017-Sep-03. Postseason Despite winning the SEC title, the Gators were barred from going to the 1985 Sugar Bowl due to the violations committed under Pell; runner-up LSU went in their place.https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-06-09-sp-10014-story.html Commentary : What's Florida's Problem? Give the Title Back latimes On May 30, 1985, the presidents of the ten SEC-member universities voted 6–4 to vacate the Gators' 1984 SEC title and declared the team ineligible for the SEC championship during the upcoming 1985 and 1986 seasons because of the rule violations committed under Pell. The retroactive vacating of the 1984 championship, six months after the 1984 football season ended, drew an angry response from University of Florida president Marshall Criser, as well as Gators coaches, players and fans due to the retroactive nature of the decision and its perceived unfairness.Associated Press, " SEC Presidents swipe Florida of football title", Times Daily, p. 5B (May 31, 1985). See also " Gators Stripped of SEC Title", The Palm Beach Post, pp. A1 & A5 (May 31, 1985). Both retrieved May 5, 2011. References Florida Category:Florida Gators football seasons Category:Southeastern Conference football champion seasons Florida Gators football