2001 Florida Gators football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 2001 Florida Gators football Florida Gators script logo.svg Southeastern Conference Eastern Division SEC 3 3 10–2 6–2 Steve Spurrier 12th Fun and gun Jon Hoke 3rd 4–3 Andra Davis Marquand Manuel Robert Gillespie Rob Roberts Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Orange Bowl champion Orange Bowl W Won 56–23 vs. Maryland The 2001 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida as a member of the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by Steve Spurrier in his 12th and final season as head coach, the Gators compiled an overall record of 10–2 with mark of 6–2 in conference play, placing second in the SEC's Eastern Division title. Florida was invited to the Orange Bowl, where the Gators defeated Maryland. The team played home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus. Sophomore quarterback Rex Grossman threw for over 4,000 yards and was Heisman Trophy runner-up. Grossman, wide receiver Jabar Gaffney and defensive end Alex Brown were consensus All-Americans. Brown's 33 sacks is still a school record for a career. In early January, Spurrier resigned as Florida's head coach.http://lubbockonline.com/stories/010502/col_0105020022.shtml#.V6rQNK2yn20 Spurrier quits as UF coach Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Schedule 2001 AP September 1 7:15 p.m. w y 1 Marshall Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL ESPN2 49–14 85,445 September 8 6:00 p.m. w y 2 Louisiana–Monroe Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL PPV 55–6 85,011 September 22 12:30 p.m. w y 2 Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY rivalry JPS 44–10 66,126 September 29 3:30 p.m. w 2 Mississippi State 21 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL CBS 52–0 85,579 October 6 2:30 p.m. w y 2 LSU 18 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA rivalry CBS 44–15 92,010 October 13 6:45 p.m. l y 1 Auburn Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL rivalry ESPN 20–23 86,063 October 27 3:30 p.m. w y 6 Georgia 15 Alltel Stadium Jacksonville, FL rivalry CBS 24–10 84,401 November 3 12:30 p.m. w y 4 Vanderbilt Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL JPS 71–13 85,052 November 10 7:45 p.m. w y 4 South Carolina 14 Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC College GameDay ESPN 54–17 84,900 November 17 8:00 p.m. w y 4 Florida State 20 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL rivalry CBS 37–13 85,732 December 1 4:30 p.m. l 2 Tennessee 5 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL rivalry, College GameDay CBS 32–34 85,771 January 2, 2002 8:00 p.m. w y y 5 Maryland 6 Pro Player Stadium Miami Gardens, FL Orange Bowl ABC 56–23 73,640 2012 Florida Football Media Guide https://web.archive.org/web/20130527130648/http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2012/media_guide.pdf 2013-05-27 , University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 113 & 116 (2012). Retrieved September 16, 2012.GatorZone.com, Football, History, Florida Football 2001 https://web.archive.org/web/20110914000039/http://www.gatorzone.com/football/history/2001/team.pdf 2011-09-14 . Retrieved November 25, 2011. The annual rivalry game with Tennessee scheduled for September 15, was rescheduled to the final week of the regular season as a result of the September 11 attacks. Before the season The Gators were ranked No. 1 in the preseason.Floria Gators to smell the roses in January https://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/news/2001/poll010730.pdf sportswriters.net July 25, 2001 Game summaries thumb|left|Alex Brown while on the Bears. Marshall Marshall at Florida Marshall 0 0 6 8 Florida 21 14 0 14 September 1 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 7:15 p.m. EST 85,445 ESPN2 yes 1 7:02 FLA Earnest Graham 7-yard run (Brendt Talcott kick) FLA 7-0 1 5:49 FLA Earnest Graham 6-yard run (Brendt Talcott kick) FLA 14-0 2 1:33 FLA Reche Caldwell 28-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Brendt Talcott kick) FLA 21-0 2 4:18 FLA R. Gillespie 27-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Brendt Talcott kick) FLA 28-0 2 0:32 FLA Taylor Jacobs 64-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Brendt Talcott kick) FLA 78-0 3 6:30 MAR Darius Watts 62-yard pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick failed) FLA 35-6 4 14:13 FLA Earnest Graham 1-yard run (Brendt Talcott kick) FLA 42-6 4 5:53 MAR C. Rodgers 2-yard run (Darius Watts pass) FLA 42-14 4 2:42 FLA Carlos Perez 25-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Brendt Talcott kick) FLA 49-14 yes The season opened at night in the Swamp on September 1 with a 49–14 triumph over quarterback Byron Leftwich and the Marshall Thundering Herd.Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18. Rex Grossman had a career-high in passing yards by halftime, including a 64-yard touchdown reception by Taylor Jacobs. The defense also played well as Alex Brown and linebacker Andra Davis had two sacks each.http://staugustine.com/stories/090201/spo_0902010001.shtml#.V6mcSK2yn20 Grossman, Gators reject Marshall plan – StAugustine.com EDDIE PELLS 2016-08-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20160820134929/http://staugustine.com/stories/090201/spo_0902010001.shtml#.V6mcSK2yn20 2016-08-20 dead Louisiana–Monroe Louisiana–Monroe at Florida La.-Monroe 6 0 0 0 Florida 7 31 14 3 September 8 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 6:00 p.m. EST 85,011 PPV yes 1 13:30 ULM Brown, Ivory 2-yard run (Francis, Daniel kick failed) ULM 6-0 1 2:53 FLA Earnest Graham 12-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 7-6 2 14:20 FLA Reche Caldwell 16-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 14-6 2 11:15 FLA Jabar Gaffney 10-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 21-6 2 9:18 FLA Jabar Gaffney 24-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 28-6 2 7:58 FLA R. Gillespie 1-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 35-6 2 0:00 FLA Jeff Chandler 29-yard field goal FLA 38-6 3 6:21 FLA Earnest Graham 3-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 45-6 3 0:11 FLA Rob Roberts 3-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 52-6 4 3:23 FLA Brendt Talcott 28-yard field goal FLA 55-6 yes In the second week of play, the Gators overwhelmed the Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks 55–6.Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18. Grossman passed for 331 yards and three touchdowns, including two thrown to Jabar Gaffney. Grossman fumbled the game's first exchange from center, and Louisiana-Monroe capitalized on the opportunity when it scored the game's first touchdown.http://www.ulmwarhawks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19000&ATCLID=1313981 La-Monroe Falls To Florida, 55-6 2016-08-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20160915083451/http://www.ulmwarhawks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19000&ATCLID=1313981 2016-09-15 dead "It was just an awkward start." said Grossman. As usual, the Gators and Tennessee Volunteers were slated to meet on the 3rd Saturday of September. However, the SEC canceled all games on the weekend following the September 11 attacks, and all contests were rescheduled for December 1, 2001, requiring the SEC Championship Game to be pushed back a week as well.thumb|left|165px|Rex Grossman with the Redskins. Kentucky Florida at Kentucky Florida 7 9 14 14 Kentucky 0 3 7 0 September 22 Commonwealth Stadium 12:30 p.m. EST 66,126 JP yes 1 9:47 FLA Jabar Gaffney 29-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 7-0 2 14:38 UK S. Scaldaferri 41-yard field goal FLA 7-3 2 9:48 FLA Taylor Jacobs 6-yard pass from Rex Grossman (UF Team rush failed) FLA 13-3 2 0:00 FLA Jeff Chandler 39-yard field goal FLA 16-3 3 3:27 FLA Jabar Gaffney 4-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 23-3 3 1:30 UK Chase Harp 2-yard pass from Shane Boyard (S. Scaldaferri kick) FLA 23-10 3 0:28 FLA Earnest Graham 50-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 30-10 4 8:47 FLA R. Gillespie 52-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 37-10 4 6:42 FLA Reche Caldwell 64-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 44-10 yes Florida traveled to Lexington and beat the Kentucky Wildcats 44–10.Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18. Grossman passed for 302 yards and four touchdowns.http://staugustine.com/stories/092501/spo_159334.shtml#.V6nnpa2yn20 No. 22 Florida 44, Kentucky 10 – StAugustine.com STEVE BAILEY 2016-08-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20160820151416/http://staugustine.com/stories/092501/spo_159334.shtml#.V6nnpa2yn20 2016-08-20 dead The Gators struggled early and led just 16–3 at the half, but eventually thrashed the Wildcats with four touchdowns in the second half.http://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/09/22/Florida-44-Kentucky-10/1281001131200/ Florida 44, Kentucky 10 After Kentucky made a touchdown, Earnest Graham sprung lose for a 50-yard touchdown run in the third period to go up 30–10. Mississippi State Mississippi State at Florida Miss St 0 0 0 0 Florida 21 14 7 10 September 29 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 3:30 p.m. EST 85,579 CBS yes 1 11:05 FLA Rex Grossman 1-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 7-0 1 5:09 FLA Reche Caldwell 20-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 14-0 1 1:54 FLA Aaron Walker 5-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 21-0 2 6:37 FLA Reche Caldwell 14-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 28-0 2 2:24 FLA Taylor Jacobs 60-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 35-0 3 5:04 UK Ben Troupe 16-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 42-0 4 12:02 FLA Jeff Chandler 46-yard field goal FLA 45-0 4 1:45 FLA Kelvin Kight 23-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 52-0 yes The following week, Florida avenged last year's loss to the 21st-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs by shutting them out 52–0.Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18. Grossman had 317 yards passing in just the first half. The Gators had 640 yards of total offense on the day, the most in school history for an SEC game.http://floridagators.com/news/2001/9/29/3327.aspx Football Shuts out #21 Mississippi State 52-0 Grossman passed for 393 yards and five touchdowns in total,http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores101/101272/101272382.htm NCAA Football – Mississippi State vs. Florida becoming the first Florida quarterback to throw for 300 yards in four straight games.http://jacksonville.com/apnews/stories/092901/D7ER5C3G0.html Jacksonville.com: No. 2 Florida 52, No. 21 Mississippi St 0 9/29/01 Andra Davis, who missed last year's game, excelled on the defensive side of the ball from his linebacker position with eight tackles and a fumble recovery. LSU Florida at LSU Florida 21 6 3 14 LSU 3 6 0 6 October 6 Tiger Stadium 2:30 p.m. EST 92,010 CBS yes 1 11:59 FLA Taylor Jacobs 13-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 7-0 1 7:29 LSU John Corbello 44-yard field goal FLA 7-3 1 5:19 FLA Reche Caldwell 34-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 14-3 1 4:33 FLA Jabar Gaffney 63-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)) FLA 21-3 2 12:58 LSU L. Toefield 2-yard run (John Corbello kick blocked) FLA 21-9 2 9:48 FLA Jabar Gaffney 7-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick failed) FLA 27-9 3 4:20 FLA Jeff Chandler 42-yard field goal FLA 30-9 4 14:54 FLA Aaron Walker 5-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 37-9 4 2:32 FLA Kelvin Kight 8-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 44-9 4 0:42 LSU Domanick Davis 1-yard run (John Corbello kick blocked) FLA 88-15 yes In Baton Rouge, the Gators defeated the eighteenth-ranked LSU Tigers 44–15.Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18. Grossman threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns in just the first half, and by game's end had a school-record 464 yards.http://staugustine.com/stories/100701/spo_197680.shtml#.V6njHq2yn20 Grossman breaks records, LSU – StAugustine.com MARY FOSTER 2016-08-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20160820145237/http://staugustine.com/stories/100701/spo_197680.shtml#.V6njHq2yn20 2016-08-20 dead Florida finished with 632 yards of total offense. LSU quarterback Rohan Davey left the game with a hyperextended knee. "I thought he was a serious candidate for the Heisman Trophy before we played them", said LSU coach Nick Saban, "Now I'm convinced of it." "I think he is a tremendous quarterback" echoed LSU safety Ryan Clark. Auburn Florida at Auburn Florida 3 3 7 7 Auburn 3 7 0 13 October 13 Jordan–Hare Stadium 6:45 p.m. EST 86,063 ESPN yes 1 11:24 FLA Jeff Chandler 45-yard field goal FLA 3-0 1 9:39 AUB Damon Duval 45-yard field goal 3-3 2 11:03 AUB Daniel Cobb 1-yard run (Damon Duval kick) AUB 10-3 2 0:21 FLA Jeff Chandler 32-yard field goal AUB 10-6 3 7:48 FLA Reche Caldwell 20-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 13-10 4 14:55 AUB Chris Butler 2-yard run (Damon Duval kick) AUB 17-13 4 12:27 AUB Damon Duval 32-yard field goal AUB 20-13 4 12:09 FLA Jabar Gaffney 80-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) 20-20 4 0:10 AUB Damon Duval 44-yard field goal AUB 23-20 yes Coach Tommy Tuberville's unranked Auburn Tigers upset the top-ranked Gators 23–20. The Tigers were 21-point underdogs when they met the Gators at Jordan–Hare Stadium.Associated Press, " Auburn stuns No. 1 Florida", The Toledo Blade, p. C4 (October 14, 2001). Retrieved August 19, 2011. Gators quarterback Rex Grossman completed twenty-five of forty-two passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw four interceptions.Associated Press, " Auburn stuns top-ranked Florida", The Register-Guard, p. 8G (October 14, 2001). Retrieved August 19, 2011. The Gators dominated statistically, but the Tigers' bend-but-don't-break defense held the Gators rushing game to negative yardage. Tigers back-up quarterback Daniel Cobb was not so flashy, but played mistake-free football, and the game was tied at 20 late in the fourth quarter. With 10 seconds left, Tigers placekicker Damon Duval nailed a 44-yard field goal and the Tigers upset the Gators.Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18. Georgia Florida–Georgia Georgia 3 7 0 0 Florida 10 7 0 7 October 27 ALLTEL Stadium 3:30 p.m. EST 84,401 CBS yes 1 11:00 UGA Billy Bennett 42-yard field goal UGA 3-0 1 5:23 FLA Jeff Chandler 32-yard field goal 3-3 1 1:46 FLA Jabar Gaffney 21-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 10-3 2 7:32 UGA Jasper Sanks 3-yard run (Billy Bennett kick) 10-10 2 0:46 FLA Rex Grossman 1-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 17-10 4 9:12 FLA Reche Caldwell 30-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 24-10 yes Florida defeated Georgia 24–10 in the annual rivalry game,Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18. overcoming four turnovers and twelve penalties.http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores101/101300/101300374.htm NCAA Football – Georgia vs. Florida Grossman passed for 407 yards. Earnest Graham rushed for 131 yards. The Bulldogs missed a field goal and failed to convert three fourth downs in the second half. The lone score of the second half was a 30-yard touchdown pass to Reche Caldwell. Florida moved into a first-place tie with Tennessee. Vanderbilt Vanderbilt at Florida Vanderbilt 0 0 0 13 Florida 24 13 28 6 November 3 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 12:30 p.m. EST 85,052 JP yes 1 13:44 FLA Earnest Graham 2-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 7-0 1 11:51 FLA Earnest Graham 5-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 14-0 1 6:16 FLA Jabar Gaffney 7-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 21-0 1 1:29 FLA Jeff Chandler 37-yard field goal FLA 24-0 2 12:35 FLA Taylor Jacobs 13-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)) FLA 31-0 2 0:07 FLA Reche Caldwell 18-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick failed) FLA 37-0 3 14:02 FLA Andra Davis 25-yard interception return (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 44-0 3 10:06 FLA Taylor Jacobs 2-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Brendt Talcott kick) FLA 51-0 3 6:17 FLA Willie Green 5-yard run (Brendt Talcott kick) FLA 58-0 3 0:00 FLA Carlos Perez 15-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Brendt Talcott kick) FLA 65-0 4 8:31 FLA Kirk Wells 6-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Matt Leach kick failed) FLA 71-0 4 5:05 VAN Benji Walker 27-yard run (Chuck Folino kick) FLA 71-7 4 0:00 VAN Benji Walker 2-yard run (Chuck Folino kick blocked) FLA 71-13 yes At homecoming, Florida crushed the Vanderbilt Commodores 71–13.Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18. The Gators never punted, and forced five turnovers.https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2001/11/04/fun-while-it-lasted/ Fun While It Lasted November 4, 2001 They were up 71–0 in the fourth quarter and still tossing passes, amassing 571 total yards in all.http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/scores101/101307/101307427.htm NCAA Football – Vanderbilt vs. Florida Eleven Gators got receptions, and Taylor Jacobs had a breakout game. Playing just in the first half, Grossman threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns. Backup quarterback Brock Berlin threw three more in the second. South Carolina Florida at South Carolina Florida 10 17 13 14 S. Carolina 10 0 0 7 November 10 Williams-Brice Stadium 7:45 p.m. EST 84,900 ESPN yes 1 12:11 SCAR Derek Watson 7-yard run (Daniel Weaver kick) SCAR 7-0 1 9:07 FLA Jeff Chandler 42-yard field goal SCAR 7-3 1 5:12 SCAR Daniel Weaver 32-yard field goal SCAR 10-3 1 1:44 FLA Jabar Gaffney 11-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) 10-10 2 12:15 FLA Rex Grossman 1-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 17-10 2 1:44 FLA Jeff Chandler 36-yard field goal FLA 20-10 2 0:26 FLA Reche Caldwell 11-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 27-10 3 10:27 FLA Jeff Chandler 46-yard field goal FLA 30-10 3 3:52 FLA Jeff Chandler 44-yard field goal FLA 33-10 3 2:53 FLA Travis Carroll 24-yard interception return (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 40-10 4 11:19 FLA Jabar Gaffney 59-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 47-10 4 4:28 SCAR Ryan Brewer 3-yard pass from D. Pinkins (Daniel Weaver kick) SCAR 47-17 4 2:28 FLA Kirk Wells 10-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 54-17 yes In Columbia, the Gators routed the fourteenth-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks 54–17.Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18. The game started shaky for the Gators as Lito Sheppard fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to an easy Gamecock score. A touchdown pass to Jabar Gaffney late in the first quarter started the scoring barrage.http://staugustine.com/stories/111101/spo_279236.shtml#.V7HflK2yn20 Gators smack South Carolina – StAugustine.com PETE IACOBELLI 2016-08-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20160826124026/http://staugustine.com/stories/111101/spo_279236.shtml#.V7HflK2yn20 2016-08-26 dead Grossman had his ninth-consecutive 300-yard passing game,https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-nov-11-sp-3040-story.html Florida Routs South Carolina Associated Press 11 November 2001 LA Times and exceeded 5,000 yards passing for his career.http://www.gainesville.com/news/20060610/no-85---florida-54-south-carolina-17bremnov-10-2001em No. 85 – FLORIDA 54, SOUTH CAROLINA 17Nov. 10, 2001 Robbie Andreu/Pat Dooley Florida State Florida State at Florida FSU 0 3 3 7 Florida 7 13 7 10 November 17 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 8:00 p.m. EST 85,732 CBS yes 1 6:33 FLA Earnest Graham 2-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 7-0 2 14:46 FLA Taylor Jacobs 6-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 14-0 2 7:42 FLA Jeff Chandler 36-yard field goal FLA 17-0 2 1:04 FLA Jeff Chandler 38-yard field goal FLA 20-0 2 0:00 FSU Xavier Beitia 39-yard field goal FLA 20-3 3 6:23 FSU Xavier Beitia 23-yard field goal FLA 20-6 3 0:55 FLA Rex Grossman 1-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 27-6 4 12:59 FSU P.K. Sam 5-yard pass from Chris Rix (Xavier Beitia kick) FLA 27-13 4 8:15 FLA Jabar Gaffney 28-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick) FLA 34-13 4 2:32 FLA Jeff Chandler 18-yard field goal FLA 37-13 yes Florida easily defeated the rival Florida State Seminoles 37–13.Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18. However, the Gators' starting running back Earnest Graham had been controversially injured in Florida's win and was unable the next week to play against Tennessee.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gr8wAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mf0DAAAAIBAJ&dq=florida%20tennessee%20graham&pg=2656%2C8904109 Lakeland Ledger Google News Archive Search Gators Graham:Hurt on Purpose? Robbie Andreu 1C November 19, 2001 Graham and coach Spurrier accused Darnell Dockett of deliberately twisting Graham's knee, as well as stomping on Grossman's hand.https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2001/11/20/dockett-denies-injury-charge/ Dockett Denies Injury Charge November 20, 2001 http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2001-12-18/sports/0112180188_1_darnell-dockett-dockettgate-earnest-graham Spurrier Rolls Tape On Graham's Injury 2016-08-15 2016-09-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20160913155703/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2001-12-18/sports/0112180188_1_darnell-dockett-dockettgate-earnest-graham dead Graham even considered a lawsuit.http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/112201/col_7898297.html#.V7HdQq2yn20 UF's Graham may sue FSU's Dockett – Jacksonville.com Michael DiRocco Dockett denied these charges.http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2001-11-20/sports/0111190582_1_graham-s-leg-darnell-dockett-earnest-graham Dockett Denies Injury Accusations 2016-08-15 2016-09-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20160913153158/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2001-11-20/sports/0111190582_1_graham-s-leg-darnell-dockett-earnest-graham deadhttp://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2009-01-28/sports/arznotes28_1_dockett-rackers-doucet https://web.archive.org/web/20160826181931/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2009-01-28/sports/arznotes28_1_dockett-rackers-doucet dead August 26, 2016 Darnell Dockett says 'get over' 2001 Earnest Graham incident Tennessee Tennessee at Florida Tennessee 14 0 7 13 Florida 0 20 3 9 December 1 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium 4:30 p.m. EST CBS As the season progressed, the postponed game with Tennessee took on greater and greater importance. Each squad suffered only one close loss and entered the contest with Tennessee ranked No. 6 and Florida ranked No. 2. The winner was to represent the SEC East and face LSU in the SEC Championship. With a win in that game, the Gators or Vols were likely to receive an invitation to the Rose Bowl to face the undefeated Miami Hurricanes with a national title on the line.https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00614F83A590C718CDDAB0994D9404482 The New York Times Joe Lapointe COLLEGE FOOTBALL; For the National Title, It Will Be Miami Against Somebody 2001-12-02 Despite the teams' identical records and much to the chagrin of the Vols, the Gators were 17-and-a-half point favorites at kickoff.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CARGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JNAMAAAAIBAJ&dq=florida%20tennessee%20rose-bowl&pg=6709%2C61361 Portsmouth Daily Times Google News Archive Search Vols offended at being labeled underdogs December 1, 2001 B3 right Tennessee game, YouTube video. The Volunteers went on to dash the Gators' national title hopes with a 34–32 upset, ending a 30-year winless drought against Florida in Gainesville.https://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores101/101335/101335462.htm#RECAPS NCAA Football – Tennessee vs. Florida USA Today https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MMs0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=LI4DAAAAIBAJ&dq=florida%20tennessee%20rose-bowl&pg=5363%2C341852 Boca Raton News Google News Archive Search December 2, 2001 Gators Fall to Vols 45 The star of the game was Volunteer running back Travis Stephens, who rushed for 226 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries to lead the Vols' attack. Without Graham, Florida managed only 36 total yards on the ground. Gator quarterback Rex Grossman threw 51 times for 362 yards and two touchdowns, but his pass on a potentially game-tying two-point conversion attempt with just over a minute left in the 4th quarter fell incomplete.n Ultimately, neither team would win any championships that season. UT was upset by LSU in the SEC Championship Game the following Saturday and missed their opportunity to play for a second national title in four years. The Vols ended up beating Michigan 45–17 in the Citrus Bowl.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8A4wAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1Q0EAAAAIBAJ&dq=tennessee%20michigan%20citrus%20bowl%2045-17&pg=2830%2C278988 Toledo Blade Google News Archive Search Out of their league Rex Hoggard January 2, 2002 1C Orange Bowl (vs. Maryland) 2002 Orange Bowl 2001 Maryland Terrapins football team Florida Gators 2; text-align:center collapsed Orange Bowl: #5 Florida Gators (9–2) vs. #6 Maryland Terrapins (10–1) January 2, 2002 8:00 p.m. EST Florida 14 14 21 7 Maryland 7 3 0 13 Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida 73,640 Clear, 71 F C James Sprenger ABC Brad Nessler and Bob Griese Box Score First quarter FLA – Earnest Graham 1-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick), 9:51. Florida 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 83 yards, 3:59. FLA – Taylor Jacobs 46-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Jeff Chandler kick), 0:12. Florida 14–0. Drive: 2 plays, 55 yards, 0:47. MD – Jafar Williams 64-yard pass from Shaun Hill (Nick Novak kick), 0:00. Florida 14–7. Drive: 1 play, 69 yards, 0:12. Second quarter MD – Nick Novak 20-yard field goal, 12:20. Florida 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:45. FLA – Taylor Jacobs 15-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick), 2:18. Florida 21–10. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 3:45. FLA – Jabar Gaffney 4-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick), 0:03. Florida 28–10. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 1:21. Third quarter FLA – Earnest Graham 6-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick), 11:02. Florida 35–10. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 3:38. FLA – Robert Gillespie 11-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick), 7:26. Florida 42–10. Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 1:29. FLA – Jabar Gaffney 33-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick), 2:52. Florida 49–10. Drive: 2 plays, 68 yards, 0:19. Fourth quarter MD – Marc Riley 1-yard run (Nick Novak kick), 11:56. Florida 49–17. Drive: 15 plays, 71 yards, 5:56. FLA – Carlos Perez 10-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick), 10:16. Florida 56–17. Drive: 4 plays, 69 yards, 1:40. MD – Marc Riley 10-yard run (pass failed), 5:10. Florida 56–23. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 5:06. Top passers FLA – Rex Grossman – 20/28, 248 yards, 3 TD MD – Shaun Hill – 23/39, 257 yards, INT Top rushers FLA – Earnest Graham – 16 rushes, 149 yards, 2 TD MD – Shaun Hill – 11 rushes, 31 yards Top receivers FLA – Taylor Jacobs – 10 receptions, 170 yards, 2 TD MD – Matt Murphy – 5 receptions, 42 yards Florida was invited to the Orange Bowl, where they beat Maryland, 56–23.https://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores102/102002/102002397.htm USA Today NCAA Football – Florida vs. MarylandGatorzone.com https://web.archive.org/web/20150906140520/http://www.gatorzone.com/football/boxscore.php?gameid=2738 2015-09-06 . Retrieved 2015-Oct-18. Taylor Jacobs was named the game's MVP. Roster 2001 Florida Gators f 7 So Brock Berlin QB y 17 Jr Reche Caldwell WR y 33 So Ran Carthon RB 78 Jonathon Colon OL 18 Fr Jeff Creveling QB 10 Jr Jabar Gaffney WR y 20 Sr Robert Gillespie RB 5 Jr Earnest Graham RB y 32 Willie Green RB 8 Jr Rex Grossman QB y 15 Sr Brian Haugabrook WR 19 So Matt Jackson WR 6 Jr Taylor Jacobs WR y 54 David Jorgensen OL 2 So Kelvin Kight WR 72 Thomas Moody OL 71 Jr Mike Pearson Mike Pearson (American football) OT y 23 So Carlos Perez WR 44 Rob Roberts RB 39 Sr Matt Sitter RB 11 So O.J. Small WR 41 Fr Ray Snell RB 75 Shannon Snell OL 77 Max Starks OL 89 Fr Brian Stone WR 84 So Ben Troupe TE y 82 Jr Aaron Walker Aaron Walker (American football) TE y 83 Jr Kirk Wells TE 30 Bennie Alexander DB 13 Sr Alex Brown Alex Brown (defensive end) DE y 55 Sr Travis Carroll LB 45 Sr Andra Davis LB y 34 Jr Daryl Dixon DB 35 Kennard Ellis DL 43 So Matt Farrior LB 42 Byron Hardman LB 26 Jr Todd Johnson S 98 Tron LaFavor DL 86 Darrell Lee DL 4 Sr Marquand Manuel S y 57 Bobby McCray DL 59 Jr Mike Nattiel LB y 21 Lester Norwood DB 1 So Keiwan Ratliff DB y 60 Bryan Savelio DL 9 Guss Scott DB 99 Ian Scott DL 3 Jr Lito Sheppard CB y 49 Sr Jeff Chandler K y 14 Fr Matt Leach P 93 Brent Talcott K http://floridagators.com/mobile/roster.aspx?roster=314&path=football *Steve Spurrier *Jim Collins (ST/LB/Recruit Coord.) Dwayne Dixon (WR) Jon Hoke (AHC/DC/DB) Lawson Holland (RB) Ricky Hunley (DL) Rob Glass (Str + Cond) John Hunt (OL) Jerry Odom (LB) Jimmy Ray Stephens (OL/Run Game) Buddy Teevens (Asst OC/TE) Awards and honors Grossman was the Heisman Trophy runner-up to Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch,https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2001.html 2001 Heisman Trophy Voting - College Football at Sports-Reference.com in one of the trophy's closest ballots.http://www.stateoftheu.com/2012/7/16/3148738/heisman-trophy-snubs-the-2001-dorsey-grossman-crouch-debate Heisman Trophy Snubs: The 2001 Dorsey/Grossman/Crouch Debate Lt Philip Nolan 16 July 2012http://www.alligatorarmy.com/2012/7/21/3174260/rex-grossman-heisman-trophy-eric-crouch-2001 How Two Plays Lost Rex Grossman The 2001 Heisman Trophy Andy Hutchins 21 July 2012 Many feel Grossman should have won.http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2016/3/1/11104896/the-2001-florida-gators-are-a-great-what-if-team The 2001 Florida Gators Are a Great What-If Team David Wunderlich 1 March 2016 Both Crouch and Grossman made AP All-American.http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2001/12/12/col_325693.shtml#.V7Hfl62yn20 Crouch, Grossman top 2001 AP All-America team - chronicle.augusta.com Associated Press Statistics QB Rex Grossman: 279/423 (66.0%) for 4,144 yards (9.80 YPA) with 38 TD vs. 12 INT (2.84%) QB Brock Berlin: 47/79 (59.5%) for 679 yards (8.59 YPA) with 10 TD vs. 3 INT (3.80%) RB Earnest Graham: 141 carries for 799 yards (5.67 YPC) with 11 TD. 12 catches for 129 yards (10.75 YPC) RB Robert Gillespie: 98 carries for 458 yards (4.67 YPC) with 2 TD. 45 catches for 474 yards (10.53 YPC) with 2 TD WR Jabar Gaffney: 74 catches for 1,309 yards (17.69 YPC) with 15 TD WR Reche Caldwell: 69 catches for 1,106 yards (16.03 YPC) with 10 TD WR Taylor Jacobs: 48 catches for 882 yards (18.38 YPC) with 9 TD K Jeff Chandler: 19 FGM and 54 XPM Notes n References Florida Category:Florida Gators football seasons Category:Southeastern Conference football champion seasons Category:Orange Bowl champion seasons Florida Gators football