The third-ranked Gators had little trouble disposing of the 1-AA Western Carolina Catamounts 620. [23] Leak found three different receivers on the drive, which culminated with a lob pass to fellow senior Dallas Baker. Florida's defense again came up huge in the second half, when on the first play of the half, Georgia tailback Kregg Lumpkin fumbled the ball and defensive tackle Ray McDonald recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Gators a commanding 210 lead. Like in their other 3 SEC victories, the Gators fell behind in the first half, allowing an LSU touchdown drive after a fumble on the opening drive. Under extreme pressure yet again, Troy Smith attempted to scramble outside of the pocket, but was caught by defensive end and special teams hero Jarvis Moss, who stripped Smith of the football. Georgia was unable to score on the following drive, but freshman Tim Tebow fumbled on Florida's 10-yard line to give Georgia a shot at drawing within seven points. [25] Leak found three different receivers on the drive, which culminated with a lob pass to fellow senior Dallas Baker. Tebow also converted a critical fourth down play inside Gator territory. The Gators have now won fifteen of the last eighteen against their hated rivals from Georgia. Brandon James also added a 77-yard touchdown from a punt return. Soon thereafter, the Gators seemingly averted danger when they stripped the ball from the Tigers at the goal line. The second half of the game was more of a defensive struggle for both teams, but the Gators scored two more touchdowns (and made both PATs) to make the final score 267. Freshman Tim Tebowthe backup quarterbackled the Gators in rushing for the second time in four games with 73yards on six rushes. With about 5minutes left in the 2nd quarter Auburn kicked another field goal to make the score 108. [8], Most polls had Florida listed as one of the top 10 teams entering the season. In addition, with the men's basketball team winning the 2006 and 2007 NCAA men's basketball national championships, the University of Florida became the first Division I school to ever win the football and men's basketball titles during the same year. Wynn, who was in Urban Meyer's doghouse early in Meyer's tenure at Florida, carried the ball 8 times on the drive, picking up several key first downs to keep the clock running. View the Florida Gators roster for the 2009 FBS college football season. The Gators added another touchdown before halftime, when Chris Leak threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Andre Caldwell for his second touchdown of the game. Record: 12-2 (3rd of 119) (Schedule & Results) Rank: 1st in the Final AP poll Conference: SEC (West Division) Conference Record: 6-2 Coach: Les Miles (12-2) Points For: 541 Points/G: 38.6 (11th of 119) Points Against: 279 Opp Pts/G: 19.9 (17th of 119) SRS: 18.41 (2nd of 119) . In a thrilling game, defensive lineman Jarvis Moss blocked an extra point and a potential game winning 48-yard field goal with only eight seconds remaining in the game to ensure a Gator victory. As such, the official record for Alabama is 07 (06). We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Chris Leak's third pass attempt of the game was intercepted by the Golden Eagles, who scored on a 6-yard Damion Carter pass to Jeremy Young 3 plays later. On the following Arkansas offensive series, the momentum of the game appeared to change yet again, when receiver Cedric Washington threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to tailback Felix Jones on a trick play. The Buckeyes however, remained composed. Much to the displeasure of many Gator fans, Florida elected to send kicker Chris Hetland on to attempt a 40-yard field goal. ESPN's College GameDay was at Jordan-Hare Stadium to cover the critical SEC matchup between the number two ranked Gators and the number eleven ranked Tigers. The Ohio State-Florida game was a high anticipated match-up, featuring 3 of the top big men in the country (Horford, Joakim Noah, and Greg Oden ). Florida's offense was stuffed on the following drive but got a muffed punt by Georgia to regain the ball. Still, the Gator defense managed to put quarterback Troy Smith under heavy pressure. After a botched snap between center Steve Rissler and quarterback Chris Leak, Alabama's Prince Hall returned the fumble for their only touchdown of the game. Florida reserve QB Tim Tebow led the game in rushing, with 61yards. The Gators competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and played their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus. The 2006 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2006 college football season. The season opened in the Swamp against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. Florida did move the ball successfully, but was unable to move the ball inside the redzone. Take a look below at the starting lineup along with the backups for our all-time greatest Gators on offense. Dallas Cowboys right guard Crawford Ker (68). Troy Smith continued to have the worst game of his Buckeye career, as he was sacked for a 14-yard loss on the drive, putting Ohio State into a 3rd and 29-hole. It was the Gators' first shutout since blanking Mississippi State on September 29, 2001. The Gators took their first lead with 2:39 left in the third quarter on a Leak pass to Andre Caldwell, making it 1410. [7], The Gators celebrated the ten-year anniversary of winning their 1996 national championship in football during the opening game against Southern Miss. By forcing a safety in the third quarter, the Gator defense outscored the blanked Golden Knights offense. The game was broadcast on ESPN Full Circle. Florida drove to the Arkansas five yard line, when freshman sensation Tim Tebow came into the game. DeShawn Wynn, who was in Urban Meyer's doghouse early in Meyer's tenure at Florida, carried the ball 8 times on the drive, picking up several key first downs to keep the clock running. A five-star recruit and the top wide receiver in the 2003 class, Andre Caldwells 185 receptions during his UF stint remains the top career total in Gators history. The Gators quickly jumped out to a 60 lead on a trick play that led to a Chris Leak pass to Jemalle Cornelius for a touchdown just over two minutes into the game. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. 2 Michigan and play in the BCS National Championship Game with a win. Join our linker program. Even with the run-ins with the law, Florida was still littered with talent across the board. He appealed the suspension, but missed the Kentucky game while awaiting word on the appeal. The Gators scored the last 34 points of the game after surrendering a touchdown with 12:40 to play in the 1st quarter. Maurkice Pouncey was the foundation of the offensive line that protected Tebow who went on to become an All-Pro and Pro-Bowler for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Check out our other College Wire all-time lineups: Alabama /Arkansas /Auburn /Clemson /Colorado /Georgia /Iowa /LSU /Michigan /Michigan State /Nebraska /North Carolina /Notre Dame /Ohio State /Oklahoma /Oregon /Penn State /Rutgers /Tennessee /Texas /Texas A&M /USC /Wisconsin. Get a summary of the Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Florida Gators football game. Follow all your favorite Florida teams at Gators Wire, Jaguars Wire, Bucs Wire and Dolphins Wire! Florida quarterback Chris Leak was 19-of-29 for 352yards and four touchdowns. Freshman Tim Tebow took over for the majority of the second half, going 1012 passing, for 200 yards, and two touchdowns. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. I must include my favorite Gators player of all time because he is in the argument for the greatest Gators receiver of all time. 2:47. Leak threw three interceptions, all of which came with the Gators controlling the flow of the game. Number of All-Time NFL draft picks. The victory catapulted the Gators over second ranked Michigan in the BCS standings, giving the Gators the right to play Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game.[22]. Leak came back into the game, and continued his strong play, finding Baker again for a 21-yard touchdown pass which would eventually prove to be the game winning score. Men's and Women's Associate Head Coach. The victory catapulted the Gators over second ranked Michigan in the BCS standings, giving the Gators the right to play Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game.[24]. Using their power running game, and a 13-yard scramble from Troy Smith, the Buckeyes drove to the Gators' 18-yard line. Leak would later be named the game's most valuable player. Most Recent Games and Any Score Since 1869. 2008 Florida Gators Roster Previous Year Next Year Record: 13-1 (2nd of 119) ( Schedule & Results ) Rank: 1st in the Final AP poll Conference: SEC (East Division) Conference Record: 7-1 Coach: Urban Meyer (13-1) Points For: 611 Points/G: 43.6 (4th of 119) Points Against: 181 More Team Info Florida School History 2008 Florida Statistics To beat the struggling Florida State Seminoles, Chris Leak threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns, Percy Harvin ran for a score and the fourth-ranked Gators won 2114 on Saturday to stay in the national title hunt. The game did not start well for the Gators however. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Previous roster outlooks: Quarterbacks; running backs; wide receivers; tight ends; offensive line Starters Strong-side defensive end: Zachary Carter One of two returning starters across the. Late in the first half, Chris Leak had a career-long 45-yard run. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Led by Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, the Buckeye offense was widely considered to be the best offense in college football. The Gators have now won fifteen of the last eighteen against their hated rivals from Georgia. [9], Most of the starters returned from a 2005 team that went 93 and they were bolstered by a top-rated recruiting class the previous February. Still, the Gator defense managed to put Smith under heavy pressure. After a Leak interception, true freshman quarterback Matthew Stafford led the Bulldogs to a touchdown which he capped off on a 13-yard touchdown run off a quarterback draw, cutting the deficit to fourteen points. 2 Michigan and play in the BCS National Championship Game with a win. However, Florida's stifling defensive line continued to put heavy pressure on Smith, forcing bad throws and incompletions, ultimately leading to a three and out. Both Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit picked the Gators to defeat the Tigers. Andre Caldwell caught two touchdowns, and Dallas Baker added one more for the Gators. Florida jumped out to an early 70 lead, but the Vols quickly took the momentum back when wide receiver Lucas Taylor threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to LaMarcus Coker. Or write about sports? With the swing in momentum, the Gators were again unable to score a touchdown and settled for another Chris Hetland 40-yard field goal, pushing the Gator lead to 2714.