1996 Florida Gators football team

1996 Florida Gators football
Consensus national champion
Sugar Bowl champion
SEC champion
SEC Eastern Division champion
Sugar Bowl, W 52–20 vs. Florida State
Conference Southeastern Conference
Division Eastern Division
Ranking
Coaches No. 1
AP No. 1
1996 record 12–1 (8–0 SEC)
Head coach Steve Spurrier
Offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier
Offensive scheme Pro-set, multiple
Defensive coordinator Bob Stoops
Base defense 4–3
Home stadium Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
1996 SEC football standings
Conf     Overall
Team   W   L         W   L  
Eastern Division
#1 Florida x$   8 – 0         12 – 1  
#9 Tennessee   7 – 1         10 – 2  
South Carolina   4 – 4         6 – 5  
Kentucky   3 – 5         4 – 7  
Georgia   3 – 5         5 – 6  
Vanderbilt   0 – 8         2 – 9  
Western Division
#11 Alabama xy   6 – 2         10 – 3  
#12 LSU x   6 – 2         10 – 2  
#24 Auburn   4 – 4         8 – 4  
Mississippi State   3 – 5         5 – 6  
Ole Miss   2 – 6         5 – 6  
Arkansas   2 – 6         4 – 7  
Championship: Florida 45, Alabama 30
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1996 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 1996 college football season. The 1996 season was the team's seventh under head coach Steve Spurrier. The Gators competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and played their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus.

The Gators posted a 1–12 record and won their fifth consecutive SEC Eastern Division title, their fourth straight SEC Championship Game, and their first national championship in team history, with a 52–20 Sugar Bowl rout of their in-state rivals, the Florida State Seminoles.

The Gators used coach Spurrier's pass-heavy "fun 'n gun" offense".[1] Quarterback Danny Wuerffel won the Heisman Trophy. Wuerffel as well as his wide receivers Ike Hilliard and Reidel Anthony were consensus All-Americans.

Before the season

The Gators started the season ranked fourth[2] as they aimed for a fourth straight SEC title.[3]

Schedule and results

Date Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
August 31 Southwestern Louisiana* No. 4 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida W 55–21   85,050
September 7 Georgia Southern* No. 4 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida SS W 62–14   84,962
September 21 No. 2 Tennessee No. 4 Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee CBS W 35–29   107,608
September 28 Kentucky No. 1 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida CBS W 65–0   85,422
October 5 Arkansas No. 1 Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, Arkansas JPS W 42–7   52,318
October 12 No. 12 Louisiana State No. 1 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida (HC) CBS W 56–13   85,567
October 19 No. 16 Auburn No. 1 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida CBS W 51–10   85,697
November 2 Georgia No. 1 Alltel Stadium • Jacksonville, Florida CBS W 47–7   84,103
November 9 Vanderbilt No. 1 Vanderbilt Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee JPS W 28–21   40,249
November 16 South Carolina No. 1 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, Florida ESPN W 52–25   85,701
November 30 No. 2 Florida State* No. 1 Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, Florida ABC L 21–24   80,932
December 7 No. 11 Alabama No. 4 Georgia Dome • Atlanta (SEC Championship) ABC W 45–30   74,132
January 2, 1997 No. 1 Florida State* No. 3 Superdome • New Orleans (Sugar Bowl) ABC W 52–20   78,344
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

Season summary

Southwestern Louisiana

1 234Total
SW Louisiana 0 0147 21
• Florida 7 28713 55
  • Date: August 31
  • Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
  • Game attendance: 85,050

In the season opener at the Swamp, Florida beat Southwestern Louisiana 55–21.[4]

Bob Stoops' Gator defense held the Cajuns scoreless in the first half, and scored four touchdowns (as much as the offense).[4] Cornerback Fred Weary himself accounted for two touchdowns.[4]

Georgia Southern

1 234Total
Ga. Southern 7 070 14
• Florida 14 21207 62
  • Date: September 7
  • Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
  • Game attendance: 84,962

In the second week of play, the Gators romped with a 62–14 defeat of Georgia Southern.[5] The offense was back after misfiring in the opener as Danny Wuerffel had a near perfect game, completing 15 of 16 passes for and two touchdowns.[5]

The defense underperformed, giving up 311 yards to Georgia Southern's flexbone attack.[5]

Tennessee

1 234Total
• Florida 14 2100 35
Tennessee 0 61013 29

The third game was a showdown between No. 4 Florida and No. 2 Tennessee. Volunteers quarterback Peyton Manning had not beaten the Gators in two previous attempts, and after a second-half meltdown a year earlier in Gainesville, the Volunteers were looking to exact revenge on their SEC East rival in Knoxville. The game featured two of the top quarterbacks in college football, Manning and Florida's Danny Wuerffel. Both teams featured strong aerial attacks, but Florida's Fred Taylor and Tennessee's Jay Graham were among the SEC's best tailbacks. ESPN's College Gameday was on hand to broadcast their pregame show live from Knoxville.[6]

The tone for the game was set on Florida's first drive, as Spurrier spurned the punt team on a 4th and 10 from the UT 35, and Wuerffel connected with Reidel Anthony for a touchdown to put the Gators up 7–0. Teako Brown intercepted Manning on the Volunteers' first drive, and it took Wuerffel only one play to find the end zone again, hitting Terry Jackson from out to extend the lead to 14–0.[7] Florida doubled their lead in a 52-second stretch early in the 2nd quarter, as Ike Hilliard and Jacquez Green became the third and fourth different receivers with touchdown receptions on the afternoon, sandwiched around a James Bates interception of Manning. Anthone Lott's fumble return stretched the lead to 35–0, before Manning finally got the Vols on the scoreboard before halftime on a strike to Peerless Price.[7]

External video
Tennessee game, YouTube video.

With Florida switching to a more conservative offensive game plan in the second half, Manning cut the lead to 35–22 with 8 minutes left with 2 more touchdown tosses, including a second to Price. Andy McCellough's reception brought the Vols within 35–29 with 10 seconds to play, but Florida recovered the ensuing onside kick to hang on for a six-point win on a rainy Knoxville afternoon.[7][n 1] Florida limited tailback Jay Graham to on 12 carries, while Manning threw for a school-record .[8]

Kentucky

1 234Total
Kentucky 0 000 0
• Florida 21 20177 65
  • Date: September 28
  • Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
  • Game attendance: 85,422

Coming off a big win in Knoxville the week before and being ranked #1 for the first time since 1994, the Gators were looking for somewhat of an easy home game against the Kentucky Wildcats. This would prove true as the Gators posted their first shutout since a 31–0 drubbing of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1994, with Florida defeating Kentucky 65–0.[9]

The Gators scored just 63 seconds into the game with a touchdown pass from Danny Wuerffel to Ike Hilliard. Wuerffel would have 3 touchdown passes in all, but the day belonged to Jacquez Green. In the 3rd quarter, Green took a punt back for a touchdown. On Kentucky's next possession, they would punt again and Green, who was still breathing heavy from his first return, weaved his way for another return for a touchdown, this one from . In all, the Gators amassed over 300 return yards from punts and kickoffs. In the end the Gators.[9] Fred Taylor made his season debut with 45 yards on six attempts.[10]

Arkansas

1 234Total
• Florida 14 01414 42
Arkansas 0 700 7

Florida traveled to Fayetteville and beat Arkansas 42–7. The Gators had an abysmal second quarter, but recovered and Danny Wuerffel threw for a then-school record of 462 yards.[11]

A defensive stand and missed field goal by Arkansas to start the second half "jolted the Gators back to life."[11] Wuerffel then passed for three touchdowns.[11]

LSU

1 234Total
LSU 0 607 13
• Florida 14 28014 56
  • Date: October 12
  • Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
  • Game attendance: 85,567

With Florida winning so convincingly all season, the next two weeks might have proved a challenge for the Gators, with #12 LSU and #16 Auburn coming to town. It was business as usual for the Gators. The Gators proved themselves worthy of the #1 ranking as they first thumped the LSU Tigers 56–13.[12]

LSU came in undefeated on the campaign and featured an offense that scored 38 points per game. Florida, however, was not thinking upset, as Danny Wuerffel threw three touchdowns, two of them to Ike Hilliard, and ran for another score as the Gators proved to have the better offense.[12] Fred Taylor had a breakout game, running for 107 yards on 16 carries.[10]

Their defense came to play as well as they forced two turnovers and recorded 7 sacks and held the LSU offense to just 28 rushing yards.[12]

Auburn

1 234Total
Auburn 7 300 10
• Florida 7 141614 51
  • Date: October 19
  • Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
  • Game start: 3:30 p. m.
  • Game attendance: 85,697

Next was another ranked team, as 16th ranked Auburn came to Gainesville. The first half may have been closer than most would have expected, as Auburn kicked a field goal late to trail just 21–10. But that would be it for the Tigers as the Gators reeled off 30 unanswered points en route to a 51–10 win.[13]

Like the LSU game, the Gators scored quick and often, amassing over 600 yards of offense and holding Auburn to just 173 yards. Danny Wuerffel again threw for 3 touchdowns and ran for another for the red-hot Florida offense.[14] Taylor ran for 110 yards on 14 carries.[10]

Georgia

1 234Total
Georgia 0 007 7
• Florida 20 14013 47
  • Date: November 2
  • Location: Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
  • Game attendance: 84,103

Top ranked Florida was coming in looking to win its 7th consecutive game against Georgia in the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. At the end of the day, Alltel Stadium was half teal (teal seats in the stadium) and half orange and blue as the Gators won 47–7. By this point in the season, Florida was bruising their opponents by an average score of 52–12.[15]

Danny Wuerffel again would have an outstanding game, bolstering his Heisman Trophy candidacy, with 279 yards passing and 4 touchdowns. The Gators also amassed over 200 yards rushing. The Gator defense held the Dawgs to just 272 yards and one touchdown on the day.[15]

Vanderbilt

1 234Total
• Florida 7 1470 28
Vanderbilt 3 0117 21
  • Date: November 9
  • Location: Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
  • Game attendance: 40,249

Hampered by penalties throughout, the Gators survived a scare with the Vanderbilt Commodores in Nashville 28–21.[16]

After an injury to tackle Zach Piller, Vanderbilt sacked and stripped Danny Wuerffel, and Jamie Duncan returned the fumble for a touchdown.[16] A 2-point conversion on a pass to Todd Yoder brought the score to 28–14 and inspired the Commodores.[16] Early in the fourth quarter, Vanderbilt back Jason Dunnavant broke off a 34-yard touchdown run and the score was 28–21.[16] Vanderbilt missed a field goal, and one final drive was stopped at its own 47-yard line.[16]

Overcoming five sacks, Wuerffel passed for 283 yards and four touchdowns.[16]

South Carolina

1 234Total
South Carolina 6 973 25
• Florida 14 14717 52
  • Date: November 16
  • Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
  • Game attendance: 85,701

The Gators struggled despite a 52–25 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks.[17] Wuerffel had an off-day, especially late, and never failed to find a passing rhythm;[18] but was helped by Fred Taylor to lift Florida over the Gamecocks.[10] Spurrier became the Gators' all-time winningest coach, surpassing Ray Graves' 70 career wins.[19] Spurrier gave Graves a game ball, who gave a talk to the team.[20]

Early on in the game, Wuerffel threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to Jacquez Green and a 52-yard touchdown pass to Reidel Anthony.[17] Taylor ran for 139 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries on the day.[10]

Florida State

1 234Total
Florida 0 1407 21
• FSU 17 007 24
  • Date: November 30
  • Location: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida
  • Game attendance: 80,932

The rival Florida State Seminoles defeated the Gators 24–21, seemingly ending Florida's chance at a national title. For the first time in series history, both squads were an undefeated 10–0.[21] The Seminoles scored 17 straight points in the first quarter and Warrick Dunn rushed for a career-best 185 yards.[21]

"We just hit to the echo" said FSU coach Bobby Bowden (pictured)

The Seminoles also had one of the best defenses in the nation, with a savage pass rush which included All-Americans Peter Boulware and Reinard Wilson.[22] The Seminoles had been flagged for roughing the passer twice during the game, and Spurrier had the UF video staff compile footage which he claimed showed FSU players tackling Wuerffel late a half-dozen additional times.[23] Gator receiver Reidel Anthony still managed career bests in receptions (11) and yards gained (193). "If Danny would have had more time, we would have killed them. I was getting past them all the time with all kinds of routes."[24] Florida had 443 yards of offense, but Wuerffel threw three interceptions and was sacked six times.[21]

External video
FSU game, YouTube video.

The third quarter was scoreless as both teams played well on defense.[25] FSU's "Pooh Bear" Williams got the ball into the endzone to put the Seminoles up 24–14 midway through the fourth quarter.[21] Down late, Florida went 80 yards in eight plays, including a 31-yard pass to Anthony, down to the 3-yard line.[21] A short pass to Anthony brought Florida within a field goal with just over a minute left.[21] The subsequent onside kick went out of bounds, and the game was sealed when Dunn ran for a first down.[21] Spurrier continued to complain to the press about the late hits while FSU coach Bobby Bowden responded that he thought the hits in question were clean while admitting that "we just hit to the echo (of the whistle), instead of the whistle."[26]

Postseason

Alabama

SEC Championship
1 234Total
Alabama 7 7142 30
• Florida 6 18147 45
  • Date: December 7
  • Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
  • Game attendance: 74,132

The Gators beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 45–30 in the SEC Championship, as Wuerffel passed for six touchdowns.[27] A 94-yard touchdown pass from Alabama to pull within 3 was answered by an 85-yard touchdown to Jacquez Green.[27]

Texas also upset Nebraska in the inaugural Big 12 Championship, securing the Gators a spot in the Sugar Bowl. To have a shot at a national title, the Gators needed Ohio State to beat second-ranked Arizona State—the only team to go through the regular season undefeated—in the Rose Bowl, which they did on the final play of the game, setting up the Sugar Bowl as the Bowl Alliance national championship game.

Florida State

Sugar Bowl
1 234Total
• Florida 10 141414 52
FSU 3 1430 20

The Gators used the shotgun formation to give Wuerffel more time to throw[28] and defeated FSU in a rematch 52–20, for their first national title.[29]

Hilliard scored once on a "stop and pop" where he stopped on a dime to avoid Seminole defenders, then ran into the endzone.[30] A 42-yard, Terry Jackson touchdown run sealed the victory.[31]

Awards and honors

National award winners

Along with a national title, quarterback Danny Wuerffel was awarded the Heisman Trophy, annually awarded to college football's top player.[32] He was also awarded the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Davey O'Brien Award,[33] Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, as well as the Draddy Trophy, National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar, and College Football Association Scholar-Athlete Team. Lawrence Wright won the Jim Thorpe Award,[34] and was on the College Football Association Scholar-Athlete Team. Jeff Mitchell was an Outland Trophy semi-finalist.

External video
1997 Sugar Bowl, YouTube video.

Wuerffel, Ike Hilliard, and Reidel Anthony all were consensus All-Americans.[35]

NFL Draft

Ike Hilliard was selected 7th overall by the New York Giants, and Reidel Anthony was selected 16th by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers[36]

Personnel

Depth chart

Offense
WR WR
Reidel Anthony Jamie Richardson
Nafis Karim Travis McGriff
 
LT LG C RG RT
Zach Piller Ryan Kalich Jeff Mitchell Donnie Young Mo Collins
Donnie Young Deac Story Corey Yarbrough Cheston Blackshear Scott Bryan
 
TE
Tremayne Allen
Teras Ross
Erron Kinney
WR
Ike Hilliard
Jacquez Green
 
QB
Danny Wuerffel
Brian Schottenheimer
Doug Johnson
Noah Brindise
TB
Fred Taylor
Elijah Williams
Terry Jackson
Eugene McCaslin
FB
Dwayne Mobley
Jerome Evans
Terry Jackson
Defense
CB
Fred Weary
Shea Showers
DE DT DT DE
Tim Beauchamp Ed Chester Reggie McGrew Anthony Mitchell
Willie Rodgers Keith Council Mike Moten Cameron Davis
CB
Anthone Lott
Tony George
Ronnie Battle
FS
Shea Showers
Teako Brown
Mike Harris
Will LB Middle LB Sam LB
Johnny Rutledge James Bates Mike Peterson
Keith Kelsey Dwayne Thomas Jevon Kearse
SS
Lawrence Wright
Demetric Jackson

[37]

Roster

1996 Florida Gators roster

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

  • 6 Daymon Carroll – Freshman

Tailbacks

Fullbacks

  • 34 Jerome Evans – Senior
  • 35 Ernie Dubose – Junior
  • 36 Jayme Campbell – Freshman
  • 40 Rod Frazier – Freshman

Tight Ends

  • 80 Shawn Nunn – Senior
  • 82 Dwight Edge – Freshman
  • 88 Taras Ross – Junior
  • 89 Erron Kinney – Freshman
  • 91 Tremayne Allen – Senior

Wide Receivers

  • 3 Travis McGriff – Sophomore
  • 5 Jacquez Green – Sophomore
  • 8 Nafis Karim – Sophomore
  • 15 Reidel Anthony – Junior
  • 18 Jamie Richardson – Freshman
  • 19 Ike Hilliard – Junior
  • 20 Tyrone Baker – Junior
  • 31 Craig Dudley – Freshman
  • 83 Jason Dean – Senior
  • 84 David Nabavi – Senior
  • 85 Ian Skinner – Freshman
  • 67 Henry Kupczyk - Senior

Offensive Line

  • 51 Ryan Kalich – Freshman
  • 57 Scott Bryan - Freshman
  • 59 Wyley Ritch – Junior
  • 62 Corey Yarbrough – Freshman
  • 65 Sean Ladd – Sophomore
  • 69 Zach Piller – Sophomore
  • 70 Cooper Carlisle – Freshman
  • 71 Jeff Mitchell – Senior
  • 72 Deac Story – Sophomore
  • 73 Pat Browning – Sophomore
  • 74 Zac Zedalis – Freshman
  • 75 Donnie Young – Senior
  • 77 Cheston Blackshear – Freshman
  • 78 Todd Holland – Junior
  • 79 Mo Collins – Sophomore

Defensive Line

  • 53 Thaddeus Bullard – Freshman
  • 54 Willie Rodgers – Junior
  • 55 Willie Cohens – Sophomore
  • 56 Cameron Davis – Senior
  • 61 Buck Gurley – Freshman
  • 64 Derrick Chambers – Freshman
  • 66 Keith Council – Junior
  • 90 Mike Moten – Junior
  • 92 Reggie McGrew – Freshman
  • 93 Tim Beauchamp – Sophomore
  • 94 Ed Chester – Sophomore
  • 96 Ernie Badeaux – Freshman
  • 98 Anthony Mitchell – Freshman
  • 99 McDonald Ferguson – Senior

Linebackers

  • 22 Terry Jackson – Sophomore
  • 29 Mike Peterson – Sophomore
  • 30 Daryl Owens – Freshman
  • 39 Teddy Sims – Freshman
  • 41 Keith Kelsey – Freshman
  • 42 Jevon Kearse – Sophomore
  • 44 James Bates – Senior
  • 46 Xavier McCray – Junior
  • 49 Zuri Buchanan – Freshman
  • 50 Kavin Walton – Junior
  • 52 Dwayne Thomas – Junior
  • 58 Johnny Rutledge – Sophomore

Cornerbacks

  • 2 Shea Showers – Senior
  • 9 Anthone Lott – Senior
  • 10 Ronnie Battle – Junior
  • 24 Fred Weary – Junior
  • 28 Dock Pollard – Freshman
  • 48 Cedric Warren – Freshman

Defensive Backs

  • 38 Demetrius Lewis – Freshman

Safeties

  • 1 Tony George – Sophomore
  • 4 Lawrence Wright – Senior
  • 13 Mike Harris – Junior
  • 26 Jon Xynidis – Junior
  • 27 Demetric Jackson – Senior
  • 33 Teako Brown – Sophomore
  • 37 Reggie Davis – Freshman
  • 47 Rod Graddy – Freshman
  • 38 James Gray – Sophomore

Punters

  • 43 Matt Teague – Senior
  • 87 Robby Stevenson – Sophomore

Kickers

  • 14 Bart Edmiston – Senior
  • 43 Matt Teague – Senior

Long Snappers

  • 76 Mike Younkin – Freshman
  • 68 Scott Wise – Freshman
  • 60 Fred Hagberg – Junior

Coaching staff

[38]

Team statistics

UF OPP
Scoring 559 201
Points per Game 46.6 16.8
First Downs 303 192
Rushing 118 81
Passing 167 87
Penalty 18 24
Total Offense 6047 3373
Avg per Play 7.1 4.1
Avg per Game 503.9 281.1
Fumbles-Lost 16-7 27-14
Penalties-Yards 125-1095 90-748
Avg per Game 91.3 62.3
UF OPP
Punts-Yards 38-1475 86-3477
Avg per Punt 38.8 40.4
Time of Possession/Game 28:42 31:18
3rd Down Conversions 59/145 49/189
4th Down Conversions 12/19 8/23
Touchdowns Scored 76 26
Field Goals-Attempts 10-18 7-11
PAT-Attempts 71-75 20-22
Attendance 512424 281107
Games/Avg per Game 6/85404 4/70277

Scores by quarter

1 2 3 4 Total
Opponents 57 45 66 60 228
Gators 148 220 117 127 612

Player statistics

Offense

Rushing
Name # GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
Wiliams, E. 25 12 106 690 19 671 6.3 4 46 55.9
Taylor, F. 21 9 104 650 21 629 6.0 5 30 69.9
Jackson, T. 22 12 79 398 10 388 4.9 8 34 32.3
McCaslin, E. 32 9 41 301 11 290 7.1 4 63 32.2
Baker, T. 20 11 16 80 0 80 5.0 0 18 7.3
Hilliard, I. 19 11 4 33 0 33 8.3 0 13 3.0
Anthony, R. 15 12 4 27 0 27 6.8 0 21 2.3
Green, J. 5 12 6 24 3 21 3.5 1 10 1.8
Mobley, D. 23 12 2 17 0 17 8.5 0 10 1.4
Evans, J. 34 12 2 11 0 11 5.5 0 9 0.9
Dubose, E. 35 12 2 9 0 9 4.5 0 6 0.8
Schottenheimer, B. 16 9 7 10 7 3 0.4 1 3 0.3
Richardson, J. 18 9 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0
Johnson, D. 12 7 3 2 12 -10 -3.3 0 1 -1.4
Brindise, N. 17 3 1 0 10 -10 -10.0 0 0 -3.3
Wuerffel, D. 7 12 63 126 226 -100 -1.6 2 18 -8.3
Team Total 12 442 2378 338 2040 4.6 25 63 170.0

Passing

Name # GP Effic Cmp-Atm-Int Pct Yds TD Lng Avg
Wuerffel, D. 7 12 170.61 360-207-13 57.5 3625 39 85 302.1
Johnson, D. 12 7 99.87 27-12-3 44.4 171 2 27 24.4
Schotetnheimer, B. 16 9 155.22 21-13-0 61.9 194 1 34 21.6
Brindise, N. 5 3 114.27 3-2-0 66.7 17 0 15 5.7
Jackson, T. 22 12 0.00 1-0-0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0
Team Total 12 164.37 412-234-16 56.8 4007 42 85 333.9

Receiving

Name # GP No. Yds Avg TD Long Avg/G
Anthony, R. 15 12 72 1293 18.0 18 56 107.8
Hilliard, I. 19 11 47 900 19.1 10 46 81.8
Green, J. 5 12 33 626 19.0 9 85 52.2
Williams, E. 25 12 14 253 18.1 1 45 21.1
McGriff, T. 3 8 14 167 11.9 0 27 20.9
Jackson, T. 22 12 13 163 12.5 1 43 13.6
Taylor, F. 21 9 8 120 15.0 0 38 13.3
Allen, T. 91 12 7 118 16.9 1 32 9.8
Richardson, J. 18 9 5 75 15.0 1 34 8.3
Ross, T. 88 12 4 93 23.3 1 45 7.8
Mobley, D. 23 12 4 51 12.8 0 19 4.3
Karim, N. 8 9 3 47 15.7 0 27 5.2
McCaslin, E. 3 9 3 40 13.3 1 19 4.4
Kinney, E. 83 11 3 40 13.3 0 15 3.6
Dubose, E. 35 12 1 9 9.0 0 9 0.8
Dean, J. 83 5 1 5 5.0 0 5 1.0
Nabavi, D. 84 9 1 5 5.0 1 5 0.6
Schiralli, N. 81 4 1 2 2.0 0 2 0.5
Total 12 234 4007 17.1 42 85 333.9

Defense

Name # GP Tackles Sacks Pass Defense Fumbles
Solo Ast Total TFL-Yds No-Yds BrUp QBH Int.-Yds TD Rcv-Yds FF Blkd Kick
Bates, J. 44 11 51 74 125 6.0-23 2.0-14 1 6 1-9
Rutledge, J. 58 11 40 59 99 12.0-58 5.0-39 5 1-0 4
Wright, L. 4 11 40 31 71 2.5-15.5 2.5-15.5 3 3 2-12 1TD 1
Showers, S. 2 11 52 16 68 1.0-1 3 1-0 1
Peterson, M. 29 9 27 18 45 3.5-10.5 0.5-1.5 23
Lott, A. 9 11 36 8 44 1.0-6 1.0-6 6 2-25 2-26 1TD 1
Kearse, J. 42 10 27 16 43 8.5-38.5 2.5-11.5 2 4 2 1
Chester, E. 94 10 21 20 41 9.0-35 5.0-28 19 1-0 1
McGrew, R. 92 11 23 15 38 3.0-4 1.0-2 1 7 1-0
Weary, F. 24 11 22 10 32 6 5-117 1 1-64 1TD
Harris, M. 13 9 16 14 30 1
Moten, M. 90 11 11 16 27 2.0-7 1.0-5 6
Mitchell, A. 98 10 13 12 25 3.0-14 3.0-14 1 5
Rodgers, W. 54 10 13 9 22 8.0-33.5 4.0-24.5 1 9 1-0 2
Jackson, D. 27 11 13 7 20 1.0-1 4 1 1-0 1-0
Kelsey, K. 41 8 9 10 19 4.0-17 1.0-9 2
Thomas, D. 52 11 12 7 19
Beauchamp, T. 93 10 7 11 18 7.0-43 6.0-40 9 1-6 1
Davis, C. 56 10 6 8 14 9.5-45 5.5-38 7 1-40 1TD 1
Brown, T. 33 6 7 4 11 3 3-73 1
Council, K. 66 10 3 6 9 2.0-9 1.0-7 1 3 1-0
Ferguson, M. 99 8 1 5 6
George, T. 1 11 5 2 7 1.0-7 1.0-7 1 1 1-2
Sims, T. 39 2 1 4 5 1
Owens, D. 30 2 2 1 3 1 1
Cohens, W. 55 3 2 2 1.0-4 1.0-4 2
Jackson, T. 22 11 1 1 2 1
McCray, X. 46 11 2 2
Perry, J. 4 2 2
Walton, K. 50 6 2 2
Badeaux, E. 96 6 1 1
Xynidis, J. 26 10 1 1 1
Battle, R. 10 11 1
Lewis, D. 38 10
Pollard, D. 28 6 1-0
Baker, T. 20 9
Total 11 467 386 853 85-372 43-266 37 93 14-226 2 14-148 4TD 15 3

Defense statistics reflect regular season games only

Special teams

Kicking
Name # Punting Kicking
No. Yds Avg Long Blkd FG XP
Cooper, C. 70 1-17-9
Edmiston, B. 14 9-1764-66
Stevenson, R. 87 35 1475 42.1 64 0
Teague, M. 43
Total 38 1475 38.8 64 3 10-18 71-75
Returns
Name # Punt Returns Kick Returns
No. Yds Avg TD Long No. Yds Avg TD Long
Green, J. 5 25 324 13.0 2 79 10 216 21.6 0 40
Anthony, R. 1 8 90 11.3 0 30 7 11316.1 0 22
Richardson, J. 18 4 46 11.5 0 20 3 79 26.3 0 28
Hilliard, I. 19 1 10 10.0 0 10 5 144 28.8 0 40
Xynidis, J. 26 1 28 28.0 0 28
Jackson, T. 22 1 25 25.0 0 25 1 15 15.0 0 15
Lott, A. 9 1 0 0.0 0 0

l-

 Peterson, M. 29 0 9 0.0 1 9
Dubose, E. 35 2 18 9.0 0 16
Total 41 532 13.0 3 79 28 585 20.9 0 36

Notes

  1. ↑ Tennessee bounced back to stay in the national title picture at 6–1 before being stunned on the road at Memphis, and finished 10–2, defeating Northwestern in the Citrus Bowl.

References

  1. ↑ "Steve Spurrier's Fun 'n' Gun brought football evolution to the SEC".
  2. ↑ Dwight Collins (August 31, 1996). "Gators have the makings of a four-peat in SEC". Ocala Star-Banner. p. 6C – via Google News Archive Search.
  3. ↑ Cecil Hurt (August 25, 1996). "Spurrier, Gators aiming for SEC four-peat". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 7-I – via Google News Archive Search.
  4. 1 2 3 "Gators put bite on Cajuns". Ocala Star-Banner. September 1, 1996 – via Google News Archive Search.
  5. 1 2 3 "Exhibitions over, bring on the Vols". Ocala Star-Banner. September 8, 1996 – via Google News Archive Search.
  6. ↑ "Florida Gators and Tennessee, The Rivalry the '90's Built". 24 September 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 Robbie Andreu. "Gators conquer Rocky Top". Ocala Star-Banner. pp. 1C, 4C.
  8. ↑ "Florida 35, Tennessee 29".
  9. 1 2 "Kelsey, Taylor have stylish returns". Gainesville Sun. September 26, 1996 – via Google News Archive Search.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Collins, Dwight (November 17, 1996). "Taylor gaining more than yards". Gainesville Sun.
  11. 1 2 3 Robbie Andreu (October 6, 1996). "From Doubt to rout, Gators roll". Ocala Star-Banner – via Google News Archive Search.
  12. 1 2 3 Robbie Andreu (October 13, 1996). "LSU No test for top ranked Gators". Ocala Star-Banner – via Google News Archive Search.
  13. ↑ Robbie Andreu (October 20, 1996). "Gators devour Tigers". Ocala Star-Banner – via Google News Archive Search.
  14. ↑ "Florida defense serves Craig his words". The Tuscaloosa News. October 19, 1996 – via Google News Archive Search.
  15. 1 2 "Another routine rout for Gators". Ocala Star-Banner. November 3, 1996 – via Google News Archive Search.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Robbie Andreu (November 10, 1996). "Close Call". Gainesville Sun. pp. 1C, 6C – via Google News Archive Search.
  17. 1 2 Robbie Andreu (November 17, 1996). "Gators struggle, but still whip Gamecocks". Gainesville Sun. pp. 1C, 7C – via Google News Archive Search.
  18. ↑ David Wasson. "Wuerffel wasn't quite himself". Gainesville Sun. p. 6C.
  19. ↑ Pat Dooley (November 17, 1996). "Milestones & Memoirs". Gainesville Sun – via Google News Archive Search.
  20. ↑ http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/spurriers-top-10-home-game-memories-at-florida/2292135
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dwight Collins (December 1, 1996). "Gators Dunn In". Ocala Star-Banner. pp. 1C, 13C – via Google News Archive Search.
  22. ↑ Dwight Collins (December 1, 1996). "'Noles defense sacks Gators' title hopes". Ocala Star-Banner. p. 6C.
  23. ↑ Moran, Malcolm (1997-01-02). "A Backpedaling Spurrier Expects a Clean Sugar Bowl". The New York Times.
  24. ↑ David Wasson (December 1, 1996). "Anthony's heroics overshadowed by loss". Ocala Star-Banner. p. 9C.
  25. ↑ Buddy Martin (December 1, 1996). "Bowden Enjoys Defensive Third Quarter". Ocala Star-Baner. pp. 1C, 8C.
  26. ↑ Alan Schmadtke. "Florida and Florida State get rematch". The Cedartown Standard – via Google News Archive Search.
  27. 1 2 Dwight Collins (December 8, 1996). "Sugar sweet title". Ocala Star-Banner. p. 1C, 4C – via Google News Archive Search.
  28. ↑ "ESPN - NCAA College Football - The Moment".
  29. ↑ Robbie Andreu (January 3, 1997). "Champs". Gainesville Sun – via Google News Archive Search.
  30. ↑ Hutchins, Andy (29 August 2014). "Florida's 48 for 2014, No. 19: The Stop and Pop" – via www.alligatorarmy.com.
  31. ↑ "Florida hammers Seminoles 52-20".
  32. ↑ "1996 Heisman Trophy Voting - College Football at Sports-Reference.com".
  33. ↑ "NCAA College Football Awards – ESPN". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 2009-02-18.
  34. ↑ James Alder. "College Football Awards – Jim Thorpe Award". About.com Sports.
  35. ↑ "Consensus All-America Teams (1990-1999) - College Football at Sports-Reference.com".
  36. ↑ "1997 NFL Draft".
  37. ↑ "Florida Gators".
  38. ↑ "Florida Gators".
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