25th Anniversary of the Florida Gators first National Championship

Twenty-five years ago to the day, surrounded by his players in a moment of glory, the son of a Presbyterian minister uttered words that would become iconic to a fan base.

“God has smiled on the Gators.”

Steve Spurrier, the Florida Gators first Heisman winner, had come back and led his alma mater to its first National Championship.

That season was one of dominance, marred by a single loss, avenged in New Orleans against a hated rival. The season may not have been perfect, but closing it out with a blowout win over FSU on the sport’s biggest stage was a perfect ending.

Gators were dominant all season

Florida entered the season ranked No. 4 in the country. The Gators ascended to No. 1 after a 35-29 win over then No. 1 Tennessee. They won their next five games by a score of 261-37. That included wins over No. 12 LSU (56-13) and No. 16 Auburn (51-10).

At the end of the season there were four other 1996 SEC teams (Tennessee, Alabama, LSU, and Auburn) that won bowl game. Florida beat them all by an average of 26 points.

Losing to Florida State

For the first time in series history, the Gators and Seminoles met on the football field with both teams boasting undefeated records. Led by Warrick Dunn, FSU rushed out to a 17-0 lead at Doak Campbell Stadium. Florida would rally and make it 17-14 at halftime.

Ultimately, the Gators’ comeback came down to an onside kick, which trickled out of bounds.

FSU sacked UF quarterback Danny Wuerffel six times and knocked him down 32 times in all. He was bruised, battered, and the Gators were seemingly knocked out of title contention.

Gators get help to secure the National Championship

The 24-21 loss to Florida State also dropped the Gators to No. 4 in the AP poll. This was before the days of the College Football Playoff or the BCS. UF received its first bit of help when an unranked Texas team beat Nebraska, 37-27, in the Big 12 title game. That Saturday, Florida beat Alabama 45-30 in the SEC Championship game, sending the Gators to the Sugar Bowl and a rematch with now No. 1 Florida State.

Still, there was no guarantee that UF would be playing for a national title. The Gators were ranked No. 3 in the country, and No. 2 Arizona State had a date with Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Florida would need another upset for a chance at being named National Champions. The Buckeyes came through, beating Jake Plummer and the Sun Devils, 20-17.

“If Texas hadn’t beaten Nebraska, if Ohio State hadn’t beaten Arizona State, we wouldn’t be here – we ought to send (Ohio State coach John) Cooper and (Texas coach John) Mackovic a ring or something,” Spurrier said in an interview after the game. “Because without them we don’t have a chance.”

The stage was now set for the Gators. The Sugar Bowl on Janurary 2, 1997 would be a rematch against top-ranked Florida State, with the winner taking home a National Championship.

Gators exact revenge in the Sugar Bowl

Just over a month after losing to the Noles, the Gators would have a chance at revenge in the biggest game of the year.

Spurrier had film cutup of every late hit he felt went uncalled from the first matchup that he played for the officials prior to the game. In addition to the six sacks, Wuerffel was hit behind the line 21 times in the loss at FSU. Bobby Bowden defended his players, saying they were playing until the “echo of the whistle.”

Spurrier had rarely used his quarterbacks in a shotgun offense, but made the adjustment to protect his Heisman Trophy Winner. On Florida’s opening drive, Wuerffel lined up in the shotgun on the first nine plays as the Gators drove right down the field for a touchdown. He completed five passes for 73 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown to Ike Hilliard, another Louisiana native playing for a Sunshine State program, the first of three touchdowns on the night to cap the drive. Who can forget the now legendary “stop and pop” touchdown, too.

Wuerffel marched the Gators 73 yards in 26 seconds in the second quarter to put Florida in front 17-3, which marked the first time FSU trailed by more than seven points the entire season. The Noles would answer back and cut the deficit to 17-10. The two teams traded jabs before going into the locker room with UF leading, 24-17.

The route was on in the second half, as Florida scored 28 straight points after a third-quarter field goal by FSU.

The Gators won the game in dominant fashion, 52-20. Their players celebrated on the field and into the night on Bourbon Street. They hadn’t been officlaly voted the No. 1 team and National Champions, but it was inevitable.

That night in New Orleans, 25 years ago today, will always be one of the greatest moments in Florida football history.