Auburn-Florida football rivalry

The Florida-Auburn rivalry is a college football rivalry between the Florida Gators and the Auburn Tigers. Both teams are members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The teams have played 82 times, with Auburn winning 42, Florida winning 38, and the two teams tying twice. The Gators and Tigers first played in 1912, and played sporadically until 1945, when they played every year until 2004, when the SEC forced the teams to play a more revolving schedule. Now, Florida and Auburn play twice every five years unless both teams make it to the SEC Championship Game.
Auburn has been known to give Florida some of the most heartbreaking defeats in its football history. In 2001 and 2007, Auburn kicked game winning field goals to beat Florida and to spoil their chances of winning the national championship. And in 2006, Auburn handed Florida its lone defeat of the season (though Florida still won the BCS Championship).
On the flip side, Florida has handed Auburn a few painful defeats of their own. In 1986, the Gators trailed Auburn 17-0 in the Swamp, only to have Kerwin Bell come off the bench and lead Florida to a shocking 18-17 comeback victory. And then in 2000, the Gators crushed the Tigers 28-6 in the SEC Championship game.
In the series 32 of 82 games have been decided by seven points or less (including two ties), not counting the 2006 meeting where a four point game was stretched to ten when a pitch was fumbled on the final play of the game and returned for a touchdown.
The two teams will play again in 2010 and 2011. They should have new hatred for each other with the Cam Newton incident just behind them. Newton left Florida after two seasons following his arrest for throwing a stolen laptop out of a window, and after a year of junior college, went to Auburn, where he won a BCS Championship in his lone year as a Tiger.
Notable Games
1966: Spurrier's Walk Off Field Goal
The two teams battled back and forth all day, snatching the lead from each other back and forth. With time running out and the game tied 27-27, Gator QB Steve Spurrier called for a field goal. The kicker came running out. But Spurrier then waved him back, declaring that he himself could kick the field goal. And he did just that, making a 40 yard field goal to give Florida the 30-27 victory.
1976: Attack of the War Eagle
The Gators and Tigers played a defense heavy game in 1976, with both teams heavily limiting the other team's offense. That changed late in the game when Gator QB Jimmy Fisher tossed a simple pass to Wes Chandler, who caught it, reversed direction twice, and weaved his way through the entire Auburn defense for an incredible 53 yard touchdown run. Auburn's mascot, the War Eagle, then jumped off its perch and at Chandler- and started hammering away at Chandler's pads!!! Referees marked off the 15 yard penalty against the Eagle on the kickoff, which crippled the Tigers. Florida won, 24-19.
1985: Stopped Cold
Eventual Heisman Trophy Winner Bo Jackson came into the game as a favorite to win the award. But his hopes took a serious blow when he ran into a nasty Gator defense that held him to just 47 yards rushing. The Gators shocked the favored Tigers 14-10 in Auburn, although Jackson did eventually win the Heisman. The Gators then vaulted up and into the #1 ranking spot for the first time in school history.
1986: Bell Ringin Comeback
For most of the game, fifth ranked Auburn dominated the Gators in the Swamp. The Tigers defense in particular was stifling, forcing Gator QB Rodney Brewer to commit four turnovers. Auburn tailback Brent Fullwood gained 166 yards on the ground, including a touchdown to give Auburn a 17-0 lead early in the fourth. Then head coach Charlie Pell inserted injured QB Kerwin Bell into the game. Bell dominated, leading the Gators all the way back. But Florida still trailed 17-10 with 1:45 to play. Bell then directed one final drive (79 yards in 10 plays) that was capped off by a 5 yard touchdown pass to Ricky Nattiel. He then stunned Auburn by running in the two point conversion and completing the comeback. Florida won, 18-17.
1990: Who's Undefeated?
Top ranked Auburn came into the swamp with a #1 national ranking and undefeated. However it was pretty clear that it would not stay that way as Florida ran all over the Tigers, 48-7. It was the worst loss in Auburn coach Pat Dye 's career at Auburn. It was also the game that launched Steve Spurrier's reputation at Florida.
1993: Killer Kick I
On a cold, drizzling, dreary day in Auburn, AL, the Gators amassed 560 yards of total offense. Yet this wasn't enough for the win as Auburn similarly abused the Florida defense. The two teams were tied at 33 when a late Auburn field goal knocked down the fourth ranked Gators, 38-35.
1994: The Stunner
Auburn came into the game in the Swamp as gigantic underdogs to the top ranked Gators, but, just like the year before, hung tough the whole way thanks to its offensive machine. Meanwhile, Florida QB Terry Dean struggled, and was replaced by Danny Wuerffel. He had a fantastic game, until late when he threw an ill advised pick. Auburn QB Patrick Nix took the ball and drove down the field, and tossed the game winner to Frank Sanders. Auburn won, 36-33.
2001: Killer Kick II
The Gators were ranked #1 in the country when they visited the heavy underdog Auburn Tigers. Florida appeared poised to win the BCS Championship- until they ran into Daniel Cobb, Chris Butler and Auburn's high powered offense. Rex Grossman and Reche Caldwell put on a show of their own as the two teams took the lead from each other back and forth until it was 20-20 with 17 seconds left and Auburn mounted a drive. Auburn kicker Damon Duval nailed the 45 yard field goal and Auburn stunned the top ranked Gators 23-20.
2002: Not in Our House
Rex Grossman led the favored Gators to a pair of early scores in this game, and Florida led 23-7. But Ronnie Brown and Auburn came all the way back to tie it at 23. Then Damon Duval lined up for the game winning kick again. But it never happened. Florida's Bobby McCray blocked the kick and the game went into OT. In overtime, Florida's Taylor Jacobs caught a 25 yard TD pass, and Auburn was held on downs. Florida won, 30-23
2007: Killer Kick III
4th ranked Florida played host to unranked Auburn. But early on, Auburn appeared to be the favorite. Under QB Brandon Cox, the Tigers raced out to a 17-0 lead. But back came Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin to eventually tie the game up at 17. Auburn had one more chance to win in regulation, as Wes Byrum attempted a potentially game winning 45 yard field goal- and nailed it. But Gator coach Urban Meyer had called timeout to ice the kicker before the snap had taken place. So Byrum had to try it again- and nailed it again. Auburn stunned Florida, 20-17.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu