2001 Florida Gators football team
American college football season
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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.
| 2001 Florida Gators football | |
|---|---|
| |
Orange Bowl champion | |
| Conference | Southeastern Conference |
| Eastern Division | |
| Ranking | |
| Coaches | No. 3 |
| AP | No. 3 |
| Record | 10–2 (6–2 SEC) |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive scheme | Fun and gun |
| Defensive coordinator | Jon Hoke (3rd season) |
| Base defense | 4–3 |
| Captains |
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| Home stadium | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 4 Tennessee x | 7 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 3 Florida % | 6 | – | 2 | 10 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 13 South Carolina | 5 | – | 3 | 9 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 22 Georgia | 5 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | 1 | – | 7 | 2 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vanderbilt | 0 | – | 8 | 2 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 7 LSU xy$ | 5 | – | 3 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auburn x | 5 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ole Miss | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alabama | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arkansas | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi State | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Championship: LSU 31, Tennessee 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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.[1]
In early January, Spurrier resigned as Florida's head coach.[2]
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 1 | 7:15 p.m. | Marshall* | No. 1 | ESPN2 | W 49–14 | 85,445 | |
| September 8 | 6:00 p.m. | Louisiana–Monroe* | No. 2 |
| PPV | W 55–6 | 85,011 |
| September 22 | 12:30 p.m. | at Kentucky | No. 2 | JPS | W 44–10 | 66,126 | |
| September 29 | 3:30 p.m. | No. 21 Mississippi State | No. 2 |
| CBS | W 52–0 | 85,579 |
| October 6 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 18 LSU | No. 2 | CBS | W 44–15 | 92,010 | |
| October 13 | 6:45 p.m. | at Auburn | No. 1 | ESPN | L 20–23 | 86,063 | |
| October 27 | 3:30 p.m. | vs. No. 15 Georgia | No. 6 | CBS | W 24–10 | 84,401 | |
| November 3 | 12:30 p.m. | Vanderbilt | No. 4 |
| JPS | W 71–13 | 85,052 |
| November 10 | 7:45 p.m. | at No. 14 South Carolina | No. 4 | ESPN | W 54–17 | 84,900 | |
| November 17 | 8:00 p.m. | No. 20 Florida State* | No. 4 |
| CBS | W 37–13 | 85,732 |
| December 1 | 4:30 p.m. | No. 5 Tennessee | No. 2 |
| CBS | L 32–34 | 85,771 |
| January 2, 2002 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. No. 6 Maryland* | No. 5 | ABC | W 56–23 | 73,640 | |
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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.[4]
Game summaries
Marshall
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall | 0 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 14 |
| • Florida | 21 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 49 |
- Date: September 1
- Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
- Game start: 7:15 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 85,445
- Television network: ESPN2
| 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 |
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.[5]
Rex Grossman had a career-high in passing yards by halftime, including a 64-yard touchdown reception by Taylor Jacobs.[6]
The defense also played well as Alex Brown and linebacker Andra Davis had two sacks each.[6]
Louisiana–Monroe
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La.-Monroe | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| • Florida | 7 | 31 | 14 | 3 | 55 |
- Date: September 8
- Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
- Game start: 6:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 85,011
- Television network: PPV
| 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 |
In the second week of play, the Gators overwhelmed the Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks 55–6.[7] Grossman passed for 331 yards and three touchdowns, including two thrown to Jabar Gaffney.[8]
Grossman fumbled the game's first exchange from center, and Louisiana-Monroe capitalized on the opportunity when it scored the game's first touchdown.[8] "It was just an awkward start." said Grossman.[8]
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.
Kentucky
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Florida | 7 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 44 |
| Kentucky | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
- Date: September 22
- Location: Commonwealth Stadium
- Game start: 12:30 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 66,126
- Television network: JP
| 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 |
Florida traveled to Lexington and beat the Kentucky Wildcats 44–10.[9] Grossman passed for 302 yards and four touchdowns.[10]
The Gators struggled early and led just 16–3 at the half, but eventually thrashed the Wildcats with four touchdowns in the second half.[11]
After Kentucky made a touchdown, Earnest Graham sprung lose for a 50-yard touchdown run in the third period to go up 30–10.[11]
Mississippi State
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miss St | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • Florida | 21 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 52 |
- Date: September 29
- Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
- Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 85,579
- Television network: CBS
| 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 |
The following week, Florida avenged last year's loss to the 21st-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs by shutting them out 52–0.[12] Grossman had 317 yards passing in just the first half.[13] The Gators had 640 yards of total offense on the day, the most in school history for an SEC game.[13]
Grossman passed for 393 yards and five touchdowns in total,[14] becoming the first Florida quarterback to throw for 300 yards in four straight games.[15]
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.[15]
LSU
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Florida | 21 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 44 |
| LSU | 3 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 15 |
- Date: October 6
- Location: Tiger Stadium
- Game start: 2:30 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 92,010
- Television network: CBS
| 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 |
In Baton Rouge, the Gators defeated the eighteenth-ranked LSU Tigers 44–15.[16] Grossman threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns in just the first half, and by game's end had a school-record 464 yards.[17]
Florida finished with 632 yards of total offense.[17] LSU quarterback Rohan Davey left the game with a hyperextended knee.[17]
"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."[17] "I think he is a tremendous quarterback" echoed LSU safety Ryan Clark.[17]
Auburn
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
| • Auburn | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 23 |
- Date: October 13
- Location: Jordan–Hare Stadium
- Game start: 6:45 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 86,063
- Television network: ESPN
| 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 |
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.[18]
Gators quarterback Rex Grossman completed twenty-five of forty-two passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw four interceptions.[19] The Gators dominated statistically, but the Tigers' bend-but-don't-break defense held the Gators rushing game to negative yardage.[18]
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.[18] With 10 seconds left, Tigers placekicker Damon Duval nailed a 44-yard field goal and the Tigers upset the Gators.[18][20]
Georgia
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| • Florida | 10 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
- Date: October 27
- Location: ALLTEL Stadium
- Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 84,401
- Television network: CBS
| 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 |
Florida defeated Georgia 24–10 in the annual rivalry game,[21] overcoming four turnovers and twelve penalties.[22] Grossman passed for 407 yards.[22] Earnest Graham rushed for 131 yards.[22]
The Bulldogs missed a field goal and failed to convert three fourth downs in the second half.[22] 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.[22]
Vanderbilt
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 13 |
| • Florida | 24 | 13 | 28 | 6 | 71 |
- Date: November 3
- Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
- Game start: 12:30 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 85,052
- Television network: JP
| 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 |
At homecoming, Florida crushed the Vanderbilt Commodores 71–13.[23] The Gators never punted, and forced five turnovers.[24] They were up 71–0 in the fourth quarter and still tossing passes, amassing 571 total yards in all.[25] Eleven Gators got receptions, and Taylor Jacobs had a breakout game.[24]
Playing just in the first half, Grossman threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns.[24] Backup quarterback Brock Berlin threw three more in the second.[25]
South Carolina
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Florida | 10 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 54 |
| S. Carolina | 10 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
- Date: November 10
- Location: Williams-Brice Stadium
- Game start: 7:45 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 84,900
- Television network: ESPN
| 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 |
In Columbia, the Gators routed the fourteenth-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks 54–17.[26] The game started shaky for the Gators as Lito Sheppard fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to an easy Gamecock score.[27] A touchdown pass to Jabar Gaffney late in the first quarter started the scoring barrage.[28]
Grossman had his ninth-consecutive 300-yard passing game,[29] and exceeded 5,000 yards passing for his career.[27]
Florida State
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FSU | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
| • Florida | 7 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 37 |
- Date: November 17
- Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
- Game start: 8:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 85,732
- Television network: CBS
| 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 |
Florida easily defeated the rival Florida State Seminoles 37–13.[30] 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.[31]
Graham and coach Spurrier accused Darnell Dockett of deliberately twisting Graham's knee, as well as stomping on Grossman's hand.[32][33] Graham even considered a lawsuit.[34] Dockett denied these charges.[35][36]
Tennessee
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Tennessee | 14 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 34 |
| Florida | 0 | 20 | 3 | 9 | 32 |
- Date: December 1
- Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
- Game start: 4:30 p.m. EST
- Television network: 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.[37] Despite the teams' identical records and much to the chagrin of the Vols, the Gators were 17-and-a-half point favorites at kickoff.[38]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 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.[39][40] 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 1]
Orange Bowl (vs. Maryland)
at Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida
- Date: January 2, 2002
- Game time: 8:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Clear, 71 °F (22 °C)
- Game attendance: 73,640
- Referee: James Sprenger
- TV announcers (ABC): Brad Nessler and Bob Griese
- Box Score
| Game information |
|---|
|
Florida was invited to the Orange Bowl, where they beat Maryland, 56–23.[42][43]
Taylor Jacobs was named the game's MVP.
Roster
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Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
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Awards and honors
Grossman was the Heisman Trophy runner-up to Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch,[44] in one of the trophy's closest ballots.[45][46] Many feel Grossman should have won.[47]
Both Crouch and Grossman made AP All-American.[48]
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
- 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.[41]