The Swamp's Unforgettable Games

Tracing back to the 1930s, generations of Florida fans have watched and attended the biggest upsets, rivalries and standout performances in program history.

When Florida Field first opened in 1930 – a Nov. 8 homecoming game against Alabama – the stadium had a capacity of 21,769. Nearly a century later, Florida Field in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium officially holds 88,548, making it more than four times larger. The Swamp — as fans call it — is notorious for its intensity. It builds up rather than out, creating a sense of intimacy.

Whether a lifelong fan or a Gator-for-the-day, anyone can appreciate the history and magnitude of Florida Field. Fittingly, for the 500th UF game at The Swamp, the Gators will play their bitter in-state rival Florida State.

FSU has played at The Swamp 37 times – the most of any opponent – since the annual rivalry began in 1958, with UF holding a 22-13-1 all-time edge at home. More than 75 schools have visited at least once. Grandstand spoke with a variety of Florida players, coaches, journalists and others to identify Florida Field’s unforgettable moments.

Here’s our list of the 10 most memorable games in the history of The Swamp.

10.) Spurrier’s Return to The Swamp: Florida vs. Oklahoma State, 1990 

The 1990 season opener against Oklahoma State was Steve Spurrier’s first game coaching in the Swamp. He was a beacon of light for Florida fans who had watched their team dwell in national irrelevance without any official SEC championships or national titles. This game marked the rebirth of Florida football. 

Steve Russell began working at UF following his graduation from the College of Journalism and Communications. For more than 27 years, he has covered Florida athletics and serves as one of the Gators’ most experienced reporters. He remembers the spark Spurrier brought.

“That day, Florida lit it up and threw it all over the place,” Russell said. “That obviously was a harbinger of things to come for the next few years.” 

9.) A Rare Swamp 'Cocktail Party': Florida vs. Georgia, 1994

With Jacksonville's Gator Bowl undergoing renovations, the Florida-Georgia rivalry – known as the 'World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party' – was moved to a home-and-home series for two seasons in the mid-1990s.

Florida had not played this iconic rivalry at Florida Field in more than 60 years, so intrigue was at a peak. Georgia quarterback Eric Zeier entered the game as one of the most productive quarterbacks in SEC history. On this day in The Swamp, however, Florida’s defense alone outscored Georgia. 

The Gators had four interceptions, three of which they returned for touchdowns, running away in a 52-14 rout for their largest win against the Bulldogs ever. Linebacker James Bates recorded his first two career interceptions during the second half, including a pick-six. Not to mention, the game also marked Steve Spurrier’s 100th career win as a coach. 

“Coach Spurrier, he’s very competitive, and he loved to win every time we went out and played,” Bates said. “But he especially liked to beat Georgia.” 

8.) The Promise Game: Florida vs. Ole Miss, 2008

This is the sole loss on our list, but it sparked one of the most memorable moments in Florida’s program history: Tim Tebow’s The Promise.

“I promise you one thing,” Tebow said. “A lot of good will come out of this. … You will never see a team play harder than we will the rest of the season." 

The Gators were heavy favorites and one of the few teams in the national championship conversation after Tebow’s Heisman campaign the previous year. The game went back and forth, ending with a crushing blocked extra point by Ole Miss. The Rebels won by that sole point, ending any of Florida’s hope for a perfect season.

Tebow used the loss to light the fire that later earned Florida its third national championship. To this day, his words ring through The Swamp before every home game as a reminder of the dedication required to play for Florida. 

7.) A One-Man Defensive Show: Florida vs. Southern California, 1982

No. 11 Florida and No. 10 USC stepped onto Florida Field for a nationally televised showdown. 

An unexpected factor in the game was linebacker Wilber Marshall, who singlehandedly destroyed the Trojans with one of the greatest defensive efforts in Florida history. Marshall had 14 tackles and four sacks in the 17-9 upset. His performance earned him Associated Press and Sports Illustrated Defensive Player of the Week honors. 

6.) Wuerffel Lights Up The Vols: Florida vs. Tennessee, 1995

In the 1990s, Florida faced Tennessee early each season to decide who the top dog in the SEC East nearly every meeting. 

In this meeting, the Volunteers were out for blood after a 31-0 home loss to Florida the year prior. Peyton Manning and No. 8 Tennessee traveled to The Swamp with hopes of sending a message to the No. 4 Gators. And for a few moments, Tennessee dominated, building a 30-21 points in the first half. 

However, by the end of the game, Gators quarterback Danny Wuerffel had thrown for 381 yards and Florida scored 48 unanswered points. Florida won 62-37, the most points scored against Tennessee since 1893.

Bates’ high school teammate, Tennessee offensive lineman Jason Layman, described the game simply. 

“His quote, after we beat him in ’95, was ‘Well, there goes our season,’” Bates said. 

The game began Wuerffel’s run dominance, which one season later earned him a Heisman Trophy and Florida’s first national championship. Meanwhile, Manning threw for 326 yards himself in his first game at Florida Field. It wasn’t enough, though, as Florida scored the most points on Tennessee in 102 years. 

Manning never earned a win against the Gators, finishing 0-4 in his college career. This victory was so dominant that Sports Illustrated replaced Manning with Wuerffel for the Sept. 1995 cover. 

5.) Florida's First (Official) SEC Title: Florida vs. Kentucky, 1991

This 1991 battle against Kentucky to earn an SEC title just meant more for the No. 2 Gators. Florida was hungry after its 1984 title (also won against Kentucky) was stripped due to NCAA violations, and it was the first time the team was on the doorstep of a conference championship since. 

Wide receiver Tre Everett returned from a hamstring injury for the shootout and caught two touchdown passes from quarterback Shane Matthews. The signal-caller himself recorded 362 passing yards and four touchdowns. The stakes were high, but Florida rose to the occasion, winning 35-26 en route to the Sugar Bowl. 

4.) The Kick: Florida vs Auburn, 1966

As one of the nation's best quarterback, Spurrier was known to have the accuracy and mental grit to march to the end zone. However, facing Auburn in 1966 required other skills. For the first time in his career, Spurrier attempted a 40-yard field goal after a failed third-down conversion.

Despite it being his first attempt on a competitive stage, Spurrier was unfazed when coach Ray Graves asked him to put on his kicking shoes. On the Tigers' sideline, coach Shug Jordan said he knew “Steve Superior”  would make the field goal, and Florida won 30-27.

'The Kick' was one of the biggest reasons Spurrier went on to win Florida's first Heisman Trophy in 1966.

3.) Kerwin Bell Ignites a Huge Rally: Florida vs. Auburn, 1986

No one expected the scandal-ridden 1-4 Florida to beat No. 5 Auburn two years after the team vacated its SEC championship, especially after trailing 17-0 in the fourth quarter. 

Yet it happened.

Quarterback Kerwin Bell returned from the bench, where he was nursing a knee injury, to lead two touchdown drives. His second, a 5-yard pass to Ricky Nattiel, cut Auburn's lead to 17-16.

The Gators believed they couldn’t outlast the Tigers in overtime, so they lined up for a two-point conversion. From there, Bell limped the ball across the goal line, and the Gators won 18-17. 

2.) The "Cock Block": Florida vs. South Carolina, 2006

In the fourth quarter, South Carolina led 16-10 but Tebow scored go-ahead touchdown with three minutes left. In response, the Spurrier-led Gamecocks charged down the field to set up a 48-yard field goal attempt for kicker Ryan Succop. As the kick left his foot, Florida defensive end Jarvis Moss caught the tip of the ball to block, and the Gators won 17-16. It was Moss' second blocked kick of the day and, thus, the “Cock Block” soared into Florida infamy.

Florida went on to win its second national championship two months later.

1.) The 'Greatest Game Ever Played in The Swamp': Florida vs. FSU, 1997

The stage was perfectly set for the 'Noles. They were No. 1 in the country, opening as a double-digit favorite and positioned to crush their rival, who’d won the national championship a year prior.  

So heading into the fourth quarter with a lead, FSU’s domination neared completion … until its kicker decided to enrage Florida fans by doing the Gator chomp in the end zone. Florida’s offense took the taunt to heart, charging down the field. A 62-yard pass to wide receiver Jacquez Green helped Florida regain momentum. With two minutes left, running back Fred Taylor scored, and Florida’s defense sealed the win with an interception on Florida State’s final drive.

“I’ve been to hundreds of Gator games,” Russell said. “That’s probably the loudest I’ve ever heard the stadium.”