Back to History

• General
  
  
  • UF has ranked first in both the AP and USA Today/CNN polls in each of the past four weeks. The Gators were last No. 1 in seven of the first nine weeks of the 1994 season.
    
    
  • Seeking a fourth straight outright SEC title, something accomplished only once in SEC history (Alabama, under Paul "Bear" Bryant, won five consecutive titles from 1971-75).
    
    
  • Aiming for a sixth straight final AP Top 10 Poll appearance. UF is one of just two schools in the nation to finish in the Top 10 in each of the last five years.
    
    
  • Looking to extend its current school record for bowl appearances to six.
    
    
  • The Gators have outscored their 1996 opponents 202-26 in the first half (an average of 33.7 to 4.3) and have yet to trail in a game this season.
    
    
  • Florida's turnover margin (plus-9) of 1.50 per game (18 turnovers forced and nine turnovers lost over the first six games) is fifth in the nation.
    
    
  • UF's 43 total TDs this season (19 passing, 16 rushing, two punt returns, six defensive) leads the nation, as does its 52.5 average points per game.
    
    
  • Florida and Ohio State are the only teams in the nation to currently rank in the Top 10 in total offense AND Top 25 in total defense.
    
    
• Schedule
  
  
  • Florida is once again facing a demanding schedule in 1996.
    
    - Has already defeated two top-ranked teams (at No. 2 Tennessee, vs. No. 12 LSU) and still has to meet No. 16 Auburn and go to No. 3 Florida State. In addition, it would meet another ranked team if it advances to the SEC Championship Game
    
    - Florida's schedule was ranked the 10th-toughest in the nation, according to the NCAA News. UF's 1996 opponents posted a record of 64-40-2 last season for a winning percentage of .613
    
    - Has or will meet six '95 bowl teams (Tennessee, Arkansas, LSU, Auburn, Georgia and Florida State) with only two of those games coming at home (LSU and Auburn)
    
    - Florida was the only team in the AP Top 25 preseason poll that had to face two Top 5 preseason teams on the road (Tennessee and Florida State)
    
    - Florida was one of only three teams (along with Colorado and Penn State) in the preseason Top 20 rankings to have to face four teams that also ranked in the preseason Top 20 (Tennessee, Florida State, Auburn and LSU)
    
    
• Top Starts
  
  
  • Florida is off to a 6-0 overall start to a season for the fifth time in school history (1928, 1966, 1969, 1995, 1996). The Gators have opened a campaign with a 7-0 record just three times in school history (1928, 1966, 1995).
    
    
  • Florida is a perfect 4-0 in SEC play after four league contests. The Gators have opened a season with a perfect 5-0 mark in conference play just twice (1991, 1995).
    
    
  OFFENSE
  
  
  • The '96 squad is attempting to continue Florida's offensive prowess in the 1990's. UF seeks to rank among the nation's top 10 teams in passing offense for the seventh consecutive year and among the nation's top 10 in total offense for the sixth time in the past seven seasons. The '96 Gators currently rank fourth in total offense (516.5 ypg), seventh in passing offense (334.3 ypg) and first in scoring offense (52.5 ppg).
    
    
  • After six games the Gator offense is:
    
    - 29-32 (25 TDs, four FGs, two missed FGs and one blocked FG) for a 90.6% success rate inside the 20. The Gators are 22-24 inside the 20 under Danny Wuerffel (20 TDs, two FGs and two missed FGs) for 146 points. Wuerffel's scoring percentage is 91.7% inside the Red Zone, while his TD percentage is 83.3%.
    
    - averaging 516.5 yards in total offense (182.2 rush and 334.3 pass)
    
    - averaging 26.2 first downs per game
    
    - gaining 7.2 yards per play
    
    - averaging 15.9 yards per pass completion
    
    - has posted a 165.96 team pass efficiency rating
    
    - has scored 35 touchdowns (19 passing, 16 rushing)
    
    
  • Florida is the only offensive unit in the nation to rank in the top 10 in passing AND top 37 in rushing in the latest NCAA rankings.
    
    
  • UF leads the nation in offensive TDs (35), yards per play (7.2) and yards per completion (15.9, minimum of 150 atts.)
    
    
  • The Gator offense has scored 35 TDs this season and the average for those scoring drives has been just 1:54.
    
    
  • Reidel Anthony and Ike Hilliard have already combined for 15 TD catches this fall (Anthony - 8, Hilliard - 7) to rank one-two in the SEC and two-three in the nation. A Gator receiver has led the SEC in TD catches every year since 1990.
    
    
  • UF has had a nice balance so far, rushing 224 times and passing it 208, with 16 rushing and 19 passing TDs.
    
    
  • The Gators have scored a touchdown on their opening drive in each of the first six games this season.
    
    
  • Florida's 39% conversion rate on third down this season is somewhat out of line with recent seasons (49.7% in '95, 51.9% in '94 and 41.7% in '93).
    
    
  • UF has led the nation in TD passes since 1990. UF’s 48 TD passes in 1995, 43 in 1994 and 41 in 1993 all were tops in that national category. Its 19 TD passes so far in 1996 ranks as the third-top total in the nation, trailing Wyoming (22 in seven games) and BYU (20 in seven games).
    
    TOUCHDOWN PASSES SINCE 1993
    (as of October 12, 1996)
    

    
    1. 	FLORIDA	        151
    
    2. 	Nevada		119
    
    3. 	Florida State	104
    
    4. 	BYU		100
    
    5. 	San Diego State	92
    
    6. 	Wyoming	        91
    
    7.	Utah		82
    
    8. 	Fresno State	80
    
    9. 	Southern Cal	78
    
    10. 	Tennessee	78
    
    

    TOUCHDOWN PASSES SINCE 1990
    (as of October 12, 1996)
    

    
    1. 	FLORIDA	        233
    
    2. 	BYU		203
    
    3. 	Florida State	175
    
    4. 	Houston		170
    
    5. 	San Diego State	165
    
    6. 	Wyoming	        147
    
    7. 	Nevada		142
    
    8.	East Carolina	132
    
     	Fresno State	132
    
    9. 	Miami		128
    
    10.	California	122
    
    	Utah		122
    
    
    
    

• MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
  
  
  - Has thrown for at least one TD pass in 72 of the last 73 games, including 55 straight.
  
  - Has thrown for 200 or more yards in 71 of the past 73 games.
  
  - Since 1990 UF has thrown for 300 or more yards in a game in 48 of its 81 total contests. Prior to 1990 the Gators threw for 300 or more yards in a game just 14 times in the previous 83 seasons of play (1906-89).
  
  - Scored 30 or more points in 36 of the past 45 games.
  
  - Since 1990 the Gator offense has passed the ball 51.7% of the time and rushed it 48.3%.
  
  

  
  Year	Plays	Rushes	        Passes    
  
  1990	855	440 (51.5%)	415 (48.5%)
  
  1991	787	397 (50.5%)	390 (49.5%)
  
  1992	926	423 (45.9%)	503 (54.1%)
  
  1993	888	400 (45%)	488 (55%)
  
  1994	851	416 (48.9%)	435 (51.1%)
  
  1995	867	410 (47.3%)	457 (52.7%)
  
  1996	432	224 (51.9%)	208 (48.1%)
  
  Total   5606	2710(48.3)	2896 (51.7)
  
  

• INSIDE THE NUMBERS SINCE 1990
  
  
  • 42-1 record when it rushes for 150 or more yards in a game and 25-12-1 when held under 150 yards.
    
    
  • 60-3 record when it rushes for at least 100 yards in a game and just 7-10-1 when held under 100 yards.
    
    
  • 33-1 when a back rushes for 100 or more yards in a game.
    
    
  • 31-1 record when UF rushes for more than 150 yards AND passes for more than 250 yards in a game.
    
    
  • 47-4 when UF scores first and 20-9-1 when opponent scores first.
    
    
  • 50-1 when UF outrushes its opponent and just 17-12-1 when it is outrushed.
    
    
  • UF has been outrushed in 12 of the 13 games it has lost since 1990.
    
    
• OFFENSIVE GAME RECAPS
  
  
  Southwestern Louisiana
  
  • Gained 464 yards in total offense (325 passing, 139 rushing)
    
  • Averaged 5.8 yards per play
    
    Georgia Southern
    
  • Gained 658 yards in total offense (264 rushing, 394 passing), the second best performance under Steve Spurrier and the third-best in UF history
    
  • Six rushing TDs, the most since UF had six vs. Auburn in 1990
    
  • Averaged 10.8 yards per play and 13 different receivers caught at least one pass.
    
    Tennessee
    
  • Gained 304 yards in total offense (149 rushing, 155 passing), the third-lowest performance under Steve Spurrier
    
  • Four passing TDs, all in the first half
    
    Kentucky
    
  • Gained 489 yards in total offense (146 rush, 343 pass)
    
  • Averaged 6.8 yards per play and 12 different players caught passes
    
  • Scored on seven of nine possessions in the first half
    
    Arkansas
    
  • Gained 549 yards in total offense (462 pass, 87 rush)
    
  • 462 yards passing was the most ever for UF vs. a SEC foe
    
  • Averaged 8.0 yards per play and nine different players caught at least one pass
    
  • 42 points most scored vs. a Razorback team in Fayetteville since 1931
    
    LSU
    
  • Gained 635 yards in total offense (308 rush, 327 pass), the most-ever vs. a SEC opponent and the fifth-best overall (LSU entered game yielding 281.3 per game)
    
  • Set a school record with 36 first downs
    
  • 308 rushing yards was also best in Spurrier era
    
  • For the first time in school history, had two running backs gain over 100 yards, as well as two receivers eclipse the 100-yard plateau
    
  • Scored 42 points in the first half after LSU had given up just 23 points in the first half of their first four games in '96
    
    
  DEFENSE
  
  
  • The Gators have already registered six defensive touchdowns (two interception returns and four fumble returns) this year, a new single-season record. The '95 unit had just one TD. Here is a breakdown of defensive touchdowns since Steve Spurrier's arrival in 1990:

    
    Year	Defensive Scores (FR/IR)   
    
    1990	4                (1 FR/3 IR)
    
    1991	2                (0 FR/2 IR)
    
    1992	0
    
    1993	1                (1 FR/0 IR)
    
    1994	4                (1 FR/3 IR)
    
    1995	1                (1 FR/0 IR)
    
    1996	6                (4 FR/2 IR)
    
    

  • UF's four fumble returns for TDs in 1996 ties a NCAA Division I-A single-season record.
    
    
  • UF currently ranks 23rd in the nation in total defense (293.5 ypg), 13th in rushing defense (91.2 ypg) and 14th in scoring defense (14.0 ppg).
    
    
  • Florida's defense has now forced 18 turnovers after the first six games of 1996, leading to 87 points (42 directly and 45 indirectly). UF forced 13 turnovers after six games last season.
    
    
  • Florida's 18 forced turnovers (10 INTs and eight fumble recoveries) ranks tied for the fourth-best total in the nation. Auburn ranks first with 22 forced turnovers.
    
    
  • One of the goals of the '96 unit is "Big Plays". The unit has received a good deal of attention in that regard this season for its school record six TDs but that is just part of the picture. The unit is awarded "Big Plays" in several categories: QB sacks, additional tackles behind the line of scrimmage, forced QB hurries, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, pass deflections and interceptions. It has been credited with 144 "Big Plays" this season, an average of 24.0 per game. Here is how the '96 defense has scored in that regard this season game-by-game.
    

    
    OPPONENT		BIG PLAYS
    
    Southwestern Louisiana	30
    
    Georgia Southern	10
    
    Tennessee		38
    
    Kentucky		24
    
    Arkansas		18
    
    LSU			24
    
    

  • Here is a comparison after four games of the 1996 Gator defense vs. last year's unit:
    

    
    STATISTIC	        1996	1995
    
    Turnovers	        18	13
    
    Touchdowns	        6	0
    
    Points off TO	        87	52
    
    "Big Plays"	        144	131
    
    3rd Downs	        20-92	39-92
    
    3rd Down %	        21.7	42.4
    
    Total Yards	        1761	2175
    
    Total Ypg	        293.5	362.5
    
    Rush Yards	        547	821
    
    Rush Ypg	        91.2	136.8
    
    Pass Yards	        1214	1354
    
    Pass Ypg		202.3	225.7
    
    Pass Efficiency	        113.4	103.5
    
    Tackles for Loss	50	31
    
    Average Plays/Drive	4.77	5.48
    
    TDs against	        11	14
    
    Points against	        77	113
    
    Three and Out	        37-86	22-76
    
    Three and Out %	        43.0	28.9
    
    First Downs per game	15.7	20.3
    
    

  • Seeking to rank among the nation's top 10 teams in rushing defense for the sixth time in the past eight years. Currently ranked 13th in the nation (91.2 ypg).
    
    
  • The Gator rush defense has yielded an average of 91.2 yards per game and just 2.3 per rush. In the last four games, all SEC contests, it has been even better, yielding an average of just 47 yards per game and 1.4 per rush (136 rushes for 188 net yards rushing). It held second-ranked Tennessee to just nine net rushing yards and LSU to 28 yards rushing. LSU entered the game leading the SEC in rushing with an average of 279.5 per contest.
    
    
  • The Gator defense has vastly improved its third-down effectiveness. Last year's unit after six games was at 42.4% on third down but this year's group is at a sparkling 21.7%. Over the last three games it has permitted a third-down conversion just seven of 47 times (14.9%).
    
    
  • UF leads the SEC in QB sacks with 27, an average of 4.5 per game. Last year's defense was credited with 29 QB sacks the entire year.
    
    
  • The Gator secondary ranks among the nation's most experienced. The starting unit of corners Anthone Lott (39) and Fred Weary (18), along with safeties Lawrence Wright (30), Teako Brown (11) and Shea Showers (7) have combined for 105 career starts. Showers moved into the top spot at FS with Brown's knee injury, which will sideline him for another 2-4 weeks.
    
    
  • This is a pretty young defensive unit overall as only six seniors appeared on the two-deep depth chart for the LSU game. Seven freshmen/sophomores appeared on the two-deep.
    
    
• INSIDE THE NUMBERS SINCE 1990
  
  
  • The Gators have posted a 40-1-1 record when they hold an opponent to less than 100 team rushing yards.
    
    
  • 56-0 when holding opponents to 21 or less points.
    
    
  • 47-4 when the defense is not scored upon first. UF is just 20-9-1 when its opponent scores first.
    
    
• DEFENSIVE GAME RECAPS
  
  
  Southwestern Louisiana
  
  • Registered four defensive touchdowns (two interception returns and two fumble returns), the most in a game in school history
    
  • The two fumble returns for TDs tied a NCAA Division I-A single-game record
    
  • Forced six turnovers (4 interceptions and 2 fumbles), the most since the 1993 season when it forced eight turnovers vs. Vanderbilt
    
  • Credited with 30 "Big Plays" (nine tackles for lost yardage, including six QB sacks; 11 QB hurries, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two pass deflections)
    
  • Permitted just 48 rushing yards on 37 carries, an average of only 1.3 per rush
    
    Georgia Southern
    
  • Registered its fifth defensive touchdown of the season on a fumble return, setting a school record for most in a season
    
  • Allowed 371 yards (60 passing, 311 rushing)
    
    Tennessee
    
  • Forced six turnovers (four interceptions and two fumble recoveries), leading to 21 UF points, while also allowing just nine yards net rushing, the eighth-best single-game effort in that category in school history. UF recorded a season-high 38 "Big Plays" (four INTs, two FR, eight PD, five TTFL, two FF and 17 FH)
    
    Kentucky
    
  • Permitted just 67 yards in total offense (24 rush, 43 pass), just one yard short of tying the school record for fewest total yards allowed in a game. The 67 yards is the lowest total by a SEC opponent vs. UF in school history.
    
  • Allowed just five first downs, the fewest against a SEC opponent in school history
    
  • Held UK to 0-16 on third downs and forced 13 punts
    
    Arkansas
    
  • Permitted 258 yards in total offense (127 rush, 131 pass)
    
  • Gave up three first downs in the second half
    
  • Allowed no points and just 93 yards in the second half, including only 46 yards in the third quarter.
    
    LSU
    
  • Allowed 303 total yards (28 rush, 275 pass)
    
  • 28 rushing yards came against a LSU team averaging 279.5 per game coming in to the game
    
  • Held LSU to 4-14 (28.6%) on third down conversions (LSU had converted on 47% of third downs entering game)
    
  • Forced two turnovers (interception and fumble), leading to 14 Gator points
    
  • Recorded eight sacks and 18 "Big Plays"
    
    
  SPECIAL TEAMS
  
  
  • The Gators surpassed their punt return yardage total of 208 yards from a year ago in the fourth game this season. In fact, UF eclipsed the entire season total in one game as it totaled 272 punt return yards in the fourth game against Kentucky. The Gators have 348 punt return yards thus far in 1996.
    
    
  • Averaging 14.6 yards per punt return, a figure that ranks 14th in the nation. Jacquez Green ranks fourth with an average of 19.5.
    
    
  • Jacquez Green's two punt returns for TDs vs. Kentucky tied a NCAA single-game individual record and set a UF record. UF's two punt return TDs this season ties the school single-season record.
    
    
  • The Gators 272 punt return yards vs. Kentucky were the most in a game for a SEC team in conference history.
    
    
  • Averaging 22.0 yards per kickoff return this season, tied for 37th-best nationally and third in the SEC.
    
    
  • UF has blocked four or more punts in each of the previous two seasons (1994-95), but have not blocked one so far in 1996. Overall the Gators have blocked five or more kicks (punts, PATs, FGs) in each of the previous two seasons.
    
    
  • Since 1990, UF is 14-0 in games in which it blocks a punt.
    
    
  • Florida has registered touchbacks on 24 of its 53 kickoffs in the first six games.
    
    
  • Here is a look at UF's top special teams performances this year:
    
    Tennessee
    
  • Averaged 20.8 yards on kickoff returns
    
  • Had seven punts for 306 yards (43.7 avg.), including a long of 58 yards
    
    Kentucky
    
  • Returned two punts for TDs to set a UF single-game record and tie NCAA and SEC single-game records
    
  • Set a SEC record for most team punt return yards in a game with 272
    
  • 272 punt return yards also surpassed UF's total of 208 yards for the entire 1995 season
    
  • 11 kickoffs with nine in the end zone, including eight for touchbacks.
    
    Arkansas
    
  • Had seven kickoffs, with all seven going into the end zone and four being downed for touchbacks
    
    
  MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
  
  
• UF AND THE 1990s
  
  
  • Florida is one of only two teams in the nation to finish each of the last five seasons (1991-95) ranked in the Top 10 in the final AP Poll (FSU is the other).
    
    
  • Florida is one of only four teams in the nation (Florida, Florida State, Nebraska, Texas A&M) to win at least nine games in each of the last six seasons (1990-95).
    
    
  • UF has won four SEC titles in the past five years ('91, '93, '94 and '95).
    
    
  • The Gators own the SEC’s best league record since 1990, 48-6 (.889).
    
    
  • Florida has appeared in each of the first four SEC Championship Games.
    
    
  • During this decade UF has become the first school in SEC history to win eight or more conference games in a season three consecutive years (1993-95) and just the second school in SEC history to win at least six conference games for six consecutive years (Alabama did from 1961-66 and now UF from 1990-95) and the second to win seven SEC games for three straight years (Alabama - 1971-73, UF - 1993-95).
    
    
  • UF has a current streak of 20 straight wins vs. SEC Eastern Division teams and has posted a 21-1 record vs. eastern opponents since divisional play began in 1992.
    
    
  • Won 17 straight SEC games and 29 of its last 31 league games.
    
    
  • Has a current school record streak of 15 straight SEC wins away from Florida Field and has claimed 17 of its last 18 SEC games away from Gainesville.
    
    
  • Has posted a 11-0-1 record in its last 12 true away games (played at opponent campus stadium).
    
    
  • Is 22-1 vs. SEC foes at Florida Field since 1990.
    
    
  • Florida has made a school-record five straight appearances in bowl games, including four major New Year’s Day Bowls.
    
    
  • Florida’s 67-13-1 (.833) record ranks as the fourth-best winning percentage and tied for the second-best win total in the nation since 1990.
    
    The best programs in the nation (based on winning percentage) since 1990:

    
    1. FSU	        69-9-1	.880
    
    2. Nebraska	67-10-1	.865
    
    3. Miami	64-12-0	.842
    
    4. Florida	67-13-1	.833
    
    5. Alabama	66-13-1	.831
    
    6. Texas A&M	62-14-1	.812
    
    7. Colorado	61-13-4	.808
    
    8. Penn State	64-16-0	.800
    
    9. Tennessee	59-16-3	.776
    
    10. Notre Dame	59-17-2	.769
    
    11. Michigan	58-17-3	.763
    
    12. Washington	55-19-1	.740
    
    

    Most wins since 1990:

    
    1.	Florida State	69
    
    2.	Florida		67
    
    	Nebraska	67
    
    3.	Alabama		66
    
    4.	Miami		64
    
    	Penn State	64
    
    5.	Texas A&M	62
    
    6.	Colorado	61
    
    7.	Notre Dame	59
    
    	Tennessee	59
    
    8.	Michigan	58
    
    	Ohio State	58
    
    9.	Washington	55
    
    

  POLLS
  
  
  • UF is one of only two schools to finish the season in the final AP Top 10 Poll in each of the past five years.
    
    
  • Florida has appeared in a school-record 108 consecutive Associated Press polls, a streak that began the second week of the 1990 season.
    
    
  • The Gators have also appeared in a current school-record 61 consecutive AP Top 10 polls, the second longest such streak in the nation.
    
    
  • UF was number one in the polls in seven of the first nine weeks of the 1994 season as well as each of the past two weeks.
    
    
  • UF completed the 1995 season ranked second in the final AP Poll, the highest finish in school history, and third in the final USA Today/CNN poll.
    
    
  THE SWAMP
  
  
  • Since taking over the Gator program in 1990, Steve Spurrier is 39-2 at "The Swamp."
    
    
  • The Gators set a school record with a 23-game home winning streak from 1990-93 before having the streak snapped versus Florida State in the 1993 home season finale. The previous school record was 20 straight wins from 1909-1915.
    
    
  • Steve Spurrier is 22-1 vs. SEC opponents at Florida Field since he arrived in 1990. The Gators are 10-0 vs. SEC East foes since divisional play began in 1992.
    
    
  • UF has defeated six teams at "The Swamp" who were ranked in the AP Top 10 on gameday (in 1990 beat No. 4 Auburn, 48-7; in 1991 beat No. 4 Tennessee, 35-18; in 1991 beat No. 3 Florida State, 14-9; in 1993 beat No. 5 Tennessee, 41-34, in 1995 beat No. 8 Tennessee, 62-37 and in 1995 beat No. 6 Florida State, 35-24).
    
    
  • Since 1990, Spurrier’s squads have outscored their opponents at home by a combined total of 1761-633 (an average of 43.0 to 15.4 for an average victory margin of 27.6).
    
    
  • In 41 home games under Spurrier, UF has scored 30 or more points 33 times and has held its opponent to 14 or less points 20 times. Florida has scored 24 or more points in 22 of the 23 home SEC games.
    
    
  • Eight times in Gator history a UF team has posted a perfect 6-0 home record. Four of those times have come since Spurrier's arrival in 1990 (1990, 1991, 1992, 1995), with the other four coming in 1952, 1974, 1981 and 1983.
    
    
  • Here is a look at the Gators at Florida Field since 1981:
    
    - 82-11-2 (.874) overall record
    - 43-5-1 (.888) vs. non-conference foes
    - 39-6-1 (.859) vs. the SEC
    
    
  ACADEMIC SUCCESS
  
  
  • Over the last six years (1990-95), Florida has had 77 honorees named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll, the top six-year total in school history and its 19 honorees in 1994 was the top single-season total in conference history. UF’s 14 selections in 1995 was the league’s second-top total.
    
    
  • Since 1980, Florida’s 137 SEC Academic Honor Roll selections rank second only to Kentucky’s 151 among all league schools.
    
    
  • UF was one of only four schools in the nation in 1994 to have more than one player named to the Academic All-America Team (QB Terry Dean and FS Michael Gilmore).
    
    
  • Florida has had some of the nation's most honored scholar-athletes the past few years. In 1991 DT Brad Culpepper was the recipient of the Draddy Scholarship Trophy, presented annually by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame to the nation's top scholar-athlete. Center David Swain was one of nine national recipients of the Honda Scholar-Athlete Awards in 1992. In 1993 Michael Gilmore was a first-team Academic All-American and was the state of Florida's lone national finalist for the Rhodes Scholar program. In 1994 Gilmore and Terry Dean were named first-team Academic All-America and Gilmore was a recipient of a National Scholar-Athlete Award from the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. In 1995, quarterback Danny Wuerffel was named the GTE Academic All-American of the Year, as well as being selected first-team Academic All-America and was also named to the CFA Scholar-Athlete Team.
    
    
  TELEVISION EXPOSURE
  
  
  • In 82 games (including this week's game vs. Auburn) since Steve Spurrier returned to Gainesville, Florida has appeared on live network television 58 times. Thirty-seven ofthose 60 have been national broadcasts. During that span, Florida is 46-12-1 on live network television.
    
    
  • UF appeared on live network television a school-record 10 times in both 1992 and 1994.
    
    
  • Fifty-two of UF’s last 70 games (30 national, 22 regional) have been televised on live network television.
    
    
  ATTENDANCE
  
  
  • Florida has ranked among the nation’s top 15 schools in average home attendance in each of the last 12 seasons. Since the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium expansion in 1991, bringing capacity to over 83,000, the Gators have ranked in the top five in the nation for the last five years. In 1995, UF averaged 85,139 fans.
    
    
  • Once again in 1996, the Gators sold all available season tickets (72,000). That figure continues to rank as best in state history for any sports team - collegiate or professional.
    
    
  • Since 1991, UF has drawn crowds of more than 82,000 in each of the last 34 games.
    
    
  • The 20 largest crowds in the state of Florida history - collegiate games, professional games, bowl games, Super Bowls - have all occured since 1991 at Florida Field.
    
  FAMILY TREE
  
  
  Several Gator players have some well-known relatives in the sports world:
  
  
  • Tremayne Allen's cousin is Bryant Stith of the NBA's Denver Nuggets.
    
    
  • Reidel Anthony is the nephew of John Ford, who was a wide receiver with the Detroit Lions and at the University of Virginia.
    
    
  • Tyrone Baker is a cousin of Ricky Nattiel, a Gator wide receiver in the mid 1980's who was a first-round pick in the 1986 NFL Draft by Denver.
    
    
  • James Bates' father, Jim, was Florida's defensive coordinator in 1990 and is now a linebacker coach with the Dallas Cowboys. His brother, Jeremy, is a QB at Rice after transferring from Tennessee prior to the season.
    
    
  • Jayme Campbell and Fred Weary are cousins.
    
    
  • Cooper Carlisle's brother, Will, is an offensive lineman at Tulane, and his uncle, Duke Carlisle, was a standout QB at Texas who also played in the NFL.
    
    
  • Craig Dudley is the nephew of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin.
    
    
  • Jerome Evans is a cousin of former NFL linebacker Johnny Rembert.
    
    
  • Rod Frazier is the brother of former Nebraska quarterback Tommie Frazier, the runner-up for the 1995 Heisman Trophy who led the Cornhuskers to back-to-back national championships.
    
    
  • Tony George is a second cousin of former Ohio State running back and 1995 Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George.
    
    
  • Ike Hilliard's brother, Ivory, was a starting DB at LSU in 1994. Ike's uncle, Dalton, was a standout RB at LSU in the mid-1980's who had several outstanding years with the New Orleans Saints.
    
    
  • Terry Jackson's father, Willie Sr., played football at UF from 1969-72 and his brother, Willie, from 1990-93. Willie Jr. caught 162 total passes, the second top total in UF history, and is currently playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars after playing for Dallas in '94.
    
    
  • Jevon Kearse is a cousin of former Gator Johnie Church, who was a seventh-round pick of Seattle in the 1996 NFL Draft.
    
    
  • Sean Ladd's brother, Tom, played at BYU and for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals.
    
    
  • Travis McGriff is the son of Lee McGriff, an All-SEC WR at UF in the mid-1970's who was also an assistant coach with the Gators in the early 1980's.
    
    
  • Dwayne Mobley is a cousin of former NFL tight end Orsen Mobley of the Denver Broncos.
    
    
  • Brian Schottenheimer is the son of Marty Schottenheimer, head coach of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.
    
    
  • Robby Stevenson's cousin, Mike Compton, played for the Detroit Lions.
    
    
  • Elijah Williams is the step-brother of Greg Allen, a standout RB for Florida State in the mid-1980's.