Believe it or not, there was a time when UGA owned Florida
A Dawg day: Tim Worley scores against No. 1 Florida in 1985. (Photo from www.dawgbone.net)
This will come as scant consolation to Georgia fans, but Florida folks were once like you. The Gators would arrive in Jacksonville fearing the worst, and they’d get it.
Here’s how completely this rivalry has turned: Vince Dooley, the best coach in Georgia history, worked against four different Gators coaches over a quarter-century and had a winning record against each; Mark Richt, the second-best coach in Georgia history, has worked against three different Florida coaches over the past decade and has a losing record against each.
From 1964 through 1989, Georgia beat Florida 18 times (and tied once) in 26 meetings. In the 21 games since, Florida has won 18 times. The Bulldogs can’t even rent the game they used to own. The series flipped when Dooley retired as coach after the 1988 season and Steve Spurrier took the Gators in 1990, but even after Spurrier left for the NFL after the 2001 season nothing much has changed.
Which isn’t to say what we’ve witnessed is unfamiliar. On the contrary, the feeling of dread that has descended on Georgia was once expressed rather poignantly by eminent Gators. The year was 1984. Florida arrived in Jacksonville with maybe its best team ever — although Charley Pell, its coach, had stepped down after three games amid an NCAA investigation — but no real confidence that it could beat Georgia.
Because Florida would always lose to Georgia. Bulldogs backers recall Belue-to-Scott as the greatest play in the history of collegiate football; Gators fans remember that the Florida defender with the best angle fell as Lindsay Scott turned upfield. Other Gators lowlights: Bill Stanfill rising from a sick bed to sack Spurrier, who would win the Heisman; Richard Appleby, a Bulldogs receiver, throwing an 80-yard touchdown pass off an end-around; Florida coach Doug Dickey failing on a gamble that became known as “fourth-and-dumb”; Georgia driving 99 yards behind John Lastinger to the touchdown that beat Florida 10-9.
That excruciating drive came in 1983 and was fresh on the minds of Gators this correspondent interviewed in November ‘84. Said Spurrier, then coach of the USFL’s Tampa Bay Bandits: “Twelve or so times we’ve played Georgia with the SEC on the line, and they were either better or tougher or luckier than we’ve been. Probably Georgia just expects to win big games more than Florida does.”
Said Ray Graves, the Gators’ coach from 1960 through 1969: “After all the strange plays Georgia has pulled off, with guys falling down and guys knocking each other down, there’s always a feeling that a team can start believing in a jinx. You keep losing and losing, and you say, ‘Ah, we’ll get you next year,’ and then the other side says, ‘Yeah, that’s what your grandpa said, too.’ ”
A Georgia fan born in early 1990 has reached adulthood knowing only three Bulldogs victories over Florida: In 1997 under Jim Donnan, when Robert Edwards ran wild; in 2004 under Richt, when Florida coach Ron Zook had already been rendered a lame duck, and again in 2007, the year Richt’s players danced in the end zone after their first touchdown.
Of Richt’s eight losses to the Gators, half have come when he appeared to have the more talented team. A true oddity: Richt has taken Georgia to the SEC championship game three times, but beat Florida in none of those seasons.
Loading ...Speaking 27 years ago, the former Gator Cris Collinsworth said: “Something would always happen to us to make us turn around and say, ‘Wait a minute – is there really a jinx?’ ”
Today Georgia will play as a favorite, having won its past five games. Florida, by way of contrast, has lost three in a row. But similar dynamics prevailed last year: Georgia had won three straight and Florida had lost three straight, and the Gators won in overtime.
Recent history in this series has driven this correspondent into a default position: I’ll believe Georgia can beat Florida only after I see Georgia beat Florida. Which, believe it or not, was a different correspondent’s position regarding a different team back in 1984.
Said Hubert Mizell, then of the St. Petersburg Times: “I’ve seen so many weird things happen in that [Georgia] game that if Florida led by 28 points going into the fourth quarter, I’d call it 50-50.”
For the record, Florida beat Georgia 27-0 in 1984, breaking a six-game losing streak against the Bulldogs. Was Gators domination finally at hand? Nope. Florida entered the 1985 game ranked No. 1 in the nation for the first time in its history. It lost to Georgia 24-3.
By Mark Bradley
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260 comments Add your comment
Cuz
October 28th, 2011
8:47 pm
red&black, that was harsh. Sometimes Tech wins twice in a decade.
Napoli
October 28th, 2011
9:09 pm
The athletic history of UGA is full of so many sordid, sleazy incidents – dating back to Vince Dooley and continuing through Mark Richt – that it’s impossible to overlook. The school has come to stand for drunkenness and lawlessness, coddling of illiterate athletes who should never have been admitted to college, and rampant cheating by coaches.
UGA and Mark Richt are an affront and an embarrassment to all decent people in this state.
Florida wins 27-17
Bobo is Not the Problem
October 28th, 2011
9:11 pm
Yeah, that was when Dooley was coach. Since then, it’s been a succession of clowns. Goof, who never coached again. Donnan, who never coached again and went down in disgrace in a financial scandal. Richt, who will never coach again once he finally gets canned.
FIRE MARK RICHT.
Phuck Phloriduh
October 28th, 2011
9:11 pm
Napoli
October 28th, 2011
9:09 pm
Shouldn’t you be in your evening classes at Georgia Perimeter University right now?
Bobo is Not the Problem
October 28th, 2011
9:14 pm
Cantondawg, you are a goofball. Coaches won’t leave their “region”? Have you followed football before?
Every one of those guys is eminently qualified to succeed Richt.
Who was Nick Saban before he became famous? Les Miles? Urban Meyer, the “western” coach? Gene Chizik?
And to those who say changing coaches sets a program back (so let’s just stay mired in mediocrity, that makes a lot of sense), how long did it take Saban, Miles, Meyer, and Chizik to win NC’s at their schools?
Case closed.
FIRE MARK RICHT.
Cuz
October 28th, 2011
9:25 pm
Just to piss of the Richt haters, the Georgia team has decided to win Saturday.
Cuz
October 28th, 2011
9:26 pm
off
"Off the Mark" Bradley
October 28th, 2011
9:28 pm
beast, good to see you back on the uga blawgs. Appears that losing streak has kept you away. Doubt we will wee you on Sunday
Not So Fast
October 28th, 2011
9:31 pm
Aaron Murray > Matthew Stafford. Check the stats.
TECHREDNECK
October 28th, 2011
10:15 pm
I got a better one than that. Beleive it or not There was a time when Tech owned UGA. Tech beat the dogs 7 years in a row. Many moons ago. I’ll tell you what changed it. When segregation was abolished in the south. And I thank God it was, even if it gave UGA some of the best players and they got the ability to dominate Tech.
BEAT UGA FLORIDA SO RICHT CAN GO
October 28th, 2011
10:30 pm
31-17 FLORIDA
Will Muschamp
October 28th, 2011
10:58 pm
I NEVER ONE THIS GAME AS A PLAYER BUT I’LL BE D***** IF I’LL LOSE IT AS A COACH!!!
I WILL NOT TOLERATE ANYTHING FROM THE REFEREES THAT EVEN RESEMBLES A BLOWN CALL!!!
AND THOSE OF YOU WHO DON’T LIKE IT CAN GO BLANK YOURSELVES!!!
!@#$%^&**!!!!
Will Muschamp
October 28th, 2011
10:59 pm
I WAS SO FREAKIN’ PUMPED I MISSPELLED “WON”!!! GO GATORS!!!
1eyedJack
October 28th, 2011
11:07 pm
Will Muschamp, SAVE IT FOR THE GAME!!!
Will Muschamp
October 28th, 2011
11:22 pm
I CAN’T SEEM TO TURN IT OFF, IEYEDJACK!!! I STILL WANT TO STRAP ‘EM ON AND HIT SOMEONE!!!
Pitbull
October 29th, 2011
12:12 am
Only a fool would pick dawgs to win. We will blow it somehow, bank it.
Troup Co. Dawg
October 29th, 2011
12:36 am
Well I guess I’m a Dawg lovin’ fool…but I will never lose any Love for my Dawgs, I’m like a Dawg’s best friend…no need to change my colors to Crimson or ride on the Tech-no train, and all you yellow-bellied traitors just sell your house and move to Alabama !!
rally
October 29th, 2011
12:47 am
Just for kicks before the players run out of the gates….I think CMR should find the nearest zoo that has a gator, cut off his head, and hang on noose on it while running on the field dragging it behind him with some blood and guts across that field.. That sure would send a statement to the Gator Nation that the tide is turning and we will wax that ass….
I know I would and it would serve them right.
MattMD
October 29th, 2011
12:54 am
Dances, uniforms, etc, I think UGA is all out of gimmicks.
However, they still have plenty of suck left in them. Florida wins by a TD.
Puff Daddy
October 29th, 2011
12:55 am
Dawgs or Gators could win. Dawgs maybe with more young talent. Gators because of the curse of the “Evil Genius” and the simple fact of the “Jacksonville Jinx”. Definitely understand the 3:30 PM start. Gives both students and alumni time to make bail and maybe make it to the game! Suppose all’s well that ends well.
TGT
October 29th, 2011
3:44 am
I have been to seven GA/FLA games, and Georgia has won them all. It’s time to set things strait!
dogflack
October 29th, 2011
5:55 am
Dogs win easy in a walkover. This fla team is their worst in 25 years. Ga 36 fla 12—mark it down.
Larry
October 29th, 2011
7:37 am
Florida gets 4 points for playing in-state and a quick bus ride to Jacksonville. Georgia is probably 3-4 points better on a neutral field.
Simple vote…whoever wins the turnover battle.
Stormy Petrel
October 29th, 2011
8:01 am
“I have been to seven GA/FLA games, and Georgia has won them all.”
You must be really really old.
Stormy Petrel
October 29th, 2011
8:03 am
Florida 31, Athens Correctional Institute and Bladder Training Center 17
Laron
October 29th, 2011
8:17 am
If Paul Johnson was Georgia’s coach, Mark says they would never lose to Florida.
Hey Stormy Petrel, how does it feel paying a 1st rate price for a 3rd rate education?
Dawggg in Thomson!!...
October 29th, 2011
8:19 am
great right write, Mark!!… =))
Recruiting
October 29th, 2011
9:02 am
It is all recruiting, recruit from 2 parent households like Boise St and win like Boise St. It is much harder to recruit this way but worth it in less personal fouls on 3rd and 7 and suspensions will be greatly reduced. Enough of the lazy recruiting of Richt and Co.
RedandBlackDawg
October 29th, 2011
9:18 am
The majority of the young players and the future for UGA right now, have not got this series in their head. They are looking to establish their own legacy and record, and along with their superior athletic skills, that makes them a very dangerous team.
The only people who have Florida’s curse in their heads are the coaches at UGA, except for the DC, who knows how to coach his players to kick some butt. If Bobo doesn’t do his usual conservative play calling and game planning for this game, there is no reason that UGA should not come away with a win. The players will play to win,so let’s see if he coaches to win. I am personally not worried about Florida’s Qb, and I believe that UGA’s defense will minimize their two fast RB’s effectiveness. Do that and 80% of Florida’s offense is defeated. The UGA DL should give the FL. OL fits all day long, and Brantley is no threat to take off and get 25 yards on a scamper. He will also be playing with a sore ankle, because a high ankle sprain, doesn’t heal quickly. The pain lessens, but once you put a lot of strain on it, it tends to tighten up, and with the UGA DL, in pursuit of him all day, he will put some strain on it.
IF UGA plays a wide open game, runs the ball in the proper plays, and doesn’t put Murray in bad positions, UGA wins. We will miss Mitchell, but we do have other receivers that can do the job. I would hope Bobo would do something out of character like use the FB a little more to tote the ball, and maybe even have a trick play or two up his sleeve to try. Of course, I am talking about Bobo and anything like that would be considered a radical change for him.
I just want to see the coaches let these kids play today, and give them a chance to play. If they do that, UGA can win easily. If Bobo is his usual self, the players will have to try and win, in spite of him and hope the defense can create some points and turn overs. We seem to rack up a lot of yardage but not a lot of points. The red zone usually turns out to be the poison zone for us. The players still execute what play is called for them, but perhaps, the plays called, are not the ones designed to get 7, just designed to insure we can get at least a shot at a field goal and protect the ball. We need to be more aggressive in the red zone, and utilize the strengths we have there. I seem to remember some talk earlier this year of letting Jenkins run the ball in close down situations but that would appear to be a no go, with Geathers, out for half a game. We have a 270 LB. fullback, that should be able to move some folks out of the way with the ball in his hands. Let’s hope that Bobo tries to utilize his players fully today and get all the weapons involved in the game.
GO DAWGS and GATA
Fan of the Game
October 29th, 2011
9:30 am
UGA’s dominance ended when we went to more of a passing philosophy. It started with Eric Zeier. Spurrier comes in the runs the spread and throws the ball all over the field. Well that is when we thought we had to do the same thing. We abandon the Tailback U. philosophy and paid for it. UGA football was running the football, controlling the clock and give the defense a chance. When Ga. runs the football we win. Donnan beat them because of Robert Edwards. Richt beat them because of Moreno even though I was not a big Moreno fan. Get back to running the football and UGA will dominate again. Why do you think Ala. is winning consistently?
1eyedJack
October 29th, 2011
9:40 am
RedandBlackDawg, guess you ’bout covered everything there…twice.
I want to see some blue and orange snot bubbles flying through the air. A pot-of-gold blue and orange snot bubble victory rainbow.
GoooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!
"Off the Mark" Bradley
October 29th, 2011
9:48 am
any idea which officiating crew is in town? Hope it is not Penn and the boys. If so look for him to execute poor officiating on critical plays to favor UF to the tune of 14-21 points.
Sic’em
1eyedJack
October 29th, 2011
9:50 am
Georgia 23 Reptiles 16.
Beast from the East
October 29th, 2011
9:53 am
Gators 26 Puppies 20
1eyedJack
October 29th, 2011
9:58 am
A differnce of opinion is what makes a horse race.
Beast from the East
October 29th, 2011
10:00 am
1eyedjack,
Just trying to stay optimistic. Hopefully, I’ll still feel that way in the 4th quarter.
Go Gators!
Beast from the East
October 29th, 2011
10:01 am
College Gameday is at USC? A condom or a tree?
1eyedJack
October 29th, 2011
10:01 am
“difference”. Hook me up on phonics.
Beast from the East
October 29th, 2011
10:02 am
No spelling contest on here, 1eyedjack. That’s over on the Tech blog.
1eyedJack
October 29th, 2011
10:04 am
Hope the Cardinal whips Lame’s bootay. Cardinal? Tree? Whadda whadda what’s up wid dat?
Rationalizations
October 29th, 2011
10:19 am
If Georgia doesn’t play like Georgia today, then they have a chance.
If they can keep their mouths shut and focus on their own responsibilities…
If they can show discipline and avoid stupid penalties and turnovers…
If they can give maximum effort on every play for a full 60 minutes…
Ah, who am I kidding? Probably best to just start making up excuses now, so I’ll have them ready when the final seconds tick off the clock in this inevitable beat-down by the Gators.
Florida played dirty and the Zebra’s handed them the game on a silver platter. It’s an SEC conspiracy! Yeah… That’s the ticket!
Ally loves Dog meat
October 29th, 2011
10:37 am
Florida owns UGA like UGA owns Tech. They allow them to win once in a blue moon.
GO GATORSSSSSSSSSSSS.
StuDawg
October 29th, 2011
10:47 am
Interesting article. GOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!!!! SIC EM!!
StuDawg
October 29th, 2011
10:50 am
Actually, ally, the Dawgs own the gaytors, 47-40-1. Gonna be 48 wins by this eve.
StuDawg
October 29th, 2011
10:55 am
JOHN BRANTLEY WEARS SKINNY JEANS.
Vince Doodly
October 29th, 2011
10:57 am
Dumbass Richt and the Dawgs will find a way to blow it again.
StuDawg
October 29th, 2011
10:58 am
Marlon Brown is going to have a breakout game today. STEP UP MARLON!
Vince Doodly
October 29th, 2011
10:59 am
Our daughter goes to UGA and is at the game today. I hope UGA wins, but we took her to the Auburn Florida game so she could see the gators lose at least once this year. (true story.)
StuDawg
October 29th, 2011
11:01 am
GAYTORS LOSE 4th in a row and MUSCHAMP starts his losing record to the DAWGS.
Neverno
October 29th, 2011
11:06 am
Wow…UGA 18 wins in 26 years from ‘64 to ‘89….Unless UGA wins the next five Ga/Fla games…hahahahahahaha….Florida will top that. It’s shameful that the players and coaches have allowed this to happen. But at this point, who cares? UGA is a joke and will lose again today…chokers.