The 1997 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida as a member of the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Steve Spurrier, the Gators compiled an overall record of 10–2 with mark of 6–2 in conference play, tying for second place among the six SEC Eastern Division teams. Florida was invited to the Florida Citrus Bowl, where the Gators defeated Penn State. The team played home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.
UF – Jamie Richardson 11-yard pass from Doug Johnson (Collins Cooper kick), 9:43. Florida 7–0.
UF – Tony George 88-yard interception return (Collins Cooper kick), 0:15. Florida 14–0.
Second quarter
UT – Jermaine Copeland 22-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick), 1:33. Florida 14–7.
UF – Jacquez Green 19-yard pass from Doug Johnson (kick failed), 0:45. Florida 20–7.
Third quarter
UF – Collins Cooper 37-yard field goal, 8:33. Florida 23–7.
UF – Collins Cooper 40-yard field goal, 3:44. Florida 26–7.
UT – Jermaine Copeland 8-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Jeff Hall kick), 2:32. Florida 26–14.
Fourth quarter
UF – Taran Ross 30-yard pass from Doug Johnson (Collins Cooper kick), 6:23. Florida 33–14.
UT – Cedrick Wilson 16-yard pass from Peyton Manning (pass failed), 2:21. Florida 33–20.
Top passers
UT – Peyton Manning – 29/51, 353 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
UF – Doug Johnson – 14/32, 261 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
UT – Mark Levine – 4 rushes, 27 yards
UF – Fred Taylor – 17 rushes, 134 yards
Top receivers
UT – Andy McCullough – 5 receptions, 105 yards
UF – Jacquez Green – 8 receptions, 185 yards, TD
The Gators seemed poised for another title, never trailing Manning-led Tennessee at home to regain the top spot in the polls.Tony George memorably returned an interception 88 yards for a score.[14] Peyton Manning went on to be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft and break numerous NFL records, but ended his career without a win against Florida.[15]
At Kentucky
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Arkansas
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At LSU
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See also: 1997 LSU Tigers football team
They struggled midway through the schedule, however, first losing to LSU on the road. Humiliated by the previous season's 56–13 thrashing, LSU came into the 1997 game ready to play. Once again, the Gators were favored in this matchup in Baton Rouge. But it was LSU who jumped out to a big early lead, scoring two touchdowns in the first 8 minutes on runs by Herb Tyler and Tommy Banks. The Gators came right back with two TD runs by Fred Taylor, each of which capped off an 80-yard drive.
Then, Doug Johnson threw an ill-advised pass, and Cedric Donaldson picked it off and returned it for a touchdown to give LSU a 21–14 lead. The Gators' frustration mounted when another Johnson pass was picked off, this time by Mark Roman, and when Herb Tyler scored another touchdown to give LSU a 28–14 lead with 11:40 to go, the Gators appeared to be in big trouble.
Undaunted, Johnson tried to redeem himself with a 13-play, 78-yard drive that ended with Fred Taylor banging into the end zone to cut the Tigers' lead to 28–21. LSU could do nothing with their next possession, and Doug Johnson began moving the ball downfield again. He then faced a rush on a third and two and threw up a Hail Mary which was intercepted by Raion Hill. The Tigers held on for the 28–21 upset.
Florida ended the regular season with a 32–29 upset of top-ranked FSU known as the "greatest game ever played in the Swamp."[16] The Seminoles were driving late in the fourth quarter when the Gator defense stopped them at the 5-yard line, and they settled for a Sebastian Janikowski field goal for a 29–25 lead. On first down of the next drive, quarterback Doug Johnson passed to consensus All-American receiver Jacquez Green from the Gator 20-yeard line for a 62-yard gain. Running back Fred Taylor completed the drive with a touchdown, and Florida took the lead for good 32–29. FSU's final comeback attempt was stymied when senior linebacker Dwayne Thomas intercepted a third-down pass from Thad Busby, costing the Seminoles a chance at the national championship.[17]
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
FSU
FLA
1
10:45
Florida
Fred Taylor 3-yard touchdown run, Collins Cooper kick no good
0
6
1
4:32
Florida St
Fumble recovery returned 15 yards for touchdown by Sam Cowart, Sebastian Janikowski kick good
7
6
1
1:51
Florida St
28-yard field goal by Sebastian Janikowski
10
6
2
6:49
Florida St
Melvin Pearsall 5-yard touchdown reception from Thad Busby, Sebastian Janikowski kick good
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