1977 Florida Gators football team

American college football season

1977 Florida Gators football

Conference| Southeastern Conference
Record| 6–4–1 (3–3 SEC)
Head coach|

* Doug Dickey (8th season)

Offensive coordinator| 8th
Offensive scheme| Wishbone
Defensive coordinator| Doug Knotts (8th season)
Captains|

* Wes Chandler
* Scott Hutchinson
* Charlie Williams

Home stadium| Florida Field

Seasons

<- 1976

1978 ->

1977 Southeastern Conference football standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf. |  |  | Overall

|
|
|
|

Team | W |  | L |  | T |  |  | W |  | L |  | T
No. 2 Alabama $  | 7  | - | 0  | - | 0 |  |  | 11  | - | 1  | - | 0
No. 6 Kentucky | 6  | - | 0  | - | 0 |  |  | 10  | - | 1  | - | 0
Auburn | 5  | - | 1  | - | 0 |  |  | 6  | - | 5  | - | 0
LSU | 4  | - | 2  | - | 0 |  |  | 8  | - | 4  | - | 0
Florida | 3  | - | 3  | - | 0 |  |  | 6  | - | 4  | - | 1
Georgia | 2  | - | 4  | - | 0 |  |  | 5  | - | 6  | - | 0
Mississippi State | 2  | - | 4  | - | 0 |  |  | 5  | - | 6  | - | 0
Ole Miss | 3  | - | 4  | - | 0 |  |  | 6  | - | 5  | - | 0
Tennessee | 1  | - | 5  | - | 0 |  |  | 4  | - | 7  | - | 0
Vanderbilt | 0  | - | 6  | - | 0 |  |  | 2  | - | 9  | - | 0

* $ - Conference champion
* Kentucky ineligible for SEC championship due to NCAA probation. Mississippi State later forfeited all 1977 wins due to NCAA violations.

Rankings from AP Poll

The 1977 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. The season was Doug Dickey's eighth as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Dickey's 1977 Florida Gators finished with a 6–4–1 overall record and a 3–3 Southeastern Conference (SEC) record, placing fifth among ten SEC teams.[1]

## Before the season

[edit]

Florida had several quarterbacks, with Terry LeCount starting.[2]

## Schedule

[edit]

Date| Opponent| Rank| Site| TV| Result| Attendance| Source

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

September 17| at Rice*| No. 19|

* Rice Stadium
* Houston, TX

| | W 48–3| 24,000| [3]
September 24| at No. 12 Mississippi State| No. 13|

* Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
* Jackson, MS

| ABC| W 24–22| 36,000| [4]
October 1| at LSU| No. 9|

* Tiger Stadium
* Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry)

| | L 14–36| 68,029| [5]
October 8| No. 15 Pittsburgh*| No. 20|

* Florida Field
* Gainesville, FL

| | T 17–17| 62,724| [6]
October 22| Tennessee| No. 19|

* Florida Field
* Gainesville, FL (rivalry)

| | W 27–17| 62,711| [7]
October 29| at Auburn| No. 18|

* Jordan-Hare Stadium
* Auburn, AL (rivalry)

| | L 14–29| 57,000| [8]
November 5| vs. Georgia| |

* Gator Bowl Stadium
* Jacksonville, FL (rivalry)

| ABC| W 22–17| 68,538| [9]
November 12| No. 7 Kentucky| |

* Florida Field
* Gainesville, FL (rivalry)

| | L 7–14| 58,125| [10]
November 19| Utah*| |

* Florida Field
* Gainesville, FL

| | W 38–29| 56,055| [11]
November 26| at Miami (FL)*| |

* Miami Orange Bowl
* Miami, FL (rivalry)

| | W 31–14| 30,662| [12]
December 3| No. 19 Florida State*| |

* Florida Field
* Gainesville, FL (rivalry)

| ABC| L 9–37| 63,563| [13]

* *Non-conference game
* Homecoming
* Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[1][14]

## Game summaries

[edit]

### Rice

[edit]

|  | 1 | 2| Total

|
|
|

Rice | 3 | 0 | 3
• Florida | 21 | 27 | 48

* Date: September 17
* Location: Florida Field

Florida opened the season in Houston with a non-conference game against Rice. Former all-conference safety Terry LeCount started at quarterback in the Gators' wishbone offense, but the most notable play at the position came in the 4th quarter, when third-string freshman Cris Collinsworth tossed an NCAA record 99-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Gaffney on his first collegiate attempt.[1][15]

### Mississippi State

[edit]

In the second week of play, Florida edged Mississippi State 24–22.yepremian junior kicker comes through again keeping Florids hopes alive

### LSU

[edit]

Louisiana State beat Florida 36-14\. Wes Chandler had 146 yards receiving, including an 85-yard reception from Terry LeCount.[1]

### Pittsburgh

[edit]

|  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Pittsburgh | 0 | 7| 7| 3 | 17
Florida | 0 | 7| 0| 10 | 17

* Date: October 8
* Location: Florida Field

| Scoring summary

Q2| | FLA| Brewton recovered fumble in end zone (Yepremian kick)| FLA 7–0
Q2| 4:11| PITT| Cavanaugh 3 yard run (Schubert kick)| Tie 7–7
Q3| 3:55| PITT| Taylor 34 yard pass from Heath (Schubert kick)| PITT 14–7
Q4| | FLA| Hatch recovered blocked punt in end zone (Yepremian kick)| Tie 14–14
Q4| 5:56| PITT| Schubert 27 yard field goal| PITT 17–14
Q4| 1:28| FLA| Yepremian 28 yard field goal| Tie 17–17

[16]

Florida and Pitt tied 17-17\.

### Tennessee

[edit]

|  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Tennessee | 0 | 3| 14| 0 | 17
• Florida | 7 | 10| 0| 10 | 27

* Date: October 22
* Location: Florida Field
* Game attendance: 62,711

| Scoring summary

Q1| | FLA| Chandler 1 yard run (Yepremian kick)| FLA 7–0
Q2| | TENN| Gaylor 45 yard field goal| FLA 7–3
Q2| | FLA| Johnson 10 yard run (Yepremian kick)| FLA 14–3
Q2| | FLA| Yepremian 48 yard field goal| FLA 17–3
Q3| | TENN| Harper 18 yard pass from Streater (Gaylor kick)| FLA 17–10
Q3| | TENN| Finch 99 yard run (Gaylor kick)| Tie 17–17
Q4| 1:32| FLA| Yepremian 28 yard field goal| FLA 20–17
Q4| 0:02| FLA| Green 6 yard run (Yepremian kick)| FLA 27–17

[17]

The Gators called a timeout in the final seconds of a 27-17 win over the Tennessee Volunteers. Tennessee coach Johnny Majors was furious, and the post-game handshake ritual became a shoving match between coaching staffs.[18]

### Auburn

[edit]

The Auburn Tigers upset Florida 29-14.[19]

### Georgia

[edit]

|  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Georgia | 7 | 10| 0| 0 | 17
• Florida | 0 | 10| 6| 6 | 22

* Date: November 5
* Location: Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, Florida
* Game attendance: 68,538
* Television network: ABC

| Scoring summary

1| | UGA| Willie McClendon 2-yard run (Rex Robinson kick)| UGA 7-0
2| | FLA| Wes Chandler 12-yard pass from Terry LeCount (Berj Yepremian kick)| Tied 7-7
2| 10:41| UGA| Willie McClendon 74-yard run (Rex Robinson kick)| UGA 14-7
2| | FLA| Berj Yepremian 33-yard field goal| UGA 14-10
2| 0:11| UGA| Rex Robinson 29-yard field goal| UGA 17-10
3| 6:15| FLA| Wes Chandler 18-yard run (run failed)| UGA 17-16
4| 6:32| FLA| Wes Chandler 1-yard run (run failed)| FLA 22-17

The Gators beat rival Georgia 22-17.[20]

### Kentucky

[edit]

The seventh-ranked Kentucky Wildcats defeated Florida 14-7\.

### Utah

[edit]

|  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Utah | 3 | 14| 3| 9 | 29
• Florida | 7 | 3| 0| 28 | 38

* Date: November 19
* Location: Florida Field, Gainesville, Florida
* Game attendance: 56,055

| Scoring summary

Q1| 13:46| FLA| LeCount 74-yard run (Yepremian kick)| FLA 7–0
Q1| :33| UTAH| McNamara 37-yard field goal| FLA 7–3
Q2| 9:30| UTAH| Wilson 9-yard pass from Gomez (McNamara kick)| UTAH 10–7
Q2| 2:03| UTAH| Gomez 9-yard run (McNamara kick)| UTAH 17–7
Q2| :00| FLA| Yepremian 54-yard field goal| UTAH 17–10
Q3| 2:07| UTAH| McNamara 26-yard field goal| UTAH 20–10
Q4| 13:47| FLA| Wilder 11-yard run (Yepremian kick)| UTAH 20–17
Q4| 12:35| UT| McNamara 27-yard field goal| UTAH 23–17
Q4| 9:48| FLA| Chandler 31-yard run (Yepremian kick)| FLA 24–23
Q4| 4:07| FLA| Gaffney 11-yard pass from Brantley (Yepremian kick)| FLA 31–23
Q4| 2:24| UTAH| Parker 9-yard pass from Gomez (pass failed)| FLA 31–29
Q4| 1:43| FLA| Chandler 34-yard run (Yepremian kick)| FLA 38–29

The Gators ran over the Utah Utes for 531 yards and won 38-29.[21]

### Miami (FL)

[edit]

|  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

• Florida | 3 | 7| 7| 14 | 31
Miami (FL) | 0 | 7| 0| 7 | 14

* Date: November 26
* Location: Orange Bowl, Miami

| Scoring summary

1| | FLA| Yepremian 50-yard field goal| FLA 3-0
2| | MIA| Hobbs 11-yard run (Dennis kick)| MIA 7-3
2| | FLA| Stephens 16-yard pass from LeCount (Yepremian kick)| FLA 10-7
3| | FLA| Green 8-yard run (Yepremian kick)| FLA 17-7
4| | FLA| Dupree 64-yard blocked field goal return (Yepremian kick)| FLA 24-7
4| | FLA| Carr 2-yard run (Yepremian kick)| FLA 31-7
4| | MIA| Alves 17-yard pass from Myers (Dennis kick)| FLA 31-14

Florida defeated the Miami Hurricanes 31-14.[22]

### Florida State

[edit]

|  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

• FSU | 10 | 7| 7| 13 | 37
Florida | 3 | 6| 0| 0 | 9

* Date: December 3
* Location: Florida Field, Gainesville, Florida
* Game attendance: 63,563

| Scoring summary

1| | FSU| Unglaub 38-yard pass from Woodham (? kick)| FSU 7-0
1| | FSU| ? 5-yard field goal| FSU 10-0
1| | FLA| Yepremian 15-yard field goal| FSU 10-3
2| | FSU| Overby 4-yard pass from Jordan| FSU 17-3
2| | FLA| Yepremian ? yard field goal| FSU 17-6
2| | FLA| Yepremian ? yard field goal| FSU 17-9
3| | FSU| Overby 30-yard pass from Jordan| FSU 24-9
4| | FSU| ?| FSU 31-9
4| | FSU| ?| FSU 37-9

Bobby Bowden got his first win over the Gators, as Florida State beat Florida 37-9.[23]

## Roster

[edit]

1977 Florida Gators football team roster

Players  | Coaches
Offense | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

QB | `` | John Brantley
RB | `30` | Earl Carr | Sr
WR | `89` | Wes Chandler | Sr
TE | `` | Juan Collins
QB | `21` | Cris Collinsworth | Fr
TE | `40` | Lewis Gilbert | Sr
RB | `33` | Tony Green | Sr
WR | `23` | Derrick Gaffney | Sr
OT | `67` | Ed Jacobsen | Sr
QB | `7` | Terry LeCount | Sr
RB | `` | Willie Wilder
Defense | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

LB | `` | Scot Brantley
DE | `` | Richard Brewton
DE | `` | Mike DuPree
DB | `25` | Chuck Hatch | Jr
DT | `66` | Scott Hutchinson | Sr
Special teams | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

PK | `` | Berj Yepremian | Jr

Head coach

* Doug Dickey

Coordinators/assistant coaches

* * *

Legend

* (C) Team captain
* (S) Suspended
* (I) Ineligible

* Injured
* Redshirt

## Awards

[edit]

Four Gators made All-SEC.[24]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d 2016 Florida Gators Football Media Guide, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 110–111 (2015). Retrieved August 5, 2016.
2. ^ Jim Smith (September 16, 1977). "John: Ready to go". Ocala Star-Banner - via Google News Archive Search.
3. ^ "Wilder, LeCount direct Florida's rout of Rice". The El Paso Times. September 18, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 - via Newspapers.com.
4. ^ "Awakened LeCount rescues Gators". The Palm Beach Post-Times. September 25, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 - via Newspapers.com.
5. ^ "Gators bagged by LSU, 36–14". Tallahassee Democrat. October 2, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 - via Newspapers.com.
6. ^ "Florida ties fumbling Pitt, 17–17". The Pittsburgh Press. October 9, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 - via Newspapers.com.
7. ^ "Florida's "I" disposes of Tennessee". St. Petersburg Times. October 23, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 - via Newspapers.com.
8. ^ "Auburn tops Florida 29–14 in upset win". The Tennessean. October 30, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 - via Newspapers.com.
9. ^ "Chandler Ace, Gators win". The Tennessean. November 6, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 - via Newspapers.com.
10. ^ "UK Wildcats 'purrr...fect' against UF". The Pensacola News-Journal. November 13, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 - via Newspapers.com.
11. ^ "Gutsy Utes scare Gators in 38–29 defeat". The Salt Lake Tribune. November 20, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 - via Newspapers.com.
12. ^ "Gators blow past Hurricanes 31–14". Fort Myers News-Press. November 27, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 - via Newspapers.com.
13. ^ "Seminole air attack swamps Gators". The Commercial Appeal. December 4, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 - via Newspapers.com.
14. ^ Sports Publicity Department. "1978 University of Florida Press Guide" (PDF). floridagators.com. University Athletic Association, Inc. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
15. ^ "Gators Blitzkrieg Swamps Rice". Ocala Star-Banner. AP. September 18, 1977. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
16. ^ Ocala Star-Banner. 1977 Oct 9. Retrieved 2018-Nov-03.
17. ^ Ocala Star-Banner. 1977 Oct 23. Retrieved 2018-Nov-03.
18. ^ "The Weekly List: Florida-Tennessee Boils Blood Before and After Game".
19. ^ "Auburn's Miamian gives boot to Florida (October 30, 1977)".
20. ^ "What Furor? Gators Get It Together." Ocala Star-Banner. 1977 Nov 6.
21. ^ Palm Beach Post. 1977 Nov 20.
22. ^ Palm Beach Post. 1977 Nov 27.
23. ^ Sentinel, Orlando. "1977 FSU team ended losing streak to Florida".
24. ^ "Four Gators selected for all-SEC squad". Boca Raton News. November 29, 1977 - via Google News Archive Search.

## External links

[edit]

* Florida State game

* v
* t
* e

Florida Gators football

Venues|

* The Baseball Park (1906–1910)
* University Athletic Field / Fleming Field (1911–1930)
* Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (1930–present)

Bowls & rivalries|

* Bowl games
* Alabama
* Auburn
* Florida State (Florida Cup)
* Georgia
* Kentucky
* LSU
* Miami (Florida Cup)
* Tennessee

Culture & lore|

* History
* The Pride of the Sunshine
* Gator Chomp
* Mr. Two Bits
* Gatorade
* I Won't Back Down
* 1961 gambling scandal

People|

* Head coaches
* Ring of Honor
* All-Americans
* UF Athletic Hall of Fame
* Starting quarterbacks
* Statistical leaders
* NFL draftees

Seasons|

* 1906
* 1907
* 1908
* 1909
* 1910
* 1911
* 1912
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1916
* 1917
* 1918
* 1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

National championship seasons in bold
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Conf.]: Conference record
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses
*[T]: Ties
*[No.]: Number