1984 Florida Gators football team

American college football season

1984 Florida Gators football

SEC champion (vacated)

Conference| Southeastern Conference
Ranking
Coaches| No. 7
AP| No. 3
Record| 9–1–1 (5–0–1 SEC)
Head coach|

* Charley Pell (6th season; first 3 games)
* Galen Hall (interim; final 8 games)

Offensive coordinator| Galen Hall (1st season)
Defensive coordinator| Joe Kines (4th season)
Home stadium| Florida Field

Seasons

← 1983

1985 →

1984 Southeastern Conference football standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf. |  |  | Overall

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Team | W |   | L |   | T |  |  | W |   | L |   | T
No. 3 Florida | 5  | – | 0  | – | 1 |  |  | 9  | – | 1  | – | 1
No. 15 LSU | 4  | – | 1  | – | 1 |  |  | 8  | – | 3  | – | 1
No. 14 Auburn | 4  | – | 2  | – | 0 |  |  | 9  | – | 4  | – | 0
Georgia | 4  | – | 2  | – | 0 |  |  | 7  | – | 4  | – | 1
No. 19 Kentucky | 3  | – | 3  | – | 0 |  |  | 9  | – | 3  | – | 0
Tennessee | 3  | – | 3  | – | 0 |  |  | 7  | – | 4  | – | 1
Vanderbilt | 2  | – | 4  | – | 0 |  |  | 5  | – | 6  | – | 0
Alabama | 2  | – | 4  | – | 0 |  |  | 5  | – | 6  | – | 0
Ole Miss | 1  | – | 5  | – | 0 |  |  | 4  | – | 6  | – | 1
Mississippi State | 1  | – | 5  | – | 0 |  |  | 4  | – | 7  | – | 0

* $ – Conference champion
* Florida was assessed a postseason ban following an NCAA investigation, and the SEC subsequently vacated any championship. The Sugar Bowl automatic bid for the conference champion was awarded to LSU. Under modern rules, LSU would be credited with the conference championship.

Rankings from AP Poll

The 1984 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1984 NCAA Division I-A football season. The campaign was Charley Pell's sixth and last as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team, as he was forced to resign three games into the season after the release of an NCAA report detailing numerous recruiting and other rules violations committed during his tenure at Florida. Offensive coordinator Galen Hall had been hired the previous summer and was not implicated in the scandal, so he was named interim head coach.

After starting the season 1–1–1 under Pell, the Gators went 8–0 under Hall to post a 9–1–1 overall record, including 5–0–1 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and Hall was named the SEC Coach of the Year. Florida was ranked #3 in the final Associated Press poll - the highest finish in program history up to that time - and were declared national champions by several selectors, including the New York Times computer poll[1] and The Sporting News. However, due to NCAA sanctions, the Gators were not permitted to participate in a bowl game.

Florida led the SEC in both points scored (31 points per game) and points allowed (15.5 points per game). The balanced offense featured freshman quarterback and SEC Player of the Year Kerwin Bell, three running backs who would be NFL first round draft picks in John L. Williams, Neal Anderson, and Lorenzo Hampton, and another future first round pick in freshman wide receiver Ricky Nattiel. The offensive line was dubbed "The Great Wall of Florida" and featured several all-conference lineman, including yet another future first round pick in tackle Lomas Brown, helping Florida lead the conference in rushing with 240 yards per game. The defense featured two consensus all-conference players in noseguard Tim Newton and linebacker Alonzo Johnson.[2][3][4]

No Florida football squad had ever been undefeated in the SEC or had won a conference championship, so there was much rejoicing in Gainesville when the 1984 team clinched the best record in the league in November.[5] However, due to the NCAA violations committed under Pell, the title was retroactively vacated in May 1985 by a vote of the presidents of the SEC schools.

Florida would again top the conference standings in 1985 but had been declared ineligible for the SEC championship before the season began. The program did not win an officially recognized SEC football championship until 1991.[5]

## Schedule

[edit]

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

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September 1| vs. No. 10 Miami (FL)*| No. 17|

* Tampa Stadium
* Tampa, FL (rivalry)

| ESPN| L 20–32| 72,813| [6]
September 8| LSU| |

* Florida Field
* Gainesville, FL (rivalry)

| TBS| T 21–21| 70,197| [7]
September 15| Tulane*| |

* Florida Field
* Gainesville, FL

| | W 63–21| 65,265| [8]
September 29| Mississippi State| |

* Florida Field
* Gainesville, FL

| | W 27–12| 68,186| [9]
October 6| Syracuse*| |

* Florida Field
* Gainesville, FL

| | W 16–0| 70,189| [10]
October 13| at Tennessee| No. 18|

* Neyland Stadium
* Knoxville, TN (rivalry)

| | W 43–30| 94,016| [11]
October 20| Cincinnati*| No. 17|

* Florida Field
* Gainesville, FL

| | W 48–17| 73,690| [12]
November 3| No. 11 Auburn| No. 13|

* Florida Field
* Gainesville, FL (rivalry)

| ABC| W 24–3| 74,397| [13]
November 10| vs. No. 8 Georgia| No. 10|

* Gator Bowl Stadium
* Jacksonville, FL (rivalry)

| CBS| W 27–0| 82,349| [14]
November 17| at Kentucky| No. 5|

* Commonwealth Stadium
* Lexington, KY (rivalry)

| TBS| W 25–17| 52,823| [15]
December 1| at No. 12 Florida State*| No. 3|

* Doak Campbell Stadium
* Tallahassee, FL (rivalry)

| ABC| W 27–17| 58,930| [16]

* *Non-conference game
* Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
* Source: [4]

## Personnel

[edit]

1984 Florida Gators football team roster

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

|
|
|

RB | `27` | Neal Anderson | Jr
QB | `12` | Kerwin Bell | Fr
QB | `` | Rodney Brewer
OL | `` | Phil Bromley
OL | `` | Lomas Brown
RB | `` | Reggie Corlew
OL | `` | Jimmy Davis
OL | `` | Jack Gerzina
RB | `` | Lorenzo Hampton
RB | `` | Joe Henderson
OL | `60` | Billy Hinson
TE | `` | Rodney Jones
OL | `` | Crawford Ker
RB | `` | James Massey
WR | `` | Ray McDonald
WR | `89` | Ricky Nattiel | So
WR | `21` | Frankie Neal | So
TE | `` | Walter Odom
TE | `` | Duncan Parham
TE | `` | Tom Peddle
WR | `` | Gary Rolle
WR | `` | Linzey Smith
WR | `` | Bret Wiechmann
RB | `` | Anthony Williams
FB | `22` | John L. Williams | Jr
OL | `` | Jeff Zimmerman
Defense | Pos. | # | Name | Class

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|
|

LB | `` | Scott Armstrong
S | `` | Vernell Brown
DT | `` | Tommy Duhart
DB | `` | Ricky Easmon
DL | `` | Sam Garland
LB | `` | Alonzo Johnson
LB | `` | Mark Korff
LB | `` | Patrick Miller
LB | `` | Alonzo Mitz
LB | `` | Ron Moten
DL | `` | Tim Newton
LB | `` | Leon Pennington
DB | `` | Roger Sibbald
DB | `` | Curtis Stacey
DT | `` | Don Tinny
DB | `` | Adrian White
CB | `` | Jarvis Williams
DL | `` | Keith Williams
Special teams | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

P | `` | Ray Criswell
P | `` | David Nadone
K | `` | Chris Perkins
K | `` | Bobby Raymond | Sr

Head coach

* Charley Pell (first three games)
* Galen Hall (remaining eight games)

Coordinators/assistant coaches

* Galen Hall (OC)
* Joe Kines (DC)
* Mike Heimerdinger (WR)
* Charlie Strong (GA)
* Gunnar Paulson (GA)

* * *

Legend

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

* Injured
* Redshirt

## Game summaries

[edit]

### Vs. Miami (FL)

[edit]

#10 Miami (FL) vs. #17 Florida

Team | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

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• Hurricanes | 3 | 13| 3| 13 | 32
Gators | 3 | 7| 3| 7 | 20

* Date: September 1
* Location: Tampa Stadium, Tampa, FL
* Television network: ESPN

Scoring summary

1| | MIA| Cox 29-yard field goal| MIA 3–0
1| | FLA| Raymond 44-yard field goal| Tie 3–3
2| | FLA| Hampton 64-yard run (Raymond kick)| FLA 10–3
2| | MIA| Cox 20-yard field goal| FLA 10–6
2| | MIA| Oliver 21-yard run (Cox kick)| MIA 13–10
2| | MIA| Cox 27-yard field goal| MIA 16–10
3| | MIA| Cox 25-yard field goal| MIA 19–10
3| | FLA| Raymond 30-yard field goal| MIA 19–13
4| 0:41| FLA| Neal 5-yard pass from Bell (Raymond kick)| FLA 20–19
4| 0:07| MIA| Brown 12-yard pass from Kosar (Cox kick)| MIA 26–20
4| 0:00| MIA| Bain 59-yard interception return| MIA 32–20

See also: 1984 Miami Hurricanes football team and Florida–Miami football rivalry

The Florida Gators opened the 1984 season with a neutral site clash at Tampa Stadium against their in-state rival and defending national champion Miami Hurricanes. The game was nationally televised by ESPN as the second game of a double-header on the network's first day broadcasting live college football.

Redshirt freshman Kerwin Bell unexpectedly became Florida's starting quarterback four days before the game when senior Dale Dorminey suffered a serious knee injury in practice. Supported by an effective rushing attack, Bell played well in his first collegiate appearance, and the game was close throughout. With his team down by six points late in the fourth quarter, Bell led the Gators on a long drive that culminated with a touchdown pass that gave them a 20-19 lead with under a minute remaining.[17][18] However, Miami senior quarterback Bernie Kosar quickly led the Hurricanes down the field and threw a responding touchdown pass with six seconds left, putting Miami back ahead 26-20. The Gators lined up for one last play deep in their own territory with one second left. Bell threw a Hail Mary pass that was intercepted by Miami defensive back Tolbert Bain and returned for touchdown as time expired, giving Miami a 32–20 victory and covering the point spread, as the Hurricanes had been a 6.5 point favorite.[19]

### At Tennessee

[edit]

See also: 1984 Tennessee Volunteers football team and Florida–Tennessee football rivalry

Florida Gators (3–1–1) at Tennessee Volunteers (2–1–1)

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Florida | 13 | 10 | 0| 20| 43
Tennessee | 10 | 3 | 3| 14| 30

at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee

* Date: October 13
* Game weather: Sunny
* Game attendance: 94,016
* [20]

Game information

First quarter

* UT – Tim McGee 52-yard pass from Tony Robinson (Fuad Reveiz kick). Tennessee 7–0. Drive:
* FLA – Frankie Neal 50-yard pass from Kerwin Bell (Bobby Raymond kick), 1:28. Tie 7–7. Drive:
* UT – Fuad Reveiz 26-yard field goal. Tennessee 10–7. Drive:
* FLA – Neal Anderson 80-yard run (kick failed). Florida 13–10. Drive:

Second quarter

* UT – Fuad Reveiz 40-yard field goal. Tie 13–13. Drive:
* FLA – Chris Perkins 51-yard field goal. Florida 16–13. Drive:
* FLA – Ricky Nattiel 8-yard run (Bobby Raymond kick). Florida 23–13. Drive: 16 plays.

Third quarter

* UT – Fuad Reveiz 35-yard field goal. Florida 23–16. Drive:

Fourth quarter

* FLA – Bobby Raymond 42-yard field goal. Florida 26–16. Drive:
* FLA – Bobby Raymond 41-yard field goal. Florida 29–16. Drive:
* UT – Joey Clinkscales 48-yard pass from Tony Robinson (Fuad Reveiz kick). Florida 29–23. Drive:
* FLA – Ray McDonald 13-yard pass from Kerwin Bell (Bobby Raymond kick). Florida 36–23. Drive:
* UT – Johnnie Jones 4-yard run (Fuad Reveiz kick), 7:23. Florida 36–30. Drive:
* FLA – John L. Williams 47-yard run (Bobby Raymond kick), 0:54. Florida 43–30. Drive:

Top passers

* FLA – Kerwin Bell – 9/12, 201 yards, 2 TD, INT
* UT – Tony Robinson – 29/43, 371 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

* FLA – Neal Anderson – 23 rushes, 178 yards, TD
* UT – Johnnie Jones – 17 rushes, 94 yards, TD

Top receivers

* FLA – John L. Williams – 4 receptions, 96 yards
* UT – Tim McGee – 10 receptions, 157 yards, TD

|

* John L. Williams led the team in receiving and added 100 yards on the ground.
* The game featured 1,060 total yards and 47 first downs.

### Vs. Georgia

[edit]

See also: 1984 Georgia Bulldogs football team and Florida–Georgia football rivalry

After suffering several defeats to the Bulldogs with a conference championship at stake, the Gators entered the rivalry game in Jacksonville undefeated in the SEC. The Gators dominated early, building a 17–0 lead by early in the second half. Georgia seemed to come alive in the third quarter, mounting a long time-consuming drive into Florida territory. However, they were stopped near Florida's goal line on a fourth down play, giving the Gators the ball inside their own one yard line. On the third play following the change of possession, Gator quarterback Kerwin Bell dropped back into his own end zone and lofted a long pass down the sideline to wide receiver Ricky Nattiel, who went 96 yards for a touchdown. Florida regained the momentum and went on to win 27–0, their largest margin of victory in the series at the time.

### Kentucky

[edit]

Team | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

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• Florida | 3 | 9| 7| 6 | 25
Kentucky | 3 | 0| 7| 7 | 17

* Date: November 17
* Game attendance: 52,823

Scoring summary

Q1| | FLA| Raymond 30 yard field goal| FLA 3–0
Q1| | KEN| Worley 50 yard field goal| Tie 3–3
Q2| | FLA| Raymond 38 yard field goal| FLA 6–3
Q2| | FLA| Raymond 27 yard field goal| FLA 9–3
Q2| | FLA| Raymond 30 yard field goal| FLA 12–3
Q3| | KEN| Phillips 7 yard pass from Ransdell (Worley kick)| FLA 12–10
Q3| | FLA| Neal 9 yard pass from Bell (Raymond kick)| FLA 19–10
Q4| | FLA| Raymond 36 yard field goal| FLA 22–10
Q4| | KEN| Phillips 8 yard pass from Ransdell (Worley kick)| FLA 22–17
Q4| | FLA| Raymond 43 yard field goal| FLA 25–17

[21]

## Postseason

[edit]

Despite winning the SEC title, the Gators were barred from going to the 1985 Sugar Bowl due to the violations committed under Pell; runner-up LSU went in their place.[22] On May 30, 1985, the presidents of the ten SEC-member universities voted 6–4 to vacate the Gators' 1984 SEC title and declared the team ineligible for the SEC championship during the upcoming 1985 and 1986 seasons because of the rule violations committed under Pell. The retroactive vacating of the 1984 championship, six months after the 1984 football season ended, drew an angry response from University of Florida president Marshall Criser, as well as Gators coaches, players and fans due to the retroactive nature of the decision and its perceived unfairness.[23]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ White Jr., Gordon S. (January 3, 1985). "Brigham Young Is Voted Top Team in Major Polls — Times Places Cougars 10th". The New York Times. p. B11. "The New York Times's final computer ranking, which places emphasis on the quality of a given team's opposition, had Florida (9-1-1) in first place, Boston College (10-2) second, Washington (11-1) fifth and Brigham Young (13-0) 10th. But where opinion counted more than microchips, Brigham Young swept the other contenders."
2. ^ Carlson, Norm. "The Great Wall of Florida". University of Florida Athletic Association. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
3. ^ "1984 Southeastern Conference Year Summary". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
4. ^ a b 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide Archived December 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 107 (2015). Retrieved August 16, 2015.
5. ^ a b Dooley, Pat (November 20, 2009). "Do not forget 1984, UF football's first SEC title". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
6. ^ "Kosar colossal in 32–20 UM win over Gators". The Bradenton Herald. September 2, 1984. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
7. ^ "Florida, LSU scrap to 21–21 tie". The Tennessean. September 9, 1984. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
8. ^ "Gators wipe out Green Wave". The Orlando Sentinel. September 16, 1984. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
9. ^ "Gators drop Mississippi St., 27–12". The Miami Herald. September 30, 1984. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
10. ^ "Florida dejuices the Orange, 16–0". The Sunday Press. October 7, 1984. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
11. ^ "Bombs away! Gators burn Vols 43–30". News-Press. October 14, 1984. Retrieved October 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
12. ^ "Gators cool, confident during 48–17 victory". The Palm Beach Post. October 21, 1984. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
13. ^ "Gators take giant step, 24–3 over Auburn". St. Petersburg Times. November 4, 1984. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
14. ^ "Bulldogs' missed opportunity ends Florida's frustrations". Anderson Independent-Mail. November 11, 1984. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
15. ^ "Gators get the glory". The Messenger-Inquirer. November 18, 1984. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
16. ^ "Hall: We are the best team in the nation". St. Lucie News Tribune. December 2, 1984. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
17. ^ Paul Jenkins, "Dale Dorminey: guy who made Kerwin Bell famous," Lakeland Ledger, p. 1D (September 13, 1987). Retrieved February 13, 2016.
18. ^ White, Gordon (September 2, 1984). "LAST-MINUTE RALLY LIFTS MIAMI, 32-20". New York Times. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
19. ^ Hooper, Ernest (August 21, 2019). "Miyagi's wisdom, Kerwin Bell's fearlessness highlighted memorable day". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
20. ^ Gainesville Sun. 1984 Oct 14. Pg. 8F. Retrieved 2020-Dec-05.
21. ^ Gainesville Sun. 1984 Nov 18. Retrieved 2017-Sep-03.
22. ^ "Commentary : What's Florida's Problem? Give the Title Back". latimes.
23. ^ Associated Press, "SEC Presidents swipe Florida of football title", Times Daily, p. 5B (May 31, 1985). See also "Gators Stripped of SEC Title", The Palm Beach Post, pp. A1 & A5 (May 31, 1985). Both retrieved May 5, 2011.

* 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
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* 1924
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* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
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* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
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* 1943
* 1944
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* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
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* 1954
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* 1957
* 1958
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* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
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* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
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* 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
* t
* e

Southeastern Conference football champions

* Alabama (1933)
* Alabama & Tulane (1934)
* LSU (1935)
* LSU (1936)
* Alabama (1937)
* Tennessee (1938)
* Georgia Tech, Tennessee, & Tulane (1939)
* Tennessee (1940)
* Mississippi State (1941)
* Georgia (1942)
* Georgia Tech (1943)
* Georgia Tech (1944)
* Alabama (1945)
* Georgia & Tennessee (1946)
* Ole Miss (1947)
* Georgia (1948)
* Tulane (1949)
* Kentucky (1950)
* Georgia Tech & Tennessee (1951)
* Georgia Tech (1952)
* Alabama (1953)
* Ole Miss (1954)
* Ole Miss (1955)
* Tennessee (1956)
* Auburn (1957)
* LSU (1958)
* Georgia (1959)
* Ole Miss (1960)
* Alabama & LSU (1961)
* Ole Miss (1962)
* Ole Miss (1963)
* Alabama (1964)
* Alabama (1965)
* Alabama & Georgia (1966)
* Tennessee (1967)
* Georgia (1968)
* Tennessee (1969)
* LSU (1970)
* Alabama (1971)
* Alabama (1972)
* Alabama (1973)
* Alabama (1974)
* Alabama (1975)
* Georgia (1976)
* Alabama (1977)
* Alabama (1978)
* Alabama (1979)
* Georgia (1980)
* Alabama & Georgia (1981)
* Georgia (1982)
* Auburn (1983)
* Florida (1984) vacated
* Tennessee (1985)
* LSU (1986)
* Auburn (1987)
* Auburn & LSU (1988)
* Alabama, Auburn, & Tennessee (1989)
* Tennessee (1990)
* Florida (1991)
* Alabama (1992)
* Florida (1993)
* Florida (1994)
* Florida (1995)
* Florida (1996)
* Tennessee (1997)
* Tennessee (1998)
* Alabama (1999)
* Florida (2000)
* LSU (2001)
* Georgia (2002)
* LSU (2003)
* Auburn (2004)
* Georgia (2005)
* Florida (2006)
* LSU (2007)
* Florida (2008)
* Alabama (2009)
* Auburn (2010)
* LSU (2011)
* Alabama (2012)
* Auburn (2013)
* Alabama (2014)
* Alabama (2015)
* Alabama (2016)
* Georgia (2017)
* Alabama (2018)
* LSU (2019)
* Alabama (2020)
* Alabama (2021)
* Georgia (2022)
* Alabama (2023)
* Georgia (2024)

National championships 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