Wynn, who was in Urban Meyer's doghouse early in Meyer's tenure at Florida, carried the ball 8 times on the drive, picking up several key first downs to keep the clock running. However, Wynn was stopped on a 3rd and 8 play, for only 2yards. In the second quarter, with a touchdown pass from Chris Leak to Dallas Baker the Gators took a 103 lead. Both Gator PATs were blocked in the half. However, Arkansas came out firing in the second half. Follow us@GatorsWireon Twitter and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions. Punt returner Reggie Fish muffed the punt after trying to field it over his shoulder; the ball was recovered in the endzone by freshman Wondy Pierre-Louis, giving the Gators a 2421 lead.[23]. Freshman Tim Tebow continued his strong season, rushing for a 13-yard touchdown which proved to be the game winning score. Record: 9-4 (20th of 119) ( Schedule & Results ) Rank: 13th in the Final AP poll. The Gators used the game to give young players some playing time. A late field goal put Auburn up four points with just over 30seconds to go in the game. Leak would later be named the game's most valuable player. The Gators took the three point lead into the fourth quarter knowing with a win, they will have made their case to play in the BCS National Championship Game. Like in their other 3 SEC victories, the Gators fell behind in the first half, allowing an LSU touchdown drive after a fumble on the opening drive. The Gators' roster listed 109 players for their 2021 SEC finale at Missouri UF's last game under Dan Mullen. A lions share of them came during the various peaks of the program though some of them managed to make their mark by sheer brute determination during down years. With the swing in momentum, the Gators were again unable to score a touchdown and settled for another Hetland 40-yard field goal, pushing the Gator lead to 2714. Alabama finished the season with an overall record of 6-7 (2-6 in conference) but had all victories vacated by the NCAA in 2010. Leak threw three interceptions, all of which came with the Gators controlling the flow of the game. With the swing in momentum, the Gators were again unable to score a touchdown and settled for another Chris Hetland 40-yard field goal, pushing the Gator lead to 2714. Overall, the Gators finished with more points(62) than the Catamounts had yards (59). Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. On their next offensive possession, the Gators were determined to put the game out of reach. Chris Leak struggled throughout the game, going 18 of 25 passing for 237 yards and one touchdown. Florida drove to the Arkansas five yard line, when freshman sensation Tim Tebow came into the game. The Tigers' Early Doucet fumbled the second half kickoff into the end zone for a safety, which led to the long Tebow throw on the next drive. Faced with a fourth and 1 on the Ohio State 1-yard line, many fans knew what was coming. 5 in the AP and Coaches polls. Despite giving up four turnovers and forcing none, the Gators easily beat the spread for the second time this season. The game changed for good, on the next Ohio State possession. Tebow also converted a critical fourth down play inside Gator territory. David Williams played under Galen Hall from 1985 to 1988, earning the starting job his freshman year while racking up accolades alongside the Great Wall of Florida en route to induction as a Gator Great in 1999. 2006 Florida Gators Stats. Florida's defense again came up huge in the second half, when on the first play of the half, Georgia tailback Kregg Lumpkin fumbled the ball and defensive tackle Ray McDonald recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Gators a commanding 210 lead. In the second quarter, with a touchdown pass from Chris Leak to Ryan Williams the Gators took a 103 lead. Long Photography-USA TODAY Sports. Chris Leak's third pass attempt of the game was intercepted by the Golden Eagles, who scored on a 6-yard Damion Carter pass to Jeremy Young 3 plays later. He did, however, kick a 22-yard field goal.[19]. Coach Urban Meyer, who was coaching in his first national championship game, took a timeout to compose his team after the inauspicious start. Florida jumped out to an early 70 lead, but the Vols quickly took the momentum back when wide receiver Lucas Taylor threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to LaMarcus Coker. The Gators threatened to take the lead midway through the fourth until a controversial Leak fumble caused by Tray Blackmon of the Tigers gave Auburn the ball. Leak came back into the game, and continued his strong play, finding Dallas Baker again for a 21-yard touchdown pass which would eventually prove to be the game winning score. Florida football has a rich history of success on the offensive side of the line of scrimmage stretching back to the late 1960s when head coach Ray Graves assembled one of the best all-time teams to take the field for the Gators. Pre-season Unofficial Depth Chart: https://web.archive.org/web/20070929111019/http://www.gatorzone.com/football/media/2006/pdf/42.pdf, Statistics as of January 31, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20091222085829/http://www.gatorzone.com/football/history/2006/team.pdf. Florida fumbled. Coach Urban Meyer, who was coaching in his first national championship game, took a timeout to compose his team after the inauspicious start. Record: 13-1 (2nd of 119) (Schedule & Results), Bowl Game: Won BCS Championship 41-14 versus Ohio State, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Monday, May 1, 6:49AM. Troy Smith continued to have the worst game of his Buckeye career, as he was sacked for a 14-yard loss on the drive, putting Ohio State into a 3rd and 29-hole. 1998 - 2023 University Athletic Assoc., Inc., FOX Sports Sun & IMG College. Tennessee pulled ahead by six when James Wilhoit hit a 51-yard field goal early in the fourth. The Gators won their seventh SEC title by defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks 3828 in SEC Championship Game on December 2, 2006,[6] then defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 4114 in the BCS National Championship Game on January 8, 2007, beginning the SEC's streak of seven consecutive national championships. At halftime, in a stunning development, the second ranked USC Trojans lost in a shocking upset to rival UCLA. The Buckeyes however, remained composed. On the next Florida drive, Leak found game MVP Percy Harvin on a perfectly thrown 37-yard touchdown pass. On the next Florida drive, Leak found game MVP Percy Harvin on a perfectly thrown 37-yard touchdown pass. Freshman Tim Tebowthe backup quarterbackled the Gators in rushing for the second time in four games with 73 yards on six rushes. However, the Razorbacks came back with a touchdown of their own. The Gators competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and played their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus. The Gators quickly jumped out to a 60 lead on a trick play that led to a Chris Leak pass to Jemalle Cornelius for a touchdown just over two minutes into the game. An LSU field goal early in the fourth quarter would cut the Florida lead to 2310. But those miserable knees kept him from being drafted until the 15th round in 1972 and he never signed with Dallas, instead pursuing a law degree where he has done quite well. . Florida drove to the Arkansas five-yard line, when freshman sensation Tim Tebow came into the game. Coach Urban Meyer decided to run a fake punt on his own 15-yard line, which proved to be a good call, as receiver Jemalle Cornelius scampered for a 16-yard gain. The Gators came into the game favored by three points. It should be no surprise that the Gators send a lot of players to the NFL in the talent-rich state of Florida. Tebow added a more conventional touchdown pass to Louis Murphy early in the third quarter. Janoris Jenkins. Most Recent Games and Any Score Since 1869. Up 30, Chris Leak was called for a rare quarterback draw which he converted by fighting into the endzone, giving the Gators a 100 lead. Visiting Central Florida averaged just 2.6yards per play and 153 total yards in the game.[15]. Starting QB Chris Leak, despite going 17-of-26 passing, was held without a touchdown for the first time this season. On the following play, running back DeShawn Wynn rumbled in for a two yard touchdown, giving the Gators a stunning 217 lead. Spurrier had made two well-received public visits to the stadium earlier in the year as a part of the national championship anniversary celebration and to be enshrined in the Gators' Ring of Honor. He appealed the suspension, but missed the Kentucky game while awaiting word on the appeal. All Rights Reserved. It was the Gators' first shutout since blanking Mississippi State on September 29, 2001. The second half belonged entirely to the Tigers, as they shut Florida out in the half and blocked a punt for a score to take the lead by one point in the third quarter. Using their power running game, and a 13-yard scramble from Smith, the Buckeyes drove to the Gators' 18-yard line. Tebow added two touchdowns rushing along with 47 yards. Florida used a timeout to draw up a play for Tebow, who remained in the game. Former NFL star Aaron Hernandez is found dead in his prison cell. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. The following drive, Junior quarterback Erik Ainge threw an interception to Reggie Nelson to seal a Gator victory. Sports, President Bush Welcomes the 2006 NCAA Football Champion Florida Gators to the White House, Gators hold football and basketball titles, "Spurrier still a crowd favorite" - St. Pete Times, September 3, 2006, http://web.archive.org/web/20060721002429/http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Rankings/PrePreSeason_NationalTitleContenders.htm, SEC East spring recap - College Football - ESPN, Broncos select Jarvis Moss, Denverpost.com, http://web.archive.org/web/20070928083725/http://www.gatorsports.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060921/GATORS01/209210352, http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=262730057, ESPN College Gameday heading to Gainesville, http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-128021209611956091, Blocked field goal keeps title hopes alive, "Chance Nearly Slips Away, but Florida Makes Its Case", http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/03/sports/ncaafootball/03sec.html, ESPN - Florida Gators vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Play-by-Play, January 8, 2007 - NCAA College Football, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL (, Prince Hall 50 yard fumble return (Jamie Christensen kick), Kregg Lumpkin 9 yard run (Andy Bailey kick), Antwain Robinson 40 yard interception return (Jeremy Davis kick), Wondy Pierre-Louis recovered blocked punt in end zone (Chris Hetland kick), Percy Harvin 67 yard run (Chris Hetland kick), Felix Jones 29 yard pass from Cedric Washington (Jeremy Davis kick), Tim Tebow 1 yard run (Chris Hetland kick). Knowing this had sealed the win, Meyer began pumping his fist, and gesturing the Florida crowd to get noisy. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. A slough of freshman played, including Jarred Fayson, who saw time at quarterback and wide receiver. Meyer elected to go for it, and Leak passed to Harvin, who barely made the first down. Much to the displeasure of many Gator fans, Florida elected to send kicker Chris Hetland on to attempt a 40-yard field goal. The fourth ranked Gators took on the eighth ranked Arkansas Razorbacks in the 2006 SEC Championship Game. Percy Harvin. Jacquez Green was a key member of the 1996 national championship, as well as a first-team All-SEC selection, a consensus first-team All-American and a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award in 1997. Chris Leak's third pass attempt of the game was intercepted by the Golden Eagles, who scored on a 6-yard Damion Carter pass to Jeremy Young 3 plays later. [8], Most polls had Florida listed as one of the top 10 teams entering the season. Leak took a final knee on fourth down, ending his illustrious career as a Gator on top of the college football world. Sources: 2012 Florida Football Media Guide,[12] and GatorZone.com.[13]. Read more about the Orange and Blue at Gators Wire. Jeff Zimmerman was a stalwart on the O-line for Florida as a member of the group known as the Great Wall of Florida that terrorized D-lines during the 1980s. ); : Adam Dubbin. The victory catapulted the Gators over second ranked Michigan in the BCS standings, giving the Gators the right to play Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game.[24]. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. The Wildcats took the lead briefly with a touchdown with under two minutes to play in the half, but the Gators responded with a touchdown of their own on a DeShawn Wynn run with :26 left in the half to take a 127 lead. All rights reserved. Florida had great field position, following a personal foul penalty on Ohio State. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Since then, three Heisman Trophies have arrived in Gainesville while another UF alumnus earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.