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1996 Florida Gators football team

1996 Florida Gators football
Florida Gators script logo.svg
Consensus national champion
Sugar Bowl champion
SEC champion
Sugar Bowl, W 52–20 vs. Florida State
Conference Southeastern Conference
Division Eastern Division
Ranking
Coaches No. 1
AP No. 1
1996 record 12–1 (8–0 SEC)
Head coach Steve Spurrier (7th year)
Offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier
Offensive scheme Pro-set, multiple
Defensive coordinator Bob Stoops (1st year)
Base defense 4–3
Home stadium Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Seasons
« 1995 1997 »
1996 SEC football standings
Conf     Overall
Team   W   L         W   L  
Eastern Division
#1 Florida x$   8 0         12 1  
#9 Tennessee   7 1         10 2  
South Carolina   4 4         6 5  
Kentucky   3 5         4 7  
Georgia   3 5         5 6  
Vanderbilt   0 8         2 9  
Western Division
#11 Alabama xy   6 2         10 3  
#12 LSU x   6 2         10 2  
#24 Auburn   4 4         8 4  
Mississippi State   3 5         5 6  
Ole Miss   2 6         5 6  
Arkansas   2 6         4 7  
Championship: Florida 45, Alabama 30
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll
1 2 3 4 Total
SW Louisiana 0 0 14 7 21
Florida 7 28 7 13 55
  • Date: August 31
  • Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
  • Game attendance: 85,050
1 2 3 4 Total
Ga. Southern 7 0 7 0 14
Florida 14 21 20 7 62
  • Date: September 7
  • Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
  • Game attendance: 84,962
1 2 3 4 Total
Florida 14 21 0 0 35
Tennessee 0 6 10 13 29
External video
Tennessee game, YouTube video.
1 2 3 4 Total
Kentucky 0 0 0 0 0
Florida 21 20 17 7 65
  • Date: September 28
  • Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
  • Game attendance: 85,422

The 1996 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 1996 college football season. The 1996 season was the team's seventh under head coach Steve Spurrier. The Gators competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and played their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus.

The Gators posted a 12–1 record and won their fifth consecutive SEC Eastern Division title, their fourth straight SEC Championship Game, and their first national championship in team history, with a 52–20 Sugar Bowl rout of their in-state rivals, the Florida State Seminoles.

The Gators used coach Spurrier's pass-heavy "fun 'n gun" offense". Quarterback Danny Wuerffel won the Heisman Trophy. Wuerffel as well as his wide receivers Ike Hilliard and Reidel Anthony were consensus All-Americans.

The Gators started the season ranked fourth as they aimed for a fourth straight SEC title.

In the season opener at the Swamp, Florida beat Southwestern Louisiana 55–21.

Bob Stoops' Gator defense held the Cajuns scoreless in the first half, and scored four touchdowns (as much as the offense). Cornerback Fred Weary himself accounted for two touchdowns.


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