2001 Florida Gators football team

2001 Florida Gators football
Orange Bowl champions
Orange Bowl, W 56–23 vs. Maryland
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionEastern Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 3
APNo. 3
Record10–2 (6–2 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive schemeFun and gun
Defensive coordinatorJon Hoke (3rd season)
Base defense4–3
Captain
4
Home stadiumBen Hill Griffin Stadium
(Capacity: 83,000)[1]
Seasons
← 2000
2002 →
2001 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Eastern Division
No. 4 Tennessee x   7 – 1     11 – 2  
No. 3 Florida  %   6 – 2     10 – 2  
No. 13 South Carolina   5 – 3     9 – 3  
No. 22 Georgia   5 – 3     8 – 4  
Kentucky   1 – 7     2 – 9  
Vanderbilt   0 – 8     2 – 9  
Western Division
No. 7 LSU xy$   5 – 3     10 – 3  
Auburn x   5 – 3     7 – 5  
Ole Miss   4 – 4     7 – 4  
Alabama   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Arkansas   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Mississippi State   2 – 6     3 – 8  
Championship: LSU 31, Tennessee 20
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2001 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2001 college football season. The Gators competed in Division I-A of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), playing their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus.

They were coached by Steve Spurrier, who posted an overall win–loss record of 10–2 (.833) for his twelfth and final season before departing to the National Football League (NFL). Spurrier led the Gators to a 56–23 Orange Bowl victory over the Maryland Terrapins in his final game.

Sophomore quarterback Rex Grossman threw for over 4,000 yards and was Heisman Trophy runner-up. Grossman, wide receiver Jabar Gaffney and defensive end Alex Brown were consensus All-Americans. Brown's 33 sacks is still a school record for a career.[2]

Before the season

[edit]

The Gators were ranked preseason No. 1.[3]

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 17:15 p.m.Marshall*No. 1
ESPN2W 49–1485,445
September 86:00 p.m.Louisiana–Monroe*No. 2
  • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
  • Gainesville, FL
PPVW 55–685,011
September 2212:30 p.m.at KentuckyNo. 2
JPSW 44–1066,126
September 293:30 p.m.No. 21 Mississippi StateNo. 2
  • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
  • Gainesville, FL
CBSW 52–085,579
October 62:30 p.m.at No. 18 LSUNo. 2
CBSW 44–1592,010
October 136:45 p.m.at AuburnNo. 1
ESPNL 20–2386,063
October 273:30 p.m.vs. No. 15 GeorgiaNo. 6
CBSW 24–1084,401
November 312:30 p.m.VanderbiltdaggerNo. 4
  • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
  • Gainesville, FL
JPSW 71–1385,052
November 107:45 p.m.at No. 14 South CarolinaNo. 4
ESPNW 54–1784,900
November 178:00 p.m.No. 20 Florida State*No. 4
  • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
  • Gainesville, FL (rivalry)
CBSW 37–1385,732
December 14:30 p.m.No. 5 TennesseeNo. 2
CBSL 32–3485,771
January 2, 20028:00 p.m.vs. No. 6 Maryland*No. 5
ABCW 56–2373,640
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Sources: 2012 Florida Football Media Guide,[2] and GatorZone.com.[4]

September 11 impact The annual rivalry game with Tennessee scheduled for September 15, was rescheduled to the final week of the regular season as a result of the September 11 attacks.

Season summary

[edit]
Alex Brown while on the Bears.

Marshall

[edit]
Marshall at Florida
1 234Total
Marshall 0 068 14
• Florida 21 14014 49
Scoring summary
17:02FLAEarnest Graham 7-yard run (Brendt Talcott kick)FLA 7-0
15:49FLAEarnest Graham 6-yard run (Brendt Talcott kick)FLA 14-0
21:33FLAReche Caldwell 28-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Brendt Talcott kick)FLA 21-0
24:18FLAR. Gillespie 27-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Brendt Talcott kick)FLA 28-0
20:32FLATaylor Jacobs 64-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Brendt Talcott kick)FLA 78-0
36:30MARDarius Watts 62-yard pass from Byron Leftwich (Curtis Head kick failed)FLA 35-6
414:13FLAEarnest Graham 1-yard run (Brendt Talcott kick)FLA 42-6
45:53MARC. Rodgers 2-yard run (Darius Watts pass)FLA 42-14
42:42FLACarlos Perez 25-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Brendt Talcott kick)FLA 49-14

The season opened at night in the Swamp on September 1 with a 49–14 triumph over quarterback Byron Leftwich and the Marshall Thundering Herd.[5]

Rex Grossman had a career-high in passing yards by halftime, including a 64-yard touchdown reception by Taylor Jacobs.[6]

The defense also played well as Alex Brown and linebacker Andra Davis had two sacks each.[6]

Louisiana–Monroe

[edit]
Louisiana–Monroe at Florida
1 234Total
La.-Monroe 6 000 6
• Florida 7 31143 55
Scoring summary
113:30ULMBrown, Ivory 2-yard run (Francis, Daniel kick failed)ULM 6-0
12:53FLAEarnest Graham 12-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 7-6
214:20FLAReche Caldwell 16-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 14-6
211:15FLAJabar Gaffney 10-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 21-6
29:18FLAJabar Gaffney 24-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 28-6
27:58FLAR. Gillespie 1-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 35-6
20:00FLAJeff Chandler 29-yard field goalFLA 38-6
36:21FLAEarnest Graham 3-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 45-6
30:11FLARob Roberts 3-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 52-6
43:23FLABrendt Talcott 28-yard field goalFLA 55-6

In the second week of play, the Gators overwhelmed the Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks 55–6.[7] Grossman passed for 331 yards and three touchdowns, including two thrown to Jabar Gaffney.[8]

Grossman fumbled the game's first exchange from center, and Louisiana-Monroe capitalized on the opportunity when it scored the game's first touchdown.[8] "It was just an awkward start." said Grossman.[8]

As usual, the Gators and Tennessee Volunteers were slated to meet on the 3rd Saturday of September. However, the SEC canceled all games on the weekend following the September 11 attacks, and all contests were rescheduled for December 1, 2001, requiring the SEC Championship Game to be pushed back a week as well.

Rex Grossman with the Redskins.

Kentucky

[edit]
Florida at Kentucky
1 234Total
• Florida 7 91414 44
Kentucky 0 370 10
  • Date: September 22
  • Location: Commonwealth Stadium
  • Game start: 12:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 66,126
  • Television network: JP
Scoring summary
19:47FLAJabar Gaffney 29-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 7-0
214:38UKS. Scaldaferri 41-yard field goalFLA 7-3
29:48FLATaylor Jacobs 6-yard pass from Rex Grossman (UF Team rush failed)FLA 13-3
20:00FLAJeff Chandler 39-yard field goalFLA 16-3
33:27FLAJabar Gaffney 4-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 23-3
31:30UKChase Harp 2-yard pass from Shane Boyard (S. Scaldaferri kick)FLA 23-10
30:28FLAEarnest Graham 50-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 30-10
48:47FLAR. Gillespie 52-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 37-10
46:42FLAReche Caldwell 64-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 44-10

Florida traveled to Lexington and beat the Kentucky Wildcats 44–10.[9] Grossman passed for 302 yards and four touchdowns.[10]

The Gators struggled early and led just 16–3 at the half, but eventually thrashed the Wildcats with four touchdowns in the second half.[11]

After Kentucky made a touchdown, Earnest Graham sprung lose for a 50-yard touchdown run in the third period to go up 30–10.[11]

Mississippi State

[edit]
Mississippi State at Florida
1 234Total
Miss St 0 000 0
• Florida 21 14710 52
Scoring summary
111:05FLARex Grossman 1-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 7-0
15:09FLAReche Caldwell 20-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 14-0
11:54FLAAaron Walker 5-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 21-0
26:37FLAReche Caldwell 14-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 28-0
22:24FLATaylor Jacobs 60-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 35-0
35:04UKBen Troupe 16-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 42-0
412:02FLAJeff Chandler 46-yard field goalFLA 45-0
41:45FLAKelvin Kight 23-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 52-0

The following week, Florida avenged last year's loss to the 21st-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs by shutting them out 52–0.[12] Grossman had 317 yards passing in just the first half.[13] The Gators had 640 yards of total offense on the day, the most in school history for an SEC game.[13]

Grossman passed for 393 yards and five touchdowns in total,[14] becoming the first Florida quarterback to throw for 300 yards in four straight games.[15]

Andra Davis, who missed last year's game, excelled on the defensive side of the ball from his linebacker position with eight tackles and a fumble recovery.[15]

LSU

[edit]
Florida at LSU
1 234Total
• Florida 21 6314 44
LSU 3 606 15
  • Date: October 6
  • Location: Tiger Stadium
  • Game start: 2:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 92,010
  • Television network: CBS
Scoring summary
111:59FLATaylor Jacobs 13-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 7-0
17:29LSUJohn Corbello 44-yard field goalFLA 7-3
15:19FLAReche Caldwell 34-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 14-3
14:33FLAJabar Gaffney 63-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick))FLA 21-3
212:58LSUL. Toefield 2-yard run (John Corbello kick blocked)FLA 21-9
29:48FLAJabar Gaffney 7-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick failed)FLA 27-9
34:20FLAJeff Chandler 42-yard field goalFLA 30-9
414:54FLAAaron Walker 5-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 37-9
42:32FLAKelvin Kight 8-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 44-9
40:42LSUDomanick Davis 1-yard run (John Corbello kick blocked)FLA 88-15

In Baton Rouge, the Gators defeated the eighteenth-ranked LSU Tigers 44–15.[16] Grossman threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns in just the first half, and by game's end had a school-record 464 yards.[17]

Florida finished with 632 yards of total offense.[17] LSU quarterback Rohan Davey left the game with a hyperextended knee.[17]

"I thought he was a serious candidate for the Heisman Trophy before we played them", said LSU coach Nick Saban, "Now I'm convinced of it."[17] "I think he is a tremendous quarterback" echoed LSU safety Ryan Clark.[17]

Auburn

[edit]
Florida at Auburn
1 234Total
Florida 3 377 20
• Auburn 3 7013 23
  • Date: October 13
  • Location: Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Game start: 6:45 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 86,063
  • Television network: ESPN
Scoring summary
111:24FLAJeff Chandler 45-yard field goalFLA 3-0
19:39AUBDamon Duval 45-yard field goal3-3
211:03AUBDaniel Cobb 1-yard run (Damon Duval kick)AUB 10-3
20:21FLAJeff Chandler 32-yard field goalAUB 10-6
37:48FLAReche Caldwell 20-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 13-10
414:55AUBChris Butler 2-yard run (Damon Duval kick)AUB 17-13
412:27AUBDamon Duval 32-yard field goalAUB 20-13
412:09FLAJabar Gaffney 80-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)20-20
40:10AUBDamon Duval 44-yard field goalAUB 23-20

Coach Tommy Tuberville's unranked Auburn Tigers upset the top-ranked Gators 23–20. The Tigers were 21-point underdogs when they met the Gators at Jordan–Hare Stadium.[18]

Gators quarterback Rex Grossman completed twenty-five of forty-two passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw four interceptions.[19] The Gators dominated statistically, but the Tigers' bend-but-don't-break defense held the Gators rushing game to negative yardage.[18]

Tigers back-up quarterback Daniel Cobb was not so flashy, but played mistake-free football, and the game was tied at 20 late in the fourth quarter.[18] With 10 seconds left, Tigers placekicker Damon Duval nailed a 44-yard field goal and the Tigers upset the Gators.[18][20]

Georgia

[edit]
Florida–Georgia
1 234Total
Georgia 3 700 10
• Florida 10 707 24
  • Date: October 27
  • Location: ALLTEL Stadium
  • Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 84,401
  • Television network: CBS
Scoring summary
111:00UGABilly Bennett 42-yard field goalUGA 3-0
15:23FLAJeff Chandler 32-yard field goal3-3
11:46FLAJabar Gaffney 21-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 10-3
27:32UGAJasper Sanks 3-yard run (Billy Bennett kick)10-10
20:46FLARex Grossman 1-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 17-10
49:12FLAReche Caldwell 30-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 24-10

Florida defeated Georgia 24–10 in the annual rivalry game,[21] overcoming four turnovers and twelve penalties.[22] Grossman passed for 407 yards.[22] Earnest Graham rushed for 131 yards.[22]

The Bulldogs missed a field goal and failed to convert three fourth downs in the second half.[22] The lone score of the second half was a 30-yard touchdown pass to Reche Caldwell. Florida moved into a first-place tie with Tennessee.[22]

Vanderbilt

[edit]
Vanderbilt at Florida
1 234Total
Vanderbilt 0 0013 13
• Florida 24 13286 71
Scoring summary
113:44FLAEarnest Graham 2-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 7-0
111:51FLAEarnest Graham 5-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 14-0
16:16FLAJabar Gaffney 7-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 21-0
11:29FLAJeff Chandler 37-yard field goalFLA 24-0
212:35FLATaylor Jacobs 13-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick))FLA 31-0
20:07FLAReche Caldwell 18-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick failed)FLA 37-0
314:02FLAAndra Davis 25-yard interception return (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 44-0
310:06FLATaylor Jacobs 2-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Brendt Talcott kick)FLA 51-0
36:17FLAWillie Green 5-yard run (Brendt Talcott kick)FLA 58-0
30:00FLACarlos Perez 15-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Brendt Talcott kick)FLA 65-0
48:31FLAKirk Wells 6-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Matt Leach kick failed)FLA 71-0
45:05VANBenji Walker 27-yard run (Chuck Folino kick)FLA 71-7
40:00VANBenji Walker 2-yard run (Chuck Folino kick blocked)FLA 71-13

At homecoming, Florida crushed the Vanderbilt Commodores 71–13.[23] The Gators never punted, and forced five turnovers.[24] They were up 71–0 in the fourth quarter and still tossing passes, amassing 571 total yards in all.[25] Eleven Gators got receptions, and Taylor Jacobs had a breakout game.[24]

Playing just in the first half, Grossman threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns.[24] Backup quarterback Brock Berlin threw three more in the second.[25]

South Carolina

[edit]
Florida at South Carolina
1 234Total
• Florida 10 171314 54
S. Carolina 10 007 17
Scoring summary
112:11SCARDerek Watson 7-yard run (Daniel Weaver kick)SCAR 7-0
19:07FLAJeff Chandler 42-yard field goalSCAR 7-3
15:12SCARDaniel Weaver 32-yard field goalSCAR 10-3
11:44FLAJabar Gaffney 11-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)10-10
212:15FLARex Grossman 1-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 17-10
21:44FLAJeff Chandler 36-yard field goalFLA 20-10
20:26FLAReche Caldwell 11-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 27-10
310:27FLAJeff Chandler 46-yard field goalFLA 30-10
33:52FLAJeff Chandler 44-yard field goalFLA 33-10
32:53FLATravis Carroll 24-yard interception return (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 40-10
411:19FLAJabar Gaffney 59-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 47-10
44:28SCARRyan Brewer 3-yard pass from D. Pinkins (Daniel Weaver kick)SCAR 47-17
42:28FLAKirk Wells 10-yard pass from Brock Berlin (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 54-17

In Columbia, the Gators routed the fourteenth-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks 54–17.[26] The game started shaky for the Gators as Lito Sheppard fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to an easy Gamecock score.[27] A touchdown pass to Jabar Gaffney late in the first quarter started the scoring barrage.[28]

Grossman had his ninth-consecutive 300-yard passing game,[29] and exceeded 5,000 yards passing for his career.[27]

Florida State

[edit]
Florida State at Florida
1 234Total
FSU 0 337 13
• Florida 7 13710 37
Scoring summary
16:33FLAEarnest Graham 2-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 7-0
214:46FLATaylor Jacobs 6-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 14-0
27:42FLAJeff Chandler 36-yard field goalFLA 17-0
21:04FLAJeff Chandler 38-yard field goalFLA 20-0
20:00FSUXavier Beitia 39-yard field goalFLA 20-3
36:23FSUXavier Beitia 23-yard field goalFLA 20-6
30:55FLARex Grossman 1-yard run (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 27-6
412:59FSUP.K. Sam 5-yard pass from Chris Rix (Xavier Beitia kick)FLA 27-13
48:15FLAJabar Gaffney 28-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Jeff Chandler kick)FLA 34-13
42:32FLAJeff Chandler 18-yard field goalFLA 37-13

Florida easily defeated the rival Florida State Seminoles 37–13.[30] However, the Gators' starting running back Earnest Graham had been controversially injured in Florida's win and was unable the next week to play against Tennessee.[31]

Graham and coach Spurrier accused Darnell Dockett of deliberately twisting Graham's knee, as well as stomping on Grossman's hand.[32][33] Graham even considered a lawsuit.[34] Dockett denied these charges.[35][36]

Tennessee

[edit]
Tennessee at Florida
1 234Total
• Tennessee 14 0713 34
Florida 0 2039 32

As the season progressed, the postponed game with Tennessee took on greater and greater importance. Each squad suffered only one close loss and entered the contest with Tennessee ranked No. 6 and Florida ranked No. 2. The winner was to represent the SEC East and face LSU in the SEC Championship. With a win in that game, the Gators or Vols were likely to receive an invitation to the Rose Bowl to face the undefeated Miami Hurricanes with a national title on the line.[37] Despite the teams' identical records and much to the chagrin of the Vols, the Gators were 17-and-a-half point favorites at kickoff.[38]

External videos
video icon Tennessee game, YouTube video.

The Volunteers went on to dash the Gators' national title hopes with a 34–32 upset, ending a 30-year winless drought against Florida in Gainesville.[39][40] The star of the game was Volunteer running back Travis Stephens, who rushed for 226 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries to lead the Vols' attack. Without Graham, Florida managed only 36 total yards on the ground. Gator quarterback Rex Grossman threw 51 times for 362 yards and two touchdowns, but his pass on a potentially game-tying two-point conversion attempt with just over a minute left in the 4th quarter fell incomplete.[n 1]

Orange Bowl (vs. Maryland)

[edit]
Main article: 2002 Orange Bowl
See also: 2001 Maryland Terrapins football team
Orange Bowl: #5 Florida Gators (9–2) vs. #6 Maryland Terrapins (10–1)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Florida 14 14 21756
Maryland 7 3 01323

at Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida

  • Date: January 2, 2002
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Clear, 71 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 73,640
  • Referee: James Sprenger
  • TV announcers (ABC): Brad Nessler and Bob Griese
  • Box Score
Game information

Florida was invited to the Orange Bowl, where they beat Maryland 56–23.[42][43]

Taylor Jacobs - MVP

Awards and honors

[edit]

Grossman was the Heisman Trophy runner-up to Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch,[44] in one of the trophy's closest ballots.[45][46] Many feel Grossman should have won.[47]

Both Crouch and Grossman made AP All-American.[48]

Spurrier's resignation

[edit]

In early January, Steve Spurrier said that he was resigning as Florida's head coach after 12 seasons.[49]

Personnel

[edit]
2001 Florida Gators football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
QB 7 Brock Berlin So
WR 17 Reche Caldwell Jr
RB 33 Ran Carthon So
OL 78 Jonathon Colon
QB 18 Jeff Creveling Fr
WR 10 Jabar Gaffney Jr
RB 20 Robert Gillespie Sr
RB 5 Earnest Graham Jr
RB 32 Willie Green
QB 8 Rex Grossman Jr
WR 15 Brian Haugabrook Sr
WR 19 Matt Jackson So
WR 6 Taylor Jacobs Jr
OL 54 David Jorgensen
WR 2 Kelvin Kight So
OL 72 Thomas Moody
OT 71 Mike Pearson Jr
WR 23 Carlos Perez So
RB 44 Rob Roberts
RB 39 Matt Sitter Sr
WR 11 O.J. Small So
RB 41 Ray Snell Fr
OL 75 Shannon Snell
OL 77 Max Starks
WR 89 Brian Stone Fr
TE 84 Ben Troupe So
TE 82 Aaron Walker Jr
TE 83 Kirk Wells Jr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DB 30 Bennie Alexander
DE 13 Alex Brown Sr
LB 55 Travis Carroll Sr
LB 45 Andra Davis Sr
DB 34 Daryl Dixon Jr
DL 35 Kennard Ellis
LB 43 Matt Farrior So
LB 42 Byron Hardman
S 26 Todd Johnson Jr
DL 98 Tron LaFavor
DL 86 Darrell Lee
S 4 Marquand Manuel Sr
DL 57 Bobby McCray
LB 59 Mike Nattiel Jr
DB 21 Lester Norwood
DB 1 Keiwan Ratliff So
DL 60 Bryan Savelio
DB 9 Guss Scott
DL 99 Ian Scott
CB 3 Lito Sheppard Jr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 49 Jeff Chandler Sr
P 14 Matt Leach Fr
K 93 Brent Talcott
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Jim Collins (ST/LB/Recruit Coord.)
  • Dwayne Dixon (WR)
  • Jon Hoke (AHC/DC/DB)
  • Lawson Holland (RB)
  • Ricky Hunley (DL)
  • Rob Glass (Str + Cond)
  • John Hunt (OL)
  • Jerry Odom (LB)
  • Jimmy Ray Stephens (OL/Run Game)
  • Buddy Teevens (Asst OC/TE)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster

Statistics

[edit]
  • QB Rex Grossman: 279/423 (66.0%) for 4,144 yards (9.80 YPA) with 38 TD vs. 12 INT (2.84%)
  • QB Brock Berlin: 47/79 (59.5%) for 679 yards (8.59 YPA) with 10 TD vs. 3 INT (3.80%)
  • RB Earnest Graham: 141 carries for 799 yards (5.67 YPC) with 11 TD. 12 catches for 129 yards (10.75 YPC) with 0 TD.
  • RB Robert Gillespie: 98 carries for 458 yards (4.67 YPC) with 2 TD. 45 catches for 474 yards (10.53 YPC) with 2 TD.
  • WR Jabar Gaffney: 74 catches for 1,309 yards (17.69 YPC) with 15 TD.
  • WR Reche Caldwell: 69 catches for 1,106 yards (16.03 YPC) with 10 TD.
  • WR Taylor Jacobs: 48 catches for 882 yards (18.38 YPC) with 9 TD.
  • K Jeff Chandler: 19 FGM and 54 XPM.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Ultimately, neither team would win any championships that season. UT was upset by LSU in the SEC Championship Game the following Saturday and missed their opportunity to play for a second national title in four years. The Vols ended up beating Michigan 45–17 in the Citrus Bowl.[41]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ University of Florida Sports Information Department. "Florida 2001 Media Guide" (PDF). floridagators.com. University Athletic Association, Inc. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  2. ^ a b 2012 Florida Football Media Guide Archived 2013-05-27 at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 113 & 116 (2012). Retrieved September 16, 2012.
  3. ^ "Floria Gators to smell the roses in January" (PDF). sportswriters.net. July 25, 2001.
  4. ^ GatorZone.com, Football, History, Florida Football 2001 Archived 2011-09-14 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
  5. ^ Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18.
  6. ^ a b PELLS, EDDIE. "Grossman, Gators reject Marshall plan – StAugustine.com". Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  7. ^ Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18.
  8. ^ a b c "La-Monroe Falls To Florida, 55-6". Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  9. ^ Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18.
  10. ^ BAILEY, STEVE. "No. 22 Florida 44, Kentucky 10 – StAugustine.com". Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Florida 44, Kentucky 10".
  12. ^ Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18.
  13. ^ a b "Football Shuts out #21 Mississippi State 52-0".
  14. ^ "NCAA Football – Mississippi State vs. Florida".
  15. ^ a b "Jacksonville.com: No. 2 Florida 52, No. 21 Mississippi St 0 9/29/01".
  16. ^ Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18.
  17. ^ a b c d e FOSTER, MARY. "Grossman breaks records, LSU – StAugustine.com". Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  18. ^ a b c d Associated Press, "Auburn stuns No. 1 Florida", The Toledo Blade, p. C4 (October 14, 2001). Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  19. ^ Associated Press, "Auburn stuns top-ranked Florida", The Register-Guard, p. 8G (October 14, 2001). Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  20. ^ Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18.
  21. ^ Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18.
  22. ^ a b c d e "NCAA Football – Georgia vs. Florida".
  23. ^ Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18.
  24. ^ a b c "Fun While It Lasted".
  25. ^ a b "NCAA Football – Vanderbilt vs. Florida".
  26. ^ Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18.
  27. ^ a b Dooley, Robbie Andreu/Pat. "No. 85 – FLORIDA 54, SOUTH CAROLINA 17
    Nov. 10, 2001"    .
  28. ^ IACOBELLI, PETE. "Gators smack South Carolina – StAugustine.com". Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  29. ^ "Florida Routs South Carolina". Associated Press. November 11, 2001 – via LA Times.
  30. ^ Gatorzone.com. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18.
  31. ^ Robbie Andreu (November 19, 2001). "Gators Graham:Hurt on Purpose?". Lakeland Ledger. p. 1C – via Google News Archive Search.
  32. ^ "Dockett Denies Injury Charge".
  33. ^ "Spurrier Rolls Tape On Graham's Injury". Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  34. ^ DiRocco, Michael. "UF's Graham may sue FSU's Dockett – Jacksonville.com".
  35. ^ "Dockett Denies Injury Accusations". Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  36. ^ "Darnell Dockett says 'get over' 2001 Earnest Graham incident". Archived from the original on August 26, 2016.
  37. ^ Lapointe, Joe (December 2, 2001). "COLLEGE FOOTBALL; For the National Title, It Will Be Miami Against Somebody". The New York Times.
  38. ^ "Vols offended at being labeled underdogs". Portsmouth Daily Times. December 1, 2001. p. B3 – via Google News Archive Search.
  39. ^ "NCAA Football – Tennessee vs. Florida".
  40. ^ "Gators Fall to Vols". Boca Raton News. December 2, 2001. p. 45 – via Google News Archive Search.
  41. ^ Rex Hoggard (January 2, 2002). "Out of their league". Toledo Blade. p. 1C – via Google News Archive Search.
  42. ^ "NCAA Football – Florida vs. Maryland". USA Today.
  43. ^ Gatorzone.com Archived 2015-09-06 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-Oct-18.
  44. ^ "2001 Heisman Trophy Voting - College Football at Sports-Reference.com".
  45. ^ Nolan, Lt Philip (July 16, 2012). "Heisman Trophy Snubs: The 2001 Dorsey/Grossman/Crouch Debate".
  46. ^ Hutchins, Andy (July 21, 2012). "How Two Plays Lost Rex Grossman The 2001 Heisman Trophy".
  47. ^ Wunderlich, David (March 1, 2016). "The 2001 Florida Gators Are a Great What-If Team".
  48. ^ "Crouch, Grossman top 2001 AP All-America team - chronicle.augusta.com". Associated Press.
  49. ^ "Spurrier quits as UF coach". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • 2009 Southeastern Conference Football Media Guide, Florida Year-by-Year Records, Southeastern Conference, Birmingham, Alabama, p. 60 (2009).
  • 2012 Florida Football Media Guide, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 107–116 (2012).
  • Carlson, Norm, University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators, Whitman Publishing, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia (2007). ISBN 0-7948-2298-3.
  • Golenbock, Peter, Go Gators! An Oral History of Florida's Pursuit of Gridiron Glory, Legends Publishing, LLC, St. Petersburg, Florida (2002). ISBN 0-9650782-1-3.
  • Hairston, Jack, Tales from the Gator Swamp: A Collection of the Greatest Gator Stories Ever Told, Sports Publishing, LLC, Champaign, Illinois (2002). ISBN 1-58261-514-4.
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