Gators were 91 Noles 82 entering the game

We didnt win the conference, but this game is a sweet consolation.Bobby Bowden said, "This hurts more than any loss weve had in a while. Its much worse than last years 35-3 loss because at home youve got to win it.. 1990:First year for Spurrier coaching in this series.Even though Florida was ranked No 5 and the Noles No. 8, the Noles were favored by three points because the game was at home. Auburn and Miami were the only two ranked teams FSU played prior to the Gators.Gators were 9-1, Noles 8-2 entering the game.

The collective record of 17-3 is the best in the history of the series, and this was the first year that both teams have entered with top ten rankings. This Florida team has a chance to be as good as the one they had in 84, and if we beat them and Penn State, well be rated real high again.With a win, Florida would have sewed up its first ever 10-win season. The game was preceded by lots of trash talk in the media. Florida Gatorback Godfrey Myles said, Man, I dislike those guys a lot. Weve been out talked all year and I guess maybe thats why were 9-1."Now I hear Reggie, whatever his name is, saying theyre going to beat us by two touchdowns There they go talking again. Its a tradition with them.Myles went on to say, Its just bad blood We havent beaten those guys in a while This year theyre talkingagain and havent beaten anybody.

The only games they have played, Auburn and Miami, they lost. "I dont see how they can talk when theyre out there playing William & Mary every week. The Noles had the fifth best scoring offense with a 39-point average. Gators were fifth in scoring defense, allowing opponents only 12.6 points per game.Florida had the fourth-best defense against the run, giving up just 78.5 yards per game But Amp Lee ran for 147 yards and two TDs on 26 carries. 3 after a heart-breaking loss to Miami the week before the Gator game.There was a record crowd in Gainesville of 85,461.Gators led 7-3 at half, then 14-3 entering the fourth quarter. Florida would have iced the game, but Shane Matthews was intercepted in the end zone with just over seven minutes left in the game FSU drove 80 yards for a touchdown. Their two point attempt failed as backup QB Brad Johnson had to replace Casey Weldon, who was helped off the field from the previous play.The Gators next offensive series ended and Terrell Buckley returned a punt to midfield.