The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party

First contested	November 6, 1915 37–0, UGA
Number of meetings	87
Most recent meeting	October 31, 2009 41–17, UF
All-time series	46–39–2, UGA
Largest victory	November 7, 1942 75–0, UGA

The Florida–Georgia or Georgia–Florida Game is an annual college football game held between the University of Florida Gators and the University of Georgia Bulldogs every year since 1915. The name rotates depending on which team is the designated home team.^[1] It is one of the great rivalry games in college football, and since 1933 it has has nearly always been held in Jacksonville, Florida, making it one of the few remaining neutral-site rivalries. The game attracts huge crowds to Jacksonville, and the associated tailgating and other events has given it the nickname of the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party". The game is usually held on the last Saturday in October at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Beginning with the 2009 contest, the winning team is awarded a trophy known as the "Okefenokee Oar".

[edit] History

The first game was held in Jacksonville in 1915. From 1916-1933, the game rotated sites, being played at times in Georgia (Athens and Savannah), and other years in Florida (Tampa, Gainesville, and Jacksonville). The game has been held in Jacksonville, a neutral site located 73 miles from Gainesville and 342 miles from Athens, every year since 1933, except for 1994 and 1995, when the contest was held on the respective schools' campus stadiums due to the rebuilding of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars.

The designated home team alternates from year to year, with ticket distribution split evenly between the two schools. In past years, fans from Florida and Georgia were assigned seats grouped in alternating sections of the stadium, and the contrasting colors worn by the fans created a "beach ball" visual effect in the stands. Recently the seating arrangement has split the stadium lengthwise and fans sit on the side corresponding to the sideline their team occupies. Before the game, much tailgating takes place on the Jacksonville Landing, a riverfront plaza facing the St. Johns River.

Following the 2009 contest, Georgia held a 46-39-2 advantage in the all-time series. However, Florida has gone 17-3 in the game since 1990 (Georgia winning in 1997, 2004 and 2007) to follow a 15-5 domination by Georgia through the 70s and 80s. There is a disagreement in regard to the overall series record. University of Florida records indicate the series record with Georgia stands at 46-39-2 in UGA's favor. Georgia's records indicate a 47-39-2 lead, which includes a 52-0 Bulldog win in a game played in Macon, Ga., in 1904. However, Florida did not field an official team until 1906.

Due to sensitivity about the overconsumption of alcohol by students and other attendees, the nickname "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" has been dropped from most official usage.

[edit] Site of game

Recently University of Georgia officials expressed interest in moving the site of the game to its home campus or the Georgia Dome sporadically.^[2] The main reason is Jacksonville's 342 mile travel distance from Athens, compared to its 73-mile distance from Gainesville. Georgia's football team charters an airplane flight to the city while Florida's players are able to travel by bus.

Additionally, in 2000 the University of Georgia changed its fall break to coincide with the date of the game. Purportedly this change was intended to reduce class absences and alarming traffic fatality trends related to students traveling to Jacksonville for the game that would, without the break, need to be completed in one night. There have been two subsequent attempts, in 2003 and 2004, to change fall break to a different weekend. Both were withdrawn after overwhelming opposition from the University of Georgia student body.

In 2005, UGA provost Arnett Mace, concerned about the widespread canceling of classes on the Wednesday prior to the Thursday-Friday break, asked all deans and department heads to report to him on how many classes had been canceled in violation of University policy. While it has led to ridicule by some, such as one dean's comparing Mace to Dean Wormer from Animal House, the move will likely lead to a renewed examination of the future of fall break.^[3] Starting in the fall of 2008, a newly accepted compromise between UGA Student Government members and faculty in the University Council will go into effect which will shorten fall break to just the Friday before the game off, but increase Thanksgiving break from three days to an entire week.^[4]

Florida officials maintain it makes economic sense to keep the game in Jacksonville as the Georgia Dome holds fewer spectators. In 2009, the University of Georgia's athletic board agreed to extend the series in Jacksonville through 2016.^[5]

[edit] Memorable games

As with most rivalries, there have been a number of close games over the years, often generating controversy and anguish over how the game ended for one of the teams involved. Like the series itself, most of the early memorable games favored the Bulldogs, with more recent ones favoring the Gators. Among the most memorable:

[edit] 1942: Blowout

Having lost many players to service in World War II, Florida brought an inexperienced 3-4 squad into Jacksonville for the 1942 contest with Georgia. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, still had many star players on the team thanks to the University of Georgia's ROTC program, and brought a 7-0 record and #1 ranking to Jacksonville^[6].

Georgia backs Charley Trippi and 1942 Heisman Trophy-winner Frank Sinkwich were the brightest stars on the afternoon, combining to score 7 TDs as Georgia blew out Florida 75-0, the largest margin in series history. They would go on to make their only Rose Bowl appearance at the end of the season^[7].

[edit] 1966: Heisman curse?

The 1966 Florida Gators entered the game possessing a 7-0 on and the opportunity to clinch for their first ever SEC title. Gator quarterback Steve Spurrier had just locked up the Heisman trophy the previous week after a stellar performance vs Auburn and now had a chance to beat the Bulldogs. But it was not to be. The outcome was never in doubt, as Spurrier threw three interceptions in a 27-10 Gator loss.

[edit] 1970: The Rip, Strip, and Grip

The 1970 Florida Gators featured All-American DE Jack Youngblood. They pulled off one of the greatest plays in Florida history in a 24-17 Florida victory. With Georgia ahead 17-10, and the ball at the Gator two-yard line, Youngblood stood up Georgia back Ricky Lake short of the goal, forced a fumble and fell on the football. "They ran a lead play to my side, and I cut it off," Youngblood said "I'm standing there holding the ballcarrier and I take the ball away from him, and gave it back to our offense." John Reaves and Carlos Alvarez took it from there, connecting for two touchdown passes in the final 5:13 to rally the Florida Gators to victory.^[8]

[edit] 1975: Appleby to Washington

The 1975 Florida Gators came into the game ranked #7 with a 6-1 record, while Georgia was 5-2 and ranked #19. The Gators' offense was led by RB Tony Green, who ran in for an early one yard touchdown to put the Gators ahead 7-0. Georgia was able to get on the board with a field goal, and the score was Florida 7, Georgia 3 as time was winding down in the fourth quarter. Georgia's "Junkyard Dawgs" defense allowed yards between the 20s but nothing in the red zone. The Bulldogs set up at their own 25 with 3:10 remaining, and head coach Vince Dooley did something he rarely did: he called a trick play. Richard Appleby took a reverse to the right, but instead of running it as he did earlier in the game, he threw it downfield to a wide open Gene Washington for an improbable 75 yard touchdown. The Gators' final field goal attempt never had a chance, as the snap was rolled to the holder. Georgia won 10-7.

[edit] 1976: Fourth and Dumb

The 1976 Florida Gators were 6-1 and ranked #10 coming into the game and seeking to secure their first SEC title.^[9] Florida jumped out to a 27-13 halftime advantage and seemed to have the game in hand until the Bulldogs scored early in the 3rd quarter to cut the lead to 27-20.

Then, faced with 4th and 1 at his own 29 yard line, Florida coach Doug Dickey decided to go for the first down. Gator running back Earl Carr was stopped short by the Bulldog's Johnny Henderson. The Bulldogs seized the momentum and never looked back: they would go on to score three touchdowns and roll to a 41-27 win.

[edit] 1980: Run, Lindsay, Run

Trailing the underdog Gators with their perfect season and their #2 ranking in jeopardy, the Bulldogs pulled off one of the most famous plays in college football history.

Georgia was down 21-20 with time running out, facing a 3rd and long from their own 8 yard line. After scrambling around in his own endzone, Bulldog quarterback Buck Belue found wide receiver Lindsay Scott open in the middle of the field near the Georgia 25-yard-line. Scott darted through Florida's secondary and outran everyone down the sideline, scoring the game-winning touchdown with only seconds left on the clock.^[10]

Long-time Georgia radio announcer Larry Munson's legendary call of the play (which still gives old fans of both schools the shivers, though for opposite reasons) gave the game its name:^[11]

Florida in a stand-up five, they may or may not blitz. Buck back, third down on the eight. In trouble, he got a block behind him. Gotta throw on the run. Complete to the 25. To the 30, Lindsay Scott 35, 40, Lindsay Scott 45, 50, 45, 40. …. Run Lindsay, 25, 20, 15, 10, Lindsay Scott! Lindsay Scott! Lindsay Scott.

The improbable 26-21 victory kept Georgia's title hopes alive: they would go on to win the 1980 National Title.

[edit] 1984: Bell to Nattiel

After suffering many a heartbreaking defeat to the Bulldogs with a conference championship at stake, the 1984 Florida Gators entered the contest undefeated in the SEC.

The Gators dominated early, building a 17-0 lead by early in the 2nd half. But the Bulldogs seemed to come alive in the 3rd quarter, mounting a long drive that reminded uneasy Florida fans of many infamous chokes against the 'Dawgs in the past. However, Georgia's drive died in the shadow of the Florida goal line when they were stuffed on 4th down, checking the Bulldogs momentarily but pinning Florida back deep in their own territory.

On the third play following the change of possession, Florida quarterback Kerwin Bell dropped back into his own end zone and lofted a long pass to streaking receiver Ricky Nattiel, who went 96 yards for a touchdown. The Bulldog momentum was snuffed out and the Gators went on to a convincing 27-0 victory, eventually completing an undefeated conference schedule for the first time in school history.

[edit] 1985: A Return to Form

The 1985 Gators entered the contest on a roll: coming off an emotional win at Auburn, undefeated, and ranked #1 in the nation for the first time in school history.

However, this would not be a repeat of the 1984 game. As they had done so many times in the past, the Bulldogs spoiled Florida's season, running all over the Gators 24-3 with freshmen Keith Henderson and Tim Worley, who each rushed for over 100 yards.^[12]

[edit] 1993: The Timeout

The 1993 Gators led by a touchdown on a rainy day in Jacksonville, but Georgia mounted a late drive deep into Florida territory. Bulldog quarterback Eric Zeier completed what appeared to be the game-tying touchdown to Jerry Jerman with 5 seconds remaining. However, Florida cornerback Anthone Lott had called a timeout just before the ball was snapped, forcing the Bulldogs to play the down again. Lott was called for pass interference on the ensuing play, giving Georgia one last (untimed) chance to score. Zeier's final pass fell incomplete, and the Gators won a hard fought 33-26 win.

[edit] 1995: Half a Hundred Between the Hedges

With renovations to Jacksonville's old Gator Bowl Stadium underway, this traditional neutral-site showdown was held on the schools' campuses for the first time in over 60 years in 1994 and 1995. After winning big at "The Swamp" the previous season, the undefeated 1995 Gators hoped to repeat the feat at Sanford Stadium against a struggling Bulldogs led by soon-to-be fired coach Ray Goff.

The Gators did win again in relatively easy fashion. However, the contest was made memorable by Florida's Steve Spurrier, who often sought retribution as the Gator head coach for the many frustrating defeats he'd suffered against Georgia as the Gator QB (see 1966 UF-UGA game).

The Gators led 45-17 with 5 minutes to go in the 4th quarter when Spurrier called a flea-flicker pass for a touchdown. After the game, Spurrier admitted that he had wanted to be the first opponent to hang "half a hundred" on the Bulldogs in their own stadium because "we heard no one had ever done that before."^[13] The record of 52 points scored on Georgia between the hedges still stands.

[edit] 2002: Role Reversal

Steve Spurrier had coached the Gators to an 11-1 record against the Bulldogs, so his departure to the NFL following the 2001 season gave Georgia fans reason to cheer. Also encouraging was the perfect 8-0 record and #4 ranking that 2002 Georgia Bulldogs brought to the annual grudge match in Jacksonville. Florida, meanwhile, limped into the game at 5-3 and unranked for the first time in over a decade, struggling under new head coach Ron Zook. Unsurprisingly, Georgia entered the game as heavy favorites. ^[14]

Trailing 7-6, the Gators took the lead in this defensive struggle with a big play on defense. Georgia head coach Mark Richt had inserted freshman QB DJ Shockley to run the offense for a series or two each game during the season. Upon entering the contest in the 2nd quarter, Shockley was intercepted by Florida safety Gus Scott, who ran it back for a touchdown, giving his team a 12-7 lead after a failed two-point conversion attempt. The Bulldogs moved the ball but could not punch it into the endzone, settling for two field goals to take a 13-12 lead into intermission.

Defense continued to dominate the game in the 2nd half with the exception of an early 4th-quarter Gator drive that ended with a touchdown pass from QB Rex Grossman and gave Florida a 20-13 advantage. There would be no more scoring on the day, as the Georgia offense finished 0-13 in 3rd down conversions and Florida held on for the upset victory.

The loss proved to be the only blemish on Georgia's record that season. Although they finished 13-1 and went on to win the SEC championship, the defeat at the hands of their hated rival almost certainly cost the Bulldogs a shot to play for a national title.

[edit] 2007: The "Gator Stomp"

In a move that served to rally the underdog Bulldogs and add fuel to the rivalry, the 2007 game will be remembered for "The Gator Stomp", in which the entire Georgia team left the sideline for a mass-celebration in the Gator endzone after their first touchdown. Although this did prove to pump the team up, Georgia was given two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and was forced to kick off from their own 8 yard line.^[15] Georgia coach Mark Richt admitted that he ordered his team to draw an excessive celebration penalty after their first touchdown or they would be subject to extra conditioning drills, but he intended that only the players on the field would celebrate, not the entire team.^[16] The risky move paid off for Richt, as Knowshon Moreno ran for 188 yards and Georgia's defense sacked Florida quarterback Tim Tebow six times in a 42-30 victory. This game could also be known for big plays and a lot of points, as it was the first time in series history that both teams have ever scored 30 or more in the same game.

[edit] 2008: The Revenge

Before the 2008 Florida-Georgia game, both coaches repeatedly stated that the previous year's incident would have no bearing on the contest. Florida coach Urban Meyer went so far as to issue a gag order on his players, instructing them to not talk about the 2007 game with the media.^[17]

However, Meyer's authorized biography, which had been published after the season, had this to say about the "Gator Stomp":

"That wasn't right. It was a bad deal. It will forever be in the mind of Urban Meyer and in the mind of our football team. We'll handle it, and it's going to be a big deal." ^[18]

Even without the revenge factor, the game was an important one. Coming into the game, the Bulldogs and Gators were both ranked in the top-10, and the winner would have the inside track in the SEC-East race and a possible shot at a national title.^[19] Some went so far as to call it the biggest matchup in the history of the series^[20], or at least the previous 20 years.^[21]

After the Bulldogs missed two field goals and failed to recover an onside kick after their first score, the Gators took a 14-3 lead into halftime. In the second half, Florida was aided by 4 Georgia turnovers to end the game in a 49-10 rout. The loss was the worst of Coach Richt's career at Georgia and the 2nd worst loss that the Bulldogs had ever suffered against the Gators (Georgia lost 47-7 to the national champion 1996 Gators). ^[22]

In a move widely assumed to be a response to the previous year's endzone celebration, Meyer used both of his remaining timeouts with less than one minute to play, giving his team and their fans more time to celebrate the victory and dragging out the painful loss for a long as possible for Georgia. ^[23] After the game, he broke his pre-game silence on the 2007 celebration. "Was it motivation for our players? Yeah, it was. Losing doesn't sit well with our players, and it was the only rivalry game we lost last year."^[24]

[edit] Results

[edit] Florida-Georgia Game Hall of Fame Members (through 2008)

Florida: Carlos Alvarez, Reidel Anthony, Kerwin Bell, Howell Boney, Joe Brodsky, Norm Carlson, Rick Casares, Wes Chandler, Chris Doering, Jimmy Dunn, Larry Dupree, Jeremy Foley, Don Gaffney, Ray Graves, Galen Hall, Ike Hilliard, Chuck Hunsinger, Willie Jackson, Jr. Doug Johnson, Charlie LaPradd, Buford Long, Shane Matthews, Lee McGriff, Ricky Nattiel, John Reaves, Errict Rhett, Steve Spurrier, Fred Taylor, Richard Trapp, Danny Wuerffel, Jack Youngblood.

Georgia: Richard Appleby, Buck Belue, Charley Britt, Kevin Butler, Wally Butts, Mike Cavan, Vince Dooley, Robert Edwards, Bob Etter, Ray Goff, Cy Grant, Rodney Hampton, Terry Hoage, Dan Magill, Kevin McLee, Willie McClendon, Larry Munson, George Patton, John Rauch, Matt Robinson, Erk Russell, Jake Scott, Lindsay Scott, Frank Sinkwich, Bill Stanfill, Tommy Thurson, Charley Trippi, Herschel Walker, Tim Worley, Shawn Savage, Gene Washington, Eric Zeier.

[edit] See also

• Cocktail party
• Florida Gators football
• Georgia Bulldogs football

[edit] References

v • d • e University of Georgia Presidents Abraham Baldwin • Josiah Meigs • John Brown • Robert Finley • Moses Waddel • Alonzo S. Church • Andrew A. Lipscomb • Henry Holcombe Tucker • Patrick Hues Mell • William Ellison Boggs • Walter Barnard Hill • David Crenshaw Barrow Jr. • Charles Melton Snelling • Steadman Vincent Sanford • Harmon White Caldwell • Jonathan Clark Rogers • Omer Clyde Aderhold • Frederick Corbet Davison • Henry King Stanford • Charles Boynton Knapp • Michael F. Adams Academics College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences • Franklin College of Arts and Sciences • Terry College of Business • Odum School of Ecology • College of Education • Environment & Design • Family and Consumer Sciences • Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources • Graduate School • Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication • School of Law • College of Pharmacy • College of Public Health • School of Public and International Affairs • School of Social Work • College of Veterinary Medicine Athletics Bulldogs • Bulldog Championship Teams • Uga • Hairy Dawg • Athletic Director • Football (2008 • coach) • Men's Basketball (2007-08 • coach) • Women's Basketball (coach) • Women's Gymnastics (coach) • Swimming and Diving (coach) • GT-UGA rivalry • Deep South's Oldest Rivalry • The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (Okefenokee Oar)• Southeastern Conference • Sanford Stadium • Stegeman Coliseum • Gabrielsen Natatorium • Foley Field • Turner Soccer Complex People, History, and Campus Life Libraries • Alumni and Faculty • Greek life • Campus Arboretum • Georgia Redcoat Marching Band • Demosthenian Literary Society • Phi Kappa Literary Society • UGA Campus Transit Media The Red and Black • University of Georgia Press • WNEG-TV • WUOG • WUGA