There will always be memorable games in any series involving two teams, and Florida, with Steve Spurrier as head coach, enjoyed the best of times against Georgia during his head coaching days in Gainesville.

He had developed an intense hatred of Georgia as a player because he was denied an opportunity to give Florida what it never had experienced—the Southeastern Conference Championship.

Spurrier was 1-2 in competition against Georgia in the old Gator Bowl and his one victory, he was the beneficiary of a break that kept him going 0-3 in the series.  Lynn Hughes was all set to intercept Spurrier at the Georgia goal line but stumbled and missed making the catch that would have sealed victory for UGA.

In 1966, Spurrier’s senior year, the Gators arrived in Jacksonville on an eight-game win streak and were ranked No. 7 in the nation.  Gator aficionados were pining for an undefeated season and their first SEC title.

Spurrier’s heroics were being lionized throughout the state of Florida.  He was seen as a miracle worker who could not be denied.  The most talked about victory came when he led the Gators on a 71 yards drive in the fourth quarter against Auburn and kicked a field goal himself to beat the Tigers, 30-27.  He became “Super Gator.”

He was the leading candidate to win the Heisman trophy, but what he wanted most was to win an SEC title.  He would reach fulfillment on the Heisman objective, but the Bulldog defense would deny him which had him saying at the end of the game: “I have never had a good game in the Gator Bowl and I guess I never will.”

It was a business as usual at the outset, however.  Spurrier led Florida on touchdown drive, the Gators’ first possession.  It was for 86 yards.   He followed that up with a drive that led to a field goal.  Georgia also kicked a field goal in the first half and Florida led 10-3 at intermission.

Georgia began to take the momentum on both sides of the ball in the second half. The Gator defense was worn down by the power thrusts of fullback Ronnie Jenkins.  He was unstoppable.

In the third quarter, with Georgia in complete control of the game, the Bulldogs went a scoring drive of 65 yards and did not throw a single pass.  It was Dooley ball at its finest.

On defense, Bill Stanfill and George Patton continuously harassed Spurrier whose first touchdown scoring drive turned out to be the last.  Lynn Hughes intercepted Spurrier’s tackle eligible pass which delighted the Bulldog defensive coaches to no end.

No team has been more dominant in the series.  Talk about complimentary football.  There has never been a better example of that than in the 1966 Georgia-Florida game.

Erk, forever the sage raconteur, came up with a story having to do with Spurrier and his trip to New York for the Heisman dinner in December 1966, that was one of his best.

Erk had a repertoire of classic stories, one-liners and sayings that were always appropriate for any occasion.  He was an accomplished storyteller who could sit and listen without dominating the conversation.  He didn’t have to have the floor.  He didn’t have to talk that much, but when he presented a joke or good story, it would often bring down the house.  He was one storyteller who I believe originated some of the funny stories he told.

His tale about Spurrier had to do with Super Gator going to get outfitted for a tuxedo for the Heisman banquet.  Erk always began by saying, “Did you hear about Steve Spurrier breaking his leg?” 

Then he explained that when Spurrier went to a tailor to get measured for a tux, he was, as usual, full of himself and was in a lot of movement and conversation.  He was very fidgety to the extent that the tailor became exasperated trying to get the measurements.

After a while, the tailor stepped back and exclaimed, “Stand still.”  Then Erk would grin, “Spurrier thought he said ‘Stanfill.’   He jumped off the table and broke his leg.”