College Football Fan Site

10:05 pm | July 6, 2019 | Go to Source | Author: Pat Dooley

UF’s Tim Tebow runs in his final touchdown on Florida Field during the second half against Florida State at Florida Field on Nov. 28, 2009. [Brian W. Kratzer/The Gainesville Sun/File]

It was June of 1992 when Steve Spurrier, fresh off Florida’s first official SEC title, called The Sun columnist Mike Bianchi with a new name for the stadium that would eventually bear his name.

The Swamp.

In the years that followed, there have been some unbelievable games and players. Sun writers Pat Dooley and Robbie Andreu came up with their rankings of the 25 best moments since 1992 when Spurrier gave it that moniker.

No. 9 — Nov. 28, 2009

Tebow’s last stand

The set-up: Florida was trying to finish up a perfect regular season and it was Senior Day at The Swamp. The Gators were playing FSU in what was Bobby Bowden’s last trip to the stadium and Florida was rolling on its way to a 22nd consecutive win. Many of the fans in the stands were wearing Tim Tebow’s famous eyeblack patches with different homages written on them.

The moment: Florida led 30-3 when the Gators started a 77-yard drive to finish things off early in the fourth quarter. As Florida got closer to the goal line, fans sensed that they might be seeing the last plays of Tebow’ career in The Swamp. Out came the cell phones around the stadium as Tebow tried a jump pass (Aaron Hernandez was held on the play) and then ran an option right to score from the 1-yard line untouched as flashes went off throughout the stadium giving it an ethereal feeling.

The result: Florida finished off the Seminoles 37-10, but couldn’t get past Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. After that game. Urban Meyer resigned, then returned a day later to coach Florida in the Sugar Bowl, a blowout win over Cincinnati.

The quote: “I have a vivid recollection of Tim’s career — and that game — capped off by that final touchdown with the flashes going off all around the stadium. In my 17 years covering the league, Tim was the dominant personality.” — Verne Lundqvist, CBS announcer.

Editor’s note: You have one Swamp game moment that comes to mind? Tell us what it is.Maybe it’s already on our Top 25 list. We’ll update readers on top moments from fans as the countdown proceeds.