College football

Kickin' back: UF nemesis has mostly fond memories

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published October 29, 2005

Perhaps no single person has brought more heartache to Gator fans than Georgia legend Vince Dooley. In 25 games against Florida in Jacksonville, the Hall of Fame coach went 17-7-1, and at one point led the Dawgs to nine wins in 10 years (1974-83). Dooley, 73, was Georgia's coach from 1964-88 and athletic director from 1979-2004. Today, Dooley maintains an office on campus, and as usual he'll be in Jacksonville to enjoy today's game.

If you can, try to put into words what Florida-Georgia means to you.

Well, I've got a lot of history here. It goes back not only 41 years of going to it as a Georgia person, but to when I was an assistant at Auburn for eight years. So really, I've got almost 50 years of history. It was always the most exciting game that I ever scouted. I really think there was no other game in my career that was as unique or more special than the Georgia-Florida game, mainly because of the unique atmosphere.

It's really amazing how close so many of the games have been isn't it?

Yes, and I was very much involved in a lot of them. But in more recent years, (former Gator coach Steve) Spurrier didn't believe in that. I always thought you should have a good game that went down to the wire.

Speaking of Spurrier, he started coaching at UF two years after you stepped down. Any regrets about not having gotten a shot at him?

Okay, about the play (Buck Belue to Lindsay Scott for 93 yards). As it all unfolded, what was going on inside your head?

I really think Florida, its fans and players, thought it was over. Especially the players, and that was part of the problem. All I was trying to do was think in terms of getting the first down because we had some time on the clock. So when Lindsay caught the ball my first reaction was, "We got it; we got it.' But then he hit the ground and quickly started running. I still tell people this, when he was running along the sideline, I was running with him for about 10 or 12 yards. I was faster than he was for that short length of time.

Many times, Georgia entered as the underdog but came out on top. Looking back, which win surprised you the most?

That's hard to say, but the 1975 game was one (Georgia won 10-7), and even that first one in 1964 (Georgia won 14-7).

You had so much success against the Gators that people forget that you also suffered a few heartbreakers yourself. Do any of those games stand out?

Oh, maybe the 11-10 game (in 1973). We had fought a heck of a battle going into the fourth quarter. There was a strong wind that day and we felt like we played everything just right because in the fourth quarter Florida had to go into the wind. But Florida must have made three fourth down plays that drive and that little guy (Florida wide receiver Lee McGriff) jumped up a mile high and made a great play (for a touchdown).

Now that you're out of coaching, how are you received by Gators?

Well, I've really been fortunate. All of them I've ever met have been very cordial and very respectful. They have some great fans.

[Last modified October 29, 2005, 01:45:21]