By Darin 
On November 26, 1994, the rivalry between the No. 4 Florida Gators and the No. 7 Florida State Seminoles delivered a moment of sheer, unbelievable drama that earned the moniker “The Choke at Doak.” What started as a definitive rout for the Gators quickly transformed into the most shocking fourth-quarter collapse in college football history, leaving fans on both sides stunned by the 31-31 final score.
For three quarters, everything pointed toward a dominant Florida victory. Coach Steve Spurrier’s Gators carved up the FSU defense, building an overwhelming 31-3 lead as the third quarter concluded. The game felt decided; the Seminole faithful at Doak Campbell Stadium were quiet, watching helplessly as their championship aspirations slipped away. The only question remaining was the margin of the Gators’ win, but fate, or perhaps momentum, had other plans for Tallahassee.
Then, the impossible happened. Florida State quarterback Danny Kanell, who was struggling and nearly benched earlier in the day, found his rhythm in the final fifteen minutes. Kanell powered the FSU offense through the air, throwing for an astonishing 232 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter alone. The defense, inspired by the home crowd, held the high-powered Gator offense scoreless. FSU scored touchdown after touchdown, chipping away at the seemingly insurmountable lead. The tension inside the stadium was palpable as the Seminoles completed their march down the field. With only 1:45 remaining, Rock Preston plunged into the end zone for a four-yard touchdown run, bringing the Seminoles within two points.
FSU coach Bobby Bowden made the critical decision to kick the extra point, choosing the tie over risking a two-point conversion for the win. The Seminoles completed the stunning 28-point comeback in a single quarter, sealing the 31-31 final. Bowden’s post-game comment perfectly captured the chaos: “It is a pretty dang good win … I mean tie,” a Freudian slip that perfectly encapsulated the psychological shift of the rivalry that day.
Conclusion
The “Choke at Doak” remains an indelible part of college football lore. While the game officially ended as a tie, FSU claimed a monumental moral victory that salvaged their season, and Florida suffered a psychological blow that reverberated through their program. The 1994 game solidified this rivalry as one defined by high stakes, raw emotion, and moments that defy explanation.