By Darin Hayes On October 29, 1966, the college football world witnessed a play so audacious it would become forever known simply as “The Kick.” The seventh-ranked Florida Gators, led by quarterback Steve Spurrier, hosted the Auburn Tigers in a pivotal SEC matchup at Florida Field.
The game was a chaotic, high-scoring affair that defied statistics. Despite Florida out-gaining Auburn significantly (442 yards to 18) and Spurrier completing 27 of 40 passes for 259 yards, the score was tied at 27-27 late in the fourth quarter, thanks in part to an 89-yard kickoff return and a bizarre 91-yard fumble return for touchdowns by Auburn.
How to Stop Spurrier? 30 Oct 1966, Sun The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida) Newspapers.com
With just 2:12 remaining, the Gators’ drive stalled at the Auburn 23-yard line, leading to a fourth-and-long situation. Head Coach Ray Graves called time out. Instead of sending out the regular placement kicker, Spurrier—who handled the team’s long-distance kicking and punting—famously took the field. According to legend, he either waved off the regular kicker or asked Coach Graves for the chance, reportedly saying, “I got this.”
With the pressure of the Heisman Trophy race weighing heavily and the game tied, the ever-confident Spurrier drilled the 40-yard field goal straight through the uprights. The kick secured the 30-27 victory for the Gators and was the iconic moment that cemented Spurrier’s campaign for the Heisman. Less than two weeks later, the Florida quarterback became the first and only Heisman winner to be immortalized by a game-winning kick, earning the ultimate individual award of his senior season.