Early Days (1906-1950s):

✦ The program sprouted in 1906, navigating rocky starts with flashes of brilliance like the 1928 undefeated season.

✦ The nickname "Gators" emerged in 1911, and Florida Field (later Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, aka "The Swamp") opened its doors in 1930.

The Spurrier Era and National Glory (1960s-2000s):

✦ Coach Ray Graves (1960-1969) laid the foundation for sustained success.

✦ Enter Steve Spurrier (1990-2002), the "Head Ball Coach," who transformed the Gators into an offensive juggernaut.

✦ Under Spurrier, Florida secured six SEC championships and the program's first national title in 1996.

✦ Urban Meyer (2005-2010) continued the dynasty, adding two more national titles in 2006 and 2008.

Offensive Dynamos:

Tim Tebow:

Emmitt Smith: The NFL's all-time leading rusher broke the school's single-game rushing record before embarking on a Hall of Fame career.

Steve Spurrier:

Danny Wuerffel: The 1996 Heisman Trophy winner led the Gators to their first official SEC Championship and is known for his leadership and community involvement.

Chris Leak:

[b]Defensive Dominators:

Jeannie Brown:

Jack Youngblood:

Lito Sheppard:

Brandon Spikes:

Jarvis Moss:

Rooted in the University (1906-1911):

✦ 1906: The university fielded its first official team, marking the birth of Florida Gators football.
Early games against local clubs and small colleges tested the fledgling program.

✦ The nickname "Gators" wasn't immediately embraced, taking root in 1911 due to the abundance of the reptiles in the area.

Navigating Challenges and Building Identity (1912-1920s):

✦ The program bounced between conferences, searching for its place in the collegiate landscape.

✦ Internal issues and World War I led to several interruptions in play, hindering consistent development.

✦ Despite the ups and downs, early coaching figures like
• George Penton and Albert Elmore laid the foundation for future success.

Finding Footing and First Flourishes (1930s-1940s):

✦ Joining the Southeastern Conference in 1932 brought Florida into a competitive arena, pushing the program forward.

✦ Construction of Florida Field in 1930 provided a dedicated home for the Gators, fostering team identity and fan support.

✦ Coaches like Doug Allison and Tom McEwen laid the groundwork for offensive play and built a winning culture.

Spurrier vs. Bowden Rivalry:

✦ It defined an era with 14 matchups in 12 seasons, with both teams often ranked.

✦ Despite Spurrier's success, he never won in Tallahassee (most notably the '94 "Choke at Doak").

✦ Subsequent coaches Zook and Muschamp managed victories on FSU's turf.

SEC Domination:

✦ Florida holds the record for most SEC Championship appearances (10) and wins (8).

✦ Spurrier and Meyer contributed the most SEC Championships (5 and 2, respectively).

✦ Florida also started the SEC's BCS Championship run with a win in 2007.

Surprising Stats:

✦ Muschamp's win percentage was lower than Zook's despite reaching a conference championship game.

✦ Emmitt Smith set a single-game rushing record before leaving early due to concerns about Spurrier's offense.

✦ Chris Leak, Florida's passing record holder, has as many national championships as Danny Wuerffel.

✦ "Mr. Two Bits" George Edmondson led cheers for 59 years without attending UF, receiving an honorary alumnus title.

✦ The Florida-Georgia rivalry began in Jacksonville, and the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" moniker emerged in the 1950s.

Early Days (1906-1945):

✦ Simple block "F" or "Florida" lettering adorned early jerseys, reflecting a no-frills approach.

✦ The iconic blue and orange color scheme emerged in 1911, adding a splash of Sunshine State spirit.

The Albert Gator Era (1946-1961):

✦ Enter Albert, the cartoon alligator, in 1946, injecting a playful mascot into the brand.

✦ Albert sported various outfits over the years, from a bowtie to a football uniform, showcasing a playful personality.

The Charging Gator (1962-1979):

✦ 1962 saw the arrival of the iconic charging gator, symbolizing the team's fierce aggression and relentless pursuit of victory.

✦ The design evolved slightly over the years, with tweaks to the gator's stance and teeth.

The Modern Era (1980-Present):

✦ 1980 unveiled the current logo: a sleek, stylized charging gator with narrowed eyes and sharp teeth, exuding an even more intimidating aura.

✦ Minor adjustments have been made over the years, like refining the proportions and adding more detail to the eyes.

✦ Early teams lacked a consistent helmet design, often sporting leather caps or rudimentary helmets without logos.

✦ The iconic orange and blue color scheme emerged around 1911, adding a splash of Sunshine State spirit.

✦ 1946 saw the arrival of Albert, the cartoon alligator, adorning the helmets, injecting a playful mascot into the brand.

✦ Albert sported various iterations, from a full gator head to just his teeth, showcasing a playful personality.

✦ 1962 marked a turning point with the introduction of the iconic charging gator, symbolizing the team's fierce aggression and relentless pursuit of victory.

✦ The design evolved slightly over the years, refining the gator's stance and adding details like claws and teeth.

✦ 1980 unveiled the current sleek, stylized charging gator, with narrowed eyes and sharp teeth, exuding an even more intimidating aura.

✦ Minor adjustments continued, like adding shading and refining the gator's snout.

Humble Beginnings (1930-1950):

✦ Known as "Florida Field" initially, the stadium opened in 1930 with a simple horseshoe design and a capacity of 22,000.

✦ World War II halted renovations, but the field witnessed the program's early successes, becoming a symbol of Gator pride.

Expanding the Empire (1950-1980):

✦ Post-war expansion saw the addition of east and west stands, doubling the capacity and shaping the stadium's familiar oval form.

✦ Floodlights arrived in 1966, ushering in the era of thrilling night games and electrifying atmospheres.

The Swamp Takes Form (1980-1991):

✦ Recognizing the passionate student section, the south end received a massive double-tier stand in 1982, solidifying the nickname "The Swamp."

✦ The nickname took flight, aptly symbolizing the raucous crowd and intimidating environment for visiting teams.

Reaching for the Summit (1991-2003):

✦ A north-end upper deck was added in 1991, increasing capacity to over 80,000 and solidifying the stadium's status as a national powerhouse.

✦ The Swamp witnessed legendary moments like Steve Spurrier's dynasty and Tim Tebow's Heisman Trophy run, forever etching its name in college football history.

Modern Enhancements (2003-Present):

✦ A major renovation in 2003 added luxury suites, press box expansions, and upgraded facilities, ensuring a premium gameday experience.

✦ Ben Hill Griffin Stadium remains a constant force in college football, hosting countless SEC title games and consistently ranking among the nation's most-attended stadiums.

✦ The 1911 University of Florida football team, boasting an all-Floridian roster, was the first to claim the iconic "Alligators" (later shortened to "Gators") nickname.

✦ This undefeated squad, led by quarterback and kicker Earle "Dummy" Taylor, started their journey nameless before conquering South Carolina's Clemson and USC on a pivotal road trip. The media frenzy surrounding their success solidified the "Alligators" label.

✦ Though several theories about the nickname's origin exist, historical evidence points to team captain Neal "Bo Gator" Storter and his association with the "Bo Gator Club," a popular student group embodying the spirit of early Florida students.

Know all you can about the upcoming games, signings, history and more of the Gators.