SPORTS Battle for Okefenokee Oar c Continued From Page 1B contest, the winning team is awarded a trophy known as the "Okefenokee Oar". The two teams do not agree on when the rivalry began. In 1904 the Univer- sity of Georgia football squad played a match in Macon, Georgia against a team fielded by the Univer- sity of Florida in Lake City (formerly Florida Agricul- tural College), one of the predecessor institutions to the modem University of Florida. Georgia regards this game, which it won 52-0, as the first match in the rivalry. However, Florida dis- counts the game, as it oc- curred before the modem University of Florida was established in 1905, and before the new school's first official football team was organized in 1906. The first game acknowl- edged by both schools was held in Jacksonville in 1915, and except for the 1943 season, which Florida sat out due to the pressures of World War II, the teams have met every year since 1926. From 1916-1933, the game rotated sites, being played at times in Georgia (Athens and Savannah), and other years in Florida (Tampa, Gainesville, and Jacksonville). Every year since 1933, the game has been held in Jacksonville, a neutral site located 73 miles (117 km) from Gainesville and 342 miles (550 km) from Athens, ex- cept for 1994 and 1995, when the contest was held at the respective schools' campus stadiums due to the rebuilding of what is now EverBank Field for the Na- tional Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars. The designated home team alternates from year to year, with ticket distrib- ution split evenly between the two schools. In past years, fans from Florida and Georgia were assigned seats grouped in alternating sections of the stadium, and the contrasting colors worn by the fans created a "beach ball" visual effect in the stands. Recently the seating arrangement has split the stadium lengthwise and fans sit on the side corre- sponding to the sideline their team occupies. Before the game, much tailgating takes place on the Jack- sonville Landing, a river- front plaza facing the St. Johns River. There is disagreement as to the overall series record, revolving around whether the 1904 game is counted. Following the 2009 con- test, Georgia held a 47-39- 2 record by their reckon- ing, and 46-39-2 by Flori- da's. However, Florida has gone 17-3 in the game since 1990 (Georgia win- ning in 1997, 2004 and 2007) to follow a 15-5 domination by Georgia through the 70s and 80s. Due to sensitivity about the over consumption of al- cohol by students and other attendees, the nickname "The World's Largest Out- door Cocktail Party" has been dropped from most official usage. By playing the game on a neutral site, rather than their home campuses, both Show Time: Tuesday, November 2, 2010 Doors Open at 5PM Show Starts at 7PM Place: UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Exit 64, 1-75 & US Hwy 41N Tifton, GA Vendor Booths Available Contact Jody Benson r ~i T*T^^^ ^^^B^n^at 382-4321 ^^ universities make money from the game every year, rather than every other year if the site rotated between them. As of the 2009 contest the schools made $1.7 mil- lion every year, or $3.4 every two years, as op- posed an expected $2.2 million every two years if the game were played at the respective home stadi- ums. T The game weekend is also extremely lucrative for Jacksonville businesses, particularly in downtown area, with many reporting it to be their busiest time of the year. As with most rivalries, there have been a number of close games over the years, often generating controversy and anguish over how the game ended for one of the teams in- volved. Like the series it- self, most of the early memorable games favored the Bulldogs, with more re- cent ones favoring the Gators. Among the most memorable: 1942: Blowout Having lost many play- ers to service in World War II, Florida brought an inex- perienced 3-4 squad into Jacksonville for the 1942 contest with Georgia. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, still had many star players on the team thanks to the University of Geor- gia's ROTC program, and brought a 7-0 record and #1 ranking to Jack- sonville]. Georgia backs Charley Trippi and 1942 Heisman Trophy-winner Frank Sinkwich were the bright- est stars on the afternoon, Kitchen Basics Roal Cooking SkLcbk 627910TG combining to score 7 TDs as Georgia blew out Florida 75-0, the largest margin in series history. They would go on to make their only Rose Bowl appearance at the end of the season[12], defeating UCLA 9-0, and were named National Champions. 1966: Heisman curse? The 1966 Florida Gators entered the game possess- ing a 7-0 record and the op- portunity to clinch their first ever SEC title. Gator quarterback Steve Spurrier had just locked up the Heis- man trophy the previous week after a stellar perfor- mance vs Auburn and now had a chance to beat the Bulldogs. But it was not to be. The outcome was never in doubt, as Spurrier threw three interceptions in a 27- 10 Gator loss. 1970: The Rip, Strip, and Grip The 1970 Florida Gators featured All-American DE Jack Youngblood. They pulled off one of the great- est plays in Florida history in a 24-17 Florida victory. With Georgia ahead 17-10, and the ball at the Gator two-yard line, Youngblood stood up Georgia back Ricky Lake short of the goal, forced a fumble and fell on the football. "They ran a lead play to my side, and I cut it off," Young- blood said. "I'm standing there holding the ballcarri- er and I take the ball away from him, and gave it back to our offense." John Reaves and Carlos Alvarez took it from there, connect- ing for two touchdown passes in the final 5:13 to rally the Florida Gators to victory.[13] 1975: Appleby to Washington The 1975 Florida Gators came into the game ranked #7 with a 6-1 record, while Georgia was 5-2 and ranked #19. The Gators' of- fense was led by RB Tony Green, who ran in for an early one yard touchdown to put the Gators ahead 7-0. Georgia was able to get on the board with a field goal, and the score was Florida 7, Georgia 3 as time was winding down in the fourth quarter. Georgia's "Junk- yard Dawgs" defense al- lowed yards between the 20s but nothing in the red zone. The Bulldogs set up at their own 25 with 3:10 remaining, and head coach Vince Dooley did some- thing he rarely did: he called a trick play. Richard Appleby took a reverse to the right, but instead of running it as he did earlier in the game, he threw it downfield to a wide open Gene Washington for an improbable 75 yard touch- down. The Gators' final field goal attempt never had a chance, as the snap was rolled to the holder. Georgia won 10-7. 1976: Fourth and Dumb The 1976 Florida Gators were 6-1 and ranked #10 coming into the game and seeking to secure their first SEC title.[14] Florida jumped out to a 27-13 half- time advantage and seemed to have the game in hand until the Bulldogs scored early in the 3rd quarter to cut the lead to 27-20. Then, faced with 4th and 1 at his own 29 yard line, Florida coach Doug Dickey decided to go for the first down. Gator running back Earl Carr was stopped short by the Bulldog's Johnny Henderson. The Bulldogs seized the momentum and never looked back: they would go on to score three touchdowns and roll to a 41-27 win. 1980: Run, Lindsay, Run! Trailing the underdog Gators with their perfect season and their #2 ranking in jeopardy, the Bulldogs pulled off one of the most famous plays in college football history.[15] Georgia was down 21-20 with time running out, fac- ing a 3rd and long from their own 8 yard line. After scrambling around in his own endzone, Bulldog quarterback Buck Belue found wide receiver Lind- say Scott open in the mid- dle of the field near the Georgia 25-yard-line. Scott darted through Florida's secondary and outran everyone down the side- line, scoring the game-win- ning touchdown with only seconds left on the clock. Long-time Georgia radio announcer Larry Munson's legendary call of the play (which still gives old fans of both schools the shivers, though for opposite rea- sons) gave the game its n tap name: Florida in a stand-up five, they may or may not blitz. Buck back, third down on the eight. In trou- ble, he got a block behind him. Gotta throw on the run. Complete to the 25. To the 30, Lindsay Scott 35, 40, Lindsay Scott 45, 50, 45,40 .... Run Lindsay, 25, 20, 15, 10, Lindsay Scott! Lindsay Scott! Lindsay Scott. The improbable 26-21 victory kept Georgia's title hopes alive, and they would go on to win the 1980 Na- tional Title. 1984: Bell to Nattiel After suffering many a heartbreaking defeat to the Bulldogs with a conference championship at stake, the 1984 Florida Gators entered the contest undefeated in the SEC. The Gators dominated early, building a 17-0 lead by early in the 2nd half. But the Bulldogs seemed to come alive in the 3rd quar- ter, mounting a long drive that reminded uneasy Flori- da fans of many infamous chokes against the 'Dawgs in the past. However, Geor- gia's drive died in the shad- ow of the Florida goal line when they were stuffed on 4th down, checking the Bulldogs momentarily but pinning Florida back deep in their own territory. On the third play follow- ing the change of posses- sion, Florida quarterback Kerwin Bell dropped back into his own end zone and lofted a long pass to streak- ing receiver Ricky Nattiel, who went 96 yards for a touchdown. The Bulldog momentum was snuffed out and the Gators went on to a convincing 27-0 victory, eventually completing an undefeated conference schedule for the first time in school history. 1985: A Return to Form The 1985 Gators entered the contest on a roll: com- ing off an emotional win at Auburn, undefeated, and ranked #1 in the nation for the first time in school his- tory. However, this would not be a repeat of the 1984 game. As they had done so many times in the past, the Bulldogs spoiled Florida's season, running all over the Gators 24-3 with freshmen Keith Henderson and Tim Worley, who each rushed for over 100 yards.[19] 1993: The Timeout The 1993 Gators led by a touchdown on a rainy day in Jacksonville, but Georgia mounted a late drive deep into Florida territory. Bull- dog quarterback Eric Zeier completed what appeared to be the game-tying touch- SEE BATTLE, PAGE 10B NOBODY takes care of you LIKE STATE FARM. I'm dedicated to helping you get the coverage that's right for you and the discounts you deserve. Call me today. Derek Loadholtz CPCU CLU ChFC. Agent 1562 South Ohio Avenue i :I I1 I. 11.1 3A i .,i . :. , www.derekloadholti.com INSURANCE LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, STATE FARM IS THERE. State Farm Mutual Autorrobie Insurance Company (nt in NJ) * Bloomingtoi, IL * siatelam.con PIF050056 2/05 Today's Weather Fd Sat Sun Mon Tue 10/29 10/30 10/31 11/1 11/2 79/47 82/50 85/53 85/57 80/57 Partly cloudy skies Mostly sunny Highs Mainly sunny Highs Sunny Highs in the Isolated thunder- High 79F. 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New First Nov6 Nov13 UV Index e Fri 1,:' 1 * High Miami Sat 1-.- High 8772 Sun 10/31 High Mon 11/1 High Tue 11/2 5 Moderate Area Cities Clearwater 85 61 mst sunny Lake City 78 48 mst sunny Pompano Beach 85 72 rab Crestview 75 37 sunny Madison 78 47 sunny Port Charlotte 87 63 pi sunny Daytona Beach 78 60 rain Melbourne 82 67 rain Saint Augustine 76 59 windy Fort Lauderdale 85 73 rain Miami 87 72 rain Saint Petersburg 81 68 pt sunny Fort Myers 88 66 t-storm N Smyrna Beach 79 62 rain Sarasota 86 62 pi sunny Gainesville 81 52 mst sunny Ocala 83 55 mest sunny Tallahassee 78 44 sunny Hollywood 87 71 t-storm Orlando 81 63 ptsunny Tampa 86 62 p1sunny Jacksonville 77 57 windy Panama City 76 48 sunny Ttusville 81 64 rain Key West 84 74 pt sunny Pensacola 73 47 sunny Venice 87 64 pt sunny Lady Lake 82 57 pt sunny Plant City 87 60 pt sunny W Palm Beach 85 71 rain National Cities Atlanta 6 40 sunny Houston 77 44 sunny Phoenix 87 63 windy Boston 56 36 pt sunny Los Angeles 77 58 pt sunny San Francisco 66 57 rain Chicago 54 38 mst sunny Miami 87 72 rain Seattle 55 45 p sunny Dallas 71 45 sunny Minneapolis 54 37 pt sunny St. Louis 62 41 sunny Denver 71 45 mst sunny New York 58 42 mst sunny Washington, DC 60 43 sunny @2010 American Profile Hometown Content Serice 569977-F FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2010 PAGE 2B * SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT/LIVE OAK