Classic SEC Football: Florida 'Upsets' Georgia in 2002

It's strange to think that a Florida win over Georgia during the last 22 years can qualify as an upset. The Gators entered the 2002 game having won 11 of the last 12 meetings between the two rivals, but the 2002 season was different.

Florida entered the game ranked No. 20 with a 5-3 record under first-year head coach Ron Zook, while the Georgia Bulldogs were 8-0, ranked No. 4 in the nation and squarely in the mix for a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.

Georgia held a 7-6 lead on Florida late in the first half. With 3:56 to play, Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley—who was inserted in place of David Greene periodically throughout the 2002 season—was intercepted by Guss Scott. The defensive back returned it 47 yards for a touchdown to put the Gators up 12-7.

Georgia came right back. Kicker Billy Bennett hit two field goals before the break to give the Bulldogs a 13-12 halftime lead.

Neither team made a dent on the scoreboard in the third quarter. 

Early in the fourth, Florida quarterback Rex Grossman led his team on a 10-play, 89-yard scoring drive which culminated with a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ben Troupe. Grossman rushed in from two yards on the two-point conversion attempt to give the Gators a 20-13 lead. Grossman finished the day 36-for-46 for 339 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

It was a lead that they would never relinquish.

That being said, it wasn't due to lack of Georgia opportunities, though.

On 1st-and-10 with 2:31 to play, Georgia wide receiver Terrence Edwards broke wide open. Greene hit him in stride at the Florida 30-yard line, but the ball slipped through Edwards' finger tips. There was nobody within 10 yards of him.

Three plays later, Greene overthrew Tony Milton out of the backfield on 4th-and-1 to essentially put the game out of reach. 

Georgia got the ball back one last time, but Greene was sacked on his own 30-yard line to end the game.

The Bulldogs were 0-for-13 on third down conversions on the afternoon.

It was Georgia's only loss of the season. Had the Bulldogs topped the Gators in Jacksonville, there would have been an epic BCS mess at the end of the season with undefeated Georgia, Ohio State and Miami (Fla.).

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