Florida State Football: Top 5 Wins over Florida Since 1991

Florida State and Florida come into this weekend’s annual showdown with an opportunity to reverse their disappointing seasons by claiming the unofficial and mythical Sunshine State title. 

While both programs are currently struggling to regain their footing on the national stage, a lot more than pride is on the line anytime the ‘Noles and the Gators tangle on the gridiron.

From one of the sport’s most memorable comebacks, to a pair of bowl rematches and a slew of national championships and Heisman winners, the annual battle for supremacy in the Sunshine State has brought out some of college football’s most unforgettable moments and is still recognized as one of the fiercest rivalries in the sport.  

Here are Florida State’s top five wins over the Gators since 1991.

1993: Florida State 33, Florida 21

FSU lost to Notre Dame earlier in the season in what was that year’s “Game of the Century,” but their national title hopes were galvanized a week later thanks to the Irish’s loss to Boston College the following week. 

The ‘Noles came into the game buoyed by their eventual Heisman Trophy winner, quarterback Charlie Ward, while the Gators would trot out a young freshman signal-caller named Danny Wuerffel. 

After the Gators cut the lead to 27-21, the raucous crowd was ready to explode as the ‘Noles faced a 3rd-and-10 deep in their own territory. 

Ward calmly eluded a blitz and hit freshman tailback Warrick Dunn, who darted down the sidelines for a 79-yard touchdown that crushed the Gators' upset dreams and sent the ‘Noles on their way to their first national championship in school history.

1996: Florida State 24, Florida 21

This matchup would feature the nation’s Top Two teams doing battle for a spot in the national championship game. 

The top-ranked Gators brought in a high-powered offense led by their Heisman-winning quarterback Wuerffel, while the ‘Noles answered with their ferocious defense. 

FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews dialed up a steady dose of pressure, battering Wuerffel to the tune of six sacks, numerous knockdowns and forced him into throwing three first-half interceptions. 

Meanwhile, Dunn made his last game at Doak Campbell Stadium a memorable one, rushing  for 185 yards and leading the ‘Noles to a 24-21 win. 

However after a series of upsets, the Gators found a stroke of good fortune that allowed them to face FSU again, and they got their revenge with a 52-20 win in the national championship game.  

1998: Florida State 23, Florida 12

The Gators had broken the hearts of their hated rivals the previous two seasons, and with starting quarterback Chris Weinke out with a neck injury, the ‘Noles' hopes rested on their top-ranked defense and backup quarterback Marcus Outzen. 

A pregame melee between the two teams resulted in the ejection of Gators starting safety Tony George, but despite that blow, Florida took a 12-6 lead into halftime. 

The second half would be dominated by the ‘Noles' All-American wide receiver Peter Warrick. 

He caught a touchdown in the third quarter to give FSU the lead, and later threw a touchdown pass that iced the game and sent FSU into the national championship game.  

2003: Florida State 38, Florida 34

This contest represents the last time FSU traveled to the Swamp and escaped with a win.

Perhaps, it also represents the Gators' least favorite memory in this spirited series. 

In a back-and-forth affair, the game was hotly contested and depending on who you ask, poorly officiated. 

Still, with the Gators nursing a 34-31 fourth-quarter lead, maligned Seminoles quarterback Chris Rix would convert a 4th-and-17 pass play, which led to a play that will forever be seared into the hearts of FSU fans. 

Rix rolled out near midfield, and launched a 52-yard touchdown pass to receiver PK Sam that served as a metaphorical dagger to the Orange and Blue faithful in attendance.  

2010: Florida State 31, Florida 7

The Gators came into the game riding a six-game winning streak over their hated rivals. 

Florida head coach Urban Meyer had never lost to the Seminoles, but the ‘Noles were energized by the progress made under first-year head coach Jimbo Fisher. 

Senior quarterback Christian Ponder had a senior day to remember, throwing for 221 yards and three touchdowns as the ‘Noles ended six years of frustration by pounding the Gators into submission. 

Meyer looked frazzled and exhausted after the loss, and just two weeks later, he announced his retirement for the second consecutive year, although he actually stuck to it the second time around.  

Bonus 1994: Florida State 31, Florida 31

Simply known as the “The Choke at Doak,” Florida State rallied from a 31-3 deficit entering the fourth quarter and stormed their way to the most famous tie in recent memory. 

Steve Spurrier’s Gators blitzed the ‘Noles from the start and jumped out to a 24-3 halftime lead, and would add a score in the third quarter to seemingly put the game out of reach. 

Quarterback Danny Kanell led the furious comeback, and tailback Rock Preston plunged in from four yards away with just under two minutes left to play to tie the game. 

The game was a tie in numbers only, with ‘Noles fans and players celebrating this game as a victory while the Gator faithful will forever hang their heads over a victory that slipped away.    

The two teams would square off in a rematch in the Sugar Bowl, where the ‘Noles would defeat the Gators 23-17 and further add insult to injury in one of the greatest moments in the history of this storied rivalry.