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It was a breakthrough national championship, highlighted by the Fun' N' Gun offense, a Heisman-winning quarterback and a visor-wearing coach with swagger that stretched from Key West to Pensacola.
Florida football won its first national title 30 years ago, capping a 12-1 season in 1996 with a 52-20 win over rival Florida State in the Sugar Bowl.
Two of the three statues erected in front of The Swamp played a key role in the championship season. Heisman winner Steve Spurrier, in his sixth season as UF coach, guided a UF offense that lit up scoreboards like a pinball machine. With Spurrier calling the plays, the Florida Gators led the nation in total offense (503.9 ypg) while leading the SEC in scoring offense (47.0 ppg, an SEC record that still stands).
Starting quarterback Danny Wuerffel won the Heisman Trophy in the 1996 season, passing for 3,625 yards and 39 TDs.
Defensively, Florida transformed into a more aggressive, blitzing unit under first-year coordinator Bob Stoops. UF wound up ranking third in the conference in total defense (250.2 yards per game allowed) and third in turnovers forced (2.2 per game).
To honor the 30th anniversary of 1996 national title team, the Gainesville Sun will count down the top 30 players from the team in the coming weeks. Here's a look at No. 22:
Why Kearse is No. 22: Nicknamed "The Freak", Kearse made an impact on UF's defense as a redshirt freshman. In 11 games and seven starts at strong side linebacker, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Kearse wound up the 1996 season with 44 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass breakups and 1 blocked PAT. A Fort Myers native, Kearse won SEC defensive player of the year honors for UF in 1998 before going on to a successful 10-year NFL career with the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles. Kearse earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors 1999 and Pro Bowl honors from 1999-2001.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football Top 30 players from 1996: No. 22: Jevon Kearse
Continue reading...
Florida football won its first national title 30 years ago, capping a 12-1 season in 1996 with a 52-20 win over rival Florida State in the Sugar Bowl.
Two of the three statues erected in front of The Swamp played a key role in the championship season. Heisman winner Steve Spurrier, in his sixth season as UF coach, guided a UF offense that lit up scoreboards like a pinball machine. With Spurrier calling the plays, the Florida Gators led the nation in total offense (503.9 ypg) while leading the SEC in scoring offense (47.0 ppg, an SEC record that still stands).
Starting quarterback Danny Wuerffel won the Heisman Trophy in the 1996 season, passing for 3,625 yards and 39 TDs.
Defensively, Florida transformed into a more aggressive, blitzing unit under first-year coordinator Bob Stoops. UF wound up ranking third in the conference in total defense (250.2 yards per game allowed) and third in turnovers forced (2.2 per game).
To honor the 30th anniversary of 1996 national title team, the Gainesville Sun will count down the top 30 players from the team in the coming weeks. Here's a look at No. 22:
No. 22 Jevon Kearse, LB
Why Kearse is No. 22: Nicknamed "The Freak", Kearse made an impact on UF's defense as a redshirt freshman. In 11 games and seven starts at strong side linebacker, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Kearse wound up the 1996 season with 44 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass breakups and 1 blocked PAT. A Fort Myers native, Kearse won SEC defensive player of the year honors for UF in 1998 before going on to a successful 10-year NFL career with the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles. Kearse earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors 1999 and Pro Bowl honors from 1999-2001.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football Top 30 players from 1996: No. 22: Jevon Kearse
Continue reading...
