Posted by NoleCC

By Jonathan Loesche – aka PaxonGator

In the last two years, this rivalry has been decided by a combined 11 points. In each of the last two years, this game came down to the final play. I could go on and on. We have seen our share of great moments in the rivalry, the Choke at Doak in 94, the “Great game ever at the Swamp” in 97, the two Sugar Bowl rematches. However, these two games have something else about them. In these two games, both teams were out of the national championship chase, playing for 2nd in the state behind Miami, nothing like what had happened for a good 10 years or more. It was for the most simple thing in all of sports. Pride.’,'Embattled Chris Rix saved his Junior year with a masterful performance against the Gators in 2003, and came off the bench to attempt a comeback on Senior Day. Ciatrick Fason rushing for 104 yards against the nations top run defense, scoring the game clinching touchdown with a little less than five minutes to play giving the Gators their first win in Tallahassee since 1986. Chris Leak with amazing performances in both games, to say the least. Rix to Sam, Fason from 8 yards out, Leak to Troupe, Rix to Stoval, so many memories for both fans, Gators and Noles.

Both fans have had been heartbroken(UF with the “Swindle in the Swamp”, FSU losing on the night Bobby Bowden Field was dedicated) but saw their teams compete so that they could still hang their heads high. When is all said and done, and we have had the proper time to review this, the fans will put these games in the same annals as 91, 93, 94, and 97.