Florida State's five greatest games in 'The Swamp'

Wayne McGahee III
Tallahassee Democrat
Florida State’s Warrick Dunn is the first Seminole to rush for more than 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.

The Florida State-Florida rivalry game has been played 61 times dating back to the first meeting in 1958.

Thirty-three of those meetings have occurred in Gainesville in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, more commonly known as The Swamp, though it wasn't nicknamed that until 1992 by then head coach Steve Spurrier.

The first six games of the series were played there -- with the Gators posting a 5-0-1 record -- and UF holds a 20-11-1 record on its home field over the Seminoles.

But FSU's had its share of success in The Swamp including these five wins.

1. 1993 - FSU 33 UF 21

Florida State came into the game as the No. 1 team in the country, and the only thing standing between the Seminoles and a National Championship appearance was No. 7 Florida. 

FSU started off fast and jumped out to a 20-7 lead in the third quarter, but UF cut the lead to 27-21 with 5:52 left in the game.

The Seminoles responded. Future Heisman winning quarterback Charlie Ward hit running back Warrick Dunn streaking up the sideline for a 79-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-10 to put FSU up 33-21.

The Seminoles went on to win their first National Championship with an 18-16 win over Nebraska.

2. 2003 - FSU 38 UF 34

This game has different nicknames depending on which side of the rivalry you're on. For FSU fans, it's known as Rix to Sam. For UF it's "The Swindle in the Swamp" after a few controversial calls went in FSU's favor. 

FSU got out to a 17-6 lead, but UF had tied the game at 24 entering the fourth quarter, and took a 27-24 lead with eight minutes remaining.

Then the game exploded.

FSU took the lead back on a Chris Rix touchdown run with 5:01 left, but the Gators marched right back down the field and Chris Leak hit Ben Troupe for a 26-yard touchdown to regain a 34-31 lead with 2:50 remaining. 

FSU floundered to start the drive, and faced a 4th-and-14 from its 24 yard line before Rix found Dominic Robinson for 24 yards to keep its hopes alive. The next play Rix threw a 52-yard bomb to P.K. Sam in the back of the end zone to put the Seminoles up 38-34 with 55 seconds remaining and would hold on for the win.

More:Florida State players recall their first taste of the Florida rivalry

More:Clemson experience could help Florida State QB James Blackman at Florida

More:Fisher: Florida State-Florida rivalry still significant despite records

3. 1967 - FSU 21 UF 16

FSU's first win in Gainesville holds a special place in the hearts of many FSU fans. 

UF got on the board first with a field goal, but the Seminoles responded with 14 first half points to hold a 14-3 lead at the break.

The Gators had the only score in the third quarter, but failed on the two-point conversion attempt to cut the lead to 14-9.

FSU and UF traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and future FSU president T.K. Wetherall batted down a fourth down pass with under two minutes remaining to secure the victory.

Ron Sellers had 153 yards and a touchdown in the game.

4. 1977 - FSU 37 UF 9

FSU took out nine years of revenge in this game.

The Seminoles hadn't beaten the Gators since that 1967 meeting, and were only two years removed from a 34-8 trouncing by UF in 1975.

FSU outgained UF 538 to 200 and thoroughly dominated the game from start to finish. The FSU defense held the Gators to just 59 yards passing.

FSU's Roger Overby and Mike Shumann combined for 235 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Running back Larry Key rushed for 143 yards on 20 carries.

The Seminoles would win the next three games in the series after that. 

5. 1999 - FSU 30 UF 23

FSU was in the midst of a perfect season when it rolled into Gainesville as the No. 1 team in the country with No. 3 UF once again standing in the way of a National Championship birth.

The Seminoles held a 23-16 lead at the end of the third quarter, but the Gators were marching their way toward the end zone to tie the game. 

Free safety Chris Hope intercepted Doug Johnson's pass at the two, and FSU went on a 98 yard drive that ended in a 27-yard touchdown pass from future Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke to Snoop Minnis to make it 30-16.

UF would score with just over three minutes left to cut the lead to 30-23, but FSU would hold on for a 30-23 victory and would go on to win its second National Championship.