Steve Spurrier's history vs. Miami
This isn’t the same national title-contending bunch at the top of college football’s throne over the last several decades, but Steve Spurrier says he’s quite familiar with one of his former rivals when the Gamecocks open SEC postseason play Saturday in the Duck Commander Independence Bowl.
“We’ve got a chance to play a school with a storied tradition, the University of Miami Hurricanes,” Spurrier said. “I remember when we had that 18-game win streak at home here the last two and half years and I think those guys won 58 in a row at one time, the all-time record. I know Al Golden, their coach, and he’s a good guy. They’ve got a good team, obviously.”
Contrary to what some may think, Spurrier and the Hurricanes didn’t square off as much as they should’ve during the 69-year-old coach’s 12-season stint in Gainesville beginning in 1990. The rivalry hasn’t been the same since the Gators announced they were dropping their South Florida foe off the schedule in 1987.
Florida played Miami just once during Spurrier’s tenure as head coach, a 17-point loss in the 2000 Sugar Bowl decided by three touchdown passes from quarterback Ken Dorsey.
Miami also got the best of Spurrier as a player, taking down the Heisman-winning quarterback in 1966, 21-16. In vintage post-game fashion, Spurrier pulled no punches according to an archived report from GatorZone:
“In four years at Florida, I’ve never said anything about the officiating, but at least twice today, I was trying to watch receivers catch a ball and got the hell knocked out of me,” Spurrier told reporters. “I’m not crying, but I’ve thrown more than 700 passes and I’ve never had one roughing-the-passer penalty called. It was obvious today and I feel I should say something.”
This year’s matchup is much different, South Carolina’s first head-to-head meeting with the Hurricanes since a series-ending brawl in 1987. It’s two 6-6 teams hoping to avoid a losing season, particularly for Golden who has been on the hot seat several years as a non-title contender in the ACC.
Spurrier has won three consecutive bowl games with the Gamecocks, but this could be the most meaningful. The Gamecocks’ incoming recruiting class has taken a disastrous turn in recent weeks with several decommitments approaching national signing day.
Positive momentum is needed and a win in Shreveport would help.