An (Urban) Legend: Meyer’s Best Moments at Florida
Six seasons. Two BCS National Championship titles. Two SEC championships. A soon-to-be inductee into the Florida Football Ring of Honor.
Urban Meyer transformed Florida into one of the nation’s most dominant football programs in the 2000s. Known for his intense coaching style, Meyer compiled a 65-15 record and went 5-1 in bowl games.
As Meyer prepares to enter Florida’s Ring of Honor during Florida’s game against Oklahoma on Saturday, here are the top five moments that defined Meyer’s time at Florida.
1. 2006 BCS National Championship
Meyer led the Gators to a 41-14 win over No. 1 Ohio State, which was led by Heisman-winning quarterback Troy Smith. During the first quarter, Meyer opted for a two-quarterback system, led by senior Chris Leak and freshman Tim Tebow, to confuse the Ohio State defense. Meyer also revealed, years later, on his podcast, “The Triple Option,” that he used negative media coverage surrounding the Gators to fuel his team leading up to the championship game.
2. 2008 SEC Championship
Despite playing without star wide receiver Percy Harvin, Meyer still guided No. 2 Florida to a 31-20 win over No. 1 and undefeated Alabama in the 2008 SEC Championship. Meyer decided to operate a no-huddle offense, and the Gators scored early. This game, a showdown of the country’s top two teams, was what propelled Florida into the 2008 BCS National Championship game.
3. 2008 BCS National Championship
With eight minutes left in the 2008 National Championship game, Urban Meyer told his team on the sideline: “Guys, turn around and look at the clock. … If we can somehow control this clock and go down and score, you’re the champions of college football,” he shared with CBS Sports.
Meyer led the Gators to a 24-14 victory over Oklahoma, securing his second national championship at Florida. He later told the Sound Mind Sound Body youth football camp in Detroit that the 2008 team was the best team to ever play because of their “wild animal” instincts.
4. Florida-Georgia Revenge
An iconic Urban Meyer moment came during the 2008 Florida-Georgia Game, when Meyer called two timeouts with under a minute left in the game, despite being up 49-10. He wanted revenge against Georgia after it rushed the endzone with a loud celebration at the end of the 2007 Florida-Georgia game that Florida lost 42-30. Meyer forced the 2008 game to end on his terms.
5. Recruiting and Securing Tim Tebow
One of Meyer’s greatest accomplishments was locking up Tim Tebow’s commitment to Florida over other top SEC schools, including Alabama. Meyer said in an interview on the “Buddy Martin Show” that he knew if Florida did not end up recruiting Tebow, then it would set the program back years. Soon, Tebow called Meyer to confirm his commitment, which built momentum for a recruiting class that included five-star linebacker Brandon Spikes.
Urban brought more than just championships and trophies to Florida. He instilled traditions, like mat drills, The Champions Club and Gator Walk, to the football program. His best moments will all be recognized Saturday at the Florida vs. Oklahoma game in The Swamp during his Ring of Honor ceremony.
Category: Football, Gator Sports, Gators Football
