by Brendan Paschal

There is no denying it. Steve Spurrier always had a vendetta against the University of Georgia. Although it’s reasonable to say he grew this hatred because he played at UGA’s rival, Florida, and later coached there. However, this goes much deeper than a rivalry.

During his time as quarterback in Gainesville, he went 2-2 at the World’s Largest Cocktail Party. In 1966, Spurrier’s senior year, both teams went into this rivalry game undefeated in the SEC. Having never won an SEC title, and it being their final conference game, it seemed as if Florida might finally be on top of the conference. However, Georgia had other plans. Holding the Gators to only 10 points while putting up 27, this was the most lopsided game while Spurrier was quarterback.

Spurrier at Florida 

Image from Jamie Squire at ALLSPORT

Now, I am not saying Spurrier held any grudges. Well, actually, yes I am. Once he became the Head Ball Coach at Florida he went 11-1 against Georgia. No matter what their records or rankings were, Spurrier constantly had the Dawgs number. He embarrassed UGA coaches, Ray Goff, Jim Donnan, and Mark Richt. But, Goff takes the cake for the most embarrassing loss in 1995.

That year, Florida headed to Athens since Jacksonville Muncipal Stadium was still under construction. Although the Dawgs had home field advantage, that’s they only advantage they had. Going into this game Florida was undefeated while Georgia was struggling.

Leading 38-17 with possession of the ball and less than two minutes left in the 4th, Spurrier decided to rub salt into their wounds. Instead of running out the clock Spurrier continued to throw the ball. Putting up 2 touchdowns in the final 1:30 Florida won 52-17. When asked why he continued to throw the ball he answered,

“I wanted to be the first to ever hang half a hundred on Georgia Between the Hedges because I heard nobody had ever done that before.”

Spurrier is also likely the reason Ray Goff, or Ray “Goof” as Spurrier liked to call him, was fired as Georgia’s head coach in 1995. Goff was never able to defeat Florida during his tenure. Yet, his replacement was only marginally more successful against Spurrier, winning one of the five games.

It seemed like Spurrier would never again find a worthy adversary in Georgia.

Spurrier vs Mark Richt

Image from South Carolina Athletics

After the 2001 season Spurrier decided to try his hand in the NFL, but that was not before leaving a departing gift for Georgia in 2001 with a big ole L. It would not be until 2005 when these two coaches would face off again.

Returning to the SEC Spurrier became the Head Ball Coach at South Carolina. Once again, Spurrier would face Georgia every year. However, some things were different since the time he was at Florida. First, Georgia finally found a solid coach in Mark Richt. In the 3 years of Spurrier’s absence, the Dawgs were 34-6. Second, the Gamecocks were the bottom of the conference.

Spurrier was handed his first back to back losses to Georgia for the first time in his career. But, in 2007 the Gamecocks exacted revenge winning 16-12 in a defensive struggle. However, 2010-2014 Spurrier won four out of the five, the most notable being 2012.

It was Week 6, both teams undefeated, and Georgia ranked No. 5 in the nation, with South Carolina at No. 6. A battle of the Titans, an epic matchup, a game that should have gone down to the wire, but Spurrier had other plans. The Gamecocks put up 21 unanswered points in the first quarter, and didn’t look back. It was not until the fourth quarter when Georgia finally scored. The Dawgs walked out of William-Brice Stadium with their tail between their legs.

When Spurrier’s tenure ended, his overall record against Mark Richt was 6-6, which is seemingly disappointing after dominating Georgia for years at Florida. But, you must look at where he started in Columbia and how far ahead the Dawgs were at that time. There seems to be little doubt for South Carolina fans that any other coach would not have succeeded in beating Mark Richt during this era.

Spurrier often crippled Georgia’s seasons hopes to make it to a National Championship or even an SEC Championship. He held back zero punches, whether it be on the field or in front of a microphone, when facing the Dawgs.