University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

TWELFTH MAN SPARKS SUCCESS Gator fans played a large role in the success of the football team at home games. Charley ' s twelth man showed up every Saturday to root the Gators on to another victory. UF has lost one game in the last two years. Florida Field was filled every week, as evidenced by the sell outs time and time again. UF finished tenth this year in attendance with an average over 72,000. The expansion of the south end zone enabled more fans to witness Gator than ever before. Even a torrential downpour didn ' t the Gator spirit. In the third game of the season kickoff coincided with a rain storm. The rain was accompanied by unwanted guest: wind. But very few fans left the stadium and were treated to another win, this one over Mississippi State. Gator spirit peaked during " Beat Week " which was instituted the week before the Gators were scheduled to take on their SEC foe. Windshields were and buttons distributed. The week was rewarding, as Jim Gainey ' s last second field goal gave Florida a win. About 2,500 Gator faithful weathered cold temperatures and camped out at the Florida Field ticket windows for the chance to buy tickets to the annual Florida-Georgia rivalry. But win or lose you can be sure the twelth man will be ready every week to see the Gators do battle. M. Roguska M. Laurita M. Roguska Gator fan snarls over referees call in second quarter of UF ' S game against Auburn. As part of " Beat Auburn Week " Gator fans were encouraged to paint slogans on windshields with white shoe polish. A UF student waits eagerly for the start of the Gator game against Miami. Students go bananas over Gator football. Gator Fans 69