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

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gators -win opener GAINESVILLE, Sept. 19 — The Fighting Gators, facing the roughest schedule in Southeastern Conference play this season, began the year on a highly successful note by defeating well- regarded Southern Methodist University 24-8 in the season opener for both teams. Right from the opening kickoff the Gator power was shown to the partisan crowd as Florida drove 55 yards to the S.M.U. 15-yard line before relinquishing the ball. The Gators managed to put seven points on the scoreboard on their fourth offensive series which ran well into the first quarter. From his own 37-yard line quarterback Steve Spurrier fired a short pass to Harper who sailed down the sideline for a 56 yard pick-up before being knocked out of bounds on the Mustang seven. Sophomore halfback Marquis then swung wide around right end, behind a wall of blockers, to cross the goal line and give the Gators their first touchdown of the 1964 campaign. With 14 seconds left to go in the first period, Jimmy Hall added the first of three straight extra point placements and the Gators took a 7-0 lead. On the next play from scrimmage, reserve quarterback Donnie Oefinger went wide around left end to pick up nine yards and give the Mustangs a six pointer. Oefinger ran for the two point conversion and the Mustangs jumped out in front, 8-7. S.M.U. gave the Gators excellent field placement via a poor punt late in the second quarter. After three plays failed to net big yardage, junior Jimmy Hall came off the bench to send a 32-yard field goal placement right through the uprights and the Gators took a 10-8 lead into the dressing room at halftime. Harper ' s electrifying 80-yard dash through the middle of the Mustang ' s defense upped the Gator lead to 17-8 midway through the third period. Spurrier fired a 10-yard pass to back Alan Poe to move the ball inside of the Mustang 10-yard line, and after a penalty against the Gators, Spurrier sent a nine-yard scoring pass to waiting end Charles Casey, the lonesome end.

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lyle ' s talented toe downs mississippi state JACKSON, Sept. 26—The educated toe of tackle Bob Lyle sent the pigskin spiraling 41 yards through the uprights with one second left to play in the game, and the Gators downed Miss. State 16-13 in a dramatic finish. The Gators had taken an early 3-0 lead in the contest when Lyle kicked a 28-yard field goal with 6 minutes left in the first quarter, after a 53-yard Gator drive bogged down. Early in the second period, Bulldog speedster Marcus Rhoden, from Florida, broke through right end and raced 77 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. Justin Canale ' s conversion was good and with 11 minutes left in the half, State led 7-3. The Gators were not to be denied, for on the ensuing kickoff they drove 81 yards in 19 plays to score. Highlights of the drive were four completed passes by sophom ore Steve Spurrier and the hard running of Jack Harper. It was Harper who ran through tackle for five yards to put the Gator touchdown on the scoreboard, and with two minutes left in the half, Jimmy Hall kicked the extra point upping the margin to 10-7. After a scoreless third period, Rhoden 132