Was Vandy the best Gator comeback in 20 years?

jaywalker72 · Oct 16, 2018

Much has been written about the 18-point deficit erased in Nashville, the largest since 2003 in Lexington.

But, as I recall that Wildcat game (Leak's first start?), it was an incredible bit of Wildcat foolishness (Hefty Lefty) that allowed that comeback. In contrast, the Gators did not benefit from a single Vandy turnover, having to drive the comeback from solid offensive execution and force the punt defense.

Which got me thinking (dangerous) -- when was the last time we came back from such a large deficit?

For example, the FSU game in '97 was an awesome bit of comebackery, but we were not down by that many points. I am probably forgetting something, but 30-14 against Tennessee in the Swamp in '95 was the last time I remember such a comeback.

Was last week the greatest Gator comeback since then - Your thoughts?

Slevin · Oct 16, 2018

The 2000 South Carolina game comes to mind. We were also down 21-3. Palmer had to come off the bench, scoring a touchdown where he caught his own deflection and ran it in. A few really good punt returns by Sheppard and Florida scored 38 Unanswered

jaywalker72 · Oct 16, 2018

Slevin said:
The 2000 South Carolina game comes to mind. We were also down 21-3. Palmer had to come off the bench, scoring a touchdown where he caught his own deflection and ran it in. A few really good punt returns by Sheppard and Florida scored 38 Unanswered

Yes! How could I forget Palmer to Palmer? I guess I am wondering where this Vandy comeback will rank down the line?

MADGator · Oct 16, 2018

Slevin said:
The 2000 South Carolina game comes to mind. We were also down 21-3. Palmer had to come off the bench, scoring a touchdown where he caught his own deflection and ran it in. A few really good punt returns by Sheppard and Florida scored 38 Unanswered

I was there, hungover as hell, thinking why in the hell am I here.

soflagator · Oct 16, 2018

Slevin said:
The 2000 South Carolina game comes to mind. We were also down 21-3. Palmer had to come off the bench, scoring a touchdown where he caught his own deflection and ran it in. A few really good punt returns by Sheppard and Florida scored 38 Unanswered

You’re right on the tipped pass, but it was Kenyatta Walker that caught it and ran it in.

The Lito return to close the half was insane. I’ll never forget Hotz staring in amazement along the sidelines.

jaywalker72 · Oct 16, 2018

soflagator said:
You’re right on the tipped pass, but it was Kenyatta Walker that caught it and ran it in.

The Lito return to close the half was insane. I’ll never forget Hotz staring in amazement along the sidelines.

"On third-and-goal from the 6, Palmer came under heavy pressure and unloaded a pass that deflected off a South Carolina defender and bounded into the hands of left guard Thomas Moody.
Seeing the play unfold in front of him, Palmer nudged Moody toward the end zone and Moody lumbered in, mobbed by teammates after scoring the go-ahead points, and one of the strangest touchdowns in memory."

This would explain how I didn't remember Palmer to Palmer -- it was Palmer to Moody and Jesse pushing. Love remembering Granny Clampett looking stunned.

UFHealthGator · Oct 16, 2018

What's interesting is it didn't feel out of hand at any point during the game. It just felt like a matter of time before they flip the score, because of how well they were driving the ball downfield, even though they kept shooting themselves in the foot in the first half.

Zambo · Oct 16, 2018

21-3 is a big deficit but there was a ton of time left in the game at that point. In contrast, we were down 17-0 vs Auburn in 1986 in the 4th quarter before commencing the greatest Gator comeback ever.

Alumni Guy · Oct 16, 2018

soflagator said:
You’re right on the tipped pass, but it was Kenyatta Walker that caught it and ran it in.

The Lito return to close the half was insane. I’ll never forget Hotz staring in amazement along the sidelines.

I remember everyone was chanting “Lito Lito Lito”, he heard it, waved his hand for more, then housed it.

Just like this weekend, we were down but knew we would win the game. It was AWESOME!!!!!

LighthouseGator · Oct 16, 2018

soflagator said:
You’re right on the tipped pass, but it was Kenyatta Walker that caught it and ran it in.

The Lito return to close the half was insane. I’ll never forget Hotz staring in amazement along the sidelines.

Was a freshman. If I’m remembering right (good chance that I’m not), this was the first of many games I went to with my dad.

I recall the entire stadium chanting Lito Lito Lito before he ripped of the long return before halftime. Was glorious.

LighthouseGator · Oct 16, 2018

Alumni Guy said:
I remember everyone was chanting “Lito Lito Lito”, he heard it, waved his hand for more, then housed it.

Just like this weekend, we were down but knew we would win the game. It was AWESOME!!!!!

Damn ninja’d! ^^^^

jaywalker72 · Oct 16, 2018

Zambo said:
21-3 is a big deficit but there was a ton of time left in the game at that point. In contrast, we were down 17-0 vs Auburn in 1986 in the 4th quarter before commencing the greatest Gator comeback ever.

So good - Watching it never gets old for me.

SwampChomp · Oct 16, 2018

Zambo said:
21-3 is a big deficit but there was a ton of time left in the game at that point. In contrast, we were down 17-0 vs Auburn in 1986 in the 4th quarter before commencing the greatest Gator comeback ever.

WOW what a game this was! Auburn was highly ranked with a solid D and a loaded backfield --- Tommy Aggie and company. Bell to Nattiel with under a minute to bring us back. Going for 2 was a gutsy call. Bell running in the 2-point conversion to give us the lead. Talk about LOUD!! Auburn driving down field with a last chance field goal in the closing seconds --- wide right if memory serves. But it was no chip shot -- long attempt like 45 yards or so. Hell of an emotional roller coaster ride that 4th Qtr. Great comeback Win!!!

Slevin · Oct 16, 2018

Zambo said:
21-3 is a big deficit but there was a ton of time left in the game at that point. In contrast, we were down 17-0 vs Auburn in 1986 in the 4th quarter before commencing the greatest Gator comeback ever.

Ah yes. This is the correct answer. Can’t believe I forgot 86 Auburn. Bell coming off the bench in this game too

GatorTom85 · Oct 16, 2018

Zambo said:
21-3 is a big deficit but there was a ton of time left in the game at that point. In contrast, we were down 17-0 vs Auburn in 1986 in the 4th quarter before commencing the greatest Gator comeback ever.

Can't argue with that! An amazing game against number 5 Auburn with Kerwin Bell pulling a Willis Reed and limping into the 2nd half to save the day, Ricky Nattiel making a catch at full extension with a separated shoulder, and, of course, Bell's run for the 2 point conversion which looked like he was in slow motion with everyone else at regular speed.

The only downside was the fact that I had to listen on the radio because we were still under the no TV penalty from the NCAA due to the Pell era violations which also took away our SEC Championship that we legitimately won my senior year. I was sitting in my apartment listening to the game on the radio and totally lost it as they scored that go ahead conversion! Surprised they didn't call the cops!

I finally actually saw the game on a Gator Classics replay years later with James Bates who had both Kerwin and Rickey with him on the show. It was awesome to relive that memory while actually finally getting to see those classic plays!

Turk182 · Oct 17, 2018

Thanks for sharing your memories, this is one of the best things about this board!

:chomp:

AugustaGator · Oct 17, 2018

SwampChomp said:
WOW what a game this was! Auburn was highly ranked with a solid D and a loaded backfield --- Tommy Aggie and company. Bell to Nattiel with under a minute to bring us back. Going for 2 was a gutsy call. Bell running in the 2-point conversion to give us the lead. Talk about LOUD!! Auburn driving down field with a last chance field goal in the closing seconds --- wide right if memory serves. But it was no chip shot -- long attempt like 45 yards or so. Hell of an emotional roller coaster ride that 4th Qtr. Great comeback Win!!!

Entire stadium shook. Crazy. Cups everywhere!

AugustaGator · Oct 17, 2018

GatorTom85 said:
Can't argue with that! An amazing game against number 5 Auburn with Kerwin Bell pulling a Willis Reed and limping into the 2nd half to save the day, Ricky Nattiel making a catch at full extension with a separated shoulder, and, of course, Bell's run for the 2 point conversion which looked like he was in slow motion with everyone else at regular speed.

The only downside was the fact that I had to listen on the radio because we were still under the no TV penalty from the NCAA due to the Pell era violations which also took away our SEC Championship that we legitimately won my senior year. I was sitting in my apartment listening to the game on the radio and totally lost it as they scored that go ahead conversion! Surprised they didn't call the cops!

I finally actually saw the game on a Gator Classics replay years later with James Bates who had both Kerwin and Rickey with him on the show. It was awesome to relive that memory while actually finally getting to see those classic plays!

I was standing in the south end zone with older brother (Auburn grad) and friend on the east side to see the 2-pt nicely after getting kicked out of seats for drinking about 10 minutes before.

divits · Oct 17, 2018

Zambo said:
21-3 is a big deficit but there was a ton of time left in the game at that point. In contrast, we were down 17-0 vs Auburn in 1986 in the 4th quarter before commencing the greatest Gator comeback ever.

Watching Kerwin slowly lumbering toward the end zone for what seemed an eternity for the two point conversion. Awesome.

divits · Oct 17, 2018

Was Vandy the best Gator comeback in 20 years?

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