Remembering The Gator Flop

November 27, 1971: University of Florida defensive players purposely dropped to the ground and allowed Miami quarterback John Hornibrook to score. With the Gators leading 45-8 with only a few minutes remaining in the game, the ploy allowed Florida quarterback John Reaves enough time to break Jim Plunkett’s then NCAA career passing yardage record. Known as the Gator Flop, it remains one of the most infamous moments at the Orange Bowl. After the game an angry Miami coach Fran Curci refused to shake hands with Florida’s Doug Dickey. Curci would later say Miami would win a national championship before the Gators ever win a SEC title. He would be proven correct. To read more stories about the history of the Orange Bowl, visit us at https://www.facebook.com/ghostsoftheorangebowl