2011 Florida Gators football team

2011 Florida Gators football
2011 Florida Gators football
Gator Bowl champion
Gator Bowl, W 24–17 vs. Ohio State
Conference	Southeastern Conference
	Eastern Division
Record	7–6 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach	Will Muschamp (1st season);
Offensive coordinator	Charlie Weis (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Pro-style
Defensive coordinator	Dan Quinn (1st season)
Base defense	Multiple 4–3
Home stadium	Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Uniform

2011 Southeastern Conference football standings

Team	W		L	W		L
Eastern Division
No. 19 Georgia x	7	–	1	10	–	4
No. 9 South Carolina	6	–	2	11	–	2
	3	–	5	7	–	6
Vanderbilt	2	–	6	6	–	7
Kentucky	2	–	6	5	–	7
Tennessee	1	–	7	5	–	7
Western Division
No. 2 LSU x$	8	–	0	13	–	1
No. 1 Alabama %#	7	–	1	12	–	1
No. 5 Arkansas	6	–	2	11	–	2
Auburn	4	–	4	8	–	5
Mississippi State	2	–	6	7	–	6
Ole Miss*	0	–	8	2	–	10
Championship: LSU 42, Georgia 10
# – BCS National Champion $ – BCS representative as conference champion % – BCS at-large representative x – Division champion/co-champions * Ole Miss vacated all wins due to NCAA violations. Rankings from AP Poll

The 2011 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2011 college football season. The Gators competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They played their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus, and were led by first-year head coach Will Muschamp. Muschamp coached the Gators to a third-place finish in the SEC East, a 3–5 conference record, a 24–17 Gator Bowl victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes, and an overall win–loss record of 7–6 (.539).

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 3	Florida Atlantic*	No. 22	Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL	ESPNU	W 41–3	88,708
September 10	UAB*	No. 18	Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL	FSN	W 39–0	87,473
September 17	Tennessee	No. 16	Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL (rivalry)	CBS	W 33–23	90,744
September 24	at Kentucky	No. 15	Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY (rivalry)	ESPN	W 48–10	65,134
October 1	No. 3 Alabama	No. 12	Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL (rivalry)	CBS	L 10–38	90,888
October 8	at No. 1 LSU	No. 17	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry)	CBS	L 11–41	93,022
October 15	at No. 24 Auburn		Jordan–Hare Stadium Auburn, AL (rivalry)	ESPN	L 6–17	87,451
October 29	vs. No. 22 Georgia		EverBank Field Jacksonville, FL (rivalry)	CBS	L 20–24	84,524
November 5	Vanderbilt		Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL	SECN	W 26–21	90,144
November 12	at No. 15 South Carolina		Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC	CBS	L 12–17	80,250
November 19	No. 24 (FCS) Furman*		Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL	PPV	W 54–32	84,674
November 26	Florida State*		Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL (rivalry)	ESPN2	L 7–21	90,798
January 2, 2012	vs. Ohio State*		EverBank Field Jacksonville, FL (Gator Bowl)	ESPN2	W 24–17	61,312
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

^[1]^[2]

Rankings

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	22	18	16	15	12	17	RV	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Coaches	23	18	17	15	12	18	RV	—	RV	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Harris	Not released						25	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Not released
BCS	Not released							—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Not released

Game summaries

Florida Atlantic

Will Muschamp's debut as head coach for Florida was a success as the Gators defeated the Owls 41–3.^[3]

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Florida Atlantic	0	3	0	0	3
• Florida	10	14	7	10	41

Date: September 3
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
Game start: 7:03 p.m. EST
Elapsed time: 3:13
Game attendance: 88,708
Game weather: 88 F, wind 8 ESE
Referee: Steve Shaw
TV announcers (ESPNU): Clay Matvick, Brian Griese & Allison Williams

UAB

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
UAB	0	0	0	0	0
• Florida	13	12	14	0	39

Date: September 10
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL

Tennessee

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Tennessee	0	7	6	10	23
• Florida	10	6	14	3	33

Date: September 17
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST
Television network: CBS

^[4]

Kentucky

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Florida	21	10	10	7	48
Kentucky	3	7	0	0	10

Date: September 24
Location: Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, KY
Television network: ESPN

Alabama

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Alabama	10	14	0	14	38
Florida	10	0	0	0	10

Date: October 1
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
Television network: CBS

LSU

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Florida	0	3	8	0	11
• LSU	14	10	3	14	41

Date: October 8
Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
Television network: CBS

Auburn

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Florida	0	6	0	0	6
• Auburn	7	0	0	10	17

Date: October 15
Location: Jordan–Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
Television network: ESPN

Georgia

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Georgia	0	10	7	7	24
Florida	7	10	3	0	20

Date: October 29
Location: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL
Television network: CBS

Vanderbilt

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Vanderbilt	0	0	7	14	21
• Florida	0	17	3	6	26

Date: November 5
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
Television network: SEC TV

South Carolina

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Florida	3	0	3	6	12
• South Carolina	0	14	0	3	17

Date: November 12
Location: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
Television network: CBS

Furman

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Furman	22	0	10	0	32
• Florida	7	20	10	17	54

Date: November 19
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL

Florida State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Florida State	7	7	0	7	21
Florida	0	0	0	7	7

Date: November 26
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL

Gator Bowl

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Ohio State	0	10	0	7	17
• Florida	7	7	7	3	24

Date: January 2
Location: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL

Personnel

Coaching staff

Name	Position	Joined staff
Will Muschamp	Head coach	2011
Charlie Weis	Offensive coordinator Quarterbacks	2011
Dan Quinn	Defensive Coordinator	2011
D.J. Durkin	Linebackers Special Teams	2010
Aubrey Hill	Wide Receivers Recruiting coordinator	2011
Frank Verducci	Offensive line Running game coordinator	2011
Brian White	Running backs	2009
Derek Lewis	Tight ends	2011
Travaris Robinson	Defensive backs	2011
Bryant Young	Defensive line	2011
Coleman Hutzler	Special teams coordinator Linebackers	2010

Roster

2011 Florida Gators roster

Quarterbacks

12 John Brantley – Senior
16 Jeff Driskel – Freshman
19 Ryan McGriff – Freshman
14 Chandler Carr – Sophomore
13 Christian Provancha – Sophomore
18 Ryan Parrish – Sophomore
17 Jacoby Brissett – Freshman
10 Tyler Murphy – Freshman

Halfbacks

28 Jeff Demps – Senior
38 Phillip Bellino – Senior
1 Chris Rainey – Senior
23 Mike Gillislee – Junior
8 Trey Burton – Sophomore
37 Ben Sams – Sophomore
33 Mack Brown – Freshman

Fullbacks

34 Jason Traylor – Senior
41 Hunter Joyer – Freshman
35 Jessie Schmitt – Sophomore

Wide receivers

85 Frankie Hammond Jr. – Junior
9 Quinton Dunbar – Freshman
89 Stephen Alli – Sophomore
30 Michael McNeely – Freshman
82 Omarius Hines – Junior
4 Andre Debose – Sophomore
29 Solomon Schoonover – Senior
7 Robert Clark – Sophomore
83 Solomon Patton – Sophomore
6 Deonte Thompson – Senior
80 Ja'Juan Story – Freshman
88 Matt Morrow – Freshman

Tight ends

87 William Steinmann – Senior
81 A.C. Leonard – Freshman
11 Jordan Reed – Sophomore
32 Gerald Christian – Sophomore
88 Clay Burton – Freshman

Offensive line

66 James Wilson – Senior
62 Cole Gilliam – Sophomore
67 Jon Halapio – Sophomore
65 Tommy Jordan – Freshman
63 Trip Thurman – Freshman
78 David Young – Senior
77 Ian Silberman – Freshman
72 Jonotthan Harrison – Sophomore
75 Chaz Green – Freshman
64 Kyle Koehne – Sophomore
73 Xavier Nixon – Junior
71 Matt Patchan – Sophomore
50 Sam Robey – Junior
56 Dan Wenger – Senior

Defensive line

2 Dominique Easley – Sophomore
73 Sharrif Floyd – Sophomore
96 William Green – Senior
6 Jaye Howard – Senior
99 Omar Hunter – Junior
90 Evan Holmes – Freshman
93 Kedric Johnson – Sophomore
34 Lerentee McCray – Junior
94 Gerry Marseille – Freshman
91 Earl Okine – Junior
44 Leon Orr – Freshman
92 Lynden Trail – Freshman
97 Tevin Westbrook – Freshman

Buck

7 Ronald Powell – Sophomore

Linebackers

25 Gideon Ajagbe – Freshman
52 Jon Bostic – Junior
13 Dee Finley – Sophomore
3 Jelani Jenkins – Sophomore
49 Darrin Kitchens – Sophomore
33 Minch Minchin – Senior
53 Scott Peek – Junior
95 Hygens Succes – Junior
51 Michael Taylor – Freshman
55 Graham Stewart – Freshman

Cornerbacks

31 Brian Biada – Senior
8 Jeremy Brown – Sophomore
36 Moses Jenkins – Senior
15 Loucheiz Purifoy – Freshman
31 Cody Riggs – Sophomore
5 Marcus Roberson – Freshman
37 Brandon Sanders – Sophomore
45 Newton Lizima – Senior

Safeties

30 Tim Clark – Sophomore
22 Matt Elam – Sophomore
24 Josh Evans – Junior
21 Jabari Gorman – Freshman
27 Ben Peacock – Freshman
9 Joshua Shaw – Freshman
20 Valdez Showers – Freshman
14 Jaylen Watkins – Sophomore

Punters

44 Kyle Christy – Freshman
39 Todd Fennell – Freshman
40 David Lerner – Senior

Placekickers

98 Zack Brust – Senior
47 John Crofoot – Sophomore
97 Brad Phillips – Sophomore
19 Caleb Sturgis – Junior

Long snappers

43 Kyle Crofoot – Freshman
46 Drew Ferris – Sophomore
54 Christopher Guido – Sophomore
50 Cody Hampton – Senior

Depth chart

Projected starters and primary backups versus Florida Atlantic.

Defense

FS
De'Ante Saunders
Josh Evans

WLB	MLB	SLB
⋅	Jon Bostic	⋅
Dee Finley	Michael Taylor	⋅

SS
Matt Elam
Joshua Shaw

CB
Jeremy Brown
Marcus Roberson

DE	DT	DT	DE
Ronald Powell	Dominique Easley	Jaye Howard	Sharrif Floyd
Kedric Johnson	Leon Orr	Omar Hunter	William Green

CB
Cody Riggs
Moses Jenkins

Offense

WR
Quinton Dunbar
Andre Debose

LT	LG	C	RG	RT
Xavier Nixon	Dan Wenger	Jonnotthan Harrison	Jon Halapio	Matt Patchan
Chaz Green	Kyle Koehne	Dan Wenger	Nick Alajajian	Chaz Green

TE
Jordan Reed
Gerald Christian

WR
Deonte Thompson
Frankie Hammond Jr.

QB
John Brantley
Jeff Driskel

RB
Chris Rainey
Jeffery Demps

FB
Trey Burton
Hunter Joyer

Special teams
PK Caleb Sturgis
P David Lerner
KR Andre Debose
PR Chris Rainey
LS Drew Ferris

Players drafted into the NFL

Round	Pick	Player	Position	NFL Club
4	114	Jaye Howard	DT	Seattle Seahawks
5	159	Chris Rainey	RB	Pittsburgh Steelers

Source:^[5]

References

^ 2012 Florida Football Media Guide Archived May 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 114 & 116 (2012). Retrieved September 16, 2012.
^ "Gator Football Schedule/Results - GatorZone.com". Archived from the original on April 28, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
^ "Gators Convincing in 41–3 Win Over FAU; Take 22nd Straight Season Opener To Begin Muschamp Era. Archived 2011-09-24 at the Wayback Machine Gatorzone.com. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
^ "Tennessee vs. Florida - Game Recap - September 17, 2011 - ESPN". Archived from the original on September 15, 2016.
^ "2012 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 4, 2025.

[ufmediaguide-1] 2012 Florida Football Media Guide Archived May 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 114 & 116 (2012). Retrieved September 16, 2012.

[2] "Gator Football Schedule/Results - GatorZone.com". Archived from the original on April 28, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2011.

[3] "Gators Convincing in 41–3 Win Over FAU; Take 22nd Straight Season Opener To Begin Muschamp Era. Archived 2011-09-24 at the Wayback Machine Gatorzone.com. Retrieved October 21, 2011.

[4] "Tennessee vs. Florida - Game Recap - September 17, 2011 - ESPN". Archived from the original on September 15, 2016.

[5] "2012 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 4, 2025.

[1]

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[3]

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[5]


1	8:28	FLA	Caleb Sturgis 51-yard field goal	FLA 3–0

1	2:41	FLA	Chris Rainey 14-yard pass from John Brantley (Caleb Sturgis kick)	FLA 10–0

2	14:52	FLA	Jeff Demps 35-yard run (Caleb Sturgis kick)	FLA 17–0

2	8:34	FLA	Chris Rainey 14-yard run (Caleb Sturgis kick)	FLA 24–0

2	1:22	FAU	Vinny Zaccario 27-yard field goal	FLA 24–3

3	10:09	FLA	Chris Rainey 22-yard blocked punt return (Caleb Sturgis kick)	FLA 31–3

4	11:18	FLA	Jeff Demps 20-yard run (Caleb Sturgis kick)	FLA 38–3

4	1:46	FLA	Caleb Sturgis 29-yard field goal	FLA 41–3


1	10:45	FLA	Trey Burton 1-yard pass from John Brantley (Caleb Sturgis kick)	FLA 7–0

1	1:10	FLA	Caleb Sturgis 28-yard field goal	FLA 10–0

2	11:57	FLA	Caleb Sturgis 30-yard field goal	FLA 13–0

2	8:31	FLA	Caleb Sturgis 46-yard field goal	FLA 16–0

2	1:43	TEN	Marlin Lane 8-yard pass from Tyler Bray (Michael Parlady kick)	FLA 16–7

3	11:41	FLA	Trey Burton 1-yard run (Caleb Sturgis kick)	FLA 23–7

3	8:08	FLA	Chris Rainey 83-yard pass from John Brantley (Caleb Sturgis kick)	FLA 30–7

3	4:25	TEN	Da'Rick Rogers 14-yard pass from Tyler Bray (pass failed)	FLA 30–13

4	13:33	TEN	Michael Parlady 20-yard field goal	FLA 30–16

4	7:19	FLA	Caleb Sturgis 42-yard field goal	FLA 33–16

4	4:46	TEN	Mychal Rivera 18-yard pass from Tyler Bray (Michael Parlady kick)	FLA 33–23

Florida Gators football
Venues	The Baseball Park (1906–1910) University Athletic Field / Fleming Field (1911–1930) Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (1930–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Alabama Auburn Florida State (Florida Cup) Georgia Kentucky LSU Miami (Florida Cup) Tennessee
Culture & lore	History The Pride of the Sunshine Gator Chomp Mr. Two Bits Gatorade I Won't Back Down 1961 gambling scandal
People	Head coaches Ring of Honor All-Americans UF Athletic Hall of Fame Starting quarterbacks Statistical leaders NFL draftees
Seasons	1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
National championship seasons in bold