BEAR REGION FINAL

1996 FLORIDA

vs
1993 FLORIDA STATE

1996 Florida
#24 overall seed - winners of Bracket #24

1993 Florida State
#32 overall seed - winners of Bracket #32

BEAR REGION RECAP

Bear Region Preview
Round of 64 Results [Part I] [Part II]
Round of 32 Results
Sweet Sixteen Results

GAME RECAP

Danny Wuerffel and Charlie Ward were two of the greatest college quarterbacks the state of Florida has ever seen. So this Elite Eight matchup was a special treat for fans of both teams in the state. Neither quarterback disappointed either.

Wuerffel, as per his scouting report, kept cool in the face of a heated pass rush. Florida State defensive linemen Derrick Alexander and Toddrick McIntosh broke through on several occasions, only to see the Heisman Trophy winner get rid of the ball just before taking the hit.

Seminole defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews had to call off the blitz by the second half because Wuerffel was having so much success with the quick passing game. In fact, Florida took a 17-13 lead into halftime on the strength of Wuerffel's 199 yards and 2 touchdowns passing.


But Charlie Ward stepped up his game in the third quarter, and the FSU defense followed suit. On the opening drive of the second half, Ward led a 76-yard scoring march in which he accounted for every yard (55 passing, 21 rushing). Kez McCorvey caught the 12-yard touchdown pass to give the Seminoles the lead. It was a lead they would never relinquish.

On the ensuing possession, Clifton Abraham made an excellent play to pick off a pass from Wuerffel that set up a field goal.

After torching the 'Noles for 91 yards receiving in the first half, Reidel Anthony was held to a single catch (for 7 yards) in the second half thanks to a lock-down performance by All American cornerback Corey Sawyer. The Gators eventually manufactured 10 points in the second half, but Florida State held the momentum throughout the half.

FINAL SCORE:
1993 Florida State - 29
1996 Florida - 27

Bracket of Champions - Sweet 16 - Bear Region

BRACKET OF CHAMPIONS

BEAR REGIONAL
Sweet Sixteen

Results
(seed) year school - score

(32) 1993 Florida State - 24
(48) 1996 Ohio State - 16
Corey Sawyer and the defense carried the '93 Seminoles to another victory.

1993 Florida State moved one step closer to the Final Four by holding the Ohio State offense to just 266 total yards and a single touchdown. Sawyer contributed an amazing interception at the goal line late in the third quarter that took the wind out of the Buckeyes sails for good.

John Cooper rotated his two quarterbacks (Joe Germaine, Stanley Jackson) and never really developed a rhythm offensively. Other than this 88-yard touchdown drive, the Buckeyes were lifeless on offense.


(24) 1996 Florida - 29
(121) 2008 USC - 23
2008 USC was able to make a run in this tournament that surpassed expectations thanks in large part to a great defense that held opponents to just 16 points per game over the first seven rounds. Considering the quality of opponents they have faced, that's quite an impressive stat.

However, Steve Spurrier was able to neutralize the strong USC linebacking corps and put his Gators in position to make plays. Danny Wuerffel and the receivers followed through with enough big plays to put it in the end zone three times against the mighty Trojan D.

Ike Hilliard in particular had a good day finding holes in the USC secondary. Hilliard had 4 receptions for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The Florida defense had a good day as well. Sophomore linebackers Mike Peterson and Jevon Kearse displayed impressive athleticism against the run and the pass. Kearse even picked up a safety when he smacked tailback Stafon Johnson in the end zone in the second quarter.

Bear Region Final
(24) 1996 Florida vs (32) 1993 Florida State
The winner clinches a berth in the Final Four

B.o.C. - BEAR REGION - Round 2

BRACKET OF CHAMPIONS

BEAR REGIONAL
Round of 32

RESULTS
(seed) year school - score

(64) 1994 Florida State - 20
(32) 1993 Florida State - 31
Charlie Ward proved that you can't just replace him with Danny Kanell and win a tournament like this. Two similarly stacked defenses, both led by linebacker Derrick Brooks and an All American cornerback (Corey Sawyer for the '93 squad and Clifton Abraham for the '94 Seminoles), took on similar offenses and Ward made the difference.

The '94 version of Warrick Dunn ran for 112 yards and a touchdown, but his production was offset by Kanell getting sacked four times. Ward, on the other hand, was able to avoid a stiff pass rush by Derrick Alexander and Andre Wadsworth (Orpues Roye picked up the only sack for the '94 team) and put up big numbers. He finished with 101 yards rushing to go along with 275 yards passing in the blowout.

(48) 1996 Ohio State - 23
(177) 1987 Oklahoma - 21
The '87 Sooners run in this tournament came to an end when Josh Jackson kicked the game winning 33-yard field goal as time expired.

Patrick Collins gave Oklahoma the lead early on with a 65-yard touchdown run. The wishbone was successful in grinding the clock as the Sooners managed to put 300+ rushing yards on a good Ohio State defense (Mike Vrabel, Andy Katzenmoyer).


Oklahoma led nearly the entire game until Ohio State mounted a fourth quarter comeback. Trailing 21-20, Joe Germaine led a 65 yard drive that culminated in Jackson's game winning field goal attempt.

(73) 1998 Ohio State - 24
(24) 1996 Florida - 31
The 1998 Buckeyes didn't fare as well as the '96 edition. Andy Katzenmoyer picked off Joe Germaine in practice during the week, and it made a lasting impression - Germaine would throw three interceptions against the Gators.

The Ohio State defense actually played well, but their offense gave up too much field position - and too many points. One of Germaine's interceptions was returned by Anthone Lott for a touchdown. Ed Chester scored a touchdown after sacking Germaine, forcing and recovering a fumble in the end zone.

(40) 1981 Penn State - 16
(121) 2008 USC - 19
The USC defense came up big yet again, holding Curt Warner to just 42 yards on 19 carries and scoring the lone Trojan touchdown en route to advancing to the Sweet 16.

Fili Moala and linebackers Rey Maualuga and Kaluka Maiava were busy against Joe Paterno's offense making tackles all over the field. Penn State only gained 173 total yards. Brian Cushing scored USC's only touchdown when he recovered a Mike Meade fumble and returned it 54 yards to paydirt. At least the Nittany Lions will always have this win against rival Pitt to remember from the '81 season.

Sweet 16 Matchups:
(32) 1993 Florida State vs (48) 1996 Ohio State
(24) 1996 Florida vs (121) 2008 USC

B.o.C. - BEAR REGION - Round 1

A preview for this region can be found HERE

RESULTS - Part II
(seed) year school - score

(96) 1986 Oklahoma - 20
(32) 1993 Florida State - 23
A common theme throughout the first round of the Bracket of Champions has been defense. This game was no exception. Despite two great quarterbacks, each offense had a hard time gaining yards against these talented, athletic defenses.

Florida State linebackers Derrick Brooks, Todd Rebol, and Sam Cowart were keying on quarterback Jamelle Holieway, forcing the talented runner to pitch the ball when running the option. The wishbone didn't have much success early with the Sooners going 3-and-out on their first three possessions. But Spencer Tillman finally took an option pitch and broke free for 24 yards, and on the next play Holieway hit tight end Keith Jackson on a play action pass for 55 yards and a touchdown.

But Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward proved to be too dynamic. With the Seminole defense holding OU to 20 points, the two touchdowns and three field goal drives Ward led would be enough. The running game never got going - Brian Bosworth and company held FSU to 32 rushing yards - but receivers Matt Frier (6 receptions), Kez McKorvey (1 touchdown catch), and Kevin Knox (1 touchdown catch) gave reliable options.

(177) 1987 Oklahoma - 21
(113) 2003 LSU - 16
The LSU defense was great, but quarterback Matt Mauck turned the ball over one too many times as Nick Saban's Tigers fell to Switzer's Sooners.


Oklahoma's wishbone attack grinded out 189 rushing yards against an LSU defense that featured an imposing defensive line of Marcus Spears, Chad Lavalais, Kyle Williams, and Marquise Hill. But two big pass plays are what eventually put OU on top for good. Carl Cabbiness caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Jamelle Holieway to start the second quarter, and tight end Keith Jackson caught a 62-yard pass in the fourth quarter to set up the game winning score.

The Oklahoma defense kept the pressure on Mauck all game long. Defensive end Darrell Reed had two sacks, and Darren Kilpatrick and Dante Williams were effective collapsing the pocket from the inside.

(41) 1977 Notre Dame - 24
(24) 1996 Florida - 35
Dan Devine and the 1977 Fighting Irish had never seen a passing attack executed like Steve Spurrier's Fun 'N Gun. Danny Wuerffel spread 332 passing yards and 4 touchdowns over his excellent receiving corps of Ike Hilliard, Reidel Anthony and Jacquez Green. Notre Dame cornerback Luther Bradley - an All American in 1977 - was left searching for answers after getting beat on two of the four touchdowns.

"I've never seen anything like it. Every single one of those receivers was the fastest guy I've ever seen. They were everywhere," Bradley said after the game

Wuerffel was pleased with the win, but he was more excited that he got to meet Joe Montana, quarterback of the 1977 Notre Dame team.

(57) 1997 Florida - 17
(121) 2008 USC - 24
What a difference a couple generations can make. Whereas the '77 Fighting Irish struggled mightily with Florida's passing game, the '08 Trojan defense came out attacking and actually controlled the game from the outset.

With 31 years of additional experience and athleticism, USC was able to attack Florida quarterbacks Doug Johnson and Jesse Palmer. The pressure made for a lot of incomplete passes (Gator QBs were just 22-of-48) and three interceptions. Clay Matthews was a prime source of the pressure.

The lone bright spot for the '97 Gators was their defense. Fred Weary and the secondary held Mark Sanchez to just 14-for-27 passing and 164 yards. Joe McKnight was a difference maker for the Trojans, though, with a touchdown rushing and a punt return for touchdown in the third quarter that turned the tide for good.

Bracket of Champions - Bear Region
Next Round Matchups:
(64) 1994 Florida State vs (32) 1993 Florida State
(48) 1996 Ohio State vs (177) 1987 Oklahoma
(73) 1998 Ohio State vs (24) 1996 Florida
(40) 1981 Penn State vs (121) 2008 USC

B.o.C. - BEAR REGION - Round 1

A preview for this region can be found HERE

RESULTS - Part I
(seed) year school - score

(1) 1983 Auburn - 18
(64) 1994 Florida State - 23
The number one overall seed in the tournament fell to a potent Florida State team. The Florida State front seven, highlighted by All American linebacker Derrick Brooks and defensive linemen Andre Wadsworth & Derrick Alexander, held Bo Jackson to 72 yards on 24 carries. Pat Dye was forced to turn to his passing game and quarterback Randy Campbell did not respond well.

For Florida State, fullback Zack Crockett scored two touchdowns and Sean Hamlet nearly returned an interception for a touchdown.

(17) 1992 Alabama - 17
(48) 1996 Ohio State - 21
The Alabama defense dominated Joe Germaine and the Ohio State offense for a while, but Stanley Jackson came to the rescue and bailed the Buckeyes out in the fourth quarter.

Through three quarters the Ohio State offense had only managed 166 yards of offense and the Buckeyes trailed 17-7. Tailback Pepe Pearson finished with just 34 yards rushing.

But in the fourth quarter, Jackson, playing in place of Germaine (2 interceptions to George Teague) at quarterback, used his athleticism to avoid the hellacious Crimson Tide pass rush. He only rushed for 13 yards, but his evasiveness in the pocket allowed him to hook up with freshman wideout David Boston for two fourth quarter touchdowns. Free safety Rod Kelly picked off a Jay Barker pass in the closing seconds to secure the upset.

Even though they lost here in the Round of 64, Alabama fans will always have fond memories of the gutsy National Championship team of 1992.


(9) 1986 Penn State - 20
(73) 1998 Ohio State - 21
John Cooper picked up another big upset victory over a national championship team here in the Bracket of Champions. Linebackers Andy Katzenmoyer and Na'il Diggs combined for 23 tackles and played a pivotal role in holding D.J. Dozier, Blair Thomas, and the rest of the Penn State running game to just 77 rushing yards.

Offensively, the Buckeyes struggled against Shane Conlan and the fantastic Penn state defense. The difference in the game, though, was that Ohio State had enough athleticism on offense in players like tailback Michael Wiley and now-Junior receiver David Boston.


(25) 1977 Penn State - 23
(40) 1981 Penn State - 29 (OT)
It took overtime to decide this battle of the Penn States featuring Chuck Fusina at QB for the '77 Nittany Lions and Todd Blackledge at QB for the '81 edition.

The defenses, as has been the case so far here in the Bear Region, controlled the game throughout the first half. Bruce Clark and Matt Millen stayed busy harassing Blackledge, while the '81 team boasted Walker Lee Ashley and Leo Wisniewski along their defensive front.

Running back Curt Warner ended up being the difference in the game. The Junior ran for 54 of his 77 yards in the second half, and tacked on the game winning touchdown in the first overtime period.

BRACKET OF CHAMPIONS - Preview

BEAR REGION

Matchups:
1983 Auburn vs 1994 Florida State
1993 Florida State vs 1986 Oklahoma
1992 Alabama vs 1996 Ohio State
2003 LSU vs 1987 Oklahoma
1986 Penn State vs 1998 Ohio State
1996 Florida vs 1977 Notre Dame
1977 Penn State vs 1981 Penn State
1997 Florida vs 2008 USC

National Champions:
1977 Notre Dame
1986 Penn State
1992 Alabama
1993 Florida State
1996 Florida
2003 LSU

Heisman Trophy Winners:
Charlie Ward (QB-1993 Florida State)
Danny Wuerffel (QB-1996 Florida)

Lombardi Award Winners:
Ross Browner (DE-1977 Notre Dame)
Orlando Pace (OT-1996 Ohio State)

Team Info:
1983 Auburn (11-1)
#1 Seed - Winner of Bracket #1 [click for results]
Coach: Pat Dye
Final AP Rank: #3

1986 Penn State (12-0)
#9 Seed - Winner of Bracket #9
Coach: Joe Paterno
*AP National Champions*

1992 Alabama (13-0)
#17 Seed - Winner of Bracket #17
Coach: Gene Stallings
*AP National Champions*

1996 Florida (12-1)
#24 Seed - Winner of Bracket #24
Coach: Steve Spurrier
*AP National Champions*

1977 Penn State (11-1)
#25 Seed - Winner of Bracket #25
Coach: Joe Paterno
Final AP Rank: #5

1993 Florida State (12-1)
#32 Seed - Winner of Bracket #32
Coach: Bobby Bowden
*AP National Champions*

1981 Penn State (10-2)
#40 Seed - Winner of Bracket #40
Coach: Joe Paterno
Final AP Rank: #3

1977 Notre Dame (11-1)
#41 Seed - Winner of Bracket #41
Coach: Dan Devine
*AP National Champions*

1996 Ohio State (11-1)
#48 Seed - Winner of Bracket #48
Coach: John Cooper
Final AP Rank: #2

1997 Florida (10-2)
#57 Seed - Winner of Bracket #57
Coach: Steve Spurrier
Final AP Rank: #4

1994 Florida State (10-1-1)
#64 Seed - Winner of Bracket #64
Coach: Bobby Bowden
Final AP Rank: #4

1998 Ohio State (11-1)
#73 Seed - Winner of Bracket #56
Coach: John Cooper
Final AP Rank: #2

1986 Oklahoma (11-1)
#96 Seed - Winner of Bracket #33
Coach: Barry Switzer
Final AP Rank: #3

2003 LSU (13-1)
#113 Seed - Winner of Bracket #16
Coach: Nick Saban
*BCS National Champions*

2008 USC (12-1)
#121 Seed - Winner of Bracket #8
Coach: Pete Carroll
Final AP Rank: #3

1987 Oklahoma (11-1)
#177 Seed - Winner of Bracket #49
Coach: Barry Switzer
Final AP Rank: #3