Miami And Florida Set Two-Game Series
Feb. 27, 2006
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – One of the most exciting in-state rivalries in college football has been renewed, as the University of Miami and University of Florida have signed contracts to play a two-game home-and-home series, with games in 2008 and 2013.
The Hurricanes will play at Florida on September 6, 2008, and the Gators will visit the Orange Bowl on September 7, 2013.
“I am extremely pleased we have been able to extend this series with the University of Florida,” said UM athletic director Paul Dee.” Over the years, these games have been exciting for fans of both teams. I hope the tradition will continue.”
Miami head football coach Larry Coker added,” The University of Miami and the University of Florida is a great rivalry between two in-state football traditions. We’ll be excited about going up to Gainesville, and of course it’ll be a tremendous thrill to have the Gators in the Orange Bowl again.”
Florida athletics director Jeremy Foley said,” We are pleased to announce two future games with the Hurricanes. When the NCAA added the 12th game, we wanted to look for years where there was a 14-week window to the season to give us flexibility in picking a date for this series. The 2008 and 2013 calendar years allow us to do just that. In every other year, there are just 13 weeks to play 12 games, giving you less flexibility to schedule games and opponents.”
Florida head coach Urban Meyer added,”I’m looking forward to our future matchups with Miami. I have a lot of respect for the tradition of the Miami football program, and these games will be another great challenge for our football team.”
The two universities have played a total of 53 times in a rivalry that began in 1938. Miami leads the series 28-25. UM has not lost to Florida since 1985, having won the last six games, including victories in three consecutive years from 2002-2004. Miami and Florida played yearly from 1944 to 1987 but have played only four times in the last two decades, two of those occasions in bowl games. Miami’s 53 games against Florida are the most it has played against any college.
