Football

February 5, 1999

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The University of Miami and the Universityof Florida will meet in football in 2002 and 2003, athletics directorsPaul Dee of Miami and Jeremy Foley of Florida jointly announced Friday.The 2002 game will be played September 7th in Gainesville andthe 2003 game will be played September 6th in Miami.

“The University of Miami is pleased with the resumption of theseries with the University of Florida,” said Dee. “Miami fans havealways enjoyed the rivalry and its rich history. I am sure all Hurricanefans look forward to once again playing against the Florida Gators.I hope all the people along the Florida Turnpike are ready.”

Foley is also enthusiastic about the addition of the two games,which will be the 12th game on each team’s schedule as allowed under newNCAA regulations.

“We are excited about the opportunity to compete against a veryfine Miami football program and to have an opportunity to be back in SouthFlorida playing in front of the large number of loyal fans we have downthere,” Foley commented. “I know this will be a series that willhave tremendous interest around the state and I am very pleased that thesenegotiations have been successfully completed.”

The Gators and Hurricanes have met 49 times in the series withFlorida holding a 25-24 lead. The teams last played in their 1987season-openers.

“The renewal of this series will generate tremendous excitement,”said Hurricane head coach Butch Davis. “It is an opportunity to showcasetwo successful programs with the outcome of the games certain to have majorimplications nationally.”