Date: January 8, 2007
Location: Glendale, Arizona
Achievement: Florida wins both the NCAA Men’s Basketball and BCS Football Championships
🏆 A Historic Double for the Gators
In early 2007, the University of Florida accomplished something no other Division I school had ever achieved — holding national championships in football and men’s basketball at the same time.
Just nine months after the basketball team captured its first NCAA title with a 73–57 win over UCLA, the Florida Gators football team claimed the 2007 BCS National Championship by defeating top-ranked Ohio State 41–14 in Glendale, Arizona. The game is one of many listed in our archive of full BCS bowl results from throughout the era.
This rare feat quickly became known as the “Gator Slam.”
📜 How It Happened
Florida’s path to Glendale required a perfect late-season finish — including a win over Arkansas in the SEC Championship Game and a crucial Southern California loss to UCLA that opened the door to the No. 2 BCS ranking. Fans can look back at the season schedule and key matchups that shaped the BCS race during that year.
Once in the title game, Florida overwhelmed Ohio State with a blend of creativity, speed, and precision. Using multiple formations and a dual-quarterback system featuring Chris Leak and Tim Tebow, the Gators scored touchdowns on their first five possessions and built a commanding lead by halftime.
Their defense, led by Derrick Harvey, Jarvis Moss, and Clint McMillan, completely neutralized Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, limiting the Buckeyes to just 82 total yards.
🏀 Connection to the Basketball Team
The Gators’ football championship came less than a year after Billy Donovan’s basketball team brought home the NCAA crown. That group — led by Joakim Noah, Al Horford, and Corey Brewer — had energized the Gainesville campus and inspired the football squad to follow suit.
Donovan even addressed Urban Meyer’s football team during preseason camp, sharing lessons about teamwork, focus, and accountability. Players later recalled his words as part of the team’s motivation heading into the postseason.
Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley summarized the moment simply:
“Confetti landed on my head twice in the same year. I couldn’t believe it in April, and I still can’t believe it now.”
🐊 Inside the “Year of the Gators”
The 2006–07 athletic season was filled with defining moments for Florida sports:
- SEC Football Championship: Florida defeats Arkansas 38–28
- BCS Championship: Florida defeats Ohio State 41–14
- NCAA Basketball Championship (April 2006): Florida defeats UCLA 73–57
- National Recognition: Florida becomes the first program in history to hold both titles concurrently
The success inspired fans and former players alike. Mike Peterson, a former Florida linebacker, called it “proof that we’re among the elite,” while Shane Matthews, a former Gators quarterback, joked that the dual championships would “only put more pressure on the other sports.”
Florida’s dual championships marked a turning point in college athletics. Before 2007, only a few programs — such as Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Syracuse, and Maryland — had won national titles in both football and basketball, but never in the same academic year.
The achievement reinforced Florida’s status as a modern athletic powerhouse and showcased the leadership of two elite coaches — Urban Meyer in football and Billy Donovan in basketball — whose programs shared a culture of intensity, preparation, and belief.
Within months, Florida’s basketball team would defend its title successfully, becoming back-to-back NCAA champions and cementing the Gators’ place in college sports history.
📊 At a Glance
| Category | Achievement |
| Football Title | BCS National Championship (Jan 2007) |
| Opponent | Ohio State Buckeyes |
| Final Score | 41–14 |
| Basketball Title | NCAA Championship (Apr 2006) |
| Opponent | UCLA Bruins |
| Final Score | 73–57 |
| Combined Distinction | First school to hold both national titles simultaneously |
Moments of historic dominance like this often draw comparison to the rare instances when football programs complete perfect seasons, as detailed in Undefeated College Football Teams.
📚 Historical Notes
- The “Gator Slam” drew comparisons to the “Tiger Slam,” a term used when Tiger Woods held all four major golf titles within a single year.
- Florida’s success sparked renewed discussion about the growing dominance of SEC athletics, which would continue through the next decade.
The championship season also marked the beginning of a seven-year run of BCS titles by SEC schools (2007–2013).
