Score: Florida 28, Miami 3
Date: Sept. 3, 1983
What happened: This one made the list more because of what happened after the game than during it. The Gators destroyed the Hurricanes that night, forcing seven turnovers, and making college life miserable for a certain freshman making his first appearance as UM quarterback. That, of course, would be Kosar, who in addition to his debut -- against Florida linebacker Wilber Marshall, no less -- was leading an offense with four new linemen and two wideouts with a combined five receptions in their careers. UF counterpart Wayne Peace was a seasoned senior with a four-year track record. And while Peace had undergone back surgery just two months earlier, he carved up the UM defense in helping hand the Canes their worst defeat in four years. Florida's dominance must have had a profound impact on Miami's team. The Hurricanes, from there, won 11 straight, capped by their epic 31-30 upset of Nebraska to win the national crown four months later.
Numbers of note: Peace completed 18 of 32 passes (including his first eight throws) for 146 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. ... Kosar went 24-for-45, good enough for 223 yards, but threw three interceptions. The Canes also fumbled four times. ... The 25-point margin was the worst since Miami lost 30-0 at Alabama in 1979
Quotes: “We weren't that sharp,” Peace said. “Typical opening-day game.” ... “We beat ourselves,” said UM tailback Albert Bentley. ... “Not the best way to start a career,” Kosar said in a prophetic post-game moment. “But I'll learn from my mistakes.” ... UM coach Howard Schnellenberger was asked about turnovers taking his team out of the game. “We didn't really get into it to the point where we could try to get back,” he said. ... And then there was Marshall, who the year before had 17 tackles in a dramatic UF win. In the days leading up to the game, UM tight end Glenn Dennison said Marshall, a first-team All-American in '82, was overrated. Marshall was not phased. “What he's done and what I've done, I guess you can just compare that for yourself.”