The Seminoles were primed for their first win in Gainesville, but FSU quarterback Kim Hammond was knocked from the game in the second quarter on a vicious tackle by Tom Abdelnour. At halftime, teammates said Hammond acted like a punch-drunk fighter. In the fourth quarter, the Gators were going in for the lead touchdown, but receiver Richard Trapp lost a fumble at the FSU 7-yard line. Back came Hammond into the game, driving FSU to the eventual winning TD, hitting Ron Sellers on a 38-yard score. Sellers leaped for the pass in the end zone over defender Bill Gaisford, who fell to his knee and wept as officials signaled the touchdown.