Game ends in brief midfield fight

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Normally, Florida and Florida State get the fight out of the way beforehand.

Not this time.

Fights are nothing new in this bitter Sunshine State rivalry, but this one was different, in that it came after the game, not before. And it took police with pepper spray, not a bunch of coaches, to break it up.

No. 9 Florida State's 38-34 win over No. 11 Florida on Saturday was an emotional one, and when the Gators saw the Seminoles stomping on their `F' at midfield to celebrate, they took offense. Nor were they thrilled to see FSU players doing the Gator Chomp with a real gator jaw.

"I ran in there first and was trying not to let them jump on our `F,"' Florida freshman linebacker Channing Crowder said. "They started pushing and swinging helmets and everything and things went crazy from there."

At least one official from each school was trying to break things up and Florida State assistant athletic director Rob Wilson came away with a sore eye.

"Nobody was swinging except for the guy who hit me," Wilson said. "Our guys were yelling, their guys were yelling. I really don't know what caused it."

Wilson's perspective, however, wasn't the only one.

Helmets were flying. So were fists. About 100 players ganged up, before Wilson, Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley and armed police got in the middle.

Neither Ron Zook nor Bobby Bowden knew what happened.

Bowden apologized on behalf of his school. Zook said he'd review the fight and take appropriate action.

It won't be the first time.

In 1998, five players were ejected before the start of the game in Tallahassee including Florida's starting cornerback Tony George. During that dustup, Florida quarterback Doug Johnson fired a football toward Bowden, but missed.

The year before, they came close to a pregame fight, but a full-fledged rumble was avoided when officials steered riled-up players to their benches.

The animosity carries to off the field, as well.

Two years ago, former Florida coach Steve Spurrier accused Florida State tackle Darnell Dockett of dirty play. In what became known as The Battle of Twisted Knee; Spurrier said the game tape showed Dockett trying to injure tailback Earnest Graham.