Some referred to the game as the “Urban Bowl” or “Traitor Bowl” by Gators fans because Urban Meyer had been hired as the new Ohio State head coach less than a year after leaving Florida.
Luke Fickell served as the interim head coach for Ohio State, while Brian White served as the interim offensive coordinator for Florida and called the plays, since offensive coordinator Charlie Weis had left to take the head coaching job at Kansas.
Ohio State and Florida were tied 7–7 in the first half, but dominant special teams play - including a kickoff return and blocked punt return for a touchdown - led the Gators (7–6) to a 24–17 victory over the struggling Buckeyes (6–7).
The Buckeyes will not be eligible for a 2012 bowl game or the Big Ten title.
The Gators would return in 2012 with a new offensive coordinator, Brent Pease, and a new starting quarterback.