1957 Florida Gators football team
The 1957 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1957 NCAA University Division football season. The season was Bob Woodruff's eighth as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Woodruff's 1957 Florida Gators finished their abbreviated season with an overall record of 6–2–1 and a Southeastern Conference (SEC) record of 4–2–1, tying for third place among the twelve SEC teams. Before the season. The 1957 season was the last time the Gators played only nine games in a season. Ten games were scheduled, but the season opener  against the UCLA Bruins was canceled when most of the Gators team members were suffering from a serious bout of influenza. The Gators were led by quarterback Jimmy Dunn, and two-way halfbacks Bernie Parrish and Jim Rountree. Season summary. Wake Forest. Florida won a 27–0 home-opener victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Kentucky. The second week of play was a 14–7 conference win over the Kentucky Wildcats. Mississippi State. Florida lost at homecoming to Mississippi State 29–20. LSU. The Gators upset Billy Cannon and his 10th-ranked LSU Tigers 22–14. Auburn. The Gators were shut out 13–0  by coach Ralph Jordan's national champion Auburn Tigers. When the two teams met in Cliff Hare Stadium in Auburn, it was the first game between the rivals in which both teams were ranked in the top twenty of the AP Poll. Woodruff's Gators featured their usual strong defense, but the Tigers defense was even better. Georgia. Florida beat the Georgia Bulldogs 22–0. Vanderbilt. Parrish was named AP "Back of the Week" for his performance in the 14–7 win over Vanderbilt. This included rushing for 111 yards, scoring both touchdowns, kicking both extra points, catching an interception, and making  seven tackles—including one to prevent the Commodores' tying score. Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech and Florida fought to a scoreless tie. Miami. Florida had a road win over the in-state rival Miami Hurricanes, 14–0 in Miami, Florida. Postseason. At the end of the season, the Gators finished in the top twenty of the final AP Poll for only the second time in their history,'