Erickson, Spurrier Meet In Blizzard During Stallions Loss To Orlando

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Dennis Erickson and Steve Spurrier both made their names by dominating games played in the sunshine. The two legendary coaches finally met on the same gridiron in an Alliance of American Football game played in a blizzard.

Erickson, the head coach of the Salt Lake Stallions and Spurrier, the head coach of the Orlando Apollos, were two of the biggest names in college football during the 80s, 90s and 2000s. Erickson rose to prominence thanks to his coaching days at the University of Miami, where he led the Hurricanes to national championships in 1989 and 1991. Around the same time, Spurrier became a legend for guiding the Florida Gators to a title in 1996.

The two never coached against each other during their college heydays and finally got the chance to do so when the Stallions hosted the Apollos at Rice Eccles Stadium.

UPDATE: No visor tonight. #ORLvsSL ❄️ pic.twitter.com/0jU46ie4ld

— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) March 3, 2019

The conditions could not have been any more different than they would have been in a game played in Miami or Gainesville.

Spurrier Gets Bragging Rights With Win

The two teams played in freezing temperatures and falling snow. The field was covered in a thick layer of the white stuff.

In the game, the two coaches, known for implementing high octane offenses, played in a highly defensive battle in the first half.

At the break, the Apollos held a slight edge on Salt Lake with a 6-3 advantage.

it’s true pic.twitter.com/98UWu7cNdX

— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) March 3, 2019

Perhaps with the snowy surface to blame, both team’s offenses were sluggish. Orlando had a small lead in terms of total yardage, outgaining the Stallions 143-125. The time of possession was nearly identical as well, with the Apollos holding onto the ball for 15:18 compared to 14:42 by Salt Lake.

To make life easier for both teams, a large portion of the field was plowed.

For the team from Florida, the dry field seemed to make a difference in the second half. The Apollos took the lead on a 20-yard pass reception by Donteaa Dye midway through the third.

It wasn’t until the waning seconds of the third quarter that the Stallions found the endzone on a 14-yard run by Joel Bouagnon.

The Apollos, however, kept their perfect record alive by icing the game on a 2-yard run by Akeem Hunt to make it a 20-11 game.

FINAL from primetime.

Thanks to all who endured the cold with us on this Saturday night. pic.twitter.com/GWUktZuRFX

— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) March 3, 2019

Erickson Has Great Respect For Spurrier

Despite how the game turned out for Salt Lake it was still a thrill for Erickson to coach against Spurrier, someone he called a “close friend.”

“Obviously, he is one of the greatest – so it will be fun to compete against him,” said Erickson before the game.