FSU Retro Look Back: Gary Huff

It was the early 1970's and since "Huff" sounded like "Puff," they called him "The Magic Dragon."

In Gary Huff's very first appearance on the varsity for the Seminoles, he displayed his "magic" to enforce that nickname. In the fourth game of the 1970 season, Florida State was losing to the University of Florida, 38-7, with less than seven minutes left in the game. Out of desperation, Coach Bill Peterson sent Huff, the Seminoles' third-string quarterback into the game. Two pass plays later and FSU had passed for a touchdown. FSU held the Gators, got the ball and moved down the field and scored on another touchdown pass. Soon thereafter, FSU got the ball again and scored another touchdown through the air. The game ended UF 38, FSU 27.

While the game ended in a loss to the Gators, the Seminoles won hope for the future. For quarterback Gary Huff, in his first FSU varsity appearance, had thrown three touchdown passes in less than seven minutes.

Huff had a storied career at FSU (1970-1972) and ended up with 6,378 passing yards and 62 TDs which rank high in the FSU record books.

Huff sums it up by saying that he was "so blessed to attend Florida State when I did. I went through the school of accounting that was one of the best in the country. I played quarterback for college football's most prestigious passing team and went to a bowl game. I played baseball for a team that went to the playoffs and had recently played in the College World Series. I have had so many experiences at FSU that allow me to relate to many different groups of FSU graduates that makes living in Tallahassee such a pleasure for me."

Gary Huff was inducted into the FSU Football Hall of Fame in 1983.