FLORIDA FOOTBALL & RECRUITING COVERAGE |
- South Carolina Post Game Press Conference
- Florida vs South Carolina Game Thread
- Inside the Gators: Mock Signing Class 7.0
- Left scrambling, Florida extends an unprecedented eight October offers
- Uncensored Sound Off: Monday was not a good day for Mullen
- Mullen on Monday: Local media opportunities cancelled
- Recruit Reaction: 'I feel like there is room for improvement'
- Florida renews interest in defensive tackle
- Florida four-star pledge sees negativity, but still locked in
- Five-star talks top five
- Committed corner has two November visits to Florida coming up
- Anonymous Player In-Season Q&A Part I
- Coach's Corner: Q&A with former UF assistant Red Anderson
- Florida's Terrific 10 Targets
- One-on-One with Steve Spurrier (Audio added)
- Where are they Now: Shane Matthews talks Florida Football
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The reeling Florida Gators, who dropped three of their last four games, traveled to Columbia, South Carolina, to face the rebuilding South Carolina Gamecocks. Florida started decently but was embarrassed by the home side, falling 40-17.
Here’s our Instant Analysis
IT WAS OVER WHEN: Florida was in trouble late in the second quarter, but the game was still within reach. That all changed when the Gamecocks ran back an Emory Jones fumble with 0:46 left in the second quarter, making it a 30-10 ball game. After last year’s disastrous end to the first half, it was a painful moment of deja vu for the Gators and a whole that they couldn’t climb out of.
THEY STOLE THE SHOW: Nobody on Florida’s roster covered themselves in glory, but a pair of receivers made some plays. Freshman Marcus Burke made his first two college catches, including a 61-yard bomb where he easily got behind the South Carolina defense. Justin Shorter also had a strong night, finishing with five catches for 95 yards, including a deep bomb of his own.
THESE STATS DON’T LIE: I mean, where to begin? South Carolina outrushed the Gators 284-82. The Gamecocks had almost twice as many first downs, over 10 more minutes of possession, won the turnover battle and had fewer penalties (Florida finished with six for 64 yards). Florida lost every key stat — including total yards for the first time this season — and it felt like a game where Florida lost every key state.
THIS MATCH-UP PROVED KEY: Florida got annihilated in the trenches on both sides of the ball. South Carolina did whatever it wanted in the run game, especially using the same counter action play that LSU used to dominate the Gators. On the other side of the ball, Florida’s offensive line got no push in the run game and at times looked lost. A unit that looked so good earlier this season was a shell of itself in Columbia.
WHAT A PLAY: When this game was still gettable, Florida flashed a downfield passing game we hadn’t seen since Kyle Trask was behind center. The ball to Marcus Burke, while it could’ve been a touchdown if thrown better, showed off Burke’s speed. A glimmer of hope for the future.
UP NEXT: The Gators head home for a cupcake matchup with FCS Samford at noon on SEC Network+.