Throughout the week, it was a matter of what was heard from what was believed.
The Gators were confidence in the media in preparation for Georgia (6-2, 4-2 SEC), was dismissed by many after inconsistent performances throughout the year. It didn’t help matters that some of the same talk about remaining confident and believing in their abilities in other game weeks led to disappointing losses on the weekend.
For many, Saturday’s contest for Florida (4-3, 3-3 SEC) seemed to be a foregone conclusion. There was no way a team, this team, could bounce back from a 42-13 homecoming loss to Missouri to defeat the Bulldogs, let alone challenge them.
Georgia’s vaunted running game was the cause of pessimistic predictions. Entering Saturday, the Bulldogs had the third-best rushing offense in the SEC, averaging 233.2 yards per game. Freshman back Nick Chubb had emerged as a runner for Georgia, averaging 172.5 yards in two games junior Todd Gurley missed due to a violation of NCAA rules.
For many, this game would be the final nail in Will Muschamp’s coaching coffin. Even with Gurley ruled out for the game, it didn’t matter to many fans. Chubb would be all they need, and the ugly style of play the 2014 Florida Gators were associated with would continue.
In the first quarter, it seemed the players’ words would ring hollow once again. Georgia’s offense marched down the field, Nick Chubb running through and over Florida defenders for a 39-yard touchdown run with 9:02 left in the quarter. Though only down a touchdown, it seemed to be a harbinger of bad news for Gator Nation.
However, the confidence showed by the players throughout the week materialized on the field. Mike McNeely’s fake field goal run for a touchdown helped tied the game and spark the team to play the way they believed they could.
The Gators, not the Bulldogs, were the ones with a dominant ground game, gaining 418 rushing yards, the fifth-most in school history. Controlling the clock for a time of possession of 32:41, Florida gave a defense that forced six punts a rest, something uncommon over the past couple of weeks.
The biggest surprise on Saturday was how the Gators won. After McNeely’s touchdown, the momentum shifted towards the Gators and stayed there. A team that looked lifeless at times during the season was jamming out to DJ Snake and Lil’ Jon’s “Turn Down For What” before a Georgia fourth down attempt in the fourth quarter. The energy would lead to a Marcus Maye pass breakup giving the Gators the ball with 5:17 left in the game. The offense would feed off the defense as Kelvin Taylor ran 65 yards to help put the Gators up 38-18, and seal the game for a team longing for a win.
Outside of the locker room, few gave Florida a chance to pull off the upset against Georgia. Weeks of disappointing play left many to question the reason for the confidence behind the players. However, Florida backed up their words and showed Gator Nation the type of football they’ve felt they’ve been capable of playing. For the first time since the season opener against Eastern Michigan, Florida looked a strong, focused team full of energy and passion that would steadfast throughout the game.
Throughout the week, it was a matter of what was heard from what was believed. That belief that led to the biggest win of the season thus far for the Florida Gators.
Yessir, Ryan!