Gators-Gamecocks: After Three Quarters

GAINESVILLE — Marcus Lattimore continued threading the Florida defense, adding a 21-yard touchdown run off the opening drive of the third quarter and going over the 100-yard mark as South Carolina increased its lead to 22-7 after three quarters.

South Carolina took the momentum if had after Lanning’s third field goal on the final play of the first half and carried it into the third quarter when it received the kickoff. The Gamecocks marched 72 yards on eight plays, eating up another 4:55 of the clock. Lattimore started slowly, gaining five yards on his first two carries before ending the drive with an 18-yard run to the Florida 21 and then a 21-yard touchdown run off left end. Lanning’s PAT was good and South Carolina was ahead 22-7 with 10:05 remaining in the quarter.

If Florida needed any other reason that it was going to be a long night, it came on the first scrimmage play after the touchdown. Brantley rolled to his left to attempt a pass and the ball was deflected into the air by defensive end Cliff Matthews. As Brantley fell onto Matthews, the ball followed him and he reached out and caught the ball to complete a pass to himself that lost 10 yards. Two incompletions followed and Henry punted to end the 3-and-out.

Lattimore gained 12 yards on South Carolina’s next possession that ended in a punt. Florida got some life when Brantley found Frankie Hammond Jr. on the first play for 17 yards and a first down to the Florida 37. Three plays later, Florida faced a third-and-2 at its own 45 and Burton gained just one yard on the play. So on fourth down, Meyer sent in Jordan Reed and he was so far short that the yardsticks never had to be brought onto the field and South Carolina took over.

Florida forced another South Carolina punt, but two plays after getting the ball, Brantley’s pass to Reed was tipped and intercepted by Stephen Gilmore, who returned the ball to the Florida 28. From there, Lattimore picked up 18 yards on the final play of the third quarter.

Three plays after the fourth quarter began, Lattimore turned blocker, opening the lane through which Garcia ran 8 yards into the end zone for the touchdown. Garcia talked a little smack to some Gators before exiting the field and Lanning’s PAT made it 29-7 with 13:35 remaining, sending many in the crowd to the exit.

Florida finally got on the board at 7:12 left in regulation when Reed came in, got a snap from center, took a step forward and then hit Rainey in the flat. Rainey sped into the end zone to complete the 26-yard scoring play and Chas Henry’s kick made it 29-14.