The No.1 Georgia Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0 SEC) dominated Florida (5-3, 3-2 SEC) 43-20 inside EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville Florida. The Gators found 339 yards of offense but couldn’t get much going until the 4th quarter when Florida trailed by 29 points.
Gator Country recaps this week nine SEC East game.
GATORS STRIKE FIRST
Florida received the ball to start the contest. After a good kick return by Trevor Etienne, the Gators marched right down the field before Graham Mertz found Eugene Wilson for a 25-yard TD catch. Wilson recorded three receptions on the drive, including two explosive plays and two critical third down conversions. Florida’s 11 play, 6 minute and 16 second TD drive was exactly the start the Gators were looking for in Jacksonville.
BIG GOAL LINE STAND
Georgia gashed Florida’s defense on their opening possession but couldn’t find the endzone after a strong goal line stand for the Gators’ defense. Kelby Collins stopped Georgia running back Daijun Edwards at the five-yard line for no gain. Princely Umanmielen forced a 3rd and goal from the four after bringing down Kendall Milton for a gain of just one. Beck’s third down pass was incomplete, keeping the momentum on Florida’s side.
OFFENSE FALLS APART
After 71 yards on the opening drive, Florida’s offense totaled just 6 yards over their next 15 plays. The Gators totaled 122 yards of offense in the 1st half, averaging just 1.6 yards per rush. Florida had one turnover and one turnover on downs in the first half.
WHEN THE MOMENTUM TURNED
Florida initially picked up a critical 3rd and six late in the first quarter when Graham Mertz connected with Kahleil Jackson on a slant pass. After being reviewed, the call was reversed. Trailing 10-7 to start the second quarter, Napier goes for it. While it looked as if the Gators were going to attempt a ‘tush push’, the snap went directly to RB Trevor Etienne, who went to pass the football, but couldn’t get anything off as Smael Mondon was crashing down on Etienne, who was eventually brought down for a loss of three yards. The reversed call kick started a disastrous series of events for the Gators, who found themselves trailing Georgia 26-7 at halftime. A Gators’ fumble and blocked punt immediately followed the failed 4th down attempt.
FAILED 4TH DOWN
Florida had a chance to get the game within two touchdowns with a touchdown late in the third quarter. However, the Gators failed to convert a 4th and two, throwing a pass short of the line to gain. Florida was 0-2 on 4th downs in the contest, which flipped the momentum of the game each time.
GATORS END 36 UNANSWERED POINTS
After 36 unanswered points, the Gators finally found the scoreboard when Graham Mertz found Hayden Hansen for a five-yard touchdown. RB Montrell Johnson did a really nice job of selling the play fake.
40 BURGER
The Bulldogs hung 43 points on the Gators, polishing off their dominant offensive day with a one – yard touchdown rush by Kendall Milton late in the 4th quarter. Georgia found 486 yards of offense including 315 passing yards and 171 net rushing yards.
GATORS GET GOING TOO LATE
Florida found offensive success in the 4th quarter, but it was way too late to make a difference in the game. The Gators find 147 yards of offense in the 4th quarter alone, leading them to back-to-back touchdowns to end the game.