The No. 11 Gators entered Saturday’s showdown with No. 1 Alabama looking to snap a seven-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide and send a loud message to the rest of the country that they are legitimate national title contenders.
Instead, they came up just short. The Crimson Tide (3-0, 1-0 SEC) defeated the Gators, 31-29.
Here is our instant recap.
How the game was lost
After Emory Jones led the Gators on a 99-yard drive and scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown to cut the deficit to 28-23, Alabama responded by marching 70 yards on 16 plays. Will Reichard drilled a 24-yard field goal to extend the lead back out to 31-23.
Dameon Pierce scored on a 17-yard run around the left edge on UF’s next possession, but the subsequent two-point conversion attempt failed.
Alabama ran out the clock, and that was that.
Chris Howard’s missed extra point in the first half proved decisive.
Player of the Game
Bryce Young
Alabama’s sophomore quarterback had some shaky moments, but he didn’t turn the ball over and made enough throws to lead his team to victory in his first road start.
He completed 22 of 35 passes for 233 yards and three scores.
Play of the Game
On third-and-9 at the Alabama 23 in the third quarter, Jones lofted a back-shoulder throw to Xzavier Henderson.
Henderson located the ball, twisted his body in the air and made an 18-yard catch.
That play set up Jones’ touchdown run that made it a one-score game and set the stage for the dramatic final moments.
Stat of the Game
8-for-14
That was Alabama’s conversion rate on third and fourth downs. The Gators just couldn’t get off of the field enough times to give their offense a chance to overcome some early mistakes.
Up next
Florida (2-1, 0-1 SEC) will try to get back on track next week when they host Tennessee (2-1) at 7. It will be the first night game against the Volunteers in the Swamp since 2005.
UF has won 15 of the last 16 games in the series.