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No. 9 Florida bounces back with 38-27 win over Gamecocks
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) For three quarters, Kyle Trask saw the overthrows and ineffective runs, the penalties and missed assignments. He knew something had to change.
It finally did.
Trask threw three of his career-high four touchdowns in the final period Saturday to rally the No. 9 Gators to a 38-27 win at South Carolina.
Trask, sensing the game slipping away, told his teammates: ''This isn't us.'' He then helped the Gators (7-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) avoid a second straight loss after falling at No. 2 LSU 42-28 last week.
''We found our identity and started making plays,'' he said.
This season, the identity of Florida's offense is very much in Trask's hands. The redshirt junior, starting because of an injury to Feleipe Franks, has led the Gators to their best start since 2015.
After a week off, Trask will bring Florida to a final, defining stretch with games against No. 10 Georgia, Vanderbilt and SEC East-leading Missouri in the chase for a spot in the SEC title game.
Things didn't look promising through the third quarter. South Carolina (3-4, 2-3) held Florida in check and took a 20-17 lead in trying for its second consecutive win over a top 10 opponent after beating then-No. 3 Georgia in double overtime last week.
''We have a very resilient team,'' Trask said. ''We're never going to panic, no matter the situation.''
That was evident in the second half.
After Trask's interception deep in Florida territory led to Tavien Feaster's 21-yard TD run to put the Gamecocks up 17-10, Dameon Pierce answered with a 75-yard scoring run on Florida's next snap to tie it.
In the final period, down 20-17, Trask faced fourth-and-3 on South Carolina's 34 before scrambling from pressure to pick up the first down with a 9-yard pass to Kyle Pitts. Trask followed with the go-ahead 25-yard touchdown throw to Lamical Perine.
Florida's defense also came through down the stretch after the Gators took the lead. Defensive end Zachary Carter sacked Ryan Hilinski, who fumbled as nose tackle Kyree Campbell recovered.
Florida linebacker David Reese said the players were intent on not letting the LSU loss affect them.
''We can't let one loss turn into another,'' he said.
Trask, who completed 21 of 33 passes for 200 yards, finished the series with a 5-yard TD pass to Pitts before a final scoring pass of 5 yards to Trevon Grimes.
South Carolina looked poised once more shuffle the SEC East race with an upset. But like a year ago, when Florida rallied from 31-14 down to defeat the Gamecocks 35-31, South Carolina could not hold.
''Get the lead in fourth quarter, got to make some plays. We didn't do that,'' South Carolina coach Will Muschamp said.
Hilinski, who sprained his knee in the Georgia win, was not sharp for most of this game. The freshman completed 17 of 35 throws for 170 yards.
''We've got to find a way to throw the ball better,'' he said.
Feaster, the Clemson graduate transfer, ran for 175 yards for South Carolina, which was outscored 21-7 in the final period.
THE TAKEAWAY
Florida: The Gators now have time to recover from injuries and recoup from a two-month stretch of football. Florida gets next week off before starting a run of three straight SEC East games.
South Carolina: The defense gave the team a chance at another stunner. But inconsistency on offense sent South Carolina to its fourth loss to Florida in five years.
INJURED GATORS
Florida was missing two key defenders, both out with ankle injuries - end Jabari Zuniga and linebacker Jonathan Greenard. Greenard entered the game leading the Gators with four sacks. Zuniga has three. Gators coach Dan Mullen was optimistic the two would be able to practice entering the Georgia game in two weeks.
ANGRY MUSCHAMP
South Carolina's Will Muschamp had grown so frustrated with officiating, he drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. He was angrier still the flag was thrown far from where he stood, saying it was a ''gutless'' move.
''The guy ran 40 yards away and dropped a flag. I have no idea. I'd rather him drop it on my feet,'' the coach said.
UP NEXT
Florida is off next week before facing No. 10 Georgia in its annual rivalry game in Jacksonville, Florida, on Nov. 2.
South Carolina heads to Tennessee on Saturday.
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Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 18 | 16 |
Rushing | 7 | 9 |
Passing | 8 | 7 |
Penalty | 3 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 5-14 | 7-18 |
4th Down Conv | 1-1 | 0-2 |
Total Net Yards | 340 | 361 |
Total Plays | 63 | 78 |
Avg Gain | 5.4 | 4.6 |
Net Yards Rushing | 154 | 217 |
Rush Attempts | 30 | 43 |
Avg Rush Yards | 5.1 | 5.0 |
Yards Passing | 200 | 170 |
Comp. - Att. | 21-33 | 17-35 |
Yards Per Pass | 5.6 | 4.1 |
Penalties - Yards | 4-25 | 5-60 |
Touchdowns | 5 | 3 |
Rushing TDs | 1 | 2 |
Passing TDs | 4 | 1 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Fumbles - Lost | 1-0 | 1-1 |
Int. Thrown | 1 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 7-44.7 | 7-45.9 |
Return Yards | 22 | 101 |
Punts - Returns | 1-6 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 1-16 | 4-86 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 1-15 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
K. Trask
11 QB
|
K. Trask | 21/33 | 200 | 4 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
D. Pierce
27 RB
|
D. Pierce | 7 | 87 | 1 | 75 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Perine
2 RB
|
L. Perine | 14 | 68 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Jones
5 QB
|
E. Jones | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. Swain
16 WR
|
F. Swain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Davis
20 RB
|
M. Davis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Trask
11 QB
|
K. Trask | 5 | -3 | 0 | 5 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Copeland
15 WR
|
J. Copeland | 3 | 3 | 89 | 1 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Pitts
84 TE
|
K. Pitts | 7 | 5 | 29 | 1 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
F. Swain
16 WR
|
F. Swain | 5 | 5 | 20 | 1 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Hammond
10 WR
|
J. Hammond | 2 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Cleveland
89 WR
|
T. Cleveland | 1 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Grimes
8 WR
|
T. Grimes | 4 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Perine
2 RB
|
L. Perine | 5 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Davis
20 RB
|
M. Davis | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
V. Jefferson
12 WR
|
V. Jefferson | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
C. Henderson
1 DB
|
C. Henderson | 9-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Reese II
33 LB
|
D. Reese II | 8-5 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Wilson
3 DB
|
M. Wilson | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Moon
7 LB
|
J. Moon | 4-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Campbell
55 DL
|
K. Campbell | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. Miller
51 LB
|
V. Miller | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Shuler
88 DL
|
A. Shuler | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Houston IV
41 LB
|
J. Houston IV | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Taylor
29 DB
|
J. Taylor | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Davis
31 DB
|
S. Davis | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Ancrum
98 DL
|
L. Ancrum | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Dean III
21 DB
|
T. Dean III | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Burney
30 DB
|
A. Burney | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Bogle
97 LB
|
K. Bogle | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Diabate
11 LB
|
M. Diabate | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Carter
17 DL
|
Z. Carter | 1-1 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Stiner
13 DB
|
D. Stiner | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Stewart Jr.
2 DB
|
B. Stewart Jr. | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Slaton
56 DL
|
T. Slaton | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
E. McPherson
19 K
|
E. McPherson | 1/1 | 48 | 5/5 | 8 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. Townsend
43 P
|
T. Townsend | 7 | 44.7 | 3 | 55 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
F. Swain
16 WR
|
F. Swain | 1 | 16.0 | 16 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
F. Swain 16 WR
|
F. Swain | 1 | 6.0 | 6 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
R. Hilinski
3 QB
|
R. Hilinski | 17/35 | 170 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
T. Feaster
4 RB
|
T. Feaster | 25 | 175 | 1 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Denson
34 RB
|
M. Denson | 12 | 58 | 1 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Dowdle
5 RB
|
R. Dowdle | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Hilinski
3 QB
|
R. Hilinski | 5 | -24 | 0 | 3 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
B. Edwards
89 WR
|
B. Edwards | 11 | 7 | 78 | 0 | 41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Vann
6 WR
|
J. Vann | 4 | 3 | 33 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Muse
9 TE
|
N. Muse | 3 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Smith
13 WR
|
S. Smith | 9 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Markway
84 TE
|
K. Markway | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
O. Smith
18 WR
|
O. Smith | 3 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Dawkins
83 WR
|
C. Dawkins | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Feaster
4 RB
|
T. Feaster | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Denson
34 RB
|
M. Denson |