Florida head coach Jim McElwain talks to receiver Antonio Callaway in Saturday's loss at Florida State. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications).
Momentum Lost: Gators Fall Hard at FSU, Alabama Awaits
Sunday, November 27, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
Florida fails to pull off another win on road after emotional win at LSU.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – We saw unfiltered joy spill onto the field at Tiger Stadium a week ago when Florida clinched the SEC East title with a memorable goal-line stand to defeat LSU.
What we saw following Saturday night's 31-13 loss to Florida State was the direct opposite. The term "180-degree turn" is overused and sometimes misused in sports.
Still, it fit the Gators perfectly as they exited Doak Campbell Stadium past midnight on Saturday for the long ride across Interstate 10 and eventually back to friendly territory. The exuberance of seven days earlier was gone, replaced by dejection.
One by one Florida players exited the crowded locker room, grabbed a bag of barbecue for the road and said goodbye to family and friends who were among the 78,000-plus on hand for the 61st meeting between the in-state rivals.
They left disheartened the same as the players and coaches.
"That was a disappointing ballgame for us,'' Gators head coach McElwain said. "I thought our guys were ready. They came out and played their tails off."
That wasn't nearly enough against a Seminoles team that defeated the Gators for the fourth consecutive season, the first time that has happened in this rivalry since 1987-90. FSU has won six of seven overall, Florida's lone win in that span a 37-26 victory at FSU in 2012.
Coming off one of the program's biggest wins in recent years – I wrote last week you could argue it was Florida's most important victory since the 2008 national title game against Oklahoma – whatever momentum the Gators gained disappeared after the opening drive against the Seminoles.
The Gators drove 73 yards on eight plays and faced fourth-and-goal from FSU's 2-yard line. McElwain opted to try and make an early statement rather than kick a field goal. Quarterback Austin Appleby, under pressure from a blitz, threw incomplete and the Seminoles took over.
One play in the game's first four minutes doesn't determine the outcome, but the opening drive was Florida's highlight. The Gators finished with only 207 yards and for the third consecutive season were unable to contain FSU running back Dalvin Cook (26 carries, 153 yards, 1 TD).
In his postgame press conference, McElwain was in no mood to dissect the loss from every angle, clearly tired and ready to get out of town.
His quick synopsis: The Gators didn't block well enough, didn't protect Appleby well enough, and didn't make enough plays on offense. Florida finished 0-for-12 on third-down conversions and its two longest plays – a 24-yard reverse by Antonio Callaway and 25-yard pass from Appleby to running back Lamical Perine – came on the opening drive.
Since McElwain took over the Gators last season, the No. 13-ranked Gators (8-3) and No. 15-ranked Seminoles (9-3) had the same record – 18-6 – entering Saturday night's Sunshine Showdown.
The Seminoles now have a one-game advantage, and by extending their winning streak over the Gators, have a grip on the head-to-head matchup.
McElwain played the role of gracious guest after falling to 2-6 against ranked opponents at UF and 0-2 against FSU coach Jimbo Fisher.
"Give them all the credit in the world,'' he said. "He's put a hell of a program together. He's got really good players and they play the game the way it should be. My hats off to what they've done here and what he's built."
More than anything, Saturday's loss dampened a renewed sense of optimism from Gator Nation about the program's direction. The victory at LSU and the way the Gators won will be remembered for years to come.
The orange-and-blue faithful will wake up Sunday hoping Saturday night was nothing more than a bad dream. Not another loss to FSU.
And after a week of speculation about Florida perhaps wiggling its way into the College Football Playoff if it won at FSU and then upset No. 1-ranked Alabama in the SEC Championship Game next weekend, that talk is dead.
The Crimson Tide awaits and the Gators vow to not Saturday's disappointing performance linger.
"We all wanted this win,'' senior defensive tackle Joey Ivie said. "I'm hoping that everyone just realizes this is our shot to win a championship and all of us to get a ring. If that doesn't motivate you to get a championship, you shouldn't be playing."
Near the end of his five-minute press conference, McElwain showed his frustration.
He didn't like a question that, at least in his view, insinuated the Gators might go the opposite direction and check out early. Florida lost its final three games a season ago by a combined score of 97-24 to dampen a 10-1 start.
"I don't know whether they'll come back or not. It's going to be a heck of a test. I'm concerned,'' McElwain said, his voice rising with each sentence. "These guys have been through a ton now, and they played their tails off. And it hurts. But you know, as a competitor, you tear off the rearview mirror and you go forward.
"Our team will be ready."
Players Mentioned
Billy Napier Press Conference 10-1-25
Wednesday, October 01
Myles Graham Media Availability 9-15-25
Wednesday, October 01
Inside Gators Football presented by UF Health 9-30-25
Tuesday, September 30
Play Breakdown presented by Tower Hill Insurance 9-30-25
Tuesday, September 30
