The Quick Slant: Florida State 27, Gators 2 (instant analysis)
Sunday, November 29, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Besides the electric atmosphere created by a record crowd at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday night as the Gators ran from the tunnel, the highlight for No. 10-ranked Florida was a safety.
That pretty much sums up what transpired in the Gators' 27-2 loss to No. 14 Florida State in front of an announced crowd of 90,916 at The Swamp.
Gators kicker Austin Hardin missed field goals, quarterback Treon Harris missed open receivers, and the Gators missed opportunities as they lost at home for the first time under first-year head coach Jim McElwain.
The UF defense was excellent as usual, limiting FSU running back Dalvin Cook to 33 yards through three quarters. But the defense and punter Johnny Townsend couldn't do it all for Florida with hopes of a College Football Playoff berth still in play when the sun rose Saturday.
The Gators didn't score until Cece Jefferson sacked FSU quarterback Sean Maguire and forced a fumble midway into the fourth quarter. The ball squirted around the field as players tried to recover it until Maguire fell on the ball in the end zone for a Gators safety with 8:58 left in the game.
The Gators (10-2) limited the Seminoles (10-2) to 158 total yards through three quarters but a pair of Robert Aguayo field goals and a 1-yard touchdown pass from Maguire to tight end Jeremy Kerr (his first career reception) was enough. The Seminoles iced the win on Cook's 15-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.
The Gators have to shake off Saturday's loss quick with Alabama looming.
Here is a closer look at the Florida-Florida State game:
WHAT IT MEANS: FSU's recent dominance of the Gators continues. The Seminoles have defeated Florida five of the last six years and won their third consecutive road game over the Gators for the first time in school history. Still, the Gators have a chance to win a conference championship on Saturday despite falling out of the College Football Playoff picture with Saturday's loss.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Gators quarterback Treon Harris became the first UF quarterback to start back-to-back games against Florida State since Tim Tebow. However, Harris continues to struggle in the passing game and mustered only 134 yard passing and failed to lead the Gators to a touchdown.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: FSU shut out the Gators in the first half for the third consecutive time in The Swamp, holding a 41-0 advantage before halftime over that span. The Seminoles led 14-0 at the half in 2011, 17-0 in 2013, and 10-0 on Saturday night.
SUBPLOT: Cook finished with 183 yards on 26 carries. He picked up 150 yards in the fourth quarter when the Florida defense began to run out of fuel.
UP NEXT: It doesn't get any easier for the Gators. They must regroup quickly for Saturday's clash with SEC West champion Alabama in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. The No. 2-ranked Crimson Tide (11-1) capped the regular season with a 29-13 victory over Auburn on Saturday in the Iron Bowl. Florida is trying to win its first SEC championship since 2008.
