The Quick Slant: Gators 20, South Carolina 7

Graphic: Scott MacCord/UAA Communications

The Quick Slant: Gators 20, South Carolina 7

Saturday, November 12, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter

No. 22 Florida bounces back from loss at Arkansas to stay atop SEC East.

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida's opening drive resulted in a touchdown for the second consecutive game.

The Gators scored this one.

A week ago at Arkansas, Florida quarterback Luke Del Rio's first pass of the game was intercepted and returned for a score by the Razorbacks. In Saturday's 20-7 win over South Carolina on Senior Day at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, quarterback Austin Appleby, in his first career home start, tossed a 6-yard touchdown pass to C'yontai Lewis to cap the Gators' opening drive.

No. 22 Florida (7-2, 5-2) built a 20-0 lead and never faced any real danger from upset-minded South Carolina (5-5, 3-5) in Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp's return to The Swamp.

"It was the responsiblity of the young guys to step up and make sure it was a special day,'' Gators coach Jim McElwain said.

They did, including freshman linebacker David Reese, who led the Gators with a career-high 11 tackles for Florida's injury-depleted defense.

The Gators didn't clinch the SEC East on Saturday due to Tennessee's 49-36 victory over Kentucky. They get another shot next week at LSU.

Here is a closer look at the Florida-South Carolina game:

WHAT IT MEANS: The Gators remain atop the SEC East standings and can clinch a second consecutive division title with a victory next Saturday at LSU. That won't be easy, but if it's going to happen, the Gators need to come out with the same energy they did against South Carolina and probably need to get some of their injured players back on the field.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Muschamp was dismissed by Florida at the end of the regular season two years ago. In his first year as head coach at South Carolina, Saturday's matchup was one you knew would have ample interest. Adding to that hoopla was the way the Gators struggled a week ago at Arkansas and South Carolina's resurgence under freshman quarterback Jake Bentley. In the end, Florida's defense held Bentley in check and the offense executed at a higher level for a relatively smooth victory.

STAGGERING STATISTIC: The Gators rolled up 251 yards in their first four drives. That is more yardage than Florida had against Georgia (231) and Arkansas (241) for the game. The Gators cooled off thanks to injuries and turnovers, but Appleby provided a spark as did creative play-calling.

SUBPLOT: The Gators continue to lose key players to injury at an alarming rate. Florida center Tyler Jordan was hurt on UF's first offensive play and teammates started dropping like snow at the North Pole after Jordan. Senior safety Marcus Maye (shoulder), senior defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. (leg) and offensive lineman David Sharpe (foot) all left the game due to injuries. The Gators entered without starting linebackers Jarrad Davis (ankle) and Alex Anzalone (arm), starting center Cam Dillard (knee), quarterback Luke Del Rio (shoulder) and defensive lineman Cece Jefferson (foot) unavailable Saturday due to injuries.

UP NEXT: The much-anticipated Hurricane Matthew makeup game is next for Florida, which must travel to Baton Rouge to face LSU in front of what will be a hostile crowd. The Gators can clinch their second consecutive SEC East title with a victory over the Tigers, who have been rejuvenated under interim head coach Ed Orgeron.