Head coach Jim McElwain waves a towel on Saturday following Florida's victory over Vanderbilt. (Photo: Adler Garfield/UAA Communications)
Gators Stay Steady in AP Top 25
Sunday, October 1, 2017 | Football, Scott Carter
Florida has won three in a row since a season-opening loss to Michigan.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators held steady in this week's AP Top 25, released Sunday afternoon.
Florida (3-1, 3-0) stayed put at No. 21 after a 14-point win over Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Alabama remained at No. 1, followed by Clemson, Oklahoma, Penn State and Georgia, which moved up two spots to No. 5 after its 41-0 rout at Tennessee.
In Saturday's 38-24 win over Vanderbilt, the Gators rolled up a season-high 467 yards of total offense, including a 218-46 advantage in rushing yards. Freshman running back Malik Davis ran for a team-high 124 yards and two touchdowns, and sophomore tailback Lamical Perine had 58 yards and three scoring runs.
The boost in the running game made life easier for quarterback Feleipe Franks, who replaced injured Luke Del Rio and finished 10 of 14 for 185 yards. Franks regained his starting job after Del Rio suffered a season-ending left collarbone injury.
The Gators have won three in a row and didn't need a miracle finish on Saturday in their most complete performance of the season. Coach Jim McElwain would like to see the momentum continue to build.
The Gators host LSU on Saturday at 3:30 p.m on UF Homecoming. The game is on CBS. The Tigers (3-2) were stunned by Troy on Saturday night at home, losing their first home game to a nonconference opponent in 17 years.
Florida (3-1, 3-0) stayed put at No. 21 after a 14-point win over Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Alabama remained at No. 1, followed by Clemson, Oklahoma, Penn State and Georgia, which moved up two spots to No. 5 after its 41-0 rout at Tennessee.
In Saturday's 38-24 win over Vanderbilt, the Gators rolled up a season-high 467 yards of total offense, including a 218-46 advantage in rushing yards. Freshman running back Malik Davis ran for a team-high 124 yards and two touchdowns, and sophomore tailback Lamical Perine had 58 yards and three scoring runs.
The boost in the running game made life easier for quarterback Feleipe Franks, who replaced injured Luke Del Rio and finished 10 of 14 for 185 yards. Franks regained his starting job after Del Rio suffered a season-ending left collarbone injury.
The Gators have won three in a row and didn't need a miracle finish on Saturday in their most complete performance of the season. Coach Jim McElwain would like to see the momentum continue to build.
"I guess more than anything, a lot of it comes down to 'yes you can.' It's okay to go do that," McElwain said. "From a mindset standpoint, I think it's really important. Obviously, they're going load the box next week with the best players there are. We're going to have our work cut out for us. We'll see if we're able to handle that."
The Gators join Southeastern Conference members Alabama, Georgia and Auburn in the Top 25. Mississippi State and LSU both dropped out of this week's poll.
Meanwhile, in the latest USA Today Amway Coaches Poll, the Gators stayed at No. 20.
The Gators join Southeastern Conference members Alabama, Georgia and Auburn in the Top 25. Mississippi State and LSU both dropped out of this week's poll.
Meanwhile, in the latest USA Today Amway Coaches Poll, the Gators stayed at No. 20.
The Gators host LSU on Saturday at 3:30 p.m on UF Homecoming. The game is on CBS. The Tigers (3-2) were stunned by Troy on Saturday night at home, losing their first home game to a nonconference opponent in 17 years.
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