WHAT HAPPENED: Sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm passed for 240 yards and three touchdowns without an interception and was the difference-maker in the latest renewal of the Florida-Georgia series Saturday at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. Fromm fired scoring strikes of 16 and 12 yards to wideout Jeremiah Holloman and 24 yards to Terry Godwin, the latter coming with 8:39 to play and pushing the Bulldogs ahead by double-digits after UF, which trailed 10-0 two Georgia possessions into the game, had taken a 14-13 lead three plays into the second half. A 33-yard touchdown run by tailback D'Andre Swift with 4:29 remaining turned the scoreboard ugly. The Gators did not help themselves by turning the ball over three times, including a fumble by Jordan Scarletton their opening possession that led to a UGA touchdown and that 10-0 deficit. UF quarterbackFeleipe Franks was responsible for a pair of turnovers (a first-quarter interception and third-quarter fumble from his own 1-yard line to set up a Bulldogs field goal). He finished 13 of 21 for just 105 yards, with a touchdown both passing and rushing, but Florida was held to a season-low 275 yards of offense. Georgia cranked out 429 yards and converted 8 of 14 third-down opportunities. Swift had a game-high 104 yards rushing.
WHAT IT MEANS: UF's second league loss basically eliminated the Gators from contention in the SEC East Division race, as the Bulldogs will hold the tiebreaker between the two. Florida, of course, is also down a tiebreaker to Kentucky, by virtue of the Wildcats' win Sept. 8 in Gainesville. The Gators, however, are still very well positioned, assuming they do their part, for a terrific season and prominent bowl game. For the Bulldogs, it was a second straight win in the storied series and they can clinch the SEC East title next week by beating Kentucky.
UF quarterback Feleipe Franks is dragged dow by safety Richard LeCounte III during first-half action Saturday in Jacksonville. (Photo: Jay Metz/UAA Communications)
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Holloman finished with four catches for 48 yards and the two scores, both of which came against third-year sophomore defensive back C.J. McWilliams, who was forced into front-line action when the team's best cover corner, CJ Henderson, left the game on the opening drive with a back injury. McWilliams also was called for a defensive pass interference penalty in the end zone while trying to defend Holloman, a play that came on third down and eventually led to a Georgia field goal.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: UF turned the ball over just six times through its first six games, rocketing to the top of the NCAA stats in turnover margin. Don't look now, but the Gators have six turnovers in the last two games, with the two on their opening two possessions in this game setting a tough early tone against such a formidable foe.
UP NEXT: Florida (6-2, 4-2) is back home for its final two SEC games, starting next weekend with a homecoming date against Missouri (4-3, 0-3). The Tigers were home Saturday and giving 12th-ranked Kentucky fits.
