The Gators host Idaho today in the final home game of the season. (Photo: Zach Marshall/UAA Communications)
Game Day: Florida vs Idaho (Saturday, noon)
Saturday, November 17, 2018 | Football, Chris Harry
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By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — You only get one Senior Day. If you're a really, really good player, sometimes you don't even get that because you leave early. It's the last home game of your career and one you take with you, for the good and the bad.
Remind to 2017. Guys like Duke Dawson, Nick Washington and Johnny Townsend were terrific players and ambassadors for the University of Florida football program. Their final season, however, produced just the second losing record since 1980. Those Gators took that with them the day they walked off Spurrier/Florida Field for the final time with a loss to rival Florida State last November.
Back to present day. When Cece Jefferson, Martez Ivey, walk-on-turned-leader R.J. Raymond and their classmates run from the south end zone tunnel for the final time Saturday, they'll do so knowing they had a significant hand in turning the program around in the first season under Coach Dan Mullen. The 13th-ranked Gators (7-3) not only are back on the winning track, but by defeating Idaho ((4-6) in the "Swamp" Saturday can double their win total from a season ago and inch closer to a realistic shot at a New Year's Six bowl game, plus an opportunity for 10 wins.
Are those the stakes the team was playing for when it took the field against Georgia three weeks ago? Nope. But that's what's out there for the taking now and the Gators — guaranteed — will feel awfully good about themselves if they wake up in January in Miami or Phoenix or one of those exotic bowl sites.
First things first: Send the seniors out with a bang.
Senior tight end R.J. Raymond (45) reported to fall camp in August as a walk-on and left on scholarship, so UF's annual "Senior Day" figures to be a big afternoon for him, along with his classmates.
The team is in position to do so because of its tremendous, all-phases comeback last week, when the Gators erased a 17-point deficit late in the third quarter and scored the final 21 points in a 35-31 defeat of South Carolina. The rally marked the largest second-half deficit overcome by Florida team at home since 1986, and it put UF in its current (and enviable) position. Making that triumph matter even more is dependent on doing what's expected against the Vandals, an FCS program out of the Big Sky Conference.
UF quarterback Feleipe Franks (57 percent, 1,756 yards, 17 TDs, 6 interceptions) will face a defense ranked 94th in its class at 440.8 yards per game. He should be able to pile up some decent passing stats, but the Gators are at their best when they give the ball to Jordan Scarlett (159 yards last week) and Lamical Perine (107 yards, 2 TDs), who helped the team pile up a season-best 367 yards on the ground last week. The Vandals are surrendering 214.3 yards rushing per game. Feed the backs.
The Florida defense was a mess through the better part of three quarters last week, but allowed the Gamecocks just 29 yards on 14 plays and forced a huge interception (the only turnover of the day) their final three possessions. The Gators rank 39th in FBS in total defense, allowing 354.9 yards per game and 22.1 points per game. Look for the unit to send waves of pressure at quarterback Mason Petrino.
Look for the seniors (on both sides of the ball) to make some memories along the way.
Kickoff is set for noon on ESPNU, with Kevin Brown on play-by-play and Andre Ware providing analysis. The game can be viewed and replayed on the ESPN app and WatchESPN.com.
Also, check out the "First & 10 Pre-Game Show," hosted by GatorVision's Shelby Granath, coming from the field via Facebook Live on the Florida Gators page at 10:50 a.m. This week's loaded lineup includes chats with Mullen, UF athletic director Scott Stricklin, "Voice of the Gators" (and 2019 Florida Sports Hall of Fame inductee) Mick Hubert, former UF and NFL standout wideout Nat Moore, women's basketball coach Cam Newbauer, and Major Gen. Dave Kratzer, the former Vice President of Student Affairs who will serve as honorary "Mr. Two Bits."
Finally, follow senior staff writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry on Twitter (@GatorsScott and @GatorsChris) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete coverage content from the game Saturday night and fresh content Sunday, as well.
