Chauncey Gardner-Johnson's 26-yard interception return for a touchdown six seconds into the game set the day's tone. (Photo: Carly Mackler/UAA Communications)
Takin' Care of Business: One Down, One to Go for Gators
Saturday, November 17, 2018 | Football, Scott Carter
Share:
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The chatter around the Gators this week was how they remain in contention to play in a New Year's Six bowl game.
They still are.
Yes, I know they played Idaho on Saturday. Yes, I know the Vandals lost at Fresno State by 66 points in a game that was broadcast on Facebook. And yes, I know Vandals quarterback Mason Petrino looks about 14.
Still, the Gators did exactly what they should have done in their mismatch against the Vandals. They put a good old-fashioned beatdown on their visitors from out West.
They thumped the Vandals from start to finish in a 63-10 Senior Day win at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium that kept in play their bid at a New Year's Six bowl and 10-win season in head coach Dan Mullen's first year.
"Certainly the day went really well for us,'' Mullen said.
Hey, that's something Gators everywhere can agree on.
The Gators cranked out 600 yards of offense. They led 49-0 at halftime. They scored two defensive touchdowns. They sent the seniors out with a win and invited more newcomers to join the party on the field as Mullen emptied the bench in the second half.
Heck, starting quarterback Feleipe Franks didn't even shush anyone.
Instead, Franks ran for a score and threw for three more to become the first UF quarterback to pass for 2,000 yards in a season (2,030) in seven years. Franks gave way to true freshman Emory Jones with Florida leading 42-0 late in the second quarter. Jones kept the pedal to the metal in the most extensive action of his career, completing 12 of 16 passes for 125 yards and a pair of scores.
It took all of six seconds off the game clock for the Gators to show everyone what was coming. On the first snap of the game, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson picked off Petrino's pass to the flat and raced 26 yards for a score.
The sun smiled brightly over "The Swamp" the rest of the afternoon as the Gators scored nine touchdowns and held the Vandals without one until the final minutes. By that time, next week's Florida-Florida State matchup in Tallahassee was on everyone's mind.
A sharp performance against Idaho ahead of the annual showdown with the Seminoles was also on the Gators' mind.
"This is a big win,'' redshirt freshman defensive lineman Zachary Carter said. "All week, Coach Mullen was telling us it's not about the team, it's about execution. We just had to execute to prepare for the game next week so we'll be ready to execute in that one, too. That's the approach we took."
The Gators have lost a school-record five in a row to FSU and with the Seminoles stumbling along in Coach Willie Tagger's first season, the Gators have a prime opportunity to regain momentum in the rivalry. Florida State rallied for a home win against Boston College on Saturday and needs a win over the Gators to avoid their first losing season in 42 years.
If that's not enough motivation – and, of course, for anyone in orange and blue it should be plenty – the Gators are No. 13 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. The top 12 teams are in line for a New Year's Six bowl berth and with No. 12 Syracuse losing 36-3 to Notre Dame on Saturday, the Gators have an opportunity to climb a spot.
Gators coach Dan Mullen celebrates Saturday's win in the home finale with fans. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
Who had the Gators in a New Year's Six bowl three months ago? Not many, if they did, it was blind faith considering the tumultuous end to last season.
Give Mullen credit for coming in and creating a new energy, for hiring a veteran coaching staff and for doing his part in getting fans excited.
Fifth-year senior R.J. Raymond played for three head coaches at UF. He walked out of the home tunnel for the final time at Florida Field on Saturday, one of 20 seniors honored in pregame ceremonies.
Raymond is confident the Gators are just getting started on their climb back to relevance and the team's young players are in good hands.
"They lucked out with this coaching staff," Raymond said. "I wish I would have had them my entire five years here."
Saturday's win over Idaho was about winning games the way you should as a heavy favorite. No, the Gators were not perfect. Jones lost a fumble. They got stuffed on fourth-and-1 in the first quarter inside Idaho's 5-yard line. Franks missed another long pass to Van Jefferson that appeared an easy touchdown if he had not overthrown him.
Still, when you win by 53 points and there was never a doubt, it's hard to be picked at too much.
The Gators have had several mismatches on paper in recent years when things didn't go as neatly expected, such as Georgia Southern (a loss in 2013) and Florida Atlantic (overtime win in 2015). Idaho would have trouble beating either of those teams.
"We got our butts kicked,'' Vandals coach Paul Petrino said.
Yes they did, exactly the way they should have if the Gators are serious about rejoining the nation's elite.
Tip your cap to the home team for a job well done. The Gators deserve it. Next, let's see if they can beat FSU.
If they do, all the New Year's Six bowl chatter can become reality. That would be a big leap in Year 1 under Mullen.
