Florida Gators

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Ninth-ranked Florida (6-1, 3-1) faces South Carolina (3-3, 2-2) Saturday afternoon.

The Gators, despite their 42-28 loss at LSU last week, earned respect nationally for the way they went toe-to-toe with the Tigers.

They seek to avoid a letdown against a Gamecocks team coming off its biggest win of the season.

For more on the Florida-South Carolina game, here is this week's edition of The Opening Kickoff:
 

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THREE QUESTIONS WITH … GATORS DB DONOVAN STINER
 
Q: What does last week's defensive performance do to the defense's mentality?

A: I think it makes us hungrier. We didn't like how we played clearly. So yeah, it makes us more hungry, and I think we want to get out there and prove that's not what it will be.

Q: Is it easy to focus when you know you're facing a team that just beat the No. 3 team in the country?

A: Yeah. We're going to get focused regardless because we know this is an SEC East game, and it's just another step to where we want to get and winning the East.

Q: What impact does it have when defensive lineman Jonathan Greenard and Jabari Zuniga are not available?

A: It's a big loss when they're not out there, because especially in the past games, we can't let the quarterback get comfortable, so those guys always make sure he's uncomfortable for us and that in turn helps the DBs because the balls have to get out quicker and stuff like that.
 

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THREE STORYLINES

• Coming off its first loss of the season, Florida seeks to rebound against a South Carolina team coming off its biggest win. The Gamecocks upset No. 3 Georgia on the road last week to stay in the hunt for the SEC East title. Florida's loss at LSU was disappointing, but the Gators still control their own destiny and can win the East by winning its final four conference games, starting Saturday.
• The Gators' defense allowed 511 yards and 42 points to LSU's high-powered offense last week. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and his unit seek a return to normalcy. Florida is ranked second in the SEC in scoring defense (14.1 points per game) and third overall (309.9 yards per game).
• Both teams have injury concerns. For Florida, defensive standouts Jonathan Greenard and Jabari Zuniga are game-time decisions. South Carolina quarterback Ryan Hilinski left the Georgia game with a knee injury but is listed as probably Saturday.

 

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THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH 

• This is starting to sound like a broken record, but Gators sophomore tight end Kyle Pitts has become one of the team's most dynamic players. Pitts caught five passes for a career-high 108 yards at LSU and has emerged as a go-to receiver.
• South Carolina cornerback Israel Mukauma earned Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week for his three interceptions at Georgia, the first Gamecock to have three interceptions in a game in 31 years.
• If South Carolina is forced to go with backup quarterback Dakereon Joyner, who is dangerous in the run game, Florida senior linebacker David Reese will play an important role in containing him.

 

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THREE DIGITS
 
4 – Gators receivers with 90-plus yard games this season, the most since the 2007 season. Van Jefferson, Freddie Swain, Josh Hammond and Kyle Pitts each have at least one 90-yard receiving game this season.

12 – Number of FBS team with four 300-yard passing games this season, which includes the Gators.

250 – Florida has passed for at least 250 yards in seven consecutive games, its longest stretch since a 14-game streak that spanned the final game of the 2000 season, all 12 games in 2001, and the 2002 opener.
 

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INJURY REPORT
 
OUT: WR Kadarius Toney (shoulder); QB Feleipe Franks (ankle, out for season); DL Elijah Conliffe (leg); DB C.J. McWilliams (Achilles, out for season); LB/DB David Reese (Achilles, out for season). QUESTIONABLE: DE Jabari Zuniga (ankle); DL Jonathan Greenard (ankle). PROBABLE: RB Dameon Pierce (head).
 

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THE OTHER SIDE
 
Former Gators coach Will Muschamp is in his fourth season as South Carolina's head coach.

Muschamp spent four seasons at Florida, compiling a 28-21 record overall.

How does Muschamp's stint with the Gamecocks compare to his time at UF?

Here is a closer look at the 45-game comparison:
 

SCHOOL	YEARS	RECORD	SEC	KEY VICTORY
Florida	2011-14	26-19	16-14	Defeated No. 4 LSU at home in 2012
South Carolina	2016-19	25-20	14-14	Won at No. 3 Georgia in double OT last week

 

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BOTTOM LINE
 
Noon starts are always tricky. Rolling out of bed and heading to the stadium to play football is not a typical way to spend your Saturday morning. Still, the Gators should have no reason not to be fired up for this one. Their goals remain alive and the Gamecocks got their attention with last week's performance at Georgia. Who knows how this one will start, but it will be a surprise if the ninth-ranked Gators don't leave Brice-Williams Stadium with a victory.