Gators head coach salutes the UF fans at Kroger Field following Saturday night's comeback win over the Wildcats. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
Gators Hold Steady in National Polls Following Comeback at Kentucky
Sunday, September 15, 2019 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Following Florida's stirring comeback win at Kentucky on Saturday night, Gators head coach Dan Mullen was understandably subdued.
The Gators (3-0) won their Southeastern Conference opener against the Wildcats, (2-1, 0-1), but the loss of starting quarterback Feleipe Franks for the season due to a severe ankle injury cast a pall over Florida's seventh consecutive victory, the longest active streak in the SEC.
"Obviously, a huge loss for us,'' he said. "We had to play that game short-handed."
In overcoming an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarterback behind veteran backup Kyle Trask, the Gators held steady at No. 8 in the latest Amway Coaches Poll released Sunday afternoon. The same held true in the AP Top 25, which was released later Sunday. Florida stayed at ninth in the AP Top 25 for the second consecutive week.
While Franks' injury highlighted Mullen's concern following the 29-21 win at Kroger Field, he pointed out several other areas the Gators seek to improve before hosting Tennessee (1-2, 0-0) at noon Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
The Gators committed too many penalties at costly times, had trouble again establishing the running game, allowed the Wildcats to consistently convert on third down, and played without several key injured players, including defensive end Jabari Zuniga for much of the game.
"We still have a long way to go,'' Mullen said. "We've got a lot of things to work on. But again, we found a way to win. That's a big win. That's an excellent football team."
Editor's note: Story will be updated when the AP Top 25 is released.
The Gators (3-0) won their Southeastern Conference opener against the Wildcats, (2-1, 0-1), but the loss of starting quarterback Feleipe Franks for the season due to a severe ankle injury cast a pall over Florida's seventh consecutive victory, the longest active streak in the SEC.
"Obviously, a huge loss for us,'' he said. "We had to play that game short-handed."
In overcoming an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarterback behind veteran backup Kyle Trask, the Gators held steady at No. 8 in the latest Amway Coaches Poll released Sunday afternoon. The same held true in the AP Top 25, which was released later Sunday. Florida stayed at ninth in the AP Top 25 for the second consecutive week.
The Week 4 AP Poll is out!@SEC teams in the Top 25:
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 15, 2019
2) Alabama
3) Georgia
4) LSU
8) Auburn
9) Florida
17) Texas A&M
While Franks' injury highlighted Mullen's concern following the 29-21 win at Kroger Field, he pointed out several other areas the Gators seek to improve before hosting Tennessee (1-2, 0-0) at noon Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
The Gators committed too many penalties at costly times, had trouble again establishing the running game, allowed the Wildcats to consistently convert on third down, and played without several key injured players, including defensive end Jabari Zuniga for much of the game.
"We still have a long way to go,'' Mullen said. "We've got a lot of things to work on. But again, we found a way to win. That's a big win. That's an excellent football team."
Editor's note: Story will be updated when the AP Top 25 is released.
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