Game Day: Florida vs South Carolina (SEC Network, 4 pm)
Saturday, November 12, 2022 | Football, Chris Harry
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By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators did their part (and then some) last weekend in kicking off what Billy Napier hopes to be a November to remember. The kind of finish to a season that can serve as a launching pad to greater seasons.
UF took a two-game losing skid to Texas A&M, which was on a four-game losing skid, and waxed the Aggies 42-24 behind a big second half from the Gators' offense and an even bigger (and surprising) one from the defense. The win, the program's first on the Southeastern Conference road since 2020, moved UF within a victory of clinching bowl eligibility, which Napier has stated as an important goal in his inaugural rebuild season.
Now comes Saturday afternoon and that next step. If Florida (5-4, 2-4) can beat South Carolina (6-3, 3-3) — and the Gators should have plenty of motivation, both past and present, to do so, especially with a sold-out "Swamp" on Senior Day — the bowl box will be checked, momentum built and the enthusiasm that comes with a strong finish to a season will be taken up a notch.
[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive "Opening Kickoff" preview here]
The Gamecocks, in the second season under Shane Beamer, had the league's attention a couple weeks ago, what with a four-game win streak that included a road victory at 13th-ranked Kentucky and a home defeat of A&M before it became clear the Aggies were dealing with multiple issues on and off the field. Anyway, USC was 5-2 and rolling when struggling Missouri came to town and stifled the Gamecocks 23-10. They bounced back last week with a 38-27 road win at SEC-winless Vanderbilt, gaining bowl-eligibility and now looks to pile on its profile at UF's expense.
South Carolina coach Shane Beamer whoops it up during his team's 40-17 wipeout win over Florida last season.
This would be a good time to remind Gator fans (as if it's necessary) of how Carolina absolutely steamrolled Florida in Columbia, S.C., last Nov. 6, with a 40-17 thrashing that wasn't nearly as close as the score might indicate. It was a signature victory for Beamer in his first year — and USC's largest winning margin in the series — and helped propel the Gamecocks to what became a 7-6 season capped by a win over North Carolina in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.
South Carolina further garnered the attention of college football watchers in the offsason by landing former Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler out of the transfer portal. That would be the same Rattler fellow who helped carved the Gators to pieces, 55-20, in the Cotton Bowl (as in leading an offense that gained 684 yards) following the 2020 season. In post-game interviews, he offered up a remark about the UF defense reminding him of the Sooners scout team.
Yes, that happened. And, yes, there are a few UF players who will recall that game (and quote), knowing full well Rattler is wearing a different uniform now and not exactly tearing up opposing secondaries. He's passed for 1,823 yards and eight touchdowns, while throwing nine interceptions for a South Carolina offense that ranks 10th in the SEC (and 89th overall). The Gamecocks are a middling bunch both running and passing the ball, which is about how they fare as an all-around defense; as in 62nd overall (371.1 yards allowed per game) and seventh in the SEC.
The USC run defense, however, ranks 11th in the league and 99th nationally at 171.8 yards surrendered per game. It makes sense that the stocked UF running backs room (and the one inhabited by the offensive line) will be eyeballing that number, given the Florida rushing attack — led by dueling tailbacks Montrell Johnson Jr. and Travis Etienne, plus the splash play-making of quarterback Anthony Richardson — is averaging 208.8 yards per game (20th in the country, third in the SEC). Richardson, meanwhile, has gone three consecutive games (and the UF offense 37 consecutive possessions) without a turnover.
It may come down the Florida defense. If South Carolina can be referred to above as "middling," the Gators, statistics say, aspire to that. UF is giving up 441.4 yards per game (that's 12th in the SEC and 114th overall) and ranks near the bottom nationally in defending third down.
That said, what Florida did against A&M in the second half was pretty encouraging, even against a bad offense. The Gators gave up 307 yards and 24 points in the first half, but just 106 yards, no points and forced forced five punts and two turnovers in the second.
That's how you start a season's final month. Now, it's about how the Gators finish it.
Bring on the next building block.
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. (EST) on the SEC Network, with Taylor Zarzour on play-by-play, former Matt Stinchcomb providing analysis and Alyssa Lang working the sidelines. For radio and television broadcast info, click here. The game will be re-aired Monday at 1 a.m. and again at 11 a.m., both on the SEC Network. The Learfield Gator IMG Sports Network coverage, with Sean Kelley and Shane Matthews in the booth, and Tate Casey on the sidelines, will begin at 9 a.m.
Finally, follow FloridaGators.com senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) on Twitter for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete coverage content on the site Saturday and fresh follow-up content Sunday, also.
