The streaks are over: Florida Gators make statement against arch-rival Florida State

What a way for the Florida Gators to end the regular season. It doesn’t get any better than dismantling your arch rival on the grand stage between enemy lines. Florida did just that on Saturday in Tallahassee with a commanding 41-14 drubbing of FSU.

This was, in my opinion, the most complete performance that UF has put together this season and by a wide margin. Sure, Florida left points on the board in the first half, but this was a thoroughly dominating showing in the second half. With the win over the Seminoles, the Gators cap off a 9-3 regular season in Dan Mullen’s inaugural campaign representing the orange and blue. Oh, and this win means so much more than that. Florida ended a five-game skid to their hated rivals and additionally, dashed FSU’s bowl hopes and officially closed their bowl streak which was the nation’s longest with 36 consecutive appearances. That’s not all— Florida also finished off what’s now FSU’s first losing season since 1976 dating back to Bobby Bowden’s first season.

"“Great, great team win for us today. We wanted to play our best offense, defense, and kicking game of the year and execute. As we talked about through the year, we wanted to get better and better and better as the year goes on and play a complete game. I really think we did. It’s huge. To finish off getting a win over your rival in year one is huge.” An emotional Dan Mullen said following the game."

The Gators certainly did just that in all three phases. Florida never trailed, and this game was never really in doubt. Other than a few missed assignments defensively which led to big plays here and there, it was a near flawless display on that side. Offensively, Florida tallied more than 500 yards and nearly 300 yards rushing, gashing the Seminoles time and time again behind the legs of Jordan Scarlet and Lamical Perine. And Feleipe Franks delivered by far his best and most consistent output of his career. Franks went 16 of 26 for 254 yards and tossed 3 TD’s to 3 different receivers and the most important statistic is that— he didn’t over or under throw anyone and was pretty much accurate the entire game. Franks seems to be finally coming around and building rapport with multiple receivers on this roster. Trevon Grimes came into his own against the ‘Noles— with 5 catches for a buck-18 and a TD. Josh Hammond and Van Jefferson each were Franks’ target on the other TD’s. The Seminoles had no answer for anything Florida wanted to do on either side.

Florida only led 13-7 at the intermission despite driving at will most of the first half. On UF’s second drive, FSU stuffed Franks on a 4th and goal which Mullen elected to go for six and hold faith in his defense that the Seminoles could not march the entire field. Even though the Gators came away with nothing— that plan worked out and Florida dominated the field position battle for the entire first half. Florida would force a quick three-and-out and put together another nice drive highlighted by Jefferson laying out making a terrific grab. FSU would hold UF to a field goal, but again couldn’t get anything going offensively. Perine would go the distance on one play untouched for 74 yards through a wide-open hole on the left side of the offensive line. And just like that it was 10-0 in favor of Florida. The Gators would hold the Seminoles to punts on all but their lone TD-drive of the first half, and that came by an absurd one-hand catch by Cam Akers in the end zone. FSU also had a TD called back on an illegal shift, but a questionable no-call on a clear face-mask, forced UF to kick a field goal instead of having a 1st and goal situation. Anyway, regardless, it was only 13-7 at the break, and FSU dodged what should have been a large deficit and were squarely in this game.

But in the second half, it was all Gators. Florida got the football to start the third quarter and chipped their way down the field on a 12-play, 75-yard drive behind runs from Perine, Scarlet, and even Franks. Franks would connect with Grimes and ultimately Hammond on a play-action fake for the TD, and the Gators went up 20-7 at that point. Then, Jachai Polite and CeCe Jefferson started to really make their impact on the FSU offensive line and get to Deondre Francois. Polite was a few yards away from Francois yet stuck his lengthy arm out and knocked the ball loose and the Gators got it back deep into FSU territory. That was another momentum shifting play that went UF’s way. On the ensuing play, Franks would find Grimes in the end zone for their TD connection and Florida led 27-7.

But Florida State would answer that with their best drive of the day. There was no pocket all afternoon for Francois to stand in due to this problematic UF front and Francois would finally make the decision to use his legs. Francois would escape through wide-open creases because the pass rush up-field was so effective. The ‘Noles would take it 75-yards on 7 plays, and the last 2 were runs by Francois on broken plays because of the ferocious edge rushers. Francois scampered for 32-yards first and then scored from 4-yards out.

And then it was 27-14, but that’s as close as FSU would get. Florida answered the Seminoles scoring drive with their own 75-yard drive behind Perine once again, an incredible catch by Kadarius Toney in-between two defenders, and then a 38-yard TD from Franks to Jefferson. With the score now at 34-14, true freshman corner Trey Dean, who was a liability against Georgia and Missouri, stepped up with his first pick of his career and then returned it the other way for 44-yards. Florida wouldn’t score on their follow up possession, but it didn’t matter because the UF defense dominated from that point forward.

Mullen would turn things over to Scarlet to finish off the Semis, and he did just that— scoring UF’s final TD late in the fourth to give the Gators the 41-14 final outcome.

Florida has now turned the tables against FSU and finally switched things back around their way. This is a powerful win that UF desperately needed to change the narrative of the misery surrounding the dreadful performances against the Seminoles. This was a complete team effort and Florida showed up to play in Tallahassee.

"“We weren’t worried about them. We knew we were the better team.” Chauncey Gardner-Johnson said after the game."

This game is always chippy and intense, but for the most part kept well in check throughout. But after the emotional win, Gardner-Johnson supplanted the Gator flag at midfield on the FSU logo and players from both sides had to be constrained. But would you expect anything else in this rivalry?

During a postgame interview, Mullen noticed and quickly tried to stop Gardner-Johnson and ran over towards the action to make sure things didn’t get out of hand. Gardner-Johnson picked up a mask with war paint and leaped into the stands to celebrate with fans. It was certainly a special, special day for anyone and everyone involved in the Gator Nation.

With the regular season now concluded, Florida is all but a sure-bet to be in the New Year’s Six after the strong finish, and so we’ll all find out in one week where that destination will be.