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Florida football: Analysis of Tom Petty’s actual boost to the Gators

By Benjamin Henderson

Sep 3, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; a general view of fans at the The Swamp during the second half between the Florida Gators and Utah Utes at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; a general view of fans at the The Swamp during the second half between the Florida Gators and Utah Utes at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida football: Stood up at the gates of hell

florida football
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 27: Justin Shorter #4 of the Florida Gators catches a pass for a touchdown during the third quarter of a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /

Dan Mullen’s swan song in The Swamp was a mixed bag of fourth quarter performances. In retrospect, having Florida Atlantic tie Florida 14-14 post-Petty should have been warning sign of things to come.

Florida actually had a respectable showing against Alabama, falling 31-29 but winning the fourth-quarter 6-3. A missed extra-point early in the game is what doomed the Gators.

Tennessee was a ho-hum affair, but the Gators did win the fourth quarter 7-0. Vanderbilt was an even duller time-frame, ending the final 15 minutes scoreless.

By the time Samford came to town, Dan Mullen’s fate was sealed. Only winning the fourth 14-10 in the infamous 70-52 game put the nail in the coffin. Missouri the following week on the road was the hammer to put it in.

The Gators did recover to beat FSU 24-21, but lost the fourth quarter 14-7 and had to survive an onside kick to secure the game.

Florida ended the 2021 season ahead 48-41 in the fourth quarter.

So to recap, did playing Tom Petty help the Gators to victory:

  • 2017 – No, not even close
  • 2018 – Sort of. If you take away the Colorado State game the Gators were outscored 28-21 in the fourth quarter
  • 2019 – Yes, best season yet having Petty Power
  • 2020- No, and Marco Wilson threw a shoe
  • 2021 – Sort of. None of Florida’s crushing defeats came from blowing a fourth-quarter lead at home
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