Game Report

Why UF won: Just as they promised, the Gators let their defense win again. Florida pitched a shutout in the second half against South Carolina. The Gamecocks gave UF another scare when they wrestled momentum away and trailed by 3 at the half. But defense and special teams kept USC and its boisterous fans at bay. Call of the game: Florida's offense was humming halfway into the second quarter. After a South Carolina fumble near midfield, the Gators advanced to the USC 34-yard line but their rhythm was lost and not to be found. Caleb Sturgis attempted a 52-yard field goal and missed wide left. He did the same with his next two kicks — from 54 and 28 yards. What was he thinking? Mired in something of a kick return slump, Brandon James finally found some open field in the third quarter. But his long punt return was wiped out when Chris Rainey was flagged for a block in the back that didn't even appear to impact the play. Stat that matters: USC came into the game with the worst running attack in the SEC. Against the Gators, however, running back Brian Maddox racked up 84 yards on 17 carries (4.9 yards per carry). He came into the game with 179 yards on 65 carries on the season for a 2.8-yard average.