Offense B-
First half: If not for the dropped passes (three), it would have been a decent first half for Feleipe Franks. The running game (80 yards) was average at best.
Second half: Florida really got the running game going with 168 second-half yards, as the Gators got a lift from Adarius Lemons. Franks was solid but only attempted nine passes after intermission.
For the game: The offense was functional if not spectacular, finishing with 409 yards. It helps when you get some short fields to work with. Give credit to some hard running by the backs.
Defense A-
First half: After some poor starts to the last three games, the defense not only came up with two turnovers that produced 10 points but limited UAB to 32 yards.
Second half: Other than the 74-yard bomb for UAB’s only points, a depleted defense did a great job not only limiting the offense but producing turnovers.
For the game: Florida allowed only 180 total yards, came up with four turnovers and had eight tackles for loss in the game. The Gators also allowed only eight first downs.
Special teams A-
First half: Eddy Pineiro made a pair of 50-yarders, his first two of the season. Florida actually had some productive returns as well but kickoff coverage was not so good.
Second half: Pineiro almost had a chance to tie Bobby Raymond’s record for field goals in a game (six) and Johnny Townsend had three punts inside the 20. In your face, Ray Guy Award voters.
For the game: For once, Florida won the special teams and it showed up in the final score. Randy Shannon pointed out after the game how young their coverage teams are, but they will have to be better next week.
Overall B
Look, it was UAB, but UAB is going to a bowl game and likely will win its eighth game next week. Any win at this point is a good win for a team that has been through hurricanes, the Knucklehead Nine, the firing of its coach and so many injuries it is fielding an NFL roster in terms of available players.
Big props to the offensive line. They opened holes and pass blocked despite the players being shuffled around all over the line.
After losing to teams coached by Ed Orgeron and Wil Muschamp, due to simply a lack of effort (I’m sure that’s the bad stuff Taven Bryan was talking about), to see a normal game really doesn’t do much except remind the fans how pointless this whole wasted year has been. This, not 1979, will go down as the worst season in Gator history, with the Georgia State loss probably the worst loss.
Who the F is Georgia State?
I believe the 2013 season was worse than this year. At least this year’s team attempted to right the ship; that Muschamp team never had a pulse after the losing streak started. It’s close, but this team has more heart. Both the ’13 and the ’17 team had injuries but only one had 9 suspensions. So for this team to deal with that (on top of the coach being let go) and still find a way to win a meaningless game, I have to give them the nod. ’17 Gators > ’13 Gators.
He meant Georgia Southern, maybe. I don’t know, big deal.
Beat FSU.
Congratulations Gators on an impressive win.
Congrats to all the players who kept giving all they had. It was great to see the team celebrate again, after all the losses and other adversity. Yes, we are all disappointed with the record this year, but hey, that’s how it goes sometimes in the sports world. Don’t let the cynical morons like mveal2006 get into your heads; be proud of this game, and come back next week with another maximum effort. Thanks guys!!!
The first part of the GA game, and the entirety of the Mizzou game, are the only times this team lacked effort. That had to do with the coach situation, the culmination of alot of crap beyond the control of the players who were NOT in the “knucklehead nine”. Effort was good in all the other games, they lost those games because they were poorly coached for years on offense, and are young on defense.
I agree Steve. Other contributors were poor special teams coaching. This team only quit in those 2 games.
Sad commentary on the season. Measuring how many games a year the team quits. Hopefully the team and the coaches will play and coach their best game of the year next week. It will require that to win. If they win – it will indeed be a measure of redemption. It would be the biggest victory of a 4-6 team in the history of the program.
Pat……FSU has pulled off a coup by re-scheduling it’s lost game with the same puffcake. Why didn’t UF do the same with it’s lost puffcake?
Probably didn’t seem necessary at the time, given all the “confidence” going in, but in retrospect maybe should have somehow, someway, somewhere……? Don’t think it was do-able at the time tho.
I was disappointed about a few things. Those holding calls that negated long runs were one thing, the excessive emotion shown by some on the oline might mean they care or that they are not playing under emotional control. As indicated the drops and somewhat variable QB play as well. Great win against a team that some thought we would have difficult beating.
Still not understanding why it will be such a huge upset if and when we beat the girls school. Has anyone checked their record lately. GO GATORS!!!