It was ugly, but it still counts. In a punt-heavy contest short on offense, Florida held on for 13-6 win over Vanderbilt in Nashville.

What it means: Florida stays in the SEC East hunt, moving to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play. The Gators’ performance, however, doesn’t inspire much confidence moving forward.

As it has many years, Vanderbilt played Florida close, but came up short.

What I liked

Florida: Jordan Scarlett continues to separate himself from the rest of the running back committee. On UF’s lone touchdown drive, the sophomore back refused to go down on a 24-yard scamper and a 4-yard run to cross the goal line.

Vanderbilt : Commodores DL Adam Butler wreaked havoc on Florida’s offensive line. Vanderbilt’s defense had only three total sacks through Week 4, but tallied two sacks against the Gators.

VU responded well to Florida’s first score, marching down to the UF 19 and putting points on the board with a field goal.

Gainesville, Fla., native Ralph Webb made the Gators wish they had given him a look out of high school. Webb finished with 110 yards rushing, his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game against the Gators.

What I didn’t like:

Florida: After having success with the deep ball a week ago against Tennessee, Austin Appleby and the Gators offense struggled to move the ball in the air in the first half against Vanderbilt. Appleby had eyes for TE DeAndre Goolsby, connecting with him eight times … for only 37 yards. Appleby threw for just 144 yards.

Following Scarlett’s touchdown run in the second quarter, the Gators failed to get the ball in his hands again until the fourth quarter. This is one of the areas where the running back by committee approach can be problematic.

The Gators knew that VU would be feeding the ball to Webb, but they still couldn’t contain him very well. One week after giving up 179 rushing yards to Tennessee, Vanderbilt logged 147 yards with ground and pound.

Up 10-6 in the fourth quarter, the Gators were on the Vanderbilt 10-yard line facing 3rd-and-4. Appleby sailed a throw out of the end zone when he had a wide-open Antonio Callaway standing in front of him. The mistake led to another field goal and allowed the Commodores to hang around in a one-possession game.

Vanderbilt: The Commodores’ passing game hampered the offense. In the first half, Shurmur was 5-of-16 passing.

In the second half, Vanderbilt had the ball on the Florida 8-yard line on 3rd-and-5. Shurmur had a wide-open Kalija Lipscomb, but missed the throw on the run.

Shurmur was knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter but backup Wade Freebeck wasn’t any better. He threw an interception into double coverage on Vanderbilt’s final play.

Despite getting constant pressure on Appleby, the defense was unable to force a turnover.

Who’s the man: If Vanderbilt had pulled this one out, it would be Webb. Since the Gators held on, linebackers Jarad Davis and Alex Anzalone can share the honor. They had to pick up the slack with Florida’s banged up defensive line.

Key play:Scarlett’s run was the only touchdown of the game. Nick Washington’s interception in the final minute saved the 13-6 victory.

What’s next: After a two-game road swing, the Gators return home to take on LSU. Vanderbilt travels to Kentucky.