JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Not many 231-yard performances on offense call for celebration, but the Gators have cleared a major hurdle in getting back to Atlanta.

Facing a hated rival with two weeks to scheme for a win that could salvage its season, the Gators found a way to win.

Of course, it’s no surprise how Florida won 24-10. As has been familiar for the past three years, one side of the ball did the heavy lifting. Quarterback Luke Del Rio was only 15-of-25 for 131 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Running backs Jordan Scarlett and Lamical Perine were contained to 126 rushing yards on 41 carries. The Gators’ defense, however, made sure that 24 points were enough. More than enough.

Florida set out to shut down Georgia’s running game and force freshman QB Jacob Eason to throw under pressure. The Bulldogs’ future NFL running backs, Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, were held to 22 yards on 12 carries. Unable to move the ball on the ground, Georgia turned to the passing game. Under constant pressure, Eason went 15-of-33 for 143 yards and a touchdown.

The chief disruptor on the defensive line was Jabari Zuniga, a Georgia native. The redshirt freshman from Marietta, Ga. has been a breakout player on Florida’s talented defensive line. Saturday he recorded three tackles, including two for loss, and four quarterback hurries.

“Zuny did great,” coach Jim McElwain said. “That guy just keeps getting better as a lot of those young guys do. It’s great to see. (Defensive line coach Chris Rumph) does a great job with those guys.”

The Gators totaled 16 quarterback hurries against Georgia. While all that pressure resulted in only two sacks, that number could go up next week against Arkansas. Entering Week 9, the Razorbacks’ offensive line had allowed the most sacks in the SEC (21).

And while the Gators’ offense is hardly blowing people away, it’s yet to have a blowout loss quite as bad as the Razorbacks’ Week 8 game at Auburn. The Hogs will be at home, but it’s certainly looking like a winnable game. After that is South Carolina at home, which has been included as a win in every records prediction of the Gators’ season.

Tennessee’s shocking loss Saturday night at South Carolina means the Gators no longer need to be perfect.

The media already doubted Florida’s chances of going 3-for-3 and winning the SEC East, especially with a trip to Death Valley to face LSU on the schedule. Interim coach Ed Orgeron has LSU on a three-game winning streak, Leonard Fournette just set a school record, and because of Hurricane Matthew the matchup is now in Tiger Stadium.

There’s also the fact that the offense is struggling and the excuses are wearing thin. Florida’s average starting field position was its own 41-yard line, and only 24 points came of that advantage. Del Rio says a reduction in turnovers is a sign of improvement. When asked about McElwain’s comments that the Gators can win the SEC, the quarterback offered a hearty endorsement.

“One hundred percent. I believe it with every bone in my body,” Del Rio said. “We’re getting better every week. You know, we eliminated some of the turnovers. Other than the first throw that I had today I thought I didn’t force that many balls, so just kind of coming back from the injury it was a little rusty, but as an offense we’re doing such a great job of getting in a rhythm during these drives. When you get those 8, 10, 12-play drives, those are big and they tire out and demoralize a defense.”

Arkansas, South Carolina, LSU – McElwain is confident in his team against any opponent. And now, the Gators have room for error.

“One thing I will say, you know people pick this team apart quite a bit, and this and that. Guys, this is a good football team. The Florida Gators are a good team, all right?” McElwain said. “I’ll go with these guys against anybody. And we’ll figure out a way to get it done. And that’s the way they are in that locker room. ‘Coach we’ll figure out a way to get it done and we’ll get it done.’ And that’s what I love about their mentality.”

And if the Gators can shut down Chubb, there’s hope that this might be the year they figure out how to slow down Fournette. The defense isn’t asking for much, just a few points to work with.

“As long as we have a lead, we feel like we can win the game,” Anzalone said.