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Rapid Reaction: Special teams blunders lead to inexplicable Florida loss
By Drew Laing
Published:
Here are some quick thoughts on Florida’s overtime loss to South Carolina, 23-20.
What it means: The Gators are officially out of the SEC East race and Will Muschamp finds himself firmly back on the hot seat. Florida had the game won and the Gators simply blew it. Unless the Gators come away with an unlikely upset against Florida State in two weeks, Muschamp’s probably done at Florida.
What I liked: Florida’s defensive effort. Until South Carolina’s game-tying touchdown with seconds remaining in the game, the Gators had kept the Gamecocks off the scoreboard since their first two drives of the game. In the end, Florida held South Carolina to just 301 total yards of offense, the Gamecocks’ lowest of the season. Time after time, it seemed the defense made the big plays for Florida to preserve the lead, but eventually, it wasn’t enough as the offense and special teams’ collapses were too much to overcome.
What I didn’t like: Special teams mistakes. Florida handed this game to South Carolina thanks to multiple special teams blunders in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. A chip-shot FG and a punt were both blocked. The field goal would have made it a 10-point lead for the Gators and the punt was with under a minute left and would have forced the Gamecocks to start off their final offensive drive deep in their own territory. Instead, South Carolina took advantage of the errors by Florida and eventually won the game.
Who’s the man: Vernon Hargreaves. The elite sophomore cornerback did a wonderful job of defending South Carolina playmaker Pharoh Cooper, who was quiet for the majority of the game. Hargreaves also came up with a big open-field tackle on a South Carolina 4th down and 2 attempt in the fourth quarter.
Key play: South Carolina’s blocked punt. Instead of forcing the Gamecocks to start deep in their own territory with less than a minute remaining down seven points, a missed assignment by Clay Burton on the punt formation led to the block. The Gamecocks promptly scored the game-winning touchdown and defeated Florida in the first overtime.
What’s next: The Gators face Eastern Kentucky for Senior Day at The Swamp next week, a tune-up game before playing in-state rival and No. 3 ranked Florida State on the road to close out the season.
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.