The Florida Gators are back in the win column in their final game of the regular season after they edged the Florida State Seminoles 24-21. Florida was led by interim head coach Greg Knox as the University of Florida had fired Dan Mullen last Sunday. Now, we break down how Florida outlasts Seminoles in the regular-season finale.
With this win, Florida clinches bowl eligibility and also ruins Florida State’s chances of making it to a bowl game. Greg Knox also improves to 2-0 in his head coaching career. Knox’s first win was in 2017 at Mississippi State when Mullen left for the Florida job.
Florida State Seminoles
The Florida State Seminoles football season has come to an end as they finished the 2021 season with a 5-7 record and loss to the Florida Gators. Quarterback Jordan Travis had a pretty solid game but didn’t do enough to get the road win. Travis completed 18 out of 29 passes for 202 yards with one touchdown and an interception.
Travis also led the Seminoles in rushing with 102 rushing yards on 17 carries and a score. Former walk-on running back Treshaun Ward also had a 19-yard rushing touchdown in the loss.
Former Kansas transfer wide receiver Andrew Parchment led Florida State in receiving with five receptions for 53 yards. Redshirt-junior wideout Ontaria Wilson also had a productive game as he had three catches for 50 yards and a score.
On defense, Florida State did their job forcing three interceptions and keeping the Florida offense under 30 points. South Carolina transfer Jammie Robinson had an excellent game as he led the Seminoles in tackles with 18 including six solo tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and an interception.
Former Georgia transfer Jermaine Johnson also had a big game as he had six tackles including the solo sack in the game and three quarterback hurries. Cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and linebacker Kalen DeLoach both had interceptions in the season finale.
Florida Gators offense
The Florida Gators offense had an up and down day but it was enough to get the Gators the bowl-clinching sixth win of the season. Emory Jones started the game and got off to a great start leading Florida to a touchdown on the opening drive. However, Jones wouldn’t finish the game after throwing three interceptions.
Jones finished the game completing 16 out of 24 passes for 163 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Redshirt-freshman Anthony Richardson came in the game and did well in relief. Richardson completed five out of seven passes for 55 yards and a touchdown.
Senior running back Dameon Pierce had a big game on Senior Day as he rushed for 62 yards on twelve carries and his twelfth rushing touchdown of the season. Richardson also ran 27 yards on eleven carries.
Another senior that had a big game on Senior Day was tight end Kemore Gamble. The Miami native led Florida in receiving with three receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown. Former Penn State transfer Justin Shorter had the other touchdown reception in the game.
Florida Gators defense
The Florida Gators defense had a strong performance against their in-state rivals, Florida State. Florida’s defense held FSU’s offense to under 350 yards of total offense and also forced three turnovers.
Sophomore linebacker Ty’ron Hooper led the Gators in tackles with nine. He also had three solo tackles and half a tackle for loss. Former Georgia EDGE rusher Brenton Cox had a career game with a career-high four sacks in the win over the Seminole.
Sophomore safety Rashad Torrence II also had six tackles and his third interception of the season which leads the Gators. Freshman cornerback Jason Marshall also got the first interception of his collegiate career.
What’s next?
The Florida Gators should have a couple of weeks off as they wait to find out which bowl game they’ll play in. While the players are focused on which bowl game they’ll play in, Florida’s administration is focused on trying to find Florida’s next head coach for the 2022 season.
