PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Feleipe Franks is coming off one of his best outings of the season, completing 19-of-27 passes for 274 yards and three TDs against Idaho before being pulled late in the second quarter. Franks added a 17-yard TD run and had six rushing TDs on the season. It’s been an up and down season for Franks, but a win against rival Florida State would help win over some fans who wonder if the 6-foot-6, 240-pound redshirt sophomore is the right QB to lead the Gators into the future. Franks has completed 159-of-273 passes on the season with 20 TDs and six interceptions.
–WR Van Jefferson had three catches for 35 yards and one TD against Idaho. The 6-foot-2, 197-pound Ole Miss transfer has been solid this season, leading the Gators in receptions (27) and receiving yards (347) while being tied with WR Freddie Swain for the team-lead in receiving TDs (five).
–DL Jachai Polite continued his breakout season with two tackles for loss and a sack against Idaho. The 6-foot-2, 242-pound Polite has team highs in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (13.5).
–DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson scored his second career TD, returning an interception 26 yards for a TD against Idaho in what could be his final game at The Swamp. The 6-0, 208-pound junior nickel back could opt to declare for the NFL draft after the season. Gardner-Johnson had 64 tackles on the season, including eight tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions.
SERIES HISTORY: Florida leads Florida State 34-26-2. FSU has won five straight and seven of the last eight meetings between the two schools.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I’ve just got to get a win against them. They beat me on my official visit and they beat me every year I’ve been here. I’ve just got to get that win, get the streak going. After we beat them this year, it’s never going to end.” — Florida senior tight end C’yontai Lewis, on Florida trying to break a five-game losing streak against rival FSU.
