Nov 21, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Kelvin Taylor (21) runs with the ball against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Banged up Florida has stumbled through November with three less-than-impressive wins.
Yet the Gators can build some positive momentum into the SEC title game with a strong showing at The Swamp against rival Florida State.
The Gators (10-1) have lost four of their last five against the Seminoles, including two losses in a row at home. But Florida is coming off a sloppy effort in a 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic. The Gators turned the ball over two times and needed a pass breakup in the end zone by senior defensive back Brian Poole in overtime to secure the win.
“We’re a 10-win football team that still has a long way to go in a lot of areas,” Florida coach Jim McElwain said.
McElwain is challenging his players to bring better effort and energy. The rival Seminoles could prove just the tonic for that problem. But the biggest key for the Gators will be to contain FSU sophomore running Dalvin Cook, A Heisman trophy candidate, Cook has rushed for 1,475 yards and 16 TDs this season.
“He’s a fire breather, he’s a glass eater,” McElwain said. “He’s a difference maker, so some guys in this college football they have “it.” That every time they touch “it” they can make “it” happen and hit a home run. I mean this guy has “it.” And you know I hope we’ll be able to tackle the guy. I mean there haven’t been many teams that have.”
Florida has won its last three teams against sub-.500 teams Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Florida Atlantic by an average margin of six points. McElwain said his team is going to need to improve in all areas to knock off FSU, but is proud of what the Gators have accomplished so far.
“Part of the key is figuring out how you get wins, even through deficiencies,” McElwain said. “I can’t say enough about this football team and how they overcame a lot of obstacles.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Treon Harris continues to struggle with ball security issues. Harris threw an interception for the second straight week and lost a fumble in the end zone in the fourth quarter that resulted in a Florida Atlantic TD that tied the score at 14. For the game, Harris completed 8-of-17 passes for 122 yards against FAU, and though he misses some throws, did come through with two TD passes, including a 13-yard strike to TE Jake McGee that put Florida up 20-14 in OT. For the season, Harris has thrown for 1,231 yards with 8 TDs and 4 interceptions.
–WR Antonio Callaway continued to be a threat on offense and on special teams for the Gators. The freshman from Florida City caught 53-yard TD pass and added a 52-yard punt return. Callaway had a team-high 541 yards receiving on 27 catches with 4 TDs.
–RB Kelvin Taylor rushed 26 times for 105 yards and a TD against Florida Atlantic, gaining a shade more than 4 yards per carry. It was Taylor’s fourth 100-yard rushing game this season and fifth of his career. For the season, Taylor has rushed for 841 yards on 3.9 yards per carry with 13 TDs.
–LB Jarrad Davis continued his strong play defensively for the Gators with 10 tackles and 2 sacks. For the season, Davis has 77 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one interception.
–CB Jalen Tabor is emerging as an excellent cover corner opposite All-SEC CB Vernon Hargreaves III. Tabor recorded his fourth interception of the season against FAU, tying Hargreaves for the team lead, and also had 5 pass breakups. For the season, Tabor has a team-high 14 pass breakups.
