PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Feleipe Franks is continuing to make progress in his second season as a starter and his first season in Dan Mullen’s offense. Against Tennessee, Franks completed 9-of-18 passes for 172 yards and three TDs with no interceptions, while adding 11 yards rushing and his first career rushing TD. Franks has posted a TD-to-interception ratio of 12-to-2 through the first four games of the season after posting a 9-to-8 ratio last season.
–WR Freddie Swain scored a receiving TD in his third straight game on a 65-yard catch-and-run from Feleipe Franks in the second quarter. Swain had a team-high 88 yards on two catches against the Vols. For the season, Swain has four TDs — three receiving and one on a punt return.
–LB David Reese made an immediate impact in his first game of the season against Tennessee with a team-high 11 tackles and a fumble recovery that set up Florida’s first TD. The 6-foot-1, 248-pound junior had sat out UF’s first three games while recovering from an ankle injury suffered during training camp in August.
–DL Jachai Polite continued his strong play early this season with four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble.
–S Brad Stewart helped account for two of UF’s six turnovers forced against Tennessee with an interception and a forced fumble. It was Stewart’s second career interception. Stewart also helped contain the running game on defense with 7 tackles.
SERIES HISTORY: Florida leads Mississippi State 33-19-2. In the last meeting, Mississippi State beat Florida 10-7 on Oct. 16, 2010 in Gainesville.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “When we play with confidence and play at the level we did tonight, it’s hard to beat us.” — WR Freddie Swain, following Florida’s 47-21 win over Tennessee.
