What Happened
ATLANTA — The Gators won the coin toss in their annual Southeastern Conference showdown against Georgia. Some on the Florida side of Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday will consider that the highlight.
Otherwise, it was all Bulldogs in the storied rivalry’s first contest in Georgia’s capital city.
Third-ranked Georgia (7-1, 5-1) took advantage of a string of Florida miscues in the first half to win, 27-8, extending its winning streak over the No. 17-ranked Gators (5-3, 3-3) to six, the Bulldogs’ longest run of success in the series since a six-game streak from 1978-83. Florida last beat the Bulldogs in 2020. Georgia coach Kirby Smart improved to 9-2 against the Gators and beat first-year UF coach Jon Sumrall in their first matchup.
The first sign of trouble happened on Florida’s opening drive, with the game still scoreless after Georgia kicker Peyton Woodring missed a 43-yard field goal on Georgia’s first possession. Facing third-and-6 at UF’s 42, starting quarterback Aaron Philo was pressured from behind and stumbled as he tried to escape the pocket.
Instead of eating turf, Philo attempted to toss the ball out of bounds underhand, and the wayward pass was intercepted by Ellis Robinson IV. The Bulldogs took over at Florida’s 41. However, Georgia’s offense failed to take advantage, and on fourth-and-10, a delay-of-game penalty moved the Bulldogs back to the 46. More warning signs for the Gators came when Jaden Edgecombe, a senior walk-on receiver who had played only one game in his career, was called for roughing the kicker on Drew Miller’s punt.
First down, Bulldogs.
Five plays later, running back Nate Frazier bulldozed into the end zone from the 1-yard line and the Bulldogs led, 7-0. Another Philo interception in the second quarter — this one a catchable pass that deflected off receiver Eric Singleton Jr.’s hands and picked off by Demello Jones — led to a Woodring 28-yard field goal and a 10-0 Bulldogs lead with 8:55 left before halftime.
Tramell Jones Jr. replaced Philo to perhaps spark the offense and get the Gators on the scoreboard before halftime. It didn’t happen. Following a Gators punt on Jones’ first series, Bo Walker capped a 10-play, 81-yard drive for the Bulldogs with a 1-yard touchdown run, putting the Bulldogs up 17-0.
The first half couldn’t end soon enough for the Gators. But before it did, disaster struck on second-and-5 from Georgia’s 37. Jones, 3-for-3 for 37 yards on the drive to move the Gators into Georgia territory, was sacked as he cocked his arm back to throw. The play was ruled a fumble and Georgia’s Chris Cole scooped up the loose ball and raced 66 yards for the score with 29 seconds left before the half.
Game over. Georgia’s streak lives for another year.
Gators starting quarterback Aaron Philo struggled in his return Saturday, throwing for 26 yards and two interceptions before being replaced in the first half. (Photo: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
What it Means
The Gators will drop out of any conversation of making the College Football Playoff. Florida had an opportunity to stamp its place in the playoff picture with an upset of the third-ranked Bulldogs — it would have been the Gators’ third win over a top-10-ranked team this season — but handing the Bulldogs 17 points off turnovers before halftime derailed another upset bid.
In the Spotlight
Philo missed the Texas win with a shoulder injury after starting the first six games of the Sumrall era. Jones made his first start and led the Gators to a win over the No. 7 Longhorns, throwing for 155 yards and two scores. With Philo ready to return and Jones reportedly aching — both players were listed as questionable on the availability report — Philo got the call Saturday. Jones won the statistical battle and scored Florida’s only touchdown, leaving Sumrall and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner plenty to sort out at practice next week. Philo finished 5 of 7 for 24 yards and two interceptions; Jones completed 17 of 24 for 172 yards and one interception. He got the Gators on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter with a 2-yard run.
Staggering Statistic
The Bulldogs outrushed the Gators 217 yards to 48. Gators junior Jadan Baugh, an Atlanta native playing in his homecoming game, managed only 38 yards on 17 carries. Florida averaged only 1.7 yards per carry.
Up Next
The Gators (5-3, 3-3) return home to face Oklahoma. The Sooners have never played at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, and the only two meetings between the schools came in the postseason (2008 National Championship Game, 2020 Cotton Bowl). Oklahoma faced South Carolina on Saturday.
Email senior writer Scott Carter at scottc@gators.ufl.edu. Find his story archives here.