Gators Embarrass Rival Seminoles, Crush FSU in Doak Campbell

©Melina Myers-Imagn Images

The Florida Gators (7-5, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) defeated the Florida State Seminoles (2-10, 1-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) 31-11 in Tallahassee, Fla. on Nov. 30. While the score doesn't show it, the two defenses were the talk of this game. Ultimately, this game was defined by the amount of turnovers and sacks the Gators had. By the end of the night, they had 8 sacks and 6 turnovers (5 forced fumbles/recoveries and one muffed punt).

Because of their defense, the Gators won this game.

Game Summary

The Seminoles started off with the ball. After a couple of first downs, starting quarterback Luke Kromenhoek was sacked twice and Florida State forced to punt. The Gators' first drive wasn't much better as the Gators went three-and-out and also punted.

This stalemate continued until the Gator defense forced the game's first turnover. Linebacker Jack Pyburn forced a strip-sack after hitting Kromenhoek. Two plays later, Gators' running back Ja'Kobi Jackson sprinted into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown. The first quarter ended 7-0, with that being the only real action.

In the beginning of the second quarter, FSU had a great drive going highlighted by the rushing game. Unfortunately for them, Gators' linebacker Shemar James ripped the ball out and recovered it, ending the Seminoles best drive to that point.

The following Gator drive looked like the offense of the past few weeks as DJ Lagway found tight end Hayden Hansen and receivers Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike. However, as the Gators got closer to the end zone, a Lagway pass was intercepted by FSU defensive back Azareye'h Thomas. It was just the fourth interception for the Seminoles all year.

The ball quickly returned to the Gators. They drove 7 plays, 56 yards in 1:35 and scored a second touchdown as time expired in the first half. At half, the Gators led 14-0.

Gators' Turning Point

The Gators struggled to get anything going, even after another turnover in the third quarter from the Noles. The Gators recovered a muffed punt. Despite being just a few yards away, the Gators couldn't punch the ball in and the Gators kicker Trey Smack made the score 17-3.

©Melina Myers-Imagn Images

The Seminoles were within five yards of scoring their first touchdown of the night. However, it was not to be. Florida State fumbled for the third time of the night and it was once again, recovered by a Gator, this time by defensive end George Gumbs. The offense finally exploded as running back Montrell Johnson Jr. burst through a hole in the offensive line and took it to the house for 65 yards.

What Is Next

For Florida, the Gators finish off the regular season at 7-5. It is likely higher than anyone had them prior to the season. They now put themselves in prime position for an eight-win season with a win in their upcoming bowl against whoever their opponent ends up being. As the Gators are still one of the hottest teams in college football right now, not many teams will look forward to facing them.

For Florida State, this game was the last thing they had to play for. Any Florida-Florida State game will always mean more, regardless of one or both of the teams are still able to play past that week. With the loss, FSU can't really take anything from this season except to move on. Coach Mike Norvell has recruited former Central Florida head coach Gus Malzahn to become his offensive coordinator. It could be the first of many steps in the right direction for the Seminoles.