Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — If one play can sum up a game, then go with the failed attempt at an onside kick in the final minute by Florida State kicker Parker Grothaus.

Gators and Seminoles should be able to laugh at that one together in coming years when reminiscing about Saturday's wacky, mistake-filled Sunshine Showdown on a beautiful afternoon at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

"I've never seen that before in my life,'' Florida interim coach Greg Knox said.

However, if one play can sum up a team's attitude, the hands-down winner is Gators running back Dameon Pierce's helmetless run early in the fourth quarter of Florida's 24-21 victory. Much like the Gators in their signature win of the season, Pierce was not going to be denied.

On first-and-10 from FSU's 13-yard line, Pierce broke into the open. He met a swarm of Seminoles around the 5, and as he broke free, his helmet popped off. Pierce continued to run and bulldozed past a pair of would-be tacklers at the goal line. Pierce's reward instead of a touchdown? A 15-yard penalty, by rule, for continuing to play without a helmet.

It was the Gators' best penalty of the season.

"Man, I don't know how it came off,'' Pierce said. "I just knew I was just 3 yards from the touchdown. I don't know why it's a flag. Why you want me to stop running, and I'm in motion, and I see the goal line, I see the end zone. I'll do that 50 out of 50 if it ever happens again."

The play energized the Gators and the sellout crowd at "The Swamp."

Pierce got his hard-earned touchdown on a 3-yard run five plays later, putting the Gators ahead 24-7 with 12:36 remaining in the game. The Seminoles refused to go quietly, scoring on a 19-yard run by tailback Treshaun Ward and Ontaria Wilson's 8-yard touchdown grab from quarterback Jordan Travis with 3:06 remaining. Still, after Pierce's highlight-reel run and his eventual score, the Gators had control and could have put the game away earlier if not for a series of blunders. That is the story of Florida's 2021 season, though, and a primary reason the Gators had to beat FSU on Saturday to become bowl eligible.

Six days after head coach Dan Mullen was dismissed following a fourth loss in five games, Knox took control and pulled the team together for one last home hurrah. He relied heavily on the Gators' seniors to set the tone and serve as the glue.

Knox's plan worked.

"He just let us play loose,'' said fifth-year senior tight end Kemore Gamble, who opened the scoring Saturday with a 47-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Emory Jones on UF's first drive. "And the seniors went up this week and talked to the team, told them how much this game means to us and how it was our last game."

In the aftermath of the emotional victory, Florida's third consecutive over the Seminoles, players soaked Knox with a Gatorade bath. The 58-year-old veteran of 27 consecutive seasons as an assistant in the Southeastern Conference didn't mind.

Knox complimented the players for their resiliency and focus during a turbulent week in the postgame locker room celebration. They showed their appreciation by lifting him toward the ceiling

"This has been a week to remember,'' Knox said. "A great win in a rivalry game. What a big, big showing. Was it our best? No. But it was a win, and it was a great win.

"This was a life message that when things don't go your way, you just keep pushing. You persevere and push through. That was the message Friday night – opportunity in the midst of chaos. A chaos situation, but there's an opportunity in it. We had an opportunity today to come out, correct the mistakes and get a win, and we did that."

Florida (6-6) defeated FSU (5-7) despite three interceptions by Jones in the first half and 13 penalties for 107 yards. The Gators got a career-high four sacks from linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. – one shy of the school-record five by Alex Brown against Tennessee in 1999 – and a solid relief effort from redshirt freshman quarterback Anthony Richardson (5 of 7, 55 yards, 1 TD).

Richardson replaced Jones (16 of 24, 1 TD 3 INT) on Florida's second-half' opening drive and led the Gators on a seven-play, 21-yard scoring drive that resulted in a go-ahead, 36-yard field goal by Chris Howard for a 10-7 lead. Richardson's 5-yard pass to Justin Shorter extended the lead to 17-7 after UF punter Jeremy Crawshaw's 61-yard kick was muffed by FSU's Ontaria Wilson and recovered by Xzavier Henderson at the Seminoles' 33.



For Richardson, it was his most extensive action since he made his first career start against Georgia.

"It was good, just for my teammates to be able to trust me," Richardson said. "For them to be able to trust me to go out there and get the victory. It feels good because it lets me know that guys believe in me. So, I really appreciate that."

More than anything, the Gators believed in themselves Saturday when few others did.

Florida started the season 3-1 and ranked in the top 10, but a loss at Kentucky started a downward spiral that included five losses in seven games entering Saturday's clash with FSU. The slump cost Mullen his job.

Next, the Gators must wait on a bowl invitation and whether the school accepts with a new coach on the way.

Knox and the players made their feelings known after the game.

"I'm just happy to go to a bowl game,'' said Knox, who improved to 2-0 as an interim coach. "I could care less who the opponent is. I'm excited."

One of the team's leaders, senior defensive lineman Zachary Carter joined teammate Antonio Valentino in the stands following the win to celebrate with the Pride of the Sunshine Band.

After the most tumultuous week of a difficult season, Carter was ready to celebrate a Senior Day victory.

"It was everything I hoped for,'' he said. "We didn't give up."