GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Florida’s halftime break against South Carolina turned into an extended wait Saturday, with lightning in the area forcing a weather delay just as the Gators tried to regroup from a rough opening half.
The Gators went into the break down 17-10, and the pause only added to a first half that never found much rhythm. Rain had already been a constant factor around Gainesville all week, and it was hanging over the game from the start.
More rain is expected through the rest of the day, with radar showing poor weather lasting past 3 p.m. UF said it would keep updating fans throughout the delay.
Under the SEC’s weather policy, play can resume after 30 minutes if no lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius.
Florida is coming off a 28-point loss at Missouri last week, but the early response against South Carolina has offered little sign of a bounce-back. The Gators were again without star receiver Vernell Brown III, who missed a second straight game, and the offense had trouble stringing together anything consistent.
Running back Jadan Baugh was limited to 14 yards on seven carries, while Aaron Philo finished with 146 passing yards, 59 of them coming on Bailey Stockton’s touchdown. On his other throws, Philo was 9-for-13 for 87 yards and an interception.
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers found enough openings to make the difference. He was 14-for-23 for 135 yards and two touchdowns, including a 15-yard score to Nyck Harbor on third down and a 12-yard strike to Mazeo Bennett Jr. that put the Gamecocks in front. That second touchdown came after Philo’s interception set South Carolina up with the chance.
Florida’s defense showed flashes on first and second down, but the third-down problems were there again, with South Carolina converting 7 of 11 chances.
The night got even more frustrating for Florida at the end of the half. Kicker Patrick Durkin missed a 43-yard field goal as time expired, capping a drive that drew boos inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium after the Gators stalled out and ran three straight plays for just one yard.
The delay now leaves Florida waiting to start the second half, and the Gators will get the ball first once play resumes. That comes with bigger tests looming, including trips to No.
1 Texas and No. 2 Georgia.
"Being at the University of Florida, the pressure of that is a privilege, and it’s something that I embrace," head coach Jon Sumrall said this week. "And the guys that have come before us have set the standard really high when you go back and look at maybe the teams and the players that have come through here.
We want to get to that standard. We're not there.
I know people, after the first four weeks, wanted to act like we were really good. We have a long way to go to maybe establish where we want this program to get back to.”
In Other News...
Floridas Ground Game Just Took Another Hit Against South Carolina
Floridas backfield took another hit against South Carolina when sophomore running back Duke Clark left in the second quarter with a left foot injury and did not return. With Clark out, the Gators had to shuffle their rotation and lean on other backs during the third quarter to keep the ground game moving.
The injury adds another layer of concern for a Florida offense already trying to find consistency on the ground. On a different note, linebacker Myles Graham was seen warming up before the third quarter and returned to the sideline dressed out, suggesting a possible return as the game went on. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Faces An Uncomfortable Bounce-Back Test At Home
Florida gets a quick chance to reset at home against South Carolina after the loss to Missouri, a game that exposed just how much the Gators still have to sort out as SEC play settles in. At 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the conference, Florida is still in solid shape, but this matchup in Gainesville carries the feel of an early-season correction point, especially with the weather, injury updates and a few individual performances all part of the backdrop.
South Carolina arrives with a 2-3 record and still looking for its first conference win after an overtime loss to Kentucky, so both teams are bringing some urgency into a game that matters for different reasons. For Florida, the bigger question is how it responds after a stumble at Missouri and whether it can look sharper at home, where the Gators will be judged not just on the result, but on the way they handle a test that should tell a lot about their direction. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Still Has One Worry After Late Vernell Brown Decision
Floridas offense got a little clarity this week when sophomore wide receiver Vernell Brown III was ruled out for the game against South Carolina, even after showing positive progress in practice. The knee strain is being described as low-grade, and head coach Jon Sumralls update suggested there is optimism around Browns overall direction, but the Gators will still have to move forward without one of the young receivers they have been leaning on.
There was better news on the other side of the injury report, with senior safety Bryce Thornton expected to be available after a lower-body issue. Florida also got a look at South Carolinas availability report, which included several players listed out, but Browns status remains the more immediate concern as the Gators try to sort out their depth on offense and wait for the next step in his recovery. [Read more 🡒]