ChompTalk.com

The Florida Gators have clinched a berth in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta in two weeks after dismantling Tennessee 31 to 19 on Saturday.

In one of the most underwhelming performances of 2020, the Gators still put up nearly 500 yards of offense.

Florida continues to start slow against significantly inferior opponents, this time leading only 10-7 late into the second quarter. The Gators once again, however, utilized the deferred toss to their advantage by scoring in the final minute of the first half and adding another score immediately after the break.

With :33 remaining in the first half Kyle Trask found Kadarius Toney for two yards and a score that increased the Florida advantage to 17-7. The Gators opened the second half by increasing the lead to 24-7 with a 8 yard pass from Trask to Trevon Grimes (his second touchdown catch of the day).

Trask added a fourth touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, hitting Jacob Copeland in the back of the end zone from 12 yards out.

All in all, Trask finished the day with a stat line indicative of his current standing in the Heisman Trophy race: 35-49, 433 yards, 4 TDs, 1 punt, 32 yards, downed inside the 5. That didn’t come without a cost. The Gators struggled to get going on the run game, finding no daylight. As a team, the Gators rushed for just __ yards, which includes a 17 yard carry by Jacob Copeland.

Florida’s defense fared well for most of the day. The unit allowed just 312 yards of offense until JT Shrout hit Velus Jones from 22 yards out with :27 on the clock. The team totaled six sacks of Tennessee quarterbacks.

Leaders:

• Trask: 35-49, 433 yards, 4 TDs
• Pitts: 7-128
• Toney: 8-108, TD
• V. Miller: 11 tck, 1 sack
• T. Dean: 8 tck, 1 sack
• UF Defense: 6 sacks

What’s Next:

Florida will return home for the final time this season against LSU next weekend. The Gators have clinched the SEC East and will look to continue their journey to a potential CFP invitation.