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  • SOC: Gators’ Comeback Bid Falls Just Short at Georgia

    SOC: Gators’ Comeback Bid Falls Just Short at Georgia

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    A miracle three goal comeback from the Gators was electric, however, a goal with five minutes of play remaining would ultimately give the Bulldogs the 4-3 win.

    A season high three goal effort was not enough for the Gators, dropping the squad to 3-10-3 in 2021.

    UGA found offensive success quite easily early due to the lacking defensive pressure from the Gators. The Bulldogs were able to draw in the Gators centrally to allow them to create space on the far side.

    This provided results for Georgia in the eight minute when the Gator’s were unable to clear a Mollie Belise shot attempt from the far side. Senior Dani Murguia put the rebound in the back of the net for her eight goal of the season and a 1-0 Bulldogs lead.

    Later in the half, Goldberg was charged with a foul after a sliding save attempt knocked Tori Penn to the ground. Sophomore Madison Haugen scored on the resulting penalty, giving the Bulldogs a two goal lead heading to the half.

    Coming out of the break, the Bulldogs flashed their ball movement skills. Abby Boyan found Belise who quickly found Murgia who put a left footed shot to the far post into the net making it a 3-0 match. 

    As all hope seemed lost for the Gators, graduate student Madison Alexander supplied a lifeline. Alexander made a strong cut with the ball, dropping the Bulldogs defender to the wet ground, took a shot, and scored. 

    The Gators would not stop there. Kit Loferski created a spark when she drove the ball to the endline and put it in front of the net. Freshman Riley Thompson drove the ball in for the goal, the first of her collegiate career, and decreased the Bulldogs lead to one.

    In the 65th minute, Georgia would go down to ten players. The fourth referee, who entered the match due to an injury to another referee early in the second half, called a red card on Georgia defender Ceciliy Stoute. Stoute brought down Loferski as a last effort in a goal scoring opportunity.

    Sophomore Nicole Vernis scored on the resulting set piece, tying the match at three goals a piece.

    Things were going the Gators way until the 85th minute. The Bulldogs created more damage on the far side as Murguia drove down with the ball before crossing it into the box for Mollie Belisle to put Georgia ahead 4-3 for the win.

    Despite the loss, Florida will look to use this match as some momentum heading into a huge match Sunday at 12 p.m. in Gainesville versus the LSU Tigers. The Gators currently sit one point ahead of the Tigers for the tenth and final seed in the SEC tournament, pending the results of LSU’s Thursday night game against South Carolina.

  • VB: Gators Sweep Tide in Tuscaloosa

    VB: Gators Sweep Tide in Tuscaloosa

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    After dominating Texas A&M at home last Saturday, No. 23 Florida swept Alabama Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa — marking its fifth sweep victory in their last seven matches dating back to Sept. 29.

    The Gators recorded one fewer kill (35) than the Crimson Tide but were far more efficient. Florida committed only nine errors —the fourth time it has recorded single-digit errors in the past six matches — throughout the match for a .295 hitting percentage. Meanwhile, Alabama made 24 errors en route to a .106 hitting percentage. In each of the first two sets, Florida held Alabama’s hitting percentage under .050.

    Freshman middle blocker Bre Kelley led the Gators with a career-high six blocks. The 6-foot-4-inch Rockwall, Texas, native produced offensively, too. Kelly landed five of eight attack attempts for a career-high .625 hitting percentage.

    Florida outside hitter Thayer Hall landed a team-high 11 kills, which marks the senior’s 10th match with double-digit kills.

    The Gators struggled serving the ball; no individual player recorded more than one ace and the team combined for 11 service errors — just the sixth time it has tallied double-digit service errors this season.

    Box Score

    Florida: 25-25-25

    Alabama: 17-19-22

    Individual Stat Leaders

    Aces

    • Hall/Ceasar/Monserez/Adams: 1

    Kills

    • Hall: 11
    • Beason: 8
    • Ceasar: 6

    Assists

    • Monserez: 29
    • McKissock: 4

    Digs

    • McKissock: 13
    • Ceasar: 10
    • Hall: 9

    Blocks

    • Kelley: 6
    • Beason: 4
    • Forte/Ceasar: 3

    Next Up

    The Gators will wrap up their road trip Saturday in Columbia, Mo., where they’ll face Mizzou at 6 p.m. The Tigers are winless at home this season their 1-6 conference record ranks last in the SEC.

  • Grading the Gators: LSU

    Grading the Gators: LSU

    Photo by Jonathan Bachman | Getty Images

    Now that it’s been at least 48 hours, it’s time we take a look and evaluate how the Gators played against the Bayou Bengals in Baton Rouge. Spoiler alert: still not great. No amount of time or reframing will make that performance better as it is easily one of the Top 3 worst losses the Gators suffered under Dan Mullen.

    Offense: C

    Can’t complain against 42 points on the board. However, you can complain about four interceptions between two quarterbacks with obvious deficiencies in some areas. Not only that but the offense didn’t establish the same dominance in the run game fans are used to seeing. The Gators ran it 35 times, which is on-pace for how much they usually do, and only gained 138 yards. Their first time under 150 all year and the three straight game under 200 after averaging well over 200 the first four games. Part of that is likely game script as Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson combined for 40 attempts on the afternoon. The completion percentage wasn’t great at about 57.5 percent. However, 350 yards passing is the highest number Florida posted through the air since Week 2 against USF. Albeit, some of that did come on a Hail Mary at the end of the first half. But take away at least two of those picks and have maybe a little more aggressive play calling at the beginning of the game and who knows how many points are scored.

    Defense: F

    And Lord knows they’d need every single one because the defense put on yet another historically bad performance when needed. First off it allowed 42 points to a team that managed around 20 its last two games. Secondly, it allowed 321 yards on the ground to a team second to only Mississippi State in lowest number of rushing yards per game in the conference heading into Saturday. The Tigers averaged 4.5 yards before contact rushing for a total of 175 yards in that category. Tyrion Davis-Price had three 100-yard rushing games to his name in about 2.5 years at LSU. Now, he holds the single-game rushing record and doubled his season touchdown total from two to five on Saturday. The most egregious part of all was the defense’s inability to stop or adjust to the same play the Tigers ran down its throat for a majority of the second half. The lack of any kind of adjustment whatsoever to that directly falls on the coaching staff. Not only that but the defense allowed all of one receiver’s catches to be touchdown passes. Either way you slice it, I think the sentiment is clear for most Gator fans: Todd Grantham should be given a one-way ticket out of Gainesville.

    Special Teams: B

    It wasn’t all doom and gloom! The special teams played OK. The blemishes? Florida missing yet another extra point due to a lapse on the line of scrimmage. Not to mention a muffed punt return by Xzavier Henderson. Other than that Florida allowed just two returns all day. Jeremy Crawshaw once again punted well averaging over 43 yards an attempt including a 57-yarder and two downed inside the 20. Oh and how about the Gators getting a partial punt block too!

    Conclusion:

    It’s the second straight year where Florida plays down to an LSU team ravaged by injury and internal conflict with morale at a low point. A team where the players reportedly no longer wanted to play their head coach and coaches didn’t want to coach for him. A head coach who probably saved his job with a win over Florida last year but couldn’t this season. Also, it’s another game in the Mullen era where the team just doesn’t seem ready and loses embarrassingly. Hey, at least they won the yardage game! That’s what really matters. After the Kentucky game, there was a glimmer of hope something could be made of this season. But now it’s officially lost in terms of accomplishing any significant goals for the year. And fans now know changes need to be made by the head man or he’ll soon find himself on the chopping block. Brace yourselves too, folks. Because Georgia is right around the corner.

  • The Gridiron Growl Podcast: Recapping the LSU Loss

    The Gridiron Growl Podcast: Recapping the LSU Loss

    Check out the latest episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast. Mark McLeod recap and discuss what went wrong for the Florida Gators in Baton Rouge.

    The two then discuss issues that have plagued Florida all year, and the inability to get those corrected and how it came back to bite them against an inferior opponent on Saturday.

    Click play on the following audio player to listen to this week’s episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast:

    You can also follow The Gridiron Growl Podcast on the following platforms:

  • VB: Gators Sweep Aggies

    VB: Gators Sweep Aggies

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    After splitting a road series against LSU last weekend, the Gators returned to the O’Connell Center Saturday and defeated Texas A&M in straight sets. The win improves Florida’s conference record to 6-2, which trails only No. 5 Kentucky (6-0) and No. 21 Tennessee (7-1).

    Offensively, the Gators played their third most efficient matches this season in terms of hitting percentage (.438). In the opening set, Florida landed 19 kills on 29 attempts with only one error (.621).

    Defensively, Florida held the Aggies to the third lowest hitting percentage of all its opponents this season (.095) after it forced 22 errors and yielded just 31 kills.

    The Gators dominated around the net where they out-blocked the Aggies 9-1 courtesy of senior Thayer Hall’s pair of solo blocks. Hall fell just shy of her second consecutive double-double after she recorded 10 digs and eight kills.

    Senior middle blockers Lauren Forte and Lauren Dooley produced efficient attacking outings. Forte landed nine kills on 14 attempts (.643) and Dooley landed seven kills on 11 attempts with one error (.545). Redshirt senior T’ara Ceasar was the only Gator with double-digit kills in the match (12 on 25 attempts with an error: .440)

    Up two sets to none and leading by four points late in the third set, Florida locked in and won the next six points to clinch its ninth sweep victory already this season.

    Box Score

    Texas A&M: 12-19-15

    No. 23 Florida: 25-25-25

    Individual Stat Leaders

    Aces

    • Ceasar: 3
    • Beason: 1

    Kills

    • Ceasar: 12
    • Forte: 9
    • Beason: 8

    Assists

    • Monserez: 34
    • McKissock: 5
    • Beason: 2

    Digs

    • McKissock: 15
    • Hall: 10
    • Beason: 6

    Blocks

    • Forte: 4
    • Beason/Dooley: 3

    Next Up

    The Gators will hit the road for a pair of favorable conference matches this week. They’ll face Alabama in Tuscaloosa Wednesday before they take on last-place Mizzou in Columbia Saturday. The Crimson Tide are 1-5 in SEC play this season with their lone victory coming at Missouri, who is winless at home and 1-6 in conference action. Wednesday’s match versus Alabama will begin at 8 p.m. and air on ESPNU.

  • SOC: Gators Fall to Auburn, 2-0

    SOC: Gators Fall to Auburn, 2-0

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    Entering Sunday one point ahead of LSU and Missouri for the 10th and final seed in the SEC tournament, Florida needed to earn some points against 23rd ranked Auburn.

    They would not do so, leaving Auburn with a 2-0 loss. Florida now sits at 3-9-3 while Auburn improves to an impressive 11-3 overall.

    Auburn dominated Florida early and often. The Tigers put pressure on Goldberg with 15 first half shots. Goldberg made three saves in the first, holding Auburn scoreless.

    The Gators offense was nonexistent. Being unable to get the ball downfield, the Gators went through the first 45 minutes of play with no shots and no corner kicks. 

    Consistent pressure finally paid off for Auburn in the 52nd minute. Redshirt sophomore Marissa Arias, who has been lethal in SEC play, exploded off the back line and found the back of the net for her seventh goal in nine games.

    Auburn doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when junior Sydney Richards buried a rebound off of an Alexa Goldberg save. A bad clear attempt from the Gators, gave possession right back to Auburn, helping to create Richards’ goal.

    Florida concluded the match tying their season low of one shot on goal and one corner kick. However, the Gators, who have 19 more fouls than any other SEC team, did play fairly cleaner with only nine fouls all match.

    Three matches remain for the Gators to add on to their point total. The next will be on Thursday at 5 p.m. in Athens against the 10-3-2 Georgia Bulldogs.

  • Gators Embarrassed in the Bayou

    Gators Embarrassed in the Bayou

    Photo by Jonathan Bachman | Getty Images

    Final: LSU 49, Florida 42

    The LSU Tigers entered Saturday’s matchup with Florida with one of the nations least effective run games, however, they left Tiger Stadium setting program records on the Gators’ defense.

    Tyrion Davis-Price equaled his season total (through six games) in four quarters against Florida and broke Leonard Fournette’s single game record (287). Much of that damage was done on what appeared to be a single playcall, a halfback trap to the right side of the line, but the Florida defense just couldn’t figure it out.

    While the defense wasn’t very good, the final score would, at least, indicate that the offense played much better. They did, but they also turned the ball over four times with Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson both throwing a pair of picks.

    Richardson did lead the Gators to a furious comeback in the third quarter and mounted 22 points in three drives following Jones’ second pick that opened the half.

    No matter how much the offense did to get back into the game, the defense gave it back just as easily. In total, LSU rushed for 321 yards.

    After the game, head coach Dan Mullen stated that the quarterback situation would be evaluated, leaving the door open that Richardson may be given an opportunity to lead this team.

    Quick Stats:

    • Passing Yards: 350
    • Rushing Yards: 138
    • First Downs: 26
    • Penalties: 0-0
    • E. Jones: 12-19, 161, TD, 2 INT
    • A Richardson: 10-19, 167, 3 TD, 2 INT
    • Shorter: 6-113, 2 TD

    What’s Next:

    Florida goes into their bye week with a 4-3 record and a lot more questions than answers. That does not bode well for their showdown with Georgia in Jacksonville the following week. Georgia is the nation’s number one team and is coming off a 30-13 win over Kentucky.

  • Staff Predictions: Florida vs LSU

    Staff Predictions: Florida vs LSU

    Photo by Nick Tre Smith | Getty Images

    Florida vs LSU. A fun game that has become a rivalry over the last decade or so. The Gators take on their annual cross-division rivals at noon (eastern) on Saturday in Baton Rouge.

    The Gators enter the matchup 4-2 and while the Tigers are 3-3 and have lost two straight.

    Here are our staff’s predictions for this week’s Florida – LSU game.

    Brian Fox:

    Florida and LSU are set for an 11:00 AM kickoff from Tiger Stadium, proving that this matchup doesn’t have the same gusto as years past, but that’s because both teams are underachievers thus far. I know I’m usually giving Dan Mullen a hard time about his team’s preparation and attention to detail in these predictions, but I just don’t see Florida losing or even coming close to losing. LSU will be missing five defensive starters and several more on the offense. The Tigers are 3-3 on the year and appear to playing for a coach that has no chance of making it to next year. If Florida doesn’t romp in the Bayou, it might be time to do some soul searching for Mullen and his staff. Gators, 38-17.

    Jake Hitt:

    For the second year in a row, Florida plays a depleted LSU coming off a whooping the week prior. This time it’s in Death Valley and the way Florida’s played this season (and last) this is not a gimme win by any stretch. This team came out sluggish in most of its starts this season and absolutely can’t do that on the road. Not to mention, this is quietly one of the wackiest and most random rivalries in the Southeastern Conference. Whether it’s thrown cleats in dense fog, Treon Harris and Brandon Harris dueling in Baton Rouge, a bounced lateral on a fake kick into Josh Jasper’s hands, a goal line stand in Death Valley or a 14-6 Gator win in The Swamp with both teams under 250 yards total offense. No matter how good the teams are, this game is close most of the time. But the Gators do have an advantage when it comes to health and have a favorable matchup in the run game. LSU allows over 150 yards rushing per game and Florida averages over 270. Florida also averages right around the same number of passing yards LSU allows at 230. That Tiger defense is already down several players too. The Gator secondary and pass rush better be ready because LSU can’t run the ball and throws it a lot as a result. Max Johnson averages over 36 attempts a game and has completed 61 percent on the year as the Tigers have a 296 yards-per-game average. But he’ll be without WR Kayshon Boutte. It’s not easy to say “Dan Mullen won’t make the same mistake twice” but I see him taking this game seriously. That doesn’t mean the game will be without a few heart attacks for Gator fans. Florida, 30-20.

    Jesse Richardson:

    Death Valley is no joke when it comes to hostile environments in college football. The Gators struggled in a road test against Kentucky after the Wildcat faithful forced Florida to record 15 penalties for 115 yards. Eight of those flags were tossed because false starts were committed by the offensive line who couldn’t hear the snap count from Emory Jones. Although the kickoff takes place at 11 a.m. local time, LSU fans will eventually wake up to pack Death Valley and cause a ruckus to affect the hot Florida offense, who just recorded 42 points over Vanderbilt. The Tigers have been shaky this season but don’t count them out before the first punch is thrown. I’ll take the under this game and predict that Florida takes it in an overtime battle. Florida, 26-20.

    Mark McLeod:

    Florida vs LSU. Always expect the unexpected. Hurricane delays? Absolutely. A pre-game dust-up where a star player ruled out miraculously is able to suit-up and play? Why not! A frustrated player helps make a play, then throws a shoe which results in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty breathing new life into an offense that had just been stopped? Naw! Oh, yeah. So, fast-forward to the present where an LSU program with Ed Orgeron is found clinging to life as the Tigers head coach. Five defensive starters down over the past few weeks. Kentucky exploited that to the tune of 330 rushing yards and quarterback WIll Levis actually looked like a legitimate SEC quarterback. Max Johnson, who secured SEC Player of the Week honors vs UF a year ago was sacked four times by the ‘Cats defense and he lost star receiver Kayshon Boutte. And just for kicks, let’s throw in an 11am kickoff. Meanwhile, Florida has their own issues- lack of discipline, they haven’t played 60 minutes of football in any game and it’s mid-October, and Mullen is still trying to develop a passing game for Emory Jones in the red zone. And the Gators are a bit banged up too. These scales tip in Florida’s favor. If LSU rally’s behind Coach O and somehow finds a way to win this game, Dan Mullen and his staff will catch two weeks of pure hell from the Gator Nation. Florida 31, LSU 20.

    …

    Florida and LSU will kickoff from Death Valley at 12 PM (EST) and will be broadcast live on ESPN. What do you think the final score will be?

  • 4-Star WR Jayden Gibson Commits to Florida

    4-Star WR Jayden Gibson Commits to Florida

    Photo by Andrew Ivins | 247Sports

    Florida football landed the commitment of four-star WR Jayden Gibson in a special ceremony aired live on CBS Sports on Wednesday.

    Gibson is a 6’5, 185 lb prospect out of Winter Garden, FL, which fits right into the mold of receivers that Florida has targeted under Dan Mullen and WR coach Billy Gonzales.

    In 2020, Gibson caught 32 passes for 744 yards and 9 scores.

    Gibson is rated the No. 170 rated prospect overall and the No. 26 wide receiver in the 2022 class, according to the 247Sports composite.

    Gibson was offered by Florida on February 2, and has visited campus at least four times an an ‘unofficial’ visitor (most recently on September 18). He committed to UF over Florida State, Georgia, Auburn, Tennessee, and many others.

    The Gators now have 15 commitments in the 2022 cycle, a class that ranks No. 15 nationally and No. 5 on the SEC.

  • The Gator Slant: Vanderbilt beatdown on Homecoming

    The Gator Slant: Vanderbilt beatdown on Homecoming

    Ryan and Jesse do the wrap up of all things Florida Gators athletics

    On today’s episode of The Gator Slant, hosts Ryan Haley and Jesse Richardson talk about the latest happenings in Florida football including the homecoming beatdown over the Vanderbilt Commodores.

    Cornerback Elijah Blades has been dismissed from the football program and the defensive backfield is getting thin.

    Florida soccer fell to the wrong side of momentum and have fallen to a three-match losing streak. The season is winding down with four matches left to play.

    Gators volleyball continues an upward trend and sophomore Ben Shelton dominates the All-American tournament in tennis.

    Click play on the following audio player to listen to this week’s episode of The Gator Slant:

    You can also follow The Gator Slant on the following platforms: