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  • Staff Predictions: Gators vs Texas A&M

    Staff Predictions: Gators vs Texas A&M

    Photo by Rob Foldy / Getty Images

    The Gators travel to College Station, where they will face the 1-1 Texas A&M Aggies.

    The following are our staff’s predictions for Florida-Texas A&M:

    Ainslie Lee:

    At the start of the season, I had Florida on upset alert at College Station. However, I think we will see a lot of cohesion come Saturday afternoon. Florida’s defenders have been taking criticism on the chin and owning up to their mistakes. I think they’ll really get it clicking against the Aggies, especially considering Kellen Mond’s talent. Offensively, the offensive line will have to prove how improved they really are as they square up against the best defensive front they’ve seen all season. Nonetheless, I take by my knee jerk decision to put them on upset alert. Florida rolls 35-13.

    Brian Fox:

    The Gators will take on a Texas A&M team coming off an embarrassing loss to Alabama (52-24). Perhaps more embarrassing, though, the Aggies almost lost to Vanderbilt in their season opener, winning just 17-12. Maybe we’ve overrated this team this year? Star QB Kellen Mond did throw for over 300 yards against Alabama and the Tide definitely has a better secondary than Florida. Expect a shootout in College Station, Gators: 41-28.

    David Soderquist:

    Well, I think I bought too much into the defense last week. Until they show me they can get off the field for long drives or points I’m going to go ahead and say Florida wins but has to score at least 30 to win this game. Which I obviously think they can do. A&M really hasn’t impressed me thus far and I think Mond turns the ball over some this game. Florida 42 – Texas A&M 27.

    Jake Hitt:

    This is a matchup of two defenses struggling to consistently stop opponents. A&M is allowing 400 yards of total offense a game this season not to mention opposing QBs completing 71 percent of their passes on average. Florida’s total defense is even worse at almost 500 a game. Thing is Kyle Trask and Co. get it in the endzone a lot more than Kellen Mond and the Aggie offense and that’ll likely help them leave College Station with a W.. A low-scoring affair would certainly be unexpected. Watch out for Ainias Smith. Jalen Wydermyer and Chase Lane on the A&M offense. The Gators could take advantage of TAMU losing senior Grayson Reed on the offensive line to get some sacks. But Mond could create problems as Florida struggled with contain so far this season. Florida 35-24.

    Michael Pfeffer:

    Texas A&M has a couple of good lines. They could present some challenges in the trenches and I believe that we will truly know just how much the Gators’ offensive line has actually improved by the end of this game. However, I think Florida will get just enough pressure on Mond to make him uncomfortable and, potentially, force a couple of mistakes. On the other side of the ball, A&M has been abysmal in the secondary and, although the Gators haven’t been great in that area either, they will be facing a much more lethal passing attack from Kyle Trask and the Gators’ receiving corps. Add in a healthy dose of Kyle Pitts, who will once again be a matchup nightmare, and the Gators will leave Kyle Field with a victory. Florida wins, 35-24.

    Florida and Texas A&M are set for a noon (ET) kickoff from Kyle Field. The game will be televised on ESPN with Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy, and Holly Rowe on the call.

  • Preview: Florida vs Texas A&M

    Preview: Florida vs Texas A&M

    Gators looking to improve to 3-0 in College Station on Saturday
    Photo by Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images

    Florida has gotten off to a hot start in 2020, winning their first two games by double digits. Such a start has been made possible by the stellar play of the offense led by a couple of phenoms named Kyle. This week, one of the Kyles will be returning to his home state, and indeed, the very field for which he is named.


    The Gators will be taking on the Aggies of Texas A&M at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Typically, the Twelfth Man is a raucous and intimidating venue but a limited capacity crowd will make it a little less so on Saturday. Despite the exceptional play of the offense, Florida enters the game as a mere 6.5 point favorite. This is mostly because of a defensive performance that has been less than perfect thus far. In fact, at times, it hasn’t even been good.

    Florida yielded over 600 yards in their first game of the season, often missing tackles, failing to provide adequate pressure on the quarterback, and playing way too soft in the secondary. Although they showed improvement in last week’s game against South Carolina, they still gave too much cushion to the Gamecocks’ receivers and struggled to contain the run for much of the game.

    Fortunately, they will be facing a team with an equally susceptible defense this week. Particularly, in the secondary. The Aggies’ safeties found themselves consistently out of position against the Crimson Tide and A&M gave up 435 yards through the air, as a result. These weren’t dink and dunk type passes either. No. Mac Jones was able to torch A&M’s secondary to the tune of 21.75 yards per completion and 4 touchdowns. This plays right into Kyle Trask and the Gators offense’s strengths.

    However, the Aggies do have an impressive defensive line and Florida’s much improved offensive line will be tested on Saturday. They will need to dig deep to open up lanes for Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis. If the Gators are able to establish a running game to set up the play-action pass, it will be a long day for the home team.

    On the defensive side of the ball, Florida showed a little more of a pass rush against South Carolina than they did in week one. However, they will be going up against a much better offensive line in College Station. If Brenton Cox Jr., Gervon Dexter, or Tedarrell Slaton can get even a little bit of pressure on Aggies’ quarterback, Kellon Mond, it could be enough to rattle him.

    Mond has been average at best, through two games this season, completing just 58% of his passes for 7 yards per attempt. When facing third and long, Mond drops well below average, with a completion percentage of just 37.5 percent with an average of 5.9 yards per attempt. Couple that with the fact that the Aggies have yet to establish a “go to playmaker,” and things could get pretty dicey.

    The key to Florida winning this game is for the offense to never take their foot off of the gas and for Todd Grantham to dial up some exotic blitz packages. Grantham’s signature style has seemed relatively tame up to this point but that’s largely due to the fact that the Gators have so much youth on that side of the ball. With Marco Wilson returning to the Star position this week, I expect Grantham to have some disguised coverages and a few unique blitz packages at his disposal.

    The game is set for a noon broadcast on ESPN which means that they will kickoff at 11 a.m. local time. Despite the early kick and the -6.5 spread, I believe Florida will leave Kyle Field with their third victory of the season. Gators win, 35-24.

  • WR Jordan Pouncey granted waiver for immediate eligibility

    WR Jordan Pouncey granted waiver for immediate eligibility

    Photo by Tim Warner / Getty Images

    A deep wide receiver group is about to get even deeper for the Florida Gators. Late Monday evening, WR Jordan Pouncey was cleared by the NCAA to play immediately.

    Pouncey attended the University of Texas before deciding he needed a change of scenery and entering the transfer portal in October 2019. In December, he committed to Florida (along with his brother, Ethan).

    The 6’2 WR was a three-star prospect in the 2017 recruiting cycle before choosing to play for the Longhorns.

    Pouncey will add another weapon to an offense that has seen eleven different pass catchers through the first two games of the season.

    Florida will travel to College Station, Texas for a matchup with Texas A&M on Saturday. The game is scheduled for a noon kickoff and will be aired on ESPN.

  • SOC: Gators top Alabama for first win of 2020

    SOC: Gators top Alabama for first win of 2020

    Photo by Benjamin Fox / ChompTalk.com


    Gainesville Fl.- Coach Becky Burleigh admitted that tactical adjustments helped the Gators secure a 2-1 win over a spirited Alabama squad at the Dizney R Stadium on Sunday.

    “The first half I thought Alabama cam
    e out and pressed us really hard,” Burleigh said. “Our team really stepped up to the challenge of being down and wanting to win that game. But I think it was the tactical change too that really helped us get back to our identity.”

    Despite falling behind 0-1 early in the first half, Burleigh’s protégés produced a complete team performance to battle back and claim the team’s first victory of the season against an No.15 Alabama Crimson Tide.

    Four minutes into the game, Tide freshman Sydney Vincens intercepted the ball after a dangerous playback to Susi Espinoza to open the scoring. However, senior Maddison Alexander scored to tie the game before sophomore Alivia Gonzalez went on to score her first collegiate goal, a game winner.

    First half

    4′: Kit Loferski threw the ball in on the right side to Georgia Eaton-Collins. Vincens caught Collins’ pass, past Espinoza, and poked the ball into the goal. Gators are looking at an early 0-1 deficit.

    6′: Confusion in Alabama’s box. Alabama’s goalkeeper Mckinley Crone knocked down Loferski’s attempt. A rebound from Cassidy Lindley brought the ball to Maddy Rhodes. However,  it was a bad finish for the Gators.

    22′: Reyna Reyes dribbled through over Macy Clem in the Gators’ box. Then Espinoza paddled Clem’s left-foot ball away.  It was save for the Gators and a corner for Crimson Tide.

    28′: Kaley Verpaele circled to service Felicia Knox inside the Gators’ box. Espinoza stopped Knox’s shot from entering the finish line. 

    Second Half

    62′: Kouri Peace served freshman Rhodes making a run through the far side of the box. Then, Rhodes’ centering pass found Alexander at the near post who back heel flipped the ball inside the goal. Thus, Gators 1-1. 

    80′: Laney Steed‘s killer pass to Peace almost worsen the situation for Alabama. Crone excused Peace’s attempt and backed it over the bar. 

    81′: Steed lofted the ball on the air. Rhodes headed the ball toward the goal but saved by Crone.

    88′: Steed executed a corner into Alabama’s box. Gonzalez went in with a head, but goal killer Crone stopped this action again.

    89′: With a minute left on the clock, both teams were heading to extra minutes. The Gators did not say their last word yet. The game-winner goal was a look-alike of Florida’s tying game. Loferski served Peace who made a right-side run. Gonzalez leaped to catch the ball with her right shin and scored the winning goal for the Gators. 

    Series History

    For the Gators, it was another win against Alabama. Since 1995, the Gators have only lost once against the Crimson Tides.

    Next-up

    Florida’s first road test is set for Sunday at 2 p.m. against Texas A&M in College Station.

  • The Gridiron Growl Podcast, Episode 1.10

    The Gridiron Growl Podcast, Episode 1.10


    In the latest episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast, David, Michael, and Brian recap the Gators’ 38-24 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks.

    The trio then discuss the stunning news of the week as former 5-star RB Demarkcus Bowman announced his transfer to the University of Florida.

    Click play on the following audio player to listen to this week’s episode:

    Or, check us out on the following platforms:
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    You can also check out this Spotify playlist for all of ChompTalk’s podcast episodes:

  • Grading the Gators: South Carolina

    Grading the Gators: South Carolina

    Photo by Evan Lepak / Getty Images


    Florida and South Carolina might’ve played the closest 14-point game in recent memory. But, despite some mistakes, the Gators were able to start their home schedule off with a win.

    Offense, B+:

    Kyle Trask continued his torrid start with a second straight performance of at least four touchdowns. Obviously, the whole offense didn’t match the 600-yard performance against Ole Miss but still managed to score on six of their ten drives excluding the knee to ice the game. That doesn’t mean Trask was flawless. He turned the ball over twice with a fumble and interception. Yes, that interception was the result of a great play by the safety but it felt like it was coming given how he was forcing the ball.

    The Gators also didn’t rush the ball particularly well with just 80 yards on the ground. But they were still able to rush when they need it. We all know passing is this team’s strength. And Kadarius Toney’s and Trent Whittemore’s performances showed how many weapons Trask has at his disposal. Whittemore made two great grabs, one to save a drive and another to end it with a touchdown. The freshman from Gainesville is steadily making an impact. But Kadarius Toney’s 57-yard catch-and-run was the highlight of the game on offense.

    Defense, C:

    Just like the offense, the defense put up a different performance compared to Week 1. The Gator defense only allowed 329 yards from scrimmage and that four-yards-per-play average isn’t totally terrible. It’s obvious they still miss Kyree Campbell in the middle of that defensive line.

    The big thing was situational defense. Florida might’ve forced 6-for-17 on third down but it was the 5-for-6 fourth conversions that didn’t instill confidence in this defense. Fourth downs are guaranteed opportunities at getting off the field. Carolina even almost converted on fourth for a touchdown at the end of the game. However, Florida was able to get some pass rush and sack Collin Hill a couple times. Jeremiah Moon had a great spin move that sent the left tackle falling into Hill. All-in-all it wasn’t a horrible performance but it needs to get better still.

    Special Teams, A:

    Once again not much opportunity for the kickers. Jacob Finn did well with his two punts with a net average of about 50 yards a punt. Evan McPherson made his lone field goal of the day but still had plenty of extra points to kick. Kadarius Toney provided some great plays in the punt return game. He recorded 42 yards but made plays to improve Florida’s field position. One in particular allowed the Gators to flip the field and take over on offense at midfield thanks to a great return in the second quarter.

    Overall, Florida took care of business at home. But it could’ve been much better in some ways. The Gators need to put games away and Mullen addressed that in his postgame press conference. They don’t have time to rest on their laurels as there’s a now a trip to College Station this week.

  • SOC: Gators host Alabama on Sunday

    SOC: Gators host Alabama on Sunday

    Photo by Benjamin Fox / ChompTalk.com

    Gainesville, Fla.- The Florida Gators are looking forward to redeeming themselves against Alabama after drawing to a tie in their first game. Florida will host the Crimson Tide at 5 p.m. at Donald R Dizney Stadium. For the second time in the fall season, the Gators are facing another ranked team.

    It does not matter what school the Gators play against, they are expected to be the best.

    “We know that the teams are going for blood because we are Florida. That is what they do,” Florida sophomore Cameron Hall said.

    The Florida Gators have a large advantage in the series against the Crimson Tide. However, in their last game matchup in Tuscaloosa, both teams battled to a draw 1-1. Currently UF leads the series 20-1-1.

    The Gators won their first game against Alabama at home in 1995. The record has continued as they never lost a home game against the Crimson Tide. The Gators have scored 74 goals, an average of 3.08 per match. A record that might be aggravated this Sunday as every Gator is looking forward to playing a good game this Sunday.

    Based on their history, the Gators are the favorite for this matchup, but that has not stopped them from doing their homework. They are ready to attack and counter-attack the Crimson Tide.

    About the championship

    Only 15 teams are ranked because of the limited number of teams participating in the 2020 fall season due to the unusual start of the season. On Sept. 22, United Soccer Coaches released their last weekly national rankings.  The current ranking included five SEC teams – No. 5 Texas A&M, No. 8 Georgia, No. 9 Arkansas, No. 13 Vanderbilt, and No. 15 Alabama.

    About the game 

    The only scorer for the Gators so far for the 2020 fall season, Deanne Rose, will be present with the other 33 other Gators.

    Suzi Espinoza keeps proving why she is one of the best goalkeepers in the nation, and she will keep showing it this Sunday.

    The Gators can also count on the return of one of their best players, Parker Roberts.

    Meanwhile, Alabama returns with eight of the 2019 staters who helped the team advance to the quarterfinals last year.  In its opening game of the season, Alabama registered a win 3-1 over Tennessee at home. The battled to a 1-1 tie against Mississippi State in its first road action of 2020.

    Junior Riley Mattingly scored twice on her first game of the season against the University of Tennessee.

    Florida’s Kraze Krush (youth league) might see three of its players playing against each other this Sunday. Gators freshmen Maddy Rhodes, Izzy Kadzban, and Crimson Tide goalkeeper, McKinley Crone were produced by this academic program.

    Wes Hart is in his fourth season for the University of Alabama.

    Gators’ word on the fans being present at the stadium

    The fans remain the most important support to the Gators. The number is small, but the Gators took their time to express their contentment towards the fans.

    “Oh my Goodness! I love having the fans in the stand,” Hall said. “I think what we missed from playing in the COVID Cup games was really having big sports systems. So seeing them in the stand and being able to hear their cheers, even the opposing fans. It was really cool to finally feel like it was a game-day experience.”

  • Gators Hold On Against Gamecocks

    Gators Hold On Against Gamecocks

    Photo by Evan Lepak / Getty Images

    The third-ranked Florida Gators started their home schedule off with a closer-than-it-looked win Saturday. Once again the Gator offense shined while the defense had a shaky afternoon.

    South Carolina took the ball and promptly went on a nearly 7-minute drive to take a 7-0 lead thanks to tailback Kevin Harris. He accounted for 41 of Carolina’s 75-yard drive along with the score. A couple chunk plays through the air helped keep the drive going.

    The Gators responded with a touchdown drive of their own. They too leaned on the running game to grind out yards and had two plays of 15+ yards through the air thanks to TreVon Grimes and Kyle Pitts. Dameon Pierce shouldered the rushing load with 27 yards including a 2-yard touchdown run.

    https://twitter.com/SidelineCFB/status/1312429041727700992

    After the opening drive Florida defense calmed down a bit. It forced a punt of Carolina’s next drive allowing Florida to take the lead 14-7 thanks to the Trask-Kyle Pitts connection. A second straight Gamecock punt gave the Gators a chance to extend its lead but a fumble by Trask on a quarterback keeper gave Collin Hill and the Gamecock offense a short field. They’d use to their advantage of tie it up at 14.

    The Gators’ next drive stalled out inside the 10 but still resulted in points thanks to an Evan McPherson field goal and a 17-14 Florida lead. South Carolina punted after a third-down sack by Zach Carter. A couple of penalties, chunk plays and another Kyle to Kyle touchdown gave Florida a 24-14 lead heading into halftime.

    Carolina ended the half with 150 yards of total offense compared to Florida’s 242.

    Florida punted to start the second half but got the ball back six plays later after Ventrell Miller recovered a fumble on a toss play gone awry. A pass interference call got Florida down to the 15. Two plays later a twisting grab by freshman Trent Whittemore extended the lead 31-14.

    Kadarius Toney blew the game open after another Florida stop. The senior wide receiver caught an in route over the mild and blew through a sea of defenders for a 57-yard score to make it 38-14. The catch-and-run gave Trask his third career game with four passing touchdowns.

    He’d finish with that many as Florida wouldn’t score the rest of the game. Following a Gamecock field goal an incredible interception by safety Israel Mukuamu gave Will Muschamp’s team another short field and an ensuing touchdown drive closed the gap to 38-24. A quick three-and-out by Florida gave Carolina a chance to make it a one-score game.

    Hill and the Gamecock offense converted on multiple key downs and drove all the way down to the Florida four yard line without a single timeout only to turn it over on downs. They threw four straight incompletions with two dropped by star receiver Shi Smith. Florida’s offense ran out the clock from there and secured Florida’s second win of the season.

    Dan Mullen team is on the road again as they head to College Station, Texas for a matchup with the Texas A&M Aggies. It is their first game in Aggieland since A&M’s conference debut against the Gators in 2012.

    Game Leaders: Florida

    Kyle Trask: 21-29, 268 yds, 4 TDs and 1 INT

    Dameon Pierce: 51 yards, 1 TD

    Kadarius Toney: 6 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD

    Kyle Pitts: 4 catches, 57 yards, 2 TDs

    Kaiir Elam: 8 tackles, 6 solo, 1 TFL, 2 PBUs

    Zach Carter: 8 tackles, 3 solo, 1.5 sacks

    Game Leaders: SCAR

    Collin Hill: 28-47, 212 yds, 2 TDs

    Kevin Harris: 22 atts, 100 yds, 1 TD

    Shi Smith: 12 catches, 85 yds, 1 TD

    Keir Thomas: 6 tackles, 1 solo, 1 sack

  • RB Demarkcus Bowman to transfer to Florida

    RB Demarkcus Bowman to transfer to Florida

    Photo by Clemson Athletics via 247Sports

    Just days after announcing his intentions to enter the transfer portal, former five-star Clemson running back, Demarkcus Bowman has made his decision. Bowman announced that he would finish the semester at Clemson before transferring to Gainesville to join the Gators football program.


    As one of the nation’s most coveted backs, Bowman was heavily recruited by the Gators staff. Former Lakeland High teammates immediately reached out to Bowman when news broke of his entry into the portal. His presence will bolster an already solid running back room for the Gators and is just another in a long list of blue chip talents to join Dan Mullen via the transfer portal.

    Bowman’s announcement brings cause for celebration to many fans and followers of all things recruiting, who have long suggested that he would eventually be a Gator. It can’t be overstated what a big pick up this is for Dan Mullen and Co.

  • Staff Predictions: Gators vs South Carolina

    Staff Predictions: Gators vs South Carolina

    Photo by Rob Foldy / Getty Images

    The Gators host South Carolina in its 2020 home opener on Saturday. Florida is off to a 1-0 start after a 51-35 schalacking of Ole Miss last weekend. South Carolina, however, is 0-1 after suffering a 31-27 defeat to Tennessee.

    Here are our staff’s predictions for the Gators’ 2020 home opener:

    Ainslie Lee:

    Will Muschamp wasn’t shy about how he felt in regards to facing this year’s Gators roster. Offensively, Florida presents nothing but matchup issues for South Carolina — and that doesn’t just mean Kyle Pitts, either. Not to mention, two notable Gamecock defenders have been listed as day-to-day, with another out for four to six weeks with a hip fracture. And if UF’s opener at Ole Miss proved anything, it’s that they will have its way with a young defense. On the other side of the ball, expect Florida to be firing on all cylinders. Everyone seemed unhappy with Florida’s defensive performance, including the Gator defense, itself. They’ll be ready to shake the criticism against an unproven USC offense. Florida wins big here. 49-13, Gators.

    Brian Fox:

    Florida will face another high level quarterback this week in South Carolina’s Collin Hill. Hill, a transfer from Colorado State, threw for 290 yards and a score against Tennessee in his FBS debut last week. Hill’s favorite target, WR Shi Smith, went off for 140 yards on 10 catches. Just a week after the Gators’ secondary struggled mightily against Matt Corral and Elijah Moore, they will need to avoid a similar showing against the Gamecocks. UF, however, has too much talent to lose this one. Gators, 31-17

    David Soderquist:

    I think the Gators get off to a hot start early. I also think we see better defensive play after last week. Defensive line gets at least 4 sacks this game if not more. This game gets nasty for South Carolina. Gators cover, Florida 52 – South Carolina 20.

    Michael Pfeffer:

    Florida will be facing South Carolina quarterback, Collin Hill for the second time in his career. The first outing was a forgettable one for Hill, who played back up to K.J. Carta-Samuels in a 48-10 loss in which Hill went 2/8 for 23 total yards. However, Hill is surrounded by much better talent than he was at Colorado State. The Gators will win this game simply because their offensive firepower will be too much for the Gamecocks to overcome. But if they can get more production out of the defense, they could win this one, decisively. With many of last week’s missing players returning on Saturday, that’s exactly what I expect to see. Especially since several of Florida’s defensive players were angered and embarrassed by the performance they turned in last week. I like the Gators to win their home opener. Gators 49-28.

    Florida and South Carolina are set for a noon (ET) kickoff from The Swamp.

    What is your score prediction for Saturday’s game?