GAINESVILLE — Every week after Florida beat up on an overmatched FCS foe and made few errors, the Gators did little proper throughout a shocking 18-16 loss to USF on Saturday night time within the Swamp throughout one other no-show underneath fourth-year coach Billy Napier.
A 29-yard area purpose by Nico Gramatica silenced a sellout crowd of 89,909 and despatched the No. 13 Gators (1-1) reeling earlier than the season has even began – and with get solely harder.
UF didn’t commit a penalty throughout a 55-0 trouncing of Lengthy Island College, however had 11 for 103 yards towards the Bulls (2-0), together with two expensive one on the game-winning drive.
A second-down go interference on Dijon Johnson price UF 13 yards. On the subsequent play, officers flagged Baylor switch defensive deal with Brendan Bett 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct after he spit on a USF participant.
Alvon Isaac, a sophomore from Hawthorne simply east of Gainsville, took a display screen go 29 yards to the Gators’ 39. A 12-yard accomplished sophomore Joshua Port of Sebring put the Bulls effectively inside Gramatica’s vary. USF picked up 18 extra yards on 4 performs to arrange a chip shot to redeem Gramatica, son of the previous NFL kicker Martin.
Gramatica got here up a number of yards quick from 58 yards 2:52 remaining and USF going for the upset win. The Gators, although, ran simply 27 seconds off the clock, with two of their three performs passes, and punted the ball again to the Bulls with 2:25 remaining on their 11-yard-line.
However the Gators quickly fell aside on night time when execution and self-discipline have been briefly provide.
Through the newest gorgeous loss underneath Napier, the Gators couldn’t end drives, dedicated expensive penalties and struggled to get the Bulls offense off the sphere.
Issues had begun to look bleak when the third quarter ended with the Gators trailing 15-9. The “Gained’t Again Down” custom performed earlier than the fourth quarter rang hole for a Florida group at that time on its heels.
However the Gators and the Swamp quickly got here alive.
Recent off a breakout efficiency in his debut, true freshmen Vernell Brown III once more ignited his group and reported crowd of 89,909, this time with a 40-yard punt return that ended with a shove within the again out of bounds from USF punter Chase Leon to tack on one other 15 yards to the USF 24.
Three runs totaling 16 yards by sophomore tailback Jadan Baugh arrange a 4-yard landing go from Lagway to Tre Wilson, a Tampa native as soon as recruited by USF.
UF promptly pressured a three-and-out with a second-down go break-up by Aaron Chiles and third-down deal with within the flat by Myles Graham.
The Bulls, although, didn’t fade away after upsetting Group of 5 heavyweight Boise State 34-7 final week in Tampa.
The Gators clung to a 9-6 halftime after failing to capitalize on scoring alternatives and struggling defensively to get off the sphere.
Two lengthy drives, of 13 and 14 drives, resulted in Florida area targets. Every time, the Gators squandered landing possibilities.
Tight finish Tony Livington couldn’t collect a Lagway go over his left shoulder close to the purpose line, ultimately main UF to accept a 28-yard area purpose by Smack and a 3-0 lead.
USF answered with a 15-play, 55-yard drive, that includes conversions on third and fourth downs, together with a Gators’ penalty for unlawful substitution on fourth-and-2 at UF’s 37 to maintain alive a Bulls’ drive ending with a 38-yard area purpose by Nico Gramatica.
Livingston appeared to redeem himself on Florida’s subsequent collection, with a 14-yard landing, however a go interference on Hayden Hansen wiped it out – the second time a penalty negated Gators’ rating on the drive. A maintain by Kamryn Waites canceled a 20-yard landing run by Ja’Kobi Jackson.
The Gators once more settled for a area purpose after getting contained in the USF 20-yard line, this Smack kick from 36 yards. He then made a 41-yarder for a 9-3 UF lead, however Gramatica reply from 25 yards.
Edgar Thompson may be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
