Florida defeats Vanderbilt, 9-7: Full highlights, final score and more
The Vanderbilt Commodores went down to Gainesville and pulled off the upset, with their win over the Florida Gators.
The Florida Gators had a great opportunity in front of them if they wanted to go to the College Football Playoff. Somehow after a poor performance on Saturday, that dream is still alive for the Florida Gators after they barely survived the Vanderbilt Commodores.
It wasn’t a pretty game and both team’s were as ugly on offense as possible, but in the end Florida had just enough to come away with their eighth win of the season. Vanderbilt came into the game with upset on their mind, and their defense did all that it could on Saturday to help the offense.
All day long, the Commodores forced Florida quarterback Treon Harris into tough throws and Ryan White made a big interception for the Commodores. Trailing 6-0 late in the second half, Vanderbilt running back, Ralph Webb, busted out a 74-yard touchdown run to put Vanderbilt on top at the half.
Suddenly, upset watch was on in Gainesville as the Florida offense struggled to put any offense on the board. In the fourth quarter, the Vanderbilt defense continued to hold serve and give their offense a chance to further their lead, but the Commodores offense could not put any more points up.
That’s when late in the game, Florida drove down the field and put the ball close enough for Austin Hardin to kick a 43-yard field goal. That put the Gators up 9-7 and despite two big penalties on the defense, they held off the Commodores on their last offensive drive to come away with the win.
The Gators have clinched their trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.
Highlights
Three Stars
3. Ryan White, S, Vanderbilt
White had a big day on defense for the Commodores. He had a big interception that led to Vanderbilt’s only touchdown on the day.
2. Austin Hardin, K, Florida
Too many times in college, kickers can’t make the winning play when it counts. This wasn’t the case for Hardin. Late in the game, he made the winning kick to clinch the SEC East for Florida. He hadn’t kicked all game, but came through when his team needed it.
1. Ralph Webb, RB, Vanderbilt
The Vanderbilt running back was a workhorse all day for the Commodores. He carried the ball 22 times for 118 yards and a touchdown on the day. The Commodores offense was brutal, but he was the shining light for the team.
Odds
Florida came into the game favored by 21 points. They did not come close to covering.
Next Week
Next week, Vanderbilt will return home to play Kentucky. Florida will go on the road to take on South Carolina.