Gators Kept It Rolling In First Half vs. South Carolina

Pearsall had first half TD catch (Chris Spears Photo)

For a half, at least, the Florida Gators looked the part of a team that’s going places. Picking up where they left off last week at Texas A&M, the Gators could do little wrong on either side of the ball, taking a 24-6 lead into the halftime locker room.

Starting with their opening possession, a 14-play, 75-yard drive that ate up 5:43 of the clock and culminated with a 3-yard touchdown run by Anthony Richardson, the Gators were in complete control. Florida scored on four of five possessions and didn’t have to punt. The Gators took a 14-0 lead on a 15-yard Richardson to Ricky Pearsall touchdown pass and they made it 21-0 when Trevor Etienne broke through the right side of the line and then legged out an 85-yard touchdown run. Florida’s final points came on a 28-yard field goal by Adam Mihalek.

South Carolina’s only first half points came on a fake punt when Kai Kroeger threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Dakereon Joyner with 1:52 left in the half. Take those 48 yards away and the Gamecocks managed only 64 yards of offense.

The Gators outgained South Carolina 362-112 with 281 yards on the ground. Montrell Johnson Jr. ran for 107, while Etienne gained 90 and Richardson 82.-- Franz Beard