Though They Didn’t Win, They Grew A Notch. And Perhaps The Spirit Of The Swamp Returned

After a rocky start, Emory Jones shook off the boos and found his groove. (Chris Spears Photo)

"From 7:25 for the next 37:25, Dan Mullen’s team played its best football maybe ever."

You could feel it in the tremors of Ben Hill Griffin, the fifth largest crowd in history (90,877). You could sense it in the pre-game tingle, just like the old days. Except in Alabama, whose fans expected a Tide rout with no regard for the hostile environment that once resided in The Swamp.

Or in Las Vegas, where for the first time in almost two decades, a ranked team was more than a two-touchdown underdog at home. Almost nobody gave them a chance of covering the 15-point spread, let alone winning the game. The former happened. The latter could have.

Before the game vs. Alabama, some of us were discussing the significance of the outcome for Florida. “Not a program breaker,” said somebody. “But maybe a program maker.” Who would make such a statement? OK, it was me! Turns out I was wrong. It was neither.

They were expecting to see Anthony Richardson, instead they got all Emory Jones. Right there some of the fans were disgruntled. Then when Alabama spurted ahead quickly 21-3, “covering the spread” before the first quarter ended, the seeds of discontent grew.

Some of us were on the record as saying if Florida had any shot, they needed chunk plays with Richardson. Halfway through the second quarter, the Tide turned.

Not long after the loudest boos crescendoed with 7:25 left in the second period, Jones finally got a 30-yard completion to Keon Zipperer, followed by an interference call on Josh Jobe, during a day of when the Gators had already been hit some suspect pass interference calls.

Then Malik Davis’s inspirational 30-yard scoring scamper seemed to light up the Swamp, as the fans pivoted.

“They’ve gone from booing to ‘we’ve got a game!’” CBS announcer Brad Nessler said. Except when the missed PAT made it 21-9 at the half, yes, we had a game.

Nay'Quan Wright combined with Emory Jones on that 99-yard drive. (Photo by Chris Spears)

From 7:25 for the next 37:25, Dan Mullen’s team played its best football maybe ever.

Who could have ever guessed that when ‘Bama’s kickoff was muffed on a bizarre fair-catch-fumble out of bounds at the Gators’ own 1, that their offense could mount a 99-yard scoring drive against Nick Saban’s mighty defense.

With either Nay'Quan Wright or Emory Jones running or Jones throwing every one of the 11 plays to cover virtually the entirely length of the field, Emory scored on a 5-yard run and closed the gap to 28-23.

Could this really be happening?

For the last three periods the Gators outplayed the Tide – out rushed, out passed, out defended, out-everythinged. Except out-kicking and out-two-point playing.

However, it was a respect-earner for Dan Mullen. For his players, especially his quarterback. And for The Swamp, whose patrons came alive with a vengeance.

Does that mean they’re back?

The Swamp was on fire once again. Fans changed their tune on Emory, from boos to cheers. (Photo by Chris Spears)

Maybe the renewed spirit wasn’t transformational but once the culprits stopped booing and echoes were awakened, the affirmation was felt – especially by Emory Jones. They may have been booing him in the second quarter, but hey were singing his praises in the end.

You could see it in the AP poll where, after the 31-29 loss, Florida didn’t budge from No. 11. And in the tweet lovefest that ensued.

And so I tweeted: “There are no moral victories, so the Tide wins, 31-29. But in the universe of measuring sticks, the Gators proved they could measure up to the National Champions. And they are coming.”

“We owe you an apology,” somebody with the handle of Maryann tweeted to Jones.

You know what? Maryann has a good point there.