Fromm’s 3 TDs propel Bulldogs to rout of Gators
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jake Fromm threw three touchdown passes, ending speculation about freshman Justin Fields supplanting him in the starting lineup, and No. 7 Georgia beat ninth-ranked Florida 36-17 on Saturday.
The Bulldogs took advantage of Florida’s three turnovers and an injury to cornerback C.J. Henderson to win the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” for the second straight season and the fifth time in the last eight years.
Georgia (7-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) scored all four touchdowns on third down, gut-punching the Gators (6-2, 4-2) time and time again.
“That’s seven plays on the day that’s going to make a rough day for you,” Florida coach Dan Mullen said.
Fromm completed 17 of 24 passes for 240 yards, none bigger than the two TD throws to Jeremiah Holloman. There had been talk that Georgia coach Kirby Smart would get highlytouted freshman Fields more snaps following a 20point loss to LSU. Fromm smashed those rumors.
“Jake is a high-quality kid who works his tail off every day,” Smart said. “I’m sure he felt and heard the noise. He just continues to work and get better.”
D’Andre Swift delivered the knockout blow with a 33-yard TD run with 4:39 remaining, sending Florida fans scrambling for the exits.
“It feels more special,” Fromm said, comparing this victory to last season’s 42-7 romp. “This year it was a fight. We were able to enjoy it and respect it a lot more.”
Holloman beat C.J. McWilliams twice in the same corner of the same end zone. The Bulldogs clearly picked on the sophomore after he replaced Henderson (back) on the first series. Fromm seemed to search for him on third down.
“When you can’t get off the field, you get the results we got today,” Florida defensive end CeCe Jefferson said.
Florida took a one-point lead early in the third quarter — Feleipe Franks threw a perfect, 36-yard touchdown pass to Freddie Swain — but Georgia answered with another Fromm-to-Holloman connection and then pulled away late.
The Gators failed to get a stop when they needed it in the fourth.
Turnovers were the Gators’ real undoing. Jordan Scarlett fumbled on the team’s opening possession, and Fromm found Holloman three plays later. Franks threw an interception on the next series. But the dagger was his fumble near the goal line.
Franks fumbled trying to get the ball out of the shadow of his goal line late in the third and gave the Bulldogs the ball at the 1. Georgia ran six plays from inside the 2 and had to settle for a field goal and a 23-14 lead. The scoring drive: six plays, no yards and took 3 minutes, 58 seconds.
“That has to be a record,” Jefferson said. “That just speaks volumes about my defense and the will and the hunger that have to not drop the rope and draw a line. … I’m pretty sure they were tired, but you could look at them and they just looked like the ‘300’ warriors, ready for the next play.”
Despite another lopsided loss to Georgia, the Gators still have a chance to win 10 games this season. It’s been a significant turnaround from Jim McElwain’s final season, but Franks has to make more progress for the team to become a legitimate SEC contender.