Gators get sloppy win at Swamp

GAINESVILLE — Once among college football greatest rivalries, the latest Florida-Florida State game was a comedy of errors.

A pair of 5-6 teams played down to their level of competition much of the day before the Gators came alive and pulled away for a 24-21 win Saturday in the Swamp.

“We didn’t give up, kept fighting the whole time,” veteran defender Zachary Carter said. “We really played together as a team — and that’s the biggest thing.”

The Gators’ first Power 5 win since Oct. 9 against Vanderbilt was flawed in every way imaginable — and inconceivable.

FSU kicker Ryan Fitzgerald’s failed onside kick in the final minute was a new one to Florida interim coach Greg Knox, a veteran of 27 SEC seasons stepping in for Dan Mullen, who was fired six days earlier. Fitzgerald barely grazed the ball and failed to advance it, sealing the Gators’ third straight win against the Seminoles.

“I’ve never seen that before in my life,” Knox said. “I’m thankful for it, but I’ve never seen that before in my life. That was a big one.”

Segments of a game that dragged on for 3:53 were equally hard to fathom and borderline unwatchable. The teams combined for 6 turnovers and 22 penalties for 196 yards; the totals that could have been worse given only 1 of 6 fumbles was lost and several flags were offset.

Yet, a sold-out Swamp cheered on their Gators on Senior Day.

“Gator Nation showed up,” Knox said.

For the first time this month, backup quarterback Anthony Richardson did, too.

A second-half switch to Richardson, who was dinged on a first-half run, and tailback Dameon Pierce’s relentless style ignited the Gators and an announced crowd of 88,491. Behind a makeshift coaching staff led by Knox, Florida is now eligible for a bowl game while Mike Norvell completed his second losing season at Florida State.

“They were excited about winning this game, a rivalry game, and they knew that it meant going to a bowl game,” Knox said. “That senior class wanted it.”

The Gators (6-6) led by 17 points to prevail as Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis single-handedly attempted to rally the Seminoles (5-7).

A 5-yard scoring toss from Richardson and Justin Shorter in the back of the end zone pushed the Gators’ advantage to 17-7 late in the third quarter and was a rare feat of flawless execution during a sloppy game.

“He brought a lot of energy to it,” Knox said of Richardson.

First-year freshman Jason Marshall’s interception of Travis two plays later was the day’s sixth