The Columbus Dispatch

SEC ROUNDUP

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Florida 24, Florida State 21: Anthony Richardson came off the bench and led host Florida to a win over Florida State that made the Gators bowl eligible a week after firing coach Dan Mullen.

Richardson replaced turnover-prone Emory Jones early in third quarter and played significan­t snaps for the first time in a month. The dynamic freshman completed 5 of 7 passes for 55 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown to Justin Shorter that gave the Gators (6-6) some breathing room in a tight game.

Dameon Pierce took over from there, going untouched for a 2-yard score after running around and through the Seminoles (5-7). His touchdown came four plays after Pierce was penalized 15 yards for continuing to participat­e without a helmet; it was ripped off during an 8-yard run. Pierce finished with 62 yards on the ground. The Seminoles scored to make it close in the final minutes, but they botched an onside kick. Florida then ran out the clock for their third straight victory in the series.

This one included a pregame skirmish, countless exchanges and numerous mistakes – six turnovers and 21 penalties for 196 yards. Those were hardly surprising considerin­g it was two mediocre teams vying for bowl eligibilit­y and bragging rights.

Florida State, which entered the game as a 2½point underdog despite winning its previous two games, will miss the postseason for the third time in four years. The Seminoles trailed 24-7 in the fourth before Treshaun Ward got loose for a 19-yard score. It was one of FSU’S few highlights that didn’t involve Jordan Travis.

The quarterbac­k battled through a right shoulder injury that twice forced him out of the game. He ran for a 9-yard touchdown in the second and scampered for 34 more in the fourth to set up Ward’s score.

He completed 18 of 29 passes for 202 yards, with a touchdown and an intercepti­on.

 ?? JOHN RAOUX/AP ?? Florida quarterbac­k Anthony Richardson (15) scrambles past Florida State linebacker Kalen Deloach (20) for a short gain.
JOHN RAOUX/AP Florida quarterbac­k Anthony Richardson (15) scrambles past Florida State linebacker Kalen Deloach (20) for a short gain.

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