Vanderbilt adds to Florida’s flops
VANDERBILT 34, FLORIDA 17
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s injury-riddled season has reached a new low — and it likely will end without a bowl trip.
Tyler Murphy’s four turnovers led to three touchdowns, helping Vanderbilt embarrass Florida 34-17 Saturday for the program’s first victory in Gainesville since 1945.
The Commodores snapped a 22-game losing streak in the lopsided series and moved a step closer to becoming bowl eligible for the third consecutive season under Coach James Franklin.
Franklin also notched another signature accomplishment, giving Vanderbilt victories over SEC powerhouses Georgia and Florida in the same season for the first time in school history.
“The difference in the game was turnovers,” Franklin said. “Our defense was able to get turnovers. If you look at it statistically, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. But because of the turnovers … our offense was in short field a lot of times, and that was the difference of the game.”
The Commodores (5-4, 2-4) scored after each of Murphy’s three interceptions, building a 24-3 lead after getting the ball inside the 22-yard line three times. Vanderbilt finished with 12 first downs and 187 yards. Florida had 26 first downs and 353 yards.
Once ranked, Florida (4-5, 3-4) has its second four-game losing streak in Coach Will Muschamp’s three seasons, fueling more speculation about his future in Gainesville.
“I certainly don’t like the product we are putting on the field, and that’s my responsibility,” Muschamp said. “I take full credit for that. When it’s good, it’s good. When it’s
Florida quarterback not good, it’s not good — and it hasn’t been good. And that’s on me.
“I’m not asking for anybody to be happy. I’m not asking anybody to give a pass. This is the real deal. This is the University of Florida. My expectation I’ll guarantee is as high or higher than anyone sitting in those stands. There’s nobody more let down or hurt or competitive-edge dented a little bit by this. So it’s on me. We’ll get it turned. I can assure you that.”
Murphy completed 28 of 45 passes for a career-high 297 yards. But his three interceptions — he also lost a fumble — were key.
“I didn’t play well,” Murphy said. “I mean, when you throw three interceptions, you put the defense in a bind, you kill your momentum offensively. I’ve got to play better.”
He overthrew Quinton Dunbar in the first quarter, a pass Andre Hall intercepted and returned to the Florida 10-yard line. Jerron Seymour scored on the next play, breaking five tackles on the run and putting the Commodores ahead 10-0.
It was a big boost for a team that had been outscored 85-24 in the first quarter in its previous eight games.
It also was just the start of Florida’s failures.
Two drives later, Murphy underthew a pass as he was getting hit. Kenny Ladler picked it off and returned it to the Florida 22. Quarterback Patton Robinette, making his second start in place of Austyn Carta-Samuels, scrambled for a 5-yard score four plays later to make it 17-0.
Florida finally got on the board, but only after a chorus of boos.
The Gators had first-andgoal inside the 1 when Murphy checked to an option play to the short side of the field. Murphy pitched to Kelvin Taylor, who fumbled out of bounds for a 5-yard loss. The offense never recovered, and Solomon Patton’s third-down drop at the goal line left Florida to kick a field goal.
The Swamp fell silent after Murphy’s third interception.
Murphy threw behind Trey Burton on a third-and-3 play to open the second half. Burton tipped the ball into Andrew Williamson’s hands. He juggled it briefly before rambling to the 4. Seymour scored two plays later, putting Vanderbilt ahead 24-3.