More big numbers
Trask tosses 4 more TD passes as Gators roll in rivalry game
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Kyle Trask had another four-touchdown night, becoming the first quarterback in SEC history to accomplish the feat in five consecutive games, and No. 8 Florida beat fifth-ranked and undermanned Georgia 44-28 on Saturday.
The Gators (4-1) ended a three-game losing streak in the rivalry known as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” — it was coach Dan Mullen’s most significant victory in three years in Gainesville — and now have a stranglehold on the SEC’s East Division.
The Bulldogs (4-2), who entered the game as 3 1⁄2- point favorites, were likely eliminated from College Football Playoff consideration and probably have a quarterback competition moving forward.
Florida, meanwhile, has a Heisman Trophy contender.
Trask completed 30 of 43 passes for a career-high 474 yards — 8 yards shy of Tim Tebow’s single-game school record — despite playing much of the night without standout tight end Kyle Pitts.
Pitts was knocked out of the game in the second quarter on Lewis Cine’s crushing hit over the middle. Cine was ejected for targeting, adding to Georgia’s already-thin defense.
The Bulldogs were without nose tackle Jordan Davis (elbow), safety Richard LeCounte (motorcycle accident) and defensive tackle Julian Rochester (knee) to start the game.
Trask and the Gators took advantage, burning Georgia repeatedly with wheel routes while overcoming a 14-0 deficit.
Once Trask and Florida got going, the Bulldogs did little to stop them. The Gators scored on eight of nine possessions after a three-and-out to open the game and finished with 572 yards.
Trask deserved the biggest cheers. And had it not been for a Pick-6 in which a freshman receiver appeared to run the wrong route, he would have been close to perfect.
The only question that remained going into the fourth quarter was whether Florida would top 50 points for the third time in series lore.
The Gators came up short.
Georgia had several chances to make it a one-possession game, but D’Wan Mathis kept overthrowing open receivers. Mathis, who started the season opener, replaced Stetson Bennett in the third quarter.
Bennett left the game briefly in the first quarter with an apparent shoulder injury and was ineffective after returning. He completed 5 of 16 passes for 78 yards, with a touchdown and an interception.
Bennett was without his top target, George Pickens (upper body), and lost Marcus RosemyJacksaint to an apparent broken right leg on a 32-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter.
Replays showed the severity of RosemyJacksaint’s injury as team trainers rushed to the end zone and quickly got an air cast on his leg. He was carted into the tunnel amid a standing ovation. Florida safety Brad Stewart hit Rosemy-Jacksaint just before he crossed the goal line.
The Dawgs led 14-0 after the freshman’s first TD reception. Zamir White scored on the game’s first play from scrimmage, going untouched for 75 yards.
It looked like it would be a Georgia rout. It ended being Florida’s night to celebrate.