GAINESVILLE ? Jacksonville State was eager to spoil the Florida Gators' regular season finale in The Swamp, but UF owns a commanding 10-0 lead late in the first quarter.
It looked like the FCS Gamecocks might score first after Marques Ivory connected with Kevyn Cooper for a 76-yard pass that moved the team to the UF 8-yard line. However, the Gators tighted their defensive pressure and Jacksonville State missed a 25-yard field goal.
The No. 6 Gators quickly responded with a bruising ground attack.
Senior Mike Gillislee capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. Senior Caleb Sturgis hit the extra point, pushing UF ahead 7-0 with 6:02 left in the first quarter.?
UF quickly stopped Jacksonville State and tacked on more points. Sturgis hit a 21-yard field goal with 2:22 left in the first quarter.
Kickers from both teams missed field goals in the second quarter, making the score 10-0 at halftime.
Florida's defense pounced in the third quarter.
Jonathan Bostic returned an interception seven yards for a touchdown, giving UF a 17-0 advantage with 10:38 left in the third quarter.
Kickoff was at 1:07 p.m., not long after the Gators? 19 seniors exited the south endzone tunnel for the final time at 1:03 p.m. The game is being streamed online at ESPN3.com and is available via pay per view.
The Gators (9-1) look to polish off an unbeaten, 7-0 season at home and pump some life into their anemic offense before next week?s visit to Florida State.
Florida has averaged just 259 yards in the past four games and will be without sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel. He sprained his right ankle in the third quarter of last weekend?s 27-20 win against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Back-up Jacoby Brissett will replace Driskel and get a chance to pick up where he left off against the Ragin? Cajuns. Brissett was 3 of 3 passing for 48 yards, capped by a 3-yard touchdown throw to Quinton Dunbar as Florida tied the game at 20-20 with 1:50 remaining.
Gators linebacker Jelani Jenkins returned a block punt 36 yards for a touchdown with two seconds remaining as Florida avoided its first loss to a non-BCS opponent since 1988.
The Gators should not be in any danger of an upset against the Gamecocks (6-4). Jacksonville State allows an average of 33.4 points and 446.9 yards.
Brissett and Co. could use the opportunity to open up Florida?s shaky passing game, which averages an SEC-low 142.3 yards.
Brissett is considered a better pure passer than Driskel, but has attempted just 13 passes in 2012. Coaches tabbed Driskel the starter during the Sept. 1 season-opener against Bowling Green.
But Brissett shook off the rust after he had two poor series last weekend. He then spent the week working with the first-team offense.
With Driskel?s playing status is uncertain for next week?s trip to Tallahassee, coaches hope Brissett shows command of the offense. If Brissett shines, he could offer a change of pace on offense next week against the Seminoles, who own the nation?s No. 1 defense.
Brissett and the Gators? offense should have their way with Jacksonville State.
Florida?s offensive line has struggled in pass protection all season, allowing 31 sacks. But the Gamecocks have just 10 sacks in 2012.
Gillislee entered today needing 158 rushing yards to become the school?s first 1,000-yard rushing since Ciatrick Fason in 2004.
Since the NCAA instituted the 12th game in 2006, Florida has faced six overmatched opponents the week before facing archrival Florida State.
The Gators have won those six previous games by an average score of 59-14.
Check back for live updates throughout the game.
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