Florida Wins: How the Gators held on for road victory at South Carolina

Florida football will look to continue its recent success against South Carolina when the two teams meet Saturday afternoon at Williams Brice Stadium.

The Florida Gators (4-2, 2-1 SEC) hold a 30-10-3 all-time edge against the Gamecocks (2-3, 1-2 SEC) and have won 25 of the last 32 meetings between the schools.

Florida beat South Carolina 38-6 last year at The Swamp but in the last meeting at Williams Brice between the two schools, the Gamecocks rolled to a 40-17 win on Nov. 6, 2021.

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The Gators are coming off their one of their most balanced efforts of the season, rushing for 215 yards and passing for 280 yards in a 38-14 win over Vanderbilt. Starting UF quarterback Graham Mertz has completed 70 percent or better in each of his first six starts, completing an SEC-high 80 percent (140-175) while throwing for 1,474 yards with 9 TDs to 2 interceptions.

Florida football game time, TV channel, betting odds today vs. South Carolina

KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m.

TV: SEC Network

BETTING ODDS: South Carolina by 2.5 points

Florida football gets road victory at South Carolina

The Gators held on for a 41-39 win over South Carolina Saturday in Columbia.

Florida stays alive with TD drive

Florida keeps its hopes alive with a 14-play, 75 yard TD drive, cutting South Carolina's lead to 37-34 on a 4-yard TD pass from Graham Mertz to tight end Arlis Boardingham. The Gators converted twice on fourth down on the drive.

South Carolina extends lead

South Carolina extends its lead to 37-27 with 9:12 left in the fourth quarter on a 33-yard TD pass from quarterback Spencer Rattler to receiver Joshua Simon. Rattler has thrown 4 TD passes on the afternoon.

South Carolina regains lead

South Carolina goes up 31-27 on a 3-yard TD pass from quarterback Spencer Rattler to running back JuJu McDowell with 14:17 remaining. Rattler now 18 of 23 for 243 yards with 3 TDs.

End 3rd, Florida 27, South Carolina 24

Florida defense is teetering as South Carolina will start the fourth quarter on first and goal from the 3 yard line after quarterback Spencer Rattler connects with tight end Trey Knox on a big third down throw.

Trey Smack puts Florida football back ahead

Trey Smack puts Florida back up 27-24 with his fourth field goal of the game, from 54 yards. Momentum on drive stalls when Florida QB Graham Mertz is called for an intentional grounding on a trick play that goes nowhere. But Smack bails Gators out with another big kick.

South Carolina ties it up

South Carolina ties the score back up at 24 with 10:26 left on the third quarter on a 27-yard Mitchel Jeter field goal. The Gamecocks drive 66 yards on 10 plays to start the second half but the drive stalls in the red zone.

Halftime, Florida 24, South Carolina 21

The Gators have excelled on offense in the first half, but defense has been hit or miss. Florida quarterback Graham Mertz is 16 for 24 for 228 yards in the first half with a TD. South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler is 11 for 12 for 148 yards and 2 TDs.

Trey Smack's third field goal puts Florida back ahead

Trey Smack's third field goal of the game, from 28-yard out, puts Florida up 24-21 with 3 seconds left in the half. The Gators went 5 plays on 45 yards on the scoring drive, put a procedural penalty by Florida right tackle Lyndell Hudson Jr. stalled the drive somewhat.

South Carolina ties it back up

South Carolina ties the score at 21 on a 20-yard TD pass from quarterback Spencer Rattler to running back Mario Anderson, in which Anderson hurdles safety Miguel Mitchell at the 5-yard line before going into the end zone untouched. The Gamecocks drove 75 yards in 6 plays. UF's defense has given up three TD drives in four South Carolina first half possessions.

UF football back on top

Florida takes a 21-14 lead on a 5-play, 82-yard TD drive, capped by a 7-yard TD pass from quarterback Graham Mertz to wide receiver Kahleil Jackson. Mertz connected with Jackson on a 45-yard pass downfield to set up the score. On the extra point attempt, South Carolina jumped offsides, and with the ball moved to the 1-yard line, Florida opted to go for the 2-point conversions. The Gators ran a wildcat play, and running back Trevor Etienne found tight end Hayden Hansen for a 1-yard pass to put Florida up 21-14. with 8:13 left in the second quarter.

Florida settles for another FG

Trey Smack's second field goal of the game, from 43 yards, cuts South Carolina lead to 14-13 with 13:39 left in the second quarter. Drive lost momentum when right tackle Dameion George Jr. is whistled for a hold on 3rd-and-10 from the South Carolina 30-yard line. The Gators get 14 yards back on the next play but are forced to kick on 4th down.

End 1, South Carolina 14, Florida 10

The Gators have struggled stopping South Carolina, as the Gamecocks have scored touchdowns on their first two offensive drives. South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler has started 5 for 5 for 63 yards and 1 TD.

South Carolina takes first lead

South Carolina goes up 14-10 on a 17-yard run by running back JuJu McDowell. The 5-play, 75-yard TD drive included a 45-yard completion from QB Spencer Rattler to freshman wide receiver Nyck Harbor. UF's defense has not shown up so far on the road.

Florida Gators regain lead

Florida regains the lead, 10-7, on a 48-yard field goal by Trey Smack with 4:08 left in the first quarter. The 8-play, 45-yard drive stalls when RB Montrell Johnson drops a screen pass on 3rd and 3.

South Carolina answers with TD drive

South Carolina answers with a 7-play, 75-yard TD drive to tie the score at 7-7, as QB Spencer Rattler finds TE Trey Knox on a third down. Florida's defense could have forced a three-and-out to start the game, but cornerback Jalen Kimber was whistled for a pass interference on 3rd-and-10, which gave the Gamecocks some momentum.

Florida football gets off to fast start on the road

Florida gets the fast start it was looking for on the road, putting together a 9-play, 66-yard TD drive to take a 7-0 lead over South Carolina with 10:47 left in the first quarter. Trevor Etienne caps the drive with a 3-yard TD run. Good run/pass balance. In its prior two road games, Florida didn't score its first TD until the 4th quarter at Utah and until 34 seconds left in the first half at Kentucky.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida Gators football updates vs. South Carolina Gamecocks