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SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor reflects on Florida's 29-19 win over Mississippi State. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.
*It wasn't pretty, but if you can go on the road, in the SEC, at night and win by double digits...you take it. Period. Florida, who was previously 0-4 in their last four games at Mississippi State, walked into the trap game of all trap games. With Dan Mullen knowing the UF scheme and personnel well and a game against rival UGA looming a week ahead for the Gators, this meeting had the potential to be a tricky one for Florida. The Gators took Missisppi State's best punch and responded with a huge fourth quarter. Championship teams close their opponents out and, though it got a little shaky, Florida did just that.
*Florida continues to excel on special teams. Yes, Caleb Sturgis missed an extra point and one field goal, but the Gators blocked a punt, stuffed a Mississippi State fake punt, kicked three field goals and pinned the Bulldogs inside their ten-yard line on a key fourth quarter punt. The blocked punt and stopped fake were especially crucial in the 29-19 victory over MSU. Under Urban Meyer, Florida has been the national standard setter for special teams play in college football. It's no coincidence they have won two national titles under his realm.
*Give the heart of the Florida defense a lot of credit for playing well with a shorthanded defensive line and without All-American linebacker Brandon Spikes. The Gators held MSU to 237 total yards and zero offensive touchdowns. Both MSU touchdowns came from their defense. Mississippi State was just 2 of 12 on third downs. The UF secondary recorded three interceptions of Bulldog QB Tyson Lee.
*The Gators continue to just come at defenses with waves of runners. Tim Tebow, Chris Rainey and Brandon James each had rushes of over 20 yards. Jeff Demps has been very productive at times; Saturday night it was Rainey and Tebow, who combined for over 170 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
*Dan Mullen has Mississippi State going in the right direction. The Bulldogs have already improved in the win-loss column, nearly beat LSU and stayed with the top-ranked Gators for three quarters. How about the play of his freshman defensive back Jonathan Banks, who tied a school record with a 100-yard interception return at the end of the first half? Late in the fourth quarter, Banks intercepted another Tebow pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown. An absolutely incredible night for the young man. Mississippi State fought hard, but couldn't match athletes with UF.
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