Field Level Media
Nov 21, 2020
Florida quarterback Kyle Trask was 26-of-35 for 383 yards and three touchdowns as the sixth-ranked Gators went to Nashville and blew by Vanderbilt, 38-17, on Saturday afternoon.
UF wide receiver Kadarius Toney caught six balls for 107 yards and a score and tight end Kemore Gamble hauled in three for 66 and two scores.
The Gators (6-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) have won four straight. Vanderbilt fell to 0-7.
Freshman quarterback Ken Seals was 22-of-34 passing for 319 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for Vanderbilt. Wide receiver Chris Pierce had four receptions for 97 yards and two scores.
Florida finally got separation when running back Dameon Pierce's 1-yard touchdown run with 9:47 left in the third quarter gave the Gators a 24-10 lead, the first double-digit advantage for either team.
After a Vandy punt to the Gators 9, Trask escaped Vanderbilt's pass rush, rolled right and threw a 46-yard strike to wide receiver Justin Shorter to get UF across midfield. Six plays later, Trask found Gamble for a 2-yard touchdown throw with 2:55 left in the third for a three-touchdown lead.
Vanderbilt answered when Seals found Pierce open over the middle, as the senior stumbled and broke tackles on his way to a 58-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 31-17.
The Commodores had a chance to get within seven late, but the drive stalled on the Gators' side of midfield. Florida took over at its 1 following a punt, and then Trask hit Gamble with a 33-yard catch-and-run down the right sideline on the first play.
Backup quarterback Emory Jones finished the drive, hitting a wide-open Gamble for a 30-yard score that put UF back up by 21 with 6:46 to play.
Vanderbilt scored on the game's first possession, with Seals hitting Pierce with a 16-yard dart for a touchdown with 10:50 left. It was the Commodores' first lead since the first quarter of their season opener.
Florida answered on its first possession when Vanderbilt defensive back Jaylen Mahoney tripped, leaving Toney wide-open for an easy 27-yard TD throw.
The teams then traded field goals, Vandy's, a 25-yarder from Pierson Cooke and UF, a 33-yarder by Evan McPherson.
The Gators took their first lead at 17-10 when Trask found wide receiver Trevon Grimes with a 34-yard throw with 49 seconds left in the half.
Trask added to his impressive Heisman resume with Saturday's showing, leaving Nashville with 31 touchdowns to three interceptions this year.
--Field Level Media