Florida Atlantic Owls vs Florida Gators Match Player Stats On Nov 21, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Nov 21, 2015

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Senior tight end Jake McGee's 13-yard touchdown reception in overtime allowed No. 8 Florida to avoid a major upset and post a 20-14 nonconference victory over Florida Atlantic on Saturday.

McGee caught a pass from sophomore quarterback Treon Harris in the left flat and sidestepped two tackles at the 10-yard line to score the winning points for the Gators (10-1).

The victory made Jim McElwain the first Florida coach with 10 wins in his first season, but also wasn't the most impressive per the College Football Playoff rankings.

The extra point was blocked after McGee's touchdown and the Owls (2-9) came up empty on their overtime possession went a fourth-down pass from senior quarterback Jaquez Johnson deflected off the hands of senior receiver Jenson Stoshak in the end zone.

Harris threw two touchdown passes and one interception for Florida, one scoring pass going to true freshman Antonio Callaway. Junior running back Kevin Taylor rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown.

With the Florida offense sputtering, the defensive unit made a big play early in the second half to set up an easy touchdown that broke a scoreless tie.

Senior linebacker Antonio Morrison sacked Florida Atlantic redshirt freshman quarterback Jason Driskel and forced a fumble. Redshirt freshman defensive end Taven Bryan picked up the ball at midfield and returned it 48 yards to the two-yard line, and Taylor plunged it from the one two plays later with 9:44 remaining in the third quarter.

The Gators finally moved the ball at ease on their next possession when they traveled 91 yards on four plays. The touchdown came when Harris threw a deep ball that Callaway corralled for a 53-yard score to make it 14-0 with 5:34 left in the third.

Florida Atlantic answered immediately and moved 75 yards on nine plays, with senior quarterback Jaquez Johnson tossing a 10-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Kalib Woods with 2:06 remaining in the quarter.

The Owls' defense got in the act in the fourth quarter when junior defensive end Trey Hendrickson delivered the strip-sack of Harris at the Florida nine-yard line.

The ball rolled into the end zone and freshman defensive back Ocie Rose fell on it for a touchdown to tie the score 14-14 with 8:03 left in the game.

The Gators had only four first downs and 69 total yards in a scoreless first half. Florida Atlantic totaled 150 yards in the half.

Both teams missed a field goal.

Florida junior Austin Hardin had a 33-yard attempt carom off the left upright with 10:18 left in the second quarter and Owls junior Greg Joseph was wide right from 45 yards with 5:47 to play.

NOTES: Florida junior DE Alex McCalister (foot) sat out after being injured a week earlier against South Carolina. He leads the Gators with 6.5 sacks. ... Owls redshirt freshman QB Jason Driskel is the young brother of Jeff Driskel, former Florida quarterback and current Louisiana Tech QB Jeff Driskel. ... Gators redshirt freshman QB Will Grier lost the appeal of his one-year suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Grier will next be eligible to play in Florida's seventh game of the 2016 season.