For a group of seniors who experienced everything from mediocrity to a coaching change to a national title, Saturday was a flawless ending.
No. 12 UF stomped archrival Florida State 45-12 on Senior Day, sending its most seasoned veterans out with a bang. The 33-point margin was the largest in the rivalry since FSU prevailed 52-17 in 1988.
BThis was the perfect ending to my career in Gainesville, with great fans, scoring a touchdown, throwing it in the end zone and whooping Florida State,C said receiver Andre Caldwell, who had four catches for 56 yards and a score.
Caldwell will leave UF (9-3, 5-3 Southeastern Conference) as the school?s all-time receptions leader, and he capped his career in The Swamp just as he promised, by making a touchdown catch and launching the ball into the stands, which he did following a 31-yard score in the fourth quarter.
BI had that planned all week long,C Caldwell said. BHopefully, it was just a good chance that I would score when we were beating them bad so it wouldn?t hurt us that much.C
The stunt was the third in what is now a tradition for Gators receivers. Travis McGriff and Carlos Alvarez - who held the receptions record before Caldwell - did the same thing in their last home games.
B(Alvarez) told me after the game that he loved it,C Caldwell said.
Center Drew Miller, offensive tackle Carlton Medder and fullback Eric Rutledge also turned in solid blocking performances to pave the way for the Gators? 279 rushing yards, while allowing just one sack.
Defensive tackle Clint McMillan tallied three tackles, Kyle Jackson contributed on special teams and kicker Joey Ijjas had a 35-yard field goal.
