Sharrif Floyd couldn’t believe his eyes as the football fluttered in the air.
The Gators’ season went from teetering on collapse to continuing to churn along with another close call.
Coach Will Muschamp watched on the Jumbotron as linebacker Jelani Jenkins returned the blocked punt 36 yards for a game-winning touchdown.
The Swamp went from a bored lull to a crazed pandemonium usually seen only against opponents like LSU.
“While it was happening, my eyes lit up, my jaw dropped and I was like, 'Score! Score!" Floyd said. "It was a good play and I've never seen it before."
Despite all the issues, the Gators found a way to win… again.
For much of the game, Florida couldn’t pass, block, or run the football. The defense, which has carried them throughout the year, allowed 267 yards to a team that lost 50-27 to Arkansas State.
If Florida finishes the season at No. 6 and 114th nationally in pass offense -- where they were entering the game -- it would be the lowest mark posted by a top-6 team in the 14-year history of the BCS.
Senior running back Mike Gillislee, Florida’s early season sensation, hasn’t scored a touchdown or gained more than 80 yards in a game since scoring two and torching LSU for 146 on Oct. 6.
Quinton Dunbar’s 24 receptions and 252 yards are the fewest for a No. 1 wide receiver in the Southeastern Conference.
Florida has won its games by an average of 16 points per game. By removing Florida’s unexpected 33-point blowout win against South Carolina that number decreases to 13.
This is a flawed, but special, football team.
With 2:56 left in the game, the Gators were on the brink of catastrophe.
What was intended to be a controlled scrimmage and a career passing day for Jeff Driskel turned into an anxious nip-and-tuck battle.
Florida erased a second-half deficit for the sixth time this season. The Ragin’ Cajuns could taste victory.
“There is a lot of pain in the locker room because we know that we had that game in our hands and we let it slip away,” Ragin’ Cajuns wide receiver Bradley Brown said.
The question now becomes: How does a team with so many issues continue winning?
“I don’t know,” Muschamp said. “I feel like the ball bounces your way and sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes you catch a break and sometimes you don’t.”
Besides an uncharacteristic turnover-filled outing against Georgia, the ball has bounced Florida's way this season.
Starting a season 9-1 and finishing with a conference record of 7-1 isn’t because of luck. These Gators have earned it, but the way they defeated the Ragin’ Cajuns is fitting.
Muschamp had never witnessed a game-winning blocked punt returned for a touchdown before Saturday.
"You can create a whole lot of magic if the team can come together, cheer for each other congratulate each other, and hug each other at the end of the day win or lose,” Floyd said. “That's enough magic to do anything."
Contact Adam Pincus at apincus@alligator.org.
Gators coach Will Muschamp exchanges words with a referee on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida beat Louisiana 27-20.
