Mike Gillislee finally got over the hump.
The senior running back got back on track against Jacksonville State, rushing 20 times for 122 yards and a touchdown in Florida’s 23-0 win on Saturday in The Swamp. The 100-yard game and the rushing score were the first of each for Gillislee since a 14-6 win against LSU on Oct. 6.
Despite breaking out of his slump against the Gamecocks, the only thing that mattered to Gillislee was getting the victory.
“I just want to finish the season and win out,” Gillislee said on Nov. 5. “Win out at home.”
Thanks to Gillislee’s quick start, the Gators won out at home. The DeLand native tallied 81 yards on his first nine carries, including a 46-yard run during Florida’s second drive.
His longest rush of the day put the Gators at Jacksonville State’s 19-yard line. Caleb Sturgis put UF up 10-0 four plays later — none of which went to Gillislee.
“We just wanted to convert some other things down the field,” Muschamp said. “We felt like Mike’s yards would be there.”
Gillislee will be key for a struggling Florida offense. After consecutive contests against non-BCS opponents Louisiana and Jacksonville State, UF will end the regular season with a stiffer challenge. Florida faces No. 12 Florida State in Tallahassee on Saturday.
However, there will be more on the line for Gillislee than just UF’s seventh-ever season with 11 or more victories.
Gillislee’s 122-yard performance against the Gamecocks gives him 964 yards on the season. He is 36 yards away from becoming the first Gator to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark on the ground since Ciatrick Fason in 2004.
“Certainly, 1,000 yards would be a great accomplishment, not just for him, but for our entire offense,” coach Will Muschamp said. “We know how difficult it is for one guy to do that in this league.”
Gillislee had slumped in recent weeks. Before the season, he predicted he would reach 1,500 yards and 24 touchdowns.
But those goals have slipped out of reach since mid-October.
In the five games prior to Saturday, Gillislee had averaged only 58.8 yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry. He did not score a rushing touchdown during that span.
Despite Gillislee’s recent struggles, Florida nose tackle Omar Hunter has not seen his fellow senior slow down. In fact, Hunter believes Gillislee is currently at his best.
“I remember having to tackle him in camp,” Hunter said. “That boy is running the ball hard. I been here since Gilly first got here, and he’s been getting better and better each and every week.”
Gillislee’s breakout season comes on the heels of three years with limited playing time. During his first three seasons, Gillislee racked up 920 yards and 10 touchdowns on 145 carries. In 2012, Gillislee has 964 yards and eight rushing touchdowns on 211 carries.
With a trip to the BCS National Championship still not out of the question, the Gators will turn to Gillislee to spur the attack against Florida State’s rushing defense, which ranks first nationally with just 70.6 yards allowed per game.
However, whether Gillislee is held in check or puts together another game like his performance against Jacksonville State, he has just one goal in mind.
“He’s worried about winning the game,” Muschamp said. “I know how Mike is. He’s a team guy. He wants to win more than anything else.”
Contact Joe Morgan at joemorgan@alligator.org.
Running back Mike Gillislee (23) attempts to run through the Jacksonville State defense as quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) blocks during UF’s 23-0 win on Saturday in The Swamp.
