Standing on their last leg, the Gators turned to Leon Orr.
Down 16-14 against South Carolina with 4:45 remaining in the game, Trey Burton lofted a fourth-and-13 pass out of a punt formation to a double-covered Orr, who got his hands on the football.
But the ball dropped to the turf, quickly followed by a frustrated Orr’s fists. The Gamecocks used the turnover on downs to burn more time off the clock and tack on a final field goal to increase their lead to five in a 19-14 victory.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m mad at myself, but I’m disappointed I didn’t come up with it,” Orr said. “It was a big play and we needed it, so I’m pretty disappointed I didn’t come up with the catch.”
Throwing to a defensive tackle with the game on the line appeared to be an odd decision, but coach Will Muschamp trusted Orr’s hands. The New Port Richey native played tight end during his days at Gulf High.
Although the try ended in failure, Orr was happy to receive a chance to make a play.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been out there and jumped up there and tried to make a catch like that so it was very exciting,” Orr said. “I really think it was something I really needed to do just to let people know I am athletic and I can do those things.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Orr delivered for Florida. He recorded two tackles for a loss on Saturday night, including a sack of Gamecocks quarterback Connor Shaw.
In the absence of injured defensive tackle Dominique Easley, Orr is enjoying his best statistical season. His effort at Williams-Brice Stadium helped him take the lead among Gators defensive tackles with 20 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks this season.
Orr said Easley’s continuing support and friendship have served as motivation in 2013.
“[Easley] told me to just go out there and play with heart, you know what I’m saying? You know the next play could be your last play, so you’ve got to go out there and give your all,” Orr said.
“That’s why I never stop. I’m trying to be as excited and ready to go as possible because you never know when it’s going to be your last play.”
Fulwood emerging: Ahmad Fulwood has not wasted any time making his mark in Gainesville.
The Jacksonville native has tallied 11 receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown in limited action this season, nearly outperforming every other UF freshman wideout since 2008 combined.
Robert Clark in 2010, Latroy Pittman in 2012 and Demarcus Robinson this season have a combined 14 receptions for 98 yards.
“Ahmad has come on and put himself in the rotation and done a good job,” offensive coordinator Brent Pease said. “You know he’s, what I see from him, he’s finally catching up to the speed of the game and gotten more consistent catching.”
Meanwhile, Robinson has yet to make the impact expected following his standout performance during fall camp.
Rivals.com’s fifth-ranked wide receiver in the Class of 2013 has only five catches for 23 yards this season.
“Demarcus is inconsistent,” Pease said. “It’s just a situation where he’s got to continue to improve and get comfortable and understand what he’s being taught fundamentally.”
Gainesville native Chris Thompson has yet to make an impact, but he has caught the attention of Pease. He came out of Gainesville High as a three-star prospect.
“(I’m) happy with what Chris is doing,” Pease said.
“He’s catching the ball well. He’s running well, playing fast and you can see some explosiveness.”
Follow Joe Morgan on Twitter @joe_morgan.
Leon Orr gets into his stance during UF’s 44-11 win against South Carolina on Oct. 20, 2012, in The Swamp.
