COLUMBIA, S.C. — What a difference a year makes.
Last season, Florida couldn’t make the big plays when it mattered.
Not only was former coach Will Muschamp and his coaching staff unable to develop talent on offense, the Gators also folded under pressure and players couldn’t make big plays when they needed them most.
But this season, No. 11 Florida is making the plays to win games.
Kelvin Taylor’s 53-yard run on 3rd-and-8 late in the fourth quarter in Florida’s 24-14 win against South Carolina was the third play this year that has turned the tide for the Gators.
McElwain has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to call a big play when the Gators need to sway momentum back in their favor.
The first came on freshman wide receiver Antonio Callaway’s game-winning 63-yard touchdown catch against Tennessee.
But prior to Callaway’s catch, quarterback Will Grier — who was ineffective for the first three quarters — was able to put together two game-changing drives that ended in touchdowns, including Callaway’s catch during Florida’s 28-27 come-from-behind win against the Volunteers.
In 2014, former UF tight end Tevin Westbrook could’ve become the hero in Florida’s eventual 30-27 loss to LSU.
With the Gators down 27-24 and inside the 5-yard line, former starting quarterback Jeff Driskel, dropped back to pass and rolled to his right. Westbrook was open in the endzone and Driskel threw the ball to the tight end with no one around him.
The ball hit Westbrook in his hands and he dropped it.
After he dropped it, Westbrook fell to the ground in disbelief.
The play came back to haunt the Gators because they settled for a field goal, and LSU won the game by kicking a field goal as time expired.
Westbrook and Driskel once again were involved in a big play against Florida State.
With the Gators driving and holding a 9-0 lead in the first quarter, Driskel threw a pass intended to Westbrook that was tipped.
Seminoles linebacker Terrance Smith intercepted the pass and returned it 94 yards for the touchdown.
The 14-point swing was the turning point in the game as Florida lost by five, 24-19.
Against LSU this year, Callaway tied the game up at 28 when he returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown.
While the Gators lost the game 35-28 on a fake field goal, Callaway’s knack for the big play is something Florida would’ve desperately wanted in 2014.
"Callaway, he’s a helluva player. He’s great," Taylor said after the loss to the Tigers on Oct. 17. "He’s an explosive player, he’s gonna be a big part of our offense … he’s gonna keep getting better and better."
Don't forget Austin Hardin’s game-winning field goal in the Gators’ 9-7 win against Vanderbilt. If it was last year, luck might not have been on Florida’s side and Hardin might’ve missed it.
And then there’s South Carolina.
Florida blew a fourth quarter lead last season when it had two kicks blocked — one punt and one field goal — that gave the Gamecocks life, and the Gators eventually lost 23-20 in overtime.
But with the momentum on its side Saturday, South Carolina couldn’t stop Taylor as he broke free for his most longest and most crucial play of the season.
Follow Luis Torres on Twitter @LFTorresIII
UF running back Kelvin Taylor dashes for a 53-yard run during the fourth quarter of Florida's 24-14 win against South Carolina on Nov. 14, 2015, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.
