Florida had a massive helping of humble pie when it lost to Georgia Southern two weeks ago.
When the Eagles pulled off the unfathomable in The Swamp, the victory was expected to reverberate for years.
Who knew it would manifest itself onto the plates of Georgia Southern students?
For the first day of classes on Monday following Thanksgiving break, Georgia Southern held a “Southern Feasts on Gator” cookout at the dining hall featuring fried alligator, buffalo alligator bites and alligator sliders.
The Gators were gator bait.
School president Dr. Brooks A. Keel, football coach Jeff Monken and Eagles mascot Gus help serve more than 200 pounds of fresh alligator to students, faculty and staff at the Dining Commons, which is one of two dining halls on the Statesboro, Ga., campus.
“Since Georgia Southern’s students were gone on Thanksgiving break following our win, we wanted to offer a way for them to celebrate upon their return,” Director of Residential Dining Greg Crawford said.
“To say the event was a success would be an understatement. We were out of alligator menu offerings within an hour.”
Florida paid $550,000 to host Georgia Southern at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Nov. 23. The Eagles pulled off the first-ever victory for an FCS team against the Gators.
The 26-20 loss followed UF Athletics Director Jeremy Foley’s well-documented statement voicing his “thousand percent backing” of coach Will Muschamp.
Foley reaffirmed his support before Florida’s loss against Florida State.
The dining hall promotion went viral, with stories appearing in outlets like ESPN, USA Today and Total Frat Move.
“We are always looking for new and innovative ways to not only feed our students, but to entertain them and excite them,” Executive Director of Dining Services Jeff Yawn said.
Without a meal plan or EAGLEXPRESS, the equivalent to Flex Bucks, it cost only $11.00 to relive the glory one last time.
Watkins gets Senior Bowl invite: As the losses kept piling on for Florida, one constant remained in the south end zone interview room besides the obvious frustration and tension that comes with the worst season since 1979.
Safety Jaylen Watkins met with the media nearly ever week and never shied away from answering questions, and now he will get a chance to showcase his talents at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 25.
Watkins announced his acceptance via Twitter at @jwat14:
“Just accepted my invite to the senior bowl! So thankful #blessed.”
Other notable players attending among the 29 seniors include Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd, Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray and Vanderbilt wide receiver Jordan Matthews.
Watkins finishes his four-year career with 133 tackles and 3 interceptions in 48 games.
He shifted from cornerback to safety prior to his senior season.
NFL awaits Purifoy: It’s official. Cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy is taking his talents to the NFL.
UF confirmed an earlier ESPN report in a press release on Monday. ESPN’s Todd McShay ranks the junior as the fifth-best defensive back in the draft and the projected 26th overall pick.
“I have had a great three years at the University of Florida, but at this time I think it’s best for me and my family to pursue a career in the NFL,” Purifoy said.
Follow Adam Pincus on Twitter @adamDpincus.
Loucheiz Purifoy blocks Florida State junior wide receiver Rashad Greene from an attempted pass during Florida’s 37-7 loss to Florida State on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
