Skyler Mornhinweg was tasked with engineering a game-winning drive for the second straight week. For the second straight time, he failed.
The redshirt freshman made his second career start — and his first at home — in Florida’s 26-20 upset loss to Georgia Southern — the Gators’ first loss to a Football Championship Subdivision team in program history.
“We’re upset,” Mornhinweg said. “We should’ve won the game.”
Although the onus of the loss does not completely fall on the quarterback’s shoulders — the defense surrendered 429 rushing yards — Mornhinweg felt like he deserved as much of the blame as anyone else.
“We got to go make plays, and a lot of that falls on me,” he said. “So, I’ve got to do a better job.”
Mornhinweg began the game poorly. The Gators (4-7, 3-5 Southeastern Conference) drove into the red zone on their first drive on the strength of starting tailback Kelvin Taylor, who rushed for 54 yards on eight carries during the drive.
When Florida got to the Georgia Southern (7-4, 4-4 Southern Conference) 10-yard line, offensive coordinator Brent Pease dialed up two straight pass plays, but Mornhinweg was nearly intercepted on both of them.
The game did not get much better for the redshirt freshman. At the end of the first half, he had completed four passes for only 6 total yards.
“I got to just open up a little bit more with my throws,” he said.
The Gators fell behind in the second half and showed little ability to get back in the game. The running attack that gave them an early lead struggled, and the defense allowed the Eagles’ triple option to run the ball up and down the field.
Florida needed a big play to get back into the game, and Mornhinweg delivered.
The redshirt freshman tossed a 46-yard touchdown pass to Solomon Patton on second and 10. The score tied the game at 20 with 5:41 remaining in the fourth quarter, causing a previously quiet crowd to erupt in cheers.
“[Patton] ran a great route, and I just put it out to him,” Mornhinweg said. “He made a good play for it.”
But Georgia Southern quickly quieted the stadium. The Eagles jumped back into the driver’s seat with a five-play, 75-yard drive that gave them a six-point lead.
GSU’s drive left enough time for Mornhinweg to have one final shot to be the hero.
He drove Florida 47 yards down the field into Georgia Southern’s territory, but Mornhinweg never got the Gators past the 17-yard line.
He made two final heaves toward the end zone. The first was overthrown. Wide receiver Quinton Dunbar got a hand on it, but the ball slipped away.
“I’ve got to give him a shot to score there, and that’s on me,” Mornhinweg said. “I got to give him the shot to make the play.”
Mornhinweg’s final shot at the game-winning touchdown was intended for Patton but fell incomplete. By the time the ball hit the ground, Georgia Southern’s players and fans were celebrating.
After the loss, coach Will Muschamp did not rule out starter Tyler Murphy (shoulder) for Florida’s game against No. 2 Florida State on Saturday. But if the redshirt junior misses his third consecutive game, Mornhinweg will be tasked with facing one of the nation’s top teams, which is two wins away from playing for the national championship.
Mornhinweg believes he has improved since making his first start in Florida’s loss to South Carolina last week.
If he starts again, he will need to accelerate that process.
“I think I’m getting better every week,” Mornhinweg said. “We work hard every week, game plan, on the field, everything … Coach Pease has done a great job moving me along.”
Follow Adam Lichtenstein on Twitter @alichtenstein24.
Skyler Mornhinweg (17) attempts a pass during Florida’s 26-20 loss to Georgia Southern on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mornhinweg finished the game 14 of 25 passing for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
