As Florida started its final drive against Vanderbilt in 2013, the Gators already knew the outcome.
But when the clock hit zero, the pain sank in.
Already in the midst of its worst season since 1979, Florida’s 34-17 loss on Homecoming to the Commodores added more salt to the wound that was the back half of the Will Muschamp era of Florida football.
"Beating Florida was our Super Bowl," said quarterback Josh Grady, who transferred to UF in May after four years at Vanderbilt.
On Saturday, the No. 10 Gators (7-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) have a chance to rectify that Homecoming loss when the Commodores (3-5, 1-3 SEC) return to The Swamp.
Kickoff is set for noon and will be televised on ESPN.
"We want to come out here with some redemption and a chance to get that pride back," defensive lineman Joey Ivie said.
In less than a year, Jim McElwain has turned the UF football program around.
The same Gators team that went a combined 11-13 over the last two years is now 7-1 and returning to national prominence.
A win on Saturday books their ticket to Atlanta and the SEC Championship for the first time since 2009.
And while the Gators are facing a Vanderbilt team that once again finds itself near the bottom of the SEC totem pole, McElwain is not underestimating what the Commodores bring to the table.
Led by second-year head coach Derek Mason, Vandy boasts one of the top defenses in the nation.
The Commodores are holding opponents to just 18.5 points per game and have allowed just three opponents to score more than three touchdowns in a game.
They hold opponents to just a 25.2-percent third-down conversion rate — top in the SEC and fifth in the country — and have forced 38 three-and-outs this year, tied with Missouri for third in the conference and trailing only Florida (42) and Alabama (50).
"They expect to make that third down stop, you can just tell," McElwain said.
"I think that’s a credit to Derek and what he has done. They’re doing a great job and I don’t think there’s a coach that’s played them that would say anything other than that."
But just as Vanderbilt looks to make plays, Florida expects to win.
Under McElwain, the Gators are no longer playing not to lose, something that plagued them under former coach Will Muschamp.
They expect more out of themselves.
"We’re tired of losing," senior linebacker Antonio Morrison said.
"We’ve been losing these past few years. This new staff came in and we had open ears. … We want to listen what they’re preaching. And we’re listening and that’s why we’re doing well right now."
With Saturday on the horizon, the Gators feel ready.
They haven’t lost at home this season.
They don’t plan on losing now.
And if it all plays out, the Gators will still have everything in front of them.
But in the end, they’ll be focusing on the present, which starts with Vanderbilt.
"We can accomplish something each week and it really doesn’t matter who you are playing," tight end Jake McGee said.
"We as a team have really from the beginning wanted to show people what we are made of and what we can do. I think regardless of the opponent that needs to be our focus and our goal."
Follow Luis Torres on Twitter @J_McPherson1126
2014: Missouri 42, Florida 13
Missouri’s Marcus Murphy scored touchdowns on a kickoff return, punt return and a rush while UF quarterbacks Jeff Driskel and Treon Harris were sacked six times and had five turnovers.
2013: Vanderbilt 34, Florida 17
Vanderbilt executed on four Florida turnovers, scoring touchdowns on all three of Tyler Murphy’s interceptions, doubling up the Gators on the scoreboard despite having just 183 yards of offense.
2012: Florida 27, Louisiana 20
Trailing 20-13 in the waning minutes of the game, Florida scored two touchdowns in the final 1:42 of the game. Jelani Jenkins sealed it by returning a blocked punt 36 yards to the end zone with two ticks remaining.
2011: Florida 26, Vanderbilt 21
The Gators took a 17-0 halftime lead and never looked back. Jeff Demps carried UF’s offense, rushing for 158 yards and two scores.
UF coach Jim McElwain Gator Chomps after Florida's 27-3 win against Georgia on Oct. 31, 2015, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.
