By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
The No. 8 Florida Gators escaped with a win on Saturday night in the Camping World Kickoff game against the Miami (Florida) Hurricanes at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
The Gators won 24-20 over the Hurricanes. This was the team’s first meeting since 2013.
While the score shows that Florida won by just four points, Miami had several opportunities late on their final drive to potentially score. The Gators defense was hit with multiple pass interference calls that moved the Canes down the field.
Then, with the ball on the Florida 24-yard-line, Miami quarterback Jarren Williams was sacked by Kyree Campbell. Williams then had two imcomplete passes on the final two plays before having a turnover on downs.
With the loss, Miami had their 12 consecutive game win streak snapped with the Hurricanes leading by 6 or more points at halftime, according to ESPN’s Stats & Info. Their last previous loss before Saturday night was on Nov. 8, 2016 against the Florida State Seminoles when they lost 20-19 after being up 13-3.
Miami — who fell to 0-1 with the loss — had won seven of the last eight meetings before to Saturday night since the 1986 season. However, with the Florida win, who improved to 1-0 on the season, Miami leads the all-time series 29-27.
Throughout the years, the Gators have been known for their very good defense. In this game, Florida had 10 sacks against the Canes.
This is the most sacks by a team, according to Florida Athletics, since 1996. This is even more than Jevon Kearse and the Gators had against the Auburn Tigers in a 24-10 win at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Gators quarterback Feleipe Franks went 17 of 27 for 254 yards. He also had two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Lamichal Perine had 10 carries for 42 yards. Franks had seven carries for eight yards and a touchdown.
Josh Hammond had four receptions for 93 yards. Kadarius Toney had a 66-yard touchdown reception. Kyle Pitts also had three receptions for 33 yards, while Perine had six receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown.
Hurricanes quarterback Jarren Williams went 19 of 30 for 214 yards. He also had a touchdown pass.
DeeJay Dallas had 12 carries for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Brevin Jordan had five receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. K.J. Osborn had four receptions for 41 yards and Dallas had four receptions for 37 yards.
