COLUMBIA, S.C. -- There were some warts on offense -- some of the same ones we've seen all season -- but No. 1 Florida plodded a step closer Saturday to a berth in the BCS National Championship Game.
The Gators (10-0, 8-0) broke open a close game in the fourth quarter with a huge defensive play to hold off South Carolina 24-14 at Williams-Brice Stadium. Defensive lineman Justin Trattou intercepted a deflected pass off South Carolina receiver Moe Brown and returned it 53 yards to set up the clinching touchdown.
South Carolina's defense kept the Gamecocks in the game, but Trattou's interception and return in the early minutes of the fourth quarter was the back-breaker for Steve Spurrier's club.
Florida's defense was dominant in the fourth quarter, but the offense again had its hiccups. Place-kicker Caleb Sturgis also missed three field goals for the Gators, who are now finished with SEC play and have Florida International and Florida State the next two weeks.
The Gamecocks (6-5, 3-5) have now lost three straight games. They're off next week before facing Clemson in the regular-season finale on Nov. 28.
The Gators (10-0, 8-0) broke open a close game in the fourth quarter with a huge defensive play to hold off South Carolina 24-14 at Williams-Brice Stadium. Defensive lineman Justin Trattou intercepted a deflected pass off South Carolina receiver Moe Brown and returned it 53 yards to set up the clinching touchdown.
South Carolina's defense kept the Gamecocks in the game, but Trattou's interception and return in the early minutes of the fourth quarter was the back-breaker for Steve Spurrier's club.
Florida's defense was dominant in the fourth quarter, but the offense again had its hiccups. Place-kicker Caleb Sturgis also missed three field goals for the Gators, who are now finished with SEC play and have Florida International and Florida State the next two weeks.
The Gamecocks (6-5, 3-5) have now lost three straight games. They're off next week before facing Clemson in the regular-season finale on Nov. 28.
- ESPN.com SEC blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2007
- Wrote for The (Nashville) Tennessean
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