No. 22 Florida tops South Carolina 20-7 in Muschamp’s return

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — When they shook hands after the game, Florida coach Jim McElwain thanked South Carolina’s Will Muschamp for what he left behind in Gainesville.

On defense anyway.

It didn’t need to be said. After all, it was evident on the field.

Austin Appleby threw two touchdown passes, Jordan Scarlett ran for a career-high 134 yards and the 22nd-ranked Gators used another solid defensive effort to beat the Gamecocks 20-7 Saturday, moving closer to clinching the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division.

“I just said, No. 1, that there were some great defensive players here,” McElwain said. “He just did an outstanding job.”

The banged-up Gators (7-2, 5-2) can secure a spot in the league title game by winning at 19th-ranked LSU next week. It might be a long shot given Florida’s injury situation.

McElwain lost nine starters the last two weeks, including four against the Gamecocks (5-5, 3-5). Safety Marcus Maye (arm) is out for the season, and it’s uncertain whether defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. (ankle), center Tyler Jordan (ankle) and left tackle David Sharpe (leg) will be ready to play against the Tigers.

“You’ve got guys dropping left and right and new guys going in there,” McElwain said. “I think we sold some extra programs because (fans) didn’t know the numbers that were in there. Our new athletic director will be excited about that. It’ll help the budget.”

Florida did just enough to overcome the injuries.

Appleby found C’yontai Lewis for a 6-yard score in the first quarter and then floated a perfect pass to Ahmad Fulwood in the corner of the end zone in the second. Eddy Pineiro’s two field goals in the third, including a 54-yarder, gave the Gators some breathing room.

Florida’s defense did the rest, allowing just 256 yards while rebounding nicely from a 31-10 loss at Arkansas last week. Most of the players shutting down South Carolina were guys Muschamp signed during his four years (2011-14) in Gainesville.

“It’s about the people,” he said. “It’s not about the logo. It’s not about the buildings. It’s relationships you build with people over a period of time. A lot of people that still work here at Florida that I’m very close with and always will be. As we move forward there will be less players involved, which is probably the better part for me because that’s what I really care about.”

Many thought Florida’s former coach would pull off an upset in his return to Gainesville. Instead, the Gamecocks were shut out until scoring with 6:53 left. The loss snapped South Carolina’s three-game winning streak.

Freshman quarterback Jake Bentley, who played so well in those victories, struggled in his first road start. Bentley completed 18 of 33 passes for 213 yards, with an interception and a fumble.

Appleby was slightly more efficient. The former Purdue starter, filling in for injured Luke Del Rio, was 17-of-21 passing for 201 yards. He threw an interception in the third quarter and fumbled a snap, committing two of the team’s three turnovers.

“We could have had 40 points out there if we played the way we are capable of,” Appleby said. “We will get it fixed.”

THE TAKEAWAY

South Carolina: Although the Gamecocks didn’t have much offensive success, it’s clear Muschamp has some young players to build around. Bentley, running back Rico Dowdle and receiver Bryan Edwards — all freshmen — should be a solid nucleus for the next few years.

Florida: The Gators have endured their share of injures the last two weeks, losing five defensive starters and four on the offensive side of the ball. Some of them won’t be back for next week’s all-important game at LSU, leaving Florida to test its depth on the road.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Florida probably will move up a few spots in the next AP poll, but all that matters now is beating the Tigers and getting back to Atlanta.

“We know what’s at stake,” Appleby said. “We want to go back to Atlanta, and this is the next step in order to get there. We’ve got a lot of guys dinged up. With that said, the next man’s up.”

UP NEXT

South Carolina: After playing five consecutive games at Williams-Brice Stadium before traveling to Florida, the Gamecocks return home to face Western Carolina next Saturday. South Carolina should become bowl-eligible against the Catamounts, a team from the Football Championship Subdivision.

Florida: Plays at LSU next Saturday, a game postponed because of Hurricane Matthew in and later moved from Gainesville to Baton Rouge. The Gators were initially slated to host Presbyterian that day.

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