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Billy Napier earned what might be the biggest win of the season — at least, it was the most exciting — on Saturday night inside Williams-Brice Stadium against the South Carolina Gamecocks. In a matchup that was billed as evenly matched, the outcome did not disappoint as the Gators held on for a 41-39 victory.
It was not pretty, but thanks to a big day on paper for quarterback Graham Mertz plus Trey Smack’s place-kicking foot, the Orange and Blue prevailed to improve to 5-2 this fall. The redshirt junior play-caller was 30-for-48 with 423 yards and three touchdowns tossed, trading in some of his completion percentage for bigger-yardage plays.
Below is a look at highlights from the instant classic played in Columbia, South Carolina, during Week 7 between a pair of Southeastern Conference East division foes: Florida and South Carolina.
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier directs his team…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier directs his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators tight end Hayden Hansen (89) does the…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators tight end Hayden Hansen (89) does the Gator Chop toward South Carolina Gamecocks fans after a Gators touchdown in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; (EDITORS NOTE: Offensive Gesture in Image) Florida Gators offensive…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; (EDITORS NOTE: Offensive Gesture in Image) Florida Gators offensive lineman Micah Mazzccua (54) makes an obscene gesture towards South Carolina Gamecocks fans following a Gators touchdown in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) throws a…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) throws a pass against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) throws a…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) throws a pass against the Florida Gators in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mario Anderson (24) runs…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mario Anderson (24) runs the ball against the Florida Gators in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mario Anderson (24) runs…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mario Anderson (24) runs the ball against Florida Gators safety Bryce Thornton (18) in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mario Anderson (24) runs…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mario Anderson (24) runs the ball against Florida Gators defensive lineman Cam Jackson (99) in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators cornerback Jaydon Hill (23) tackles South Carolina…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators cornerback Jaydon Hill (23) tackles South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mario Anderson (24) in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mario Anderson (24) leaps…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mario Anderson (24) leaps over Florida Gators safety Miguel Mitchell (10) on a touchdown run in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Joshua Simon #6 of the South Carolina Gamecocks scores a…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Joshua Simon #6 of the South Carolina Gamecocks scores a touchdown while pursued by Miguel Mitchell #10 of the Florida Gators in the second half during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws against the…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws the ball…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws against the…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws against the…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) scrambles against the…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) scrambles against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) scrambles against the…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) scrambles against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws a pass…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws a pass against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators place kicker Trey Smack (29) kicks a…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators place kicker Trey Smack (29) kicks a field goal against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Spencer Rattler #7 of the South Carolina Gamecocks passes the…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Spencer Rattler #7 of the South Carolina Gamecocks passes the ball in the first half during their game against the Florida Gators at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Trevor Etienne #7 of the Florida Gators runs for a…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Trevor Etienne #7 of the Florida Gators runs for a touchdown while pursued by Jalon Kilgore #24 of the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first half during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Ricky Pearsall #1 of the Florida Gators reacts after scoring…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Ricky Pearsall #1 of the Florida Gators reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second half of the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Trevor Etienne #7 of the Florida Gators runs for a…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Trevor Etienne #7 of the Florida Gators runs for a touchdown in the first half during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Micah Mazzccua #54 of the Florida Gators reacts after a…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Micah Mazzccua #54 of the Florida Gators reacts after a touchdown in the first half during their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Cam Jackson #99 of the Florida Gators reacts in the…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Cam Jackson #99 of the Florida Gators reacts in the first half during their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Stone Blanton #52 of the South Carolina Gamecocks tackles Graham…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Stone Blanton #52 of the South Carolina Gamecocks tackles Graham Mertz #15 of the Florida Gators in the first half during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Trey Smack #29 of the Florida Gators attempts a field…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Trey Smack #29 of the Florida Gators attempts a field goal in the first half during their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Head coach Billy Napier of the Florida Gators looks on…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Head coach Billy Napier of the Florida Gators looks on in the first half during their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Graham Mertz #15 of the Florida Gators looks to pass…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Graham Mertz #15 of the Florida Gators looks to pass in the first half during their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Head coach Shane Beamer of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Head coach Shane Beamer of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks on in the first half during their game against the Florida Gators at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Graham Mertz #15 of the Florida Gators passes the ball…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Graham Mertz #15 of the Florida Gators passes the ball in the first half during their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Graham Mertz #15 of the Florida Gators looks to pass…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Graham Mertz #15 of the Florida Gators looks to pass in the first half during their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (91) sacks…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (91) sacks Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jordan Strachan (7) and…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jordan Strachan (7) and South Carolina Gamecocks defensive tackle T.J. Sanders (90) get up after sacking Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier directs his team…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier directs his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) directs his team…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) directs his team before the snap against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) makes the…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) makes the game-winning touchdown reception against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the fourth quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Ricky Pearsall #1 of the Florida Gators scores a touchdown…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Ricky Pearsall #1 of the Florida Gators scores a touchdown in the second half of the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) celebrates after…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) celebrates after making the game-winning touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the fourth quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2) rushes…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2) rushes past South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back O'Donnell Fortune (3) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Marcellas Dial #6 of the South Carolina Gamecocks breaks up…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Marcellas Dial #6 of the South Carolina Gamecocks breaks up a pass intended for Aidan Mizell #11 of the Florida Gators in the second half during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Shemar James #6 of the Florida Gators defends against Spencer…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Shemar James #6 of the Florida Gators defends against Spencer Rattler #7 of the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (3) celebrates…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (3) celebrates a first down against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Aaron Gates #13 of the Florida Gators celebrates after the…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Aaron Gates #13 of the Florida Gators celebrates after the game-ending play to defeat the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Jake Slaughter #66 of the Florida Gators celebrates after defeating…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Jake Slaughter #66 of the Florida Gators celebrates after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Austin Barber #58 of the Florida Gators celebrates after defeating…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: Austin Barber #58 of the Florida Gators celebrates after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Florida v South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: (R-L) Austin Barber #58 of the Florida Gators celebrates with…
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 14: (R-L) Austin Barber #58 of the Florida Gators celebrates with Derek Wingo #15 after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Florida at South Carolina
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Derek Wingo (15) leads the Florida…
Oct 14, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Derek Wingo (15) leads the Florida visiting section in the school cheer after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
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By: Adam Dubbin
Title: PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida's win at South Carolina Week 7
Sourced From: gatorswire.usatoday.com/gallery/florida-football-south-carolina-gamecocks-highlights-week-7/
Published Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2023 00:09:40 +0000
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