Florida
Florida Claims Series with Dominant Effort Over Kentucky – Florida Gators
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida used a whole efficiency on either side of the ball to say the collection over Kentucky with a 9-1 victory in sport two at Condron Household Ballpark on Saturday evening.
Recreation two started in April and finally concluded in Might. Following a 56-minute rain delay that pushed the beginning time to six:56 p.m., a second climate delay struck within the backside of the fourth that lasted two hours and eight minutes.
Following a scoreless first inning from beginning pitcher Brandon Neely, the Gators (25-17, 8-12 SEC) jumped on the Wildcats (23-20, 6-14 SEC) for a trio of runs within the backside half. Wyatt Langford led off with an extra-base hit for the second-straight sport, legging out a triple to proper middle. Sterlin Thompson then reached on a throwing error by Kentucky second baseman Daniel Harris IV to drive in Langford, whereas Jud Fabian doubled down the left-field line on the primary pitch to attain Thompson. BT Riopelle then singled to proper middle to plate J. Fabian to cap off the large body.
Neely went proper again to work within the second, stranding a pair of Wildcat runners in scoring place to navigate out of the inning. That opened the door for the Gators so as to add on, as Josh Rivera led off the underside of the second with a solo shot to straightaway middle discipline. Thompson proceeded to contribute an RBI double into the left-center hole whereas Riopelle drove in two extra runs with a single to proper, scoring Thompson and J. Fabian.
With the rating at 7-0, rain started to pour down on Condron Household Ballpark, inflicting a two hour and eight minute delay. That pressured Neely out of the sport prematurely, as right-hander Tyler Nesbitt took over duties on the mound upon resumption of play.
After receiving a zero from Nesbitt, the Florida bats picked up the place they left off. The Gators shortly loaded the bases on a Riopelle single and walks by Jac Caglianone and Rivera. From there, Colby Halter prolonged the result in 8-0 with a bunt single down the third-base line to herald Riopelle.
Kentucky broke into the scoring column within the sixth, as Ryan Ritter doubled in Harris IV to finish the shutout bid. Florida answered with a run of their very own within the seventh, with Caglianone going yard to left discipline for his second residence run of the marketing campaign.
Neely (1-0) earned his first-career victory as a starter, tossing 4 no-hit innings with one stroll and 4 strikeouts. The freshman right-hander remained eligible for the win after being pressured out of the sport as a consequence of climate.
Kentucky beginning pitcher Zack Lee (1-1) was saddled with the loss after lasting simply 1 2/3 innings with seven runs allowed (six earned) on 5 hits and one stroll whereas hanging out three.
Thompson (2-for-5), Riopelle (3-for-5) and Rivera (2-for-3) all notched a number of hits within the win.
NOTABLES
- Recreation two started in April and concluded in Might.
- Langford led off with an extra-base hit for the second-consecutive sport since being transfer to the highest spot within the order.
- He related for a leadoff residence run in sport one and legged out a triple in sport two.
- During the last three video games, Florida starters (Sproat and Neely twice) have mixed for 16 1/3 innings with one run allowed on six hits whereas hanging out 17.
- Neely threw 4 no-hit innings earlier than being lifted as a consequence of a two hour and eight minute rain delay.
- Neely didn’t enable a success till the seventh inning in his earlier begin vs. No. 1 Tennessee, retiring 19 Vols earlier than surrendering a success.
- Neely threw 4 no-hit innings earlier than being lifted as a consequence of a two hour and eight minute rain delay.
- J. Fabian and Thompson drove in runs whereas Langford, Thompson and Langford all picked up hits
- The trio of Thompson, Langford and J. Fabian has recorded an RBI in 35 of 42 video games this 12 months whereas registering a success in 41 of 42 video games.
- Florida is now 146-70-1 all-time towards Kentucky.
- The Gators are 64-38-1 vs. the Wildcats at residence.
- Florida has received 11 of the final 14 conferences together with six of the earlier seven.
- The Gators have now received five-straight towards the Wildcats.
- Head coach Kevin O’Sullivan is 25-19 vs. Kentucky.
- That features a 12-8 mark at residence.
- Rivera prolonged his team-leading on-base streak to 16 video games.
- Thompson prolonged his on-base streak to 12 video games and his team-leading hitting streak to eight straight.
FROM HEAD COACH KEVIN O’SULLIVAN
On Neely’s outing and the offense…
“We scored three within the first and 4 within the second and acquired off to a very good begin towards a very good beginning pitcher. His numbers coming in had been actually good, so clearly leaping out to an enormous lead there after the primary two… I felt Brandon actually settled in after the second inning. He had some deep counts and had a bit bother getting the ball down the primary couple of innings however he is been actually good once more. It is unlucky that we had the rain. I assumed he was beginning to get right into a rhythm at that time.”
On the rain delays…
“We have had loads of rain delays right here, particularly later within the season… [we] simply got here within the clubhouse and watched a few of the different video games that had been happening on the similar time. It is actually the gamers that must exit and play and everybody has to remain able to go. The one choice we’ve to make is to determine who’s going to the mound.”
On the staff gaining confidence on the plate…
“I feel we’ve swung the bats fairly good all the 12 months, however I feel transferring Wyatt to the highest of the order has modified some issues. Transferring Sterlin to 2 and Jud to a few and B.T. to 4 and Jac as much as the six spot has helped us. We have been getting loads of manufacturing out of the underside of the order.”
UP NEXT
Florida and Kentucky face off within the collection finale scheduled for Sunday at 12 p.m. ET on SEC Community.
Florida
Florida shows it can finish with another second-half closeout and a makeshift dunk contest
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida players eager to celebrate their latest victory, the one that made them bowl eligible for the first time in two years, found a suitable prop on the sideline.
Ole Miss left behind its basketball hoop, which the Rebels use to salute big plays during games.
The Gators set it up, grabbed some footballs and held their own dunk contest near the end zone. It provided an apt stage — perfect for showcasing finishing moves — after they closed out another ranked opponent.
Florida (6-5, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) dominated the second half for the second consecutive week and got to party in the Swamp following a 24-17 victory over then-ninth-ranked Mississippi on Saturday.
Not only did the Gators knock the Rebels (8-3, 4-3) out of the College Football Playoff picture, they won their fourth consecutive home game and raised expectations for coach Billy Napier’s fourth season in Gainesville.
And the manner in which they accomplished it mattered. Napier has been preaching about “finishing,” something that had mostly eluded the Gators in the past two years.
Florida lost four games in 2023 after leading in the second half, including three — against Arkansas, Missouri and Florida State — in the fourth quarter.
And no one following the program has forgotten how close the Gators were to upsetting Tennessee and Georgia earlier this season, losing 23-17 to the Volunteers in overtime and fading against the Bulldogs after being tied at 20 with five minutes to play.
Napier hoped all those gut punches would ultimately lead to something better, and they finally did — with late-game knockouts against LSU and Mississippi.
“Eventually you get sick of that,” receiver Chimere Dike said. “To be able to get these last two wins is huge for our team and our program. I’m proud of the resilience the guys showed, the way that we performed.”
Florida held Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin’s high-scoring offense to three points in the second half. The Rebels turned the ball over twice — interceptions by Bryce Thornton on the final two drives — punted twice and got stuffed on another fourth-down run.
“I thought we were better on both sides up front, and short-yardage defense is a big component,” Napier said. “Those are identity plays. I think we had guys step up and make plays.”
Added defensive tackle Cam Jackson said: “Everybody just pinned their ears back. That was great.”
It was reminiscent of the previous week against then-No. 21 LSU. Florida held the Tigers to six points in the second half and forced a fumble, a punt and a turnover on downs in a 27-16 victory.
“We just all came together and wanted to change how Florida was looked at,” Thornton said. “That’s the biggest thing with us, just trying to show everybody that we can do it.”
The Gators ended the afternoon showing off their basketball moves.
Cornerback Trikweze Bridges, receiver Marcus Burke, defensive end Justus Boone, tight end Tony Livingston and linebacker Shemar James delivered monster dunks. Aidan Mizell passed a football between his leg in midair before his slam, and fellow receiver Elijhah Badger bounced it off the backboard before rousing teammates and fans with his finish.
“Belief is the most powerful thing in the world,” Napier said. “At some point there, midseason, we figured (that) out and we started to believe. Look, we can play with any team in the country.”
Florida
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Florida
FAMU football wins fourth straight Florida Classic vs Bethune-Cookman in nail-biter | Takeaways
FAMU football defeated Bethune-Cookman 41-38 in the Florida Classic at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. The Rattlers have won four straight Florida Classic over in-state rivals Wildcats.
Florida A&M football still reigns supreme over Bethune-Cookman.
The Rattlers defeated the Wildcats 41-38 before a crowd of 56,453 football fans at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. It was FAMU’s fourth straight year beating its in-state rivals, Bethune-Cookman.
FAMU outgained Bethune-Cookman 487-416. The Rattlers erased a 21-17 halftime deficit to claim the victory.
FAMU running back Thad Franklin Jr. starred for the Rattlers, carrying the football 26 times for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Franklin’s performance earned the Florida Classic’s Most Valuable Player Award.
FAMU football Thad Franklin Jr. runs all over Florida Classic rivals Bethune-Cookman
FAMU heavily relied on its rushing attack.
The Rattlers rushed 47 times for 305 yards.
Behind Franklin’s MVP outing, Kelvin Dean Jr. also was productive on the ground. Dean added 14 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown.
FAMU quarterback Daniel Richardson picked his spots, completing 15 of 21 passes for 182 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. His top target was wide receiver Quan Lee, who had five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.
FAMU football tested by Bethune-Cookman in Florida Classic
The Rattlers got a run their money with the Wildcats’ rushing attack.
Bethune-Cookman rushed 44 times for 183 yards. Dennis Palmer led the Wildcats with 37 carries for 178 yards.
Despite that, FAMU had bent but don’t break situations.
For example, FAMU held up Bethune-Cookman in a critical drive after the Rattlers threw an interception with 8:10 left. Nay’Ron Jenkins tackled Bethune-Cookman running back Palmer for a loss to turn the ball over on downs on 4th and 1.
The Rattlers had six tackles for loss and an interception which was caught by Jenkins.
FAMU football’s special teams gives up yardage, touchdown vs Florida Classic rivals Bethune-Cookman
The Rattlers’ special teams unit put the team in compromising situations.
Bethune-Cookman gained 123 yards on kickoffs on five returns.
Those returns pushed FAMU’s defense back in some situations.
On punts, the Rattlers gave allowed Wildcats punt returner Maleek Huggins to return a 51-yarder in the first quarter.
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
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