The Florida Gators (6-1, 4-1) fell behind early but rallied to a 37-27 win over Vanderbilt (3-4, 0-3) on Saturday afternoon in Nashville.
The Commodores started strong in this game, and after taking a 7-0 lead into the second quarter, pushed the lead to 21-3 after a 75-yard touchdown and a Jamauri Wakefield score. Tempers flared between both teams late in the second quarter, with both coaches yelling at each other from the sidelines after Vosean Joseph was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct on a punt return, and from there the Gators were able to mount a rally.
The Gators pulled within one in the third quarter, then Jordan Scarlett ran a 48-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to give the Gators a lead they would not relinquish. Vanderbilt got a couple of field goals down the stretch, but the Gators maintained control thanks to a Freddie Swain touchdown reception and secured the 37-27 win.
Gators quarterback Feleipe Franks went 19-for-29 passing with 284 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in the win. The Gators ground game was led by a 121 yard, one touchdown performance from Lamical Perine, while Jordan Scarlett added 113 yards and a touchdown of his own. Perine also led the Gators with four catches for 93 yards. Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur went 18-for-36 for 229 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the losing effort - Ke'Shawn Vaughn led the way with both 56 rushing yards and 75 receiving yards for the Commodores.
The Gators are off next week before battling second ranked Georgia on October 27th - kickoff in that game is scheduled for 3:30 PM and can be heard throughout Tampa Bay on 620 WDAE & 95.3 FM.