Florida vs. Georgia by the Numbers: The Good, Bad and Ugly
Florida suffered a 27-8 loss to Georgia on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. UF has dropped six straight games to Georgia and has yet to defeat the Bulldogs when they are ranked in the Associated Press top three.
Florida (5-3, 3-3 SEC) saw its college football playoff aspirations take a hit, dropping from 17% to 10%. Additionally, a path back to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game is all but over, falling to 3% after the loss, according to ESPN.
Georgia (7-1, 5-1) won the turnover battle 4-1. The disparity proved costly for the Gators in the annual Cocktail Party.
Here’s a look at the numbers behind the Gators’ first loss to an AP top-10 opponent this season.
The Good: Passing Defense Shows Improvements
The scoreboard showed 27 points for Georgia; however, the defense has shown growth over the past two weeks after struggles against Missouri and South Carolina.
Florida limited the Bulldogs’ passing attack to 101 yards. It was the fewest passing yards by an SEC team against the Gators since Kentucky in 2023.
After surrendering 173 passing yards to Texas, Florida has held consecutive opponents below 200 passing yards for the first time since 2024. Coincidentally, the last two opponents the Gators held below that mark were Georgia and Texas.
Brad White’s unit limited Gunner Stockton to a 56.5% completion rate, which is the third-lowest of his career and the lowest among SEC quarterbacks in Week 9. Stockton also ranked last in the SEC with a 24.1 QBR.
“There’s a lot of growth from a defensive standpoint. Still wasn’t good enough,” UF coach Jon Sumrall said. “I felt like as a whole you felt a lot more competitive character out of our defensive kids.”
Florida’s defense relinquished just seven points on Georgia possessions that began in its own territory. The Gators accomplished the feat in last season’s 20-10 loss to LSU, when former quarterback DJ Lagway threw five interceptions.
The Bad: Running Game Stalled
Florida was outgained 217-48 on the ground. For an offense that relies on the run on 52.9% of plays, the disparity is difficult to overcome.
This is the first season since 2022 in which the Gators had multiple games with fewer than 60 rushing yards. Florida only ran for 42 against Missouri.
On first downs specifically, the Gators rushed for just 21 yards on 13 attempts, averaging 1.62 yards per carry. That meant Florida faced an average of 8.48 yards to go on second down after running the ball on first down.
Jadan Baugh ran for 2.2 yards per carry, the third-fewest in his Florida career. After eclipsing 100 yards in the first four games of 2026, Baugh hasn’t hit triple digits since.
Facing the No. 16, No. 31, No. 24 and No. 9 rushing defenses consecutively has stalled Florida’s ground game. But for the remainder of the season, Kentucky (No. 30) is the only opponent the Gators face that ranks among the top 50 in rushing defense.
The Ugly: Quarterback Turnovers
Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. combined for four turnovers against Georgia.
You would have to go back to 2021 for the last time Florida had two quarterbacks each commit multiple turnovers in the same game. Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson both threw two interceptions in Florida’s 49-42 loss to LSU.
Philo, who threw just two interceptions in his first five starts, matched that total in the first half against Georgia. Late in the second quarter, Quintavius Jackson strip-sacked Jones Jr., with Chris Cole recovering the fumble and returning it for a touchdown. In the third quarter, Jones Jr. threw a costly interception in the end zone.
“Neither of them were good enough for me to feel confidently about who will start,” Sumrall said.
Georgia capitalized on the four turnovers by scoring 17 points in the first half. The Gators had not allowed 17 points off giveaways since the 2016 SEC Championship Game against Alabama.
The miscues prevented Florida from establishing an offensive rhythm. Whenever the Gators began to find their footing, a mistake stalled the drive. As a result, Florida ran only 60 offensive plays, its fewest of the season.
Honorable Mention: Self-Inflicted Wounds
Penalties once again helped derail the Gators. Florida in the first half committed 60 yards in penalties while accumulating just 57 yards of total offense.
Most notably, after Philo’s first interception, Florida forced a three-and-out. However, Jaden Edgecombe committed a roughing-the-punter penalty to give Georgia an automatic first down. The flag extended the drive and helped the Bulldogs score their first touchdown.
“That was a turning point from a momentum standpoint in the game,” Sumrall said. “Then to gift them a new set of downs gave them life. You can’t do that against anybody in this league, much less a team like that.”
Florida’s 600 penalty yards this season are the most in the SEC, and 14th most in the FBS.
The Gators are home to face Oklahoma (4-4, 2-3) on Saturday. Coverage begins at 4:45 p.m. on WRUF 98.1-FM/850-AM/103.7 HD2 and at 7:45 p.m. on the SEC Network.
Category: Feature Sports News, Gator Sports, Gators Football
