Gator Football Holds On To Beat Vanderbilt

The University of Florida football team built a 17-0 halftime lead and then had to hang on for a 26-21 win over Vanderbilt Saturday afternoon in Gainesville. Florida breaks a four game losing streak and improves to 5-4 overrall and to 3-4 in the SEC while Vanderbilt drops to 4-5 on the season with just one SEC win.

Senior running back Jeff Demps ran for 158 yards to spark the Florida offense which amassed over 400 total yards. It looked like Florida was going to get an easy Homecoming victory but Vandy made a game of it in the second half.

After Florida went up 26-14 with 2:13 left in the fourth quarter, the Commodores marched right down the field and scored in less than a minute to get within a touchdown. Florida tight end Jordan Reed recovered an onside kick with 1:16 to go to ice the win.

Gator starting quarterback John Brantley suffered an arm injury and had to leave the game late and his status should be made more clear on Monday. A few other Gator players did not dress because of injury but the Gators did get back the services of placekicker Caleb Sturgis, who booted a 55 yard field goal in the game, and running back Mike Gillislee who carried 9 times for 39 yards in the contest.

Florida next plays Saturday at South Carolina, a loser Saturday on the road at Arkansas.