November 10, 2001
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Rex Grossman passed for three touchdowns and ran for a fourth as No. 4 Florida won its 11th straight over No. 14 South Carolina, 54-17 Saturday night.
The Gators (8-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference), who scored on their first nine possessions, can reach SEC championship game in Atlanta for the eighth time in 10 years by defeating Tennessee at The Swamp on Dec. 1.
All week, Florida heard how South Carolina was no longer the SEC pushover it has generally been since joining the league in 1992. But after the Gamecocks (7-3, 5-3) took a 10-3 lead on Derek Watson’s 7-yard touchdown and Daniel Weaver’s 32-yard field goal with 5:12 to go in the opening quarter, it was a Florida romp like so many times before.
Only time stopped the Gators from a perfect offensive night. They started their 10th and final possession on their 36 with 46 seconds to go.
It was the most points allowed by South Carolina in coach Lou Holtz’s three seasons and the most given up since a 63-7 loss to the Gators in 1995.
Jeff Chandler was 4-of-4 on field goals, including makes from 42, 44 and 46 yards, and linebacker Travis Carroll returned an interception for a touchdown.
But it was Grossman who got things going. He threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jabar Gaffney _ moving past coach Steve Spurrier’s 4,848 yards on Florida’s career pass yardage list in the process _ to tie the game, then stretched the ball over the pile for a 1-yard scoring run on Florida’s next series for a 17-10 lead.
After Marquand Manuel intercepted Phil Petty’s pass that tipped from behind by Florida lineman Alex Brown, Grossman lofted a ball to Reche Caldwell in the left corner of the end zone with 26 seconds left as the Gators went ahead 27-10.
It was week like no other in South Carolina’s football history. ESPN’s “College GameDay” set up next to Williams-Brice Stadium and Holtz told the crew Saturday morning that if the Gamecocks found the confidence to hang with the Gators, it could be a very special outcome for South Carolina.
But the record crowd of 84,900 _ most dressed in black in an organized effort to “Black Out Florida” _ was quickly quieted by the Gators efficient offense.
Florida’s defense, often overlooked, held the Gamecocks to 66 yards in the second quarter and 25 yards in the third.
Petty and Watson were knocked out on the same play _ Carroll’s 24-yard interception return score.
Petty left with a shoulder injury while Watson had a hip pointer. Earlier, starting linebacker Kalimba Edwards sprained his knee and did not play the second half.
