Football . October 3, 2020

Trask, Pitts help No. 3 Florida top South Carolina 38-24

by By MARK LONG | AP Sports Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Kyle Trask and Kyle Pitts hooked up for two more touchdowns, continuing their hot start and leading No. 3 Florida to a 38-24 victory over South Carolina on Saturday.

Trask completed 21 of 29 passes for 268 yards, with four touchdowns and an interception. His second-quarter fumble kept the Gamecocks (0-2) in the game early.

Pitts finished with four receptions for 57 yards, commanding extra attention and beating South Carolina’s top defenders. He nearly made a one-handed catch in the third quarter, but the ball slipped off his left fingertips.

The K2K connection now has six touchdowns in two games, one more than it notched in 2019. The next performance comes at Kyle Field, where Texas A&M will try to become the first Southeastern Conference opponent to slow down Trask and Pitts in 2020.

Some thought former Florida coach Will Muschamp and his Gamecocks would find a way. But the Gators (2-0) had their way with South Carolina for three quarters in front of 15,120 socially distant fans in the Swamp. They finished with 347 yards and punted twice.

Kadarius Toney put an exclamation point on the victory with a 57-yard touchdown catch late in the third. He somehow broke through three defenders, turning a 7-yard catch into Florida’s biggest gain.

He ended with six receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown to go along with 42 yards on two punt returns.

Kevin Harris was one of the few bright spots for South Carolina, which flubbed a chance to make it a one-score game in the final minute. The sophomore ran 22 times for 100 yards and a score.

Collin Hill completed 28 of 47 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked four times. He threw behind Shi Smith in the end zone on Carolina’s final play, which ended an 18-play, 7-plus minute drive without any points.

GAME CHANGER

Kyle Trask connected with Kadarius Toney for a 57-yard touchdown reception that gave Florida a 38-14 lead with 4:44 left in the third quarter. The Gamecocks scored the final 10 points and had an 18-play drive on their final possession but did not score to fall by a pair of touchdowns.

KEY STAT

100 – Kevin Harris had 100 yards on the ground on 22 carries for the Gamecocks, his second 100-yard rushing performance in his career. He had a touchdown on the ground and in the air as his nine-yard touchdown pass from Collin Hill in the fourth quarter made it 38-24.