Kyle Trask waited a long time to start./STEVEN MUNCIE
Sunday, 3 a.m.
These days, it doesn't matter where the game is played.
It doesn't matter who the coaches are.
It doesn't matter who is playing quarterback.
The University of Florida Gators spanked the Tennessee Vols once again Saturday, winning for the 14th time in the last 15 years with a 34-3 victory.
Backup quarterback Kyle Trask, starting for the first time in place of injured Feleipe Franks seemed comfortable, hitting 20 of 28 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns. It was Trask's first start since his freshman year of high school.
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Lamical Perine ran for 62 yards./STEVEN MUNCIE
“I just tried to stay positive about the whole situation,” Trask said. “I’ve always been preparing like I’m a starter and at the end of the day I’m just trying to do what’s best for this team. Once my number was called I understood that it was go time and time to go out and help win the game for my team.”
Dan Mullen checks out the scoreboard./STEVEN MUNCIE
Gators' coach Dan Mullen didn't hold Trask's two interceptions against him.
"It wasn’t like he threw to a guy and hit a defender in the chest,” Mullen said. “He took a shot on two plays, gave receivers a chance, and you have to make good decisions when taking those chances. I thought he managed the game well. I thought he was sharp and made good decisions all day long.”
Tennessee had just 88 yards rushing and 151 passing.
The Gators (4-0, 2-0) play against FCS-classified Towson (3-0), from the Colonial Athletic Association Saturday at the Swamp.
FSU 35, Louisville 24: For the fourth straight week, FSU blew a fourth-quarter lead.
This time, they blew back.
The Seminoles scored 14 points in the final 7 1/2 minutes to win against Louisvlle, an ACC opponent that has struggled on the road. But the Cardinals rallied from a 21-0 deficit to take a fourth-quarter lead.
Van Jefferson pushed past the Tennessee defense for 31 yards./STEVEN MUNCIE
Alex Hornibrook, playing for the injured James Blackmon, threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to Tamorrion Terry , with 1:37 left, Cam Akers closed it out with a three-yard run. Hornibrook hit 15 out of 20 passes for 255 yards and two scores. Cam Akers ran for 112 yards.
Malik Cunningham of Louisville hit 16 of 27 for 286 yards and two touchdowns.
The Seminoles played in front of the smallest crowd at Doak Campbell Stadium (46,530) sinceOct. 20, 1983 against Louisville (42,117).
FSU will host North Carolina State Saturday night at Doak-Campbell.
Miami 17, Central Michigan 12: The Miami Hurricanes suffered through their latest victory Saturday, barely squeaking past Central Michigan. The Hurricanes led by 12 before UCM scored a touchdown with 3:16 to play.
Both teams struggled to run the ball. Miami rushed for just 51 yards on 34 carries, while Central Michigan gained only 31 yards on 27 carries.
UM led only 7-2 at the half over the Chippewas, who were just 1-11 a year ago.
UM is home against Virginia Tech on Oct. 5.
Pitt 35, UCF 34: A late rally by Pittsburgh handed Central Florida a 35-34 loss Saturday, the Knights' first regular season loss since 2016.
The Knights had won 27 consecutive regular season games, spanning two coaching staffs and four starting quarterbacks.
Against Pitt, the Knights fell behind 21-0 in the second quarter following a blocked punt by the Panthers. But UCF roared back with five consecutive scores (four touchdowns and a field goal) to snag a 31-21 lead.
Pitt was able to respond late, however. After a field goal of its own, the Panthers held UCF out of the end zone on a critical drive, getting the ball back down 34-28 with under five minutes to go. The Panthers drove down the field for the winning touchdown in dramatic fashion, converting on fourth-and-3 with 56 seconds to go via a "Philly Special" type play that coach Pat Narduzzi referred to as the "Pitt Special" in his postgame interview.
UCF is home against UConn Saturday night.
Freshman receiver Jacob Copeland gains 22 yards against Tennessee./STEVEN MUNCIE
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