Florida finally snaps losing streak in win over UAB

by Gary Shelton on November 19, 2017 · 0 comments

in general

Feleipe Franks threw for only 30 yards in the loss./STEVE MUNCIE

Feleipe Franks threw for two touchdowns in the win./STEVE MUNCIE

Sunday, 2 a.m.

It meant nothing beyond the game. And maybe, it didn't have to.

When Florida beat UAB, 36-7, on Saturday, it didn't mean anything to the AP Top 25, which doesn't include Florida. It didn't mean anything as far as the upcoming bowl season, which will go on without the Gators. It has no effect on the SEC title game.

It just meant that the Gators won a game for the first time in a while.

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UAB finished the game with only three yards rushing and 180 total.

“We started off three points and then three points, we nickel and dimed and finally the second half we started scoring touchdowns,” interim coach Randy Shannon said. “Really worked hard on the red zone offense scoring touchdown and we did a great job of that. Our run game offensively really kicked in tonight. I think the running backs and offensive line did a tremendous job of running the football and getting big plays for us to put us in situations to score the touchdowns.”

Eddie Piniero kicked five field goals. Florida ran for 257 yards. Quarterback Feleipe Franks threw for two touchdowns.

“Defensively, we caused turnovers,” Shannon said. “(We) got sacks and we caused turnovers and stopped the run game. That was the one biggest emphasis that was going to try to get done today because Alabama-Birmingham, when I was at Arkansas in 2014, there was the same guys that played. Those senior on that team were the guys that we played when I was back at Arkansas. You knew those guys would be veteran guys, you knew they was going to play hard, but I think as a defense we went out and controlled the football game dramatically.”

Shannon was especially pleased with winning at the Swamp.

“It was awesome to get a win at home,” Shannon said. “That was the most important thing. You come back off of a month out and you come back and you get a home game win, the fans was there, the crowd was there. You know, this is the one thing I always say is unique about Florida. No matter what happens, the fans are the fans are the fans. They going to support you no matter what because they are the fans, and this is the one place that I’ve been at that’s not a fickle fan that go when you just win. They’re always going to be supporting. I think the crowd tonight did a tremendous job, the student section and everybody who supported us and helped us be where we was at tonight.”

Florida concludes its season next week in a home game against FSU.

“You know what, it’s about us,” Shannon said. “It’s about us, no matter who your opponent is it’s got to be about us. Being locked in and tuned into what we’re trying to get done; we can’t make it a personal battle. I’ll tell you, bad things happen when your feelings get involved. Most people make bad decisions when there’s feelings. But if you go about choices and the right frame of mind, you make great decisions. We can’t make this a feelings situation where it’s personal because it’s Florida-Florida State. It’s got to be about us as a football team representing this Gator Nation, doing the things we need to get done.”

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