UF Trying To Regroup For Final Home Game
GAINESVILLE (AP) — No matter what Florida does Saturday, it won't really change the season.
Sure, the Gators can end a three-game losing streak at Florida Field, become bowl eligible and give 22 seniors and fired coach Will Muschamp an enjoyable home finale.
But none of those would redefine Florida's year, which will be remembered for continued offensive failures, late-game meltdowns and Muschamp's dismissal.
"Certainly had our opportunities and we didn't get it done," Muschamp said.
The Gators (5-4) should be able to get it done against lower-division Eastern Kentucky (9-2), a team from the Football Championship Subdivision. The Colonels are 0-4 all-time against the Southeastern Conference and 7-20 against teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Then again, Florida lost to lower-division Georgia Southern last year and is coming off a tumultuous week. Muschamp was fired Sunday, less than 24 hours after the team's sixth loss in its last eight home games.
Now, the Gators are trying to regroup for their home finale.
"We're playing for each other," center Max Garcia said. "It's senior night. This is my last time running onto Florida Field, so I want to go out the right way. We're playing for each other. We're playing for Muschamp. We're playing for Gator Nation. Nothing has changed."
The Gators have lost 13 of their last 19 games, none more troubling than the last two in Gainesville.
Missouri used six turnovers and two special teams touchdowns to rout Florida 42-13 last month. South Carolina blocked a field goal and a punt in the final three-plus minutes to upset the Gators 23-20 in overtime last week.
Florida parted ways with Muschamp the next day, but he will stick around to coach the final two regular-season games. His farewell tour starts against Eastern Kentucky and concludes next week at rival Florida State.
"It'll be an emotional game," linebacker Mike Taylor. "The main goal is to get the victory and go out as a winner in the Swamp, honor all the people who have supported us, who have cheered for us, honor all the people who came in with us and are still here. Just putting all of that together and going out on Saturday."
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