No. 22 Florida tops South Carolina 20-7 in Muschamp’s return

South Carolina: After playing five consecutive games at Williams-Brice Stadium before traveling to Florida, the Gamecocks return home to face Western Carolina next Saturday.

The relatively small contingent of seniors included linebackers Jarrad Davis of Kingsland, Ga., and Daniel McMillian of Jacksonville; and wide receiver Ahmad Fulwood of Jacksonville. The under is 11-2 in the Gators’ last 13 games as a favorite and is a ideal 6-0 in their last six games played in the month of November. Because Tennessee beat Kentucky Saturday, the Gators may have to beat the Tigers to reach the SEC title game.

If the Gators falter against the Gamecocks (5-4, 3-4), who have won three in a row, they also could lose control of the division race.

With the game squarely on his shoulders this time, Bentley couldn’t deliver – even against a Gator defense decimated by injuries.

As part of his buyout at Florida, Muschamp got a $3.15 million payment following his termination on November 16, 2014. Tyler Jordan, the second Gators starting center in as many weeks, left due to injury. SC isn’t likely to beat arch rival Clemson at the end of the year, but could shock the Gators on Saturday. Muschamp was sacked after underperforming with a 28-21 record (2011-14), but with this year’s SC rejuvenation coinciding with Florida’s current downturn, Muschamp could play the ultimate spoiler’s role.

“I do feel like we’re a different team at home and that’s not a good thing”, Muschamp said. “Some Gator fans wanted me there when I was there”. Out loud, Samuel and Holloman don’t really make this about Florida vs. Muschamp; it’s more about the Gamecocks draining the Swamp with a bowl-eligible sixth win. With a win, Florida punches their ticket to Atlanta and the SEC Championship game. And maybe more troubling, Florida will be without its top two tacklers.

“I’m happy for him”, McElwain said of Appleby.

“You had two critical drops in the game, but I thought he responded extremely well”, Muschamp said. “We’ve got to play better on the road”. Appleby had only looked good in one of the four halves in which he filled in for Luke Del Rio earlier this year, but he turned in one of the best overall quarterbacking performance the Gators have had all season.

Appleby energized the announced crowd of 89,614 by quickly leading the Gators 56 yards for a touchdown on their opening drive.

Maye appeared to land on his left arm as he was attempting to make a tackle in the first half.

Star of the game: There wasn’t one for the Gamecocks offense, but freshman safety Stephen Montac had a career-high nine tackles and also had a pass breakup. Bryan Edwards played earlier in the year, but we hadn’t been on the road in a while.

Twenty-six years later, Spurrier still touts the 1990 team as “probably the most mistreated, unfairly punished team in SEC history”.

Some critics all but counted Muschamp out before his first day on the job, making the illogical leap that because he didn’t work out at Florida there was no way he could do it at a program with fewer advantages.