DAN MULLEN

Jayden Gibson was supposed to be enrolling for the spring semester at the University of Florida in a few weeks. That’s where he wanted to be to start his college football career. It’s where his heart was. It’s where his mother and father went to college and where they met. Kelvin Gibson was even a walk-on football player for the Gators. Sometimes things just don’t work out the way they were ...

Isaiah Bowser ran for 155 yards and two touchdowns, Ryan O’Keefe had 85 yards on seven receptions, and Central Florida earned Sunshine State bragging rights by beating Florida 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl on Thursday night.

UCF’s long wait for another shot at Florida is over.

The UCF Knights (8-4) have officially been granted the opportunity to face in-state foe, the University of Florida (6-6), in a matchup that has been in the making for several years. AdvertisementFlorida vs. UCF in @UnionHomeMtg @GasparillaBowl, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. This is easily best regional matchup of bowl season & could result in bowl’s 1st selloutLive updates of every bowl matchup. This past offseason, the two programs agreed to a future 2-for-1 series that is set to begin in 2024 in Gainesville. Anticipation for a matchup between UCF and Florida began in 2018, when UF Director of Athletic Scott Stricklin expressed interest in a 2-for-1 series against the Knights.

(AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton)GAINEVILLE, Fla. — (AP) — A person familiar with negotiations says new Florida coach Billy Napier agreed to a seven-year, $51.8 million contract that makes him the fifth-highest-paid coach in the Southeastern Conference. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday night because neither Florida nor Napier has publicly released contract details. Napier signed a new contract at Louisiana-Lafayette before the 2021 season that nearly doubled his pay, raising his total compensation to $2 million annually. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.

A person familiar with negotiations says new Florida coach Billy Napier agreed to a seven-year, $51.8 million contract that makes him the fifth-highest-paid coach in the Southeastern Conference.

AP Source: Florida tabs ULL coach Napier to replace Mullen Head coach Billy Napier of Louisiana-Lafayette takes the field at the start of the second half of the game against the Georgia State Panthers at Center Parc Stadium on September 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)The Florida Gators are planning to hire Billy Napier as head football coach, The Associated Press is reporting. The 42-year-old Napier, who is head coach for the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns (11-1), likely will stay in his current post through the end of the week, the AP reported. He will then move on to the Gators, who fired their former coach, Dan Mullen, last week. Sources: Florida has targeted Louisiana’s Billy Napier as the school’s next coach.

Florida has hired Louisiana-Lafayette's Billy Napier to be the Gators' next football coach.

Anthony Richardson came off the bench and led Florida to a 24-21 victory over rival Florida State on Saturday that made the Gators bowl eligible a week after firing coach Dan Mullen.

In-state rivals Florida and Florida State have bowl eligibility at stake this weekend.

It's rivalry week across the Southeastern Conference, with plenty of stakes beyond bragging rights.

Greg Knox is stepping in as an interim football coach for Dan Mullen for the second time in five years.

Huddle up! Here’s a look back at this weekend on the gridiron, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

Report: Dan Mullen fired: Dan Mullen has led the University of Florida football team to a 34-15 record in nearly four seasons. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida football coach Dan Mullen was fired on Sunday, a day after the Gators lost for the sixth time in nine games, the school announced. The University of Florida has parted ways with Head Coach Dan Mullen. However, the team needs to defeat state rival Florida State on Saturday to avoid a losing season. “The Florida football program is going to be here for a long time.

Florida hosts rival Florida State (5-6) on Saturday, with the winner becoming bowl eligible. That and being surrounded by Florida’s fertile recruiting pool should make the Sunshine State’s best college football job even more attractive. The 49-year-old Mullen made $7.6 million this year, up from $6.07 million in 2020, and had been under contract through 2026. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.

USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg breaks down the latest USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll.

Florida has fired coach Dan Mullen a day after his sixth loss in nine games.

Florida has fired coach Dan Mullen a day after his sixth loss in nine games.

Florida fired coach Dan Mullen on Sunday, a day after his sixth loss in nine games, two months after the Gators went toe to toe with defending national champion Alabama and a year after they had a chance to make the College Football Playoff. Mullen's stunning downfall and not-so-surprising departure ends a tumultuous two seasons that included mounting losses, numerous public relation missteps, NCAA sanctions and a victory against lower-division Samford that didn't seem like much for Gators fans to celebrate. Mullen finished 34-15 over four seasons at Florida that included a trip to the Southeastern Conference championship game last year and three New Year's Six bowls.

Connor Bazelak threw a 2-point conversion pass to Daniel Parker Jr. to lift Missouri to a 24-23 overtime victory over Florida on Saturday.

If you’re an AD waffling on a coaching change, the work of Lane Kiffin, Mike Leach and Sam Pittman is an argument for testing the coaching carousel.

Emory Jones accounted for 550 yards and seven touchdowns, delivering a career performance in Florida’s come-from-behind, 70-52 victory against lower-division Samford.

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, recovering from a concussion, injured a knee dancing in the team hotel the night before losing at South Carolina.

Here’s a look back at this weekend on the gridiron, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

Jason Brown threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns in his FBS starting debut and South Carolina's defense shut down Florida's potent attack to hand the Gators their first three-game losing three since 2017 in a 40-17 rout Saturday night.

All of a sudden, the roof has caved in and coach Dan Mullen is starting to feel some serious heat from outraged fans.

Florida LSU Football Florida head coach Dan Mullen talks with WWE Superstar Titus O'Neil, who previously played for the University of Florida with his given name of Thaddeus Bullard, Sr., before an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton)Is Dan Mullen really on the hot seat at Florida? On the latest AP Top 25 College Football Podcast presented by Regions Bank, college football reporter Steven Godfrey, co-host of the "Split Zone Duo" podcast, joins the AP's Ralph Russo to talk about Mullen's status at Florida. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.appodcasts.com___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Is Dan Mullen really on the hot seat at Florida.

Also receiving votes: Young. Also receiving votes: Tennessee, Mississippi. MOST SURPRISING PLAYERStetson Bennett, QB, Georgia. Also receiving votes: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee; Max Johnson, QB, LSU; Tyler Badie, RB, Missouri, Chris Rodriguez Jr, RB Kentucky; and Bo Nix, QB, Auburn. Also receiving votes: George Pickens, WR, Georgia; Andre Anthony, DE, LSU; JT Daniels, QB, Georgia; Ventrell Miller, LB, Florida.

Georgia and Alabama could be heading for another showdown in the Southeastern Conference championship game.

Emory Jones had a career-high four touchdowns passes, potentially quieting calls for backup Anthony Richardson, and No. 20 Florida routed woeful Vanderbilt 42-0.

Emory Jones had two touchdown passes to go along with a career-high 144 yards rushing, leading No. 11 Florida to a 38-14 victory over Tennessee on Saturday night and extending nearly two decades of dominance in the series.

Those four teams have combined for 20 College Football Playoff appearances and fans, at least those of other teams, have been lamenting the same old same old and bracing for another round of it in 2021. Related, Michigan and Michigan State are a combined 6-0 with nothing but lopsided victories. 15 Virginia Tech losing at West Virginia and Michigan State taking it to No. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at https://APpodcast.com___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Alabama looked beatable.

APTOPIX Alabama Florida Football Alabama running back Jase McClellan runs past Florida cornerback Avery Helm, left, and linebacker Jeremiah Moon, right, to score a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)GAINESVILLE, Fla. — (AP) — Bryce Young’s first collegiate road start was a rousing success, a three-touchdown performance that helped top-ranked Alabama hold off No. 11 Florida 31-29 in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams Saturday. 1-ranked teams at Florida Field. Florida seemingly got a break when Alabama (3-0, 1-0) was flagged for a false start on fourth-and-goal at the 1. That gave the Gators a chance to tie, and play-caller Mullen and quarterback Emory Jones directed a masterful drive.

Bryce Young’s first collegiate road start was a rousing success, a three-touchdown performance that helped top-ranked Alabama hold off No. 11 Florida 31-29 in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.

It didn’t take Tim Tebow very long to realize Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson was different.

Some Southeastern Conference defenses are flexing their muscles after 2020 being a defensive coordinator’s nightmare.

No. 13 Florida tuned up for the start of Southeastern Conference play with a 42-20 rout of overmatched South Florida that did little to answer the question of whether starter Emory Jones or backup Anthony Richardson is best suited to run the Gators offense.

(AP Photo/John Bazemore) (John Bazemore)GAINESVILLE, Fla. — (AP) — The Southeastern Conference is moving away from early season cupcakes. But beefing up schedules is clearly on the horizon for everyone, especially once the SEC adds Oklahoma and Texas. It’s hardly unique to the SEC, especially since strength of schedule plays a role in determining which teams make the College Football Playoff. When those SEC teams are on the road every other year, they have one fewer home game that affects the bottom line. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.

The Southeastern Conference is moving away from early season cupcakes.

The Florida Gators will head to Tampa this weekend to play against the University of South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Florida coach Dan Mullen insists he has no quarterback controversy: Emory Jones is the starter, and Anthony Richardson remains the backup following a 35-14 victory against Florida Atlantic on Saturday night in which one clearly outplayed the other.

Tokyo Olympics Closing Ceremony Athletes of the United States pose during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. In the first week, NBC was down 52% compared to Rio. Generally, viewership goes down in the second week of the Olympics as viewers begin to tire of the nightly competition. For the week, NBC averaged 10.6 million viewers in prime time. CBS had 2.3 million, Fox had 2.1 million, ABC had 1.9 million, Univision had 1.3 million, Ion Television had 1.1 million and Telemundo had 960,000.

In what was otherwise a rough two weeks in Tokyo for NBC Universal, viewers perked up a bit in the second week of the games when the U.S. team's performance did the same.

Florida will spend at least part of its training camp in a hotel as coach Dan Mullen searches for ways to avoid another COVID-19 outbreak within the program.

HOOVER, Ala. — (AP) — Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey echoed the NCAA president's call for potential changes in how college athletics are governed Monday, though he did not endose a breakaway by the five most powerful leagues. Emmert's stance, Sankey said, “does speak to we’re going to have to administer this differently” but not necessarily formally separating Power Five conferences from the pack. “Yet I think people are going to be asking that question of me," Sankey said. Sankey said "there's not a high level of oversight" within state legislation. “We can govern some aspects, but 450 pages seems less relevant today than it ever has before.”___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey is echoing a call for potential changes in how college athletics are governed.

Mullen Contract Extension Football FILE - Florida head coach Dan Mullen walks on the field before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Virginia in Miami Gardens, Fla., in this Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, file photo. Florida football coach Dan Mullen received a three-year contract extension worth an additional $1.5 million annually following a disappointing season that closed with a three-game losing streak and included several public relations missteps and NCAA sanctions. Mullen has made Florida a championship contender annually, although last year's quest was far from smooth. The violations landed Florida on NCAA probation for the first time in 30 years, and Mullen was handed a show cause penalty. Florida also released contracts for three new assistants: quarterbacks coach Garrick McGee, safeties coach Wesley McGriff and cornerbacks coach Jules Montinar.

Florida football coach Dan Mullen received a three-year contract extension worth an additional $1.5 million annually following a disappointing season that closed with a three-game losing streak and included several public relations missteps and NCAA sanctions.

Florida football coach Dan Mullen received a three-year contract extension worth an additional $1.5 million annually following a disappointing season that closed with a three-game losing streak and included several public relations missteps and NCAA sanctions.

The Buccaneers invested in a possible future replacement for Tom Brady by selecting Florida quarterback Kyle Trask in the NFL draft's second round.

Florida coach Dan Mullen, center, watches play against Oklahoma during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A person familiar with the situation says Florida coach Dan Mullen has fired two defensive assistants in the wake of the unit’s worst season in more than a hundred years. The Sooners racked up a whopping 684 yards — the most any team has ever gained against Florida — in the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday night. The Gators played without three defensive starters in the Cotton Bowl. Even with those give guys, Florida’s defense was mostly a debacle.

(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida quarterback Kyle Trask made his future plans official Thursday, formally announcing he’s declining an opportunity to return to school and entering the NFL draft. No one thought Trask would stick around following a record-breaking season that included being named a Heisman Trophy finalist. He led the nation in passing yards and TD passes. He broke the previous school record (39) for TD passes (39) set by 1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel. Fellow defensive tackle Zachary Carter, meanwhile, announced plans to return to school for his senior season.

8 Oklahoma beat 10th-ranked SEC runner-up Florida 55-20 on Wednesday night in the Cotton Bowl. Back in the same NFL stadium where 11 days earlier they won their sixth consecutive Big 12 title, the Sooners (9-2, No. The 55 points were their most ever in a bowl game, while piling up a Cotton Bowl-record 684 total yards. 1 Alabama in the SEC title game, and had averaged nearly 42 points a game. Oklahoma: With Rattler and Mims among the young standouts coming back, the Sooners could again be favored to win another Big 12 title.

WHAT'S AT STAKEBig 12 champion Oklahoma takes a seven-game winning streak into its sixth consecutive New Year's Six bowl game. Florida is playing in its third consecutive NY6 game, having won the Orange Bowl and Peach Bowl the previous two years. ... Oklahoma is 5-2 at AT&T Stadium, including its fourth straight Big 12 title game there 11 days before the Cotton Bowl kickoff. The Gators' three losses were by a combined 12 points. The Sooners are playing in a bowl game for the 22nd season in a row, with Georgia's 24 in a row the only longer active streak.

Florida head coach Dan Mullen speaks with players before the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game between Florida and Alabama, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida received a year of probation and football coach Dan Mullen was sanctioned Tuesday after the school and the NCAA agreed to resolve an infractions case involving impermissible contact with recruits last year. Mullen was hit with a one-year show cause order, during which he was prohibited from all off-campus recruiting activity this past fall. Because of the pandemic, the NCAA restricted off-campus recruiting for most of this year. Florida has banned Mullen from recruiting for the first 10 days of January.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Oklahoma is going right back to the stadium where the Sooners just won their sixth Big 12 championship in a row to play SEC runner-up Florida in the Cotton Bowl. During a Gators team meeting on Zoom to discuss their bowl destination, one of the first questions players asked Mullen was where the Cotton Bowl was played. Oklahoma is in the Cotton Bowl for only the third time, its first since a 41-13 loss to Texas A&M on Jan. 4, 2013. The Cotton Bowl will be played two days before Alabama faces No. Pitts announced is turning pro and won't play in the Cotton Bowl.

The senior leads the nation and has already set the school season record for touchdown passes with 40, despite the shortened, SEC-only schedule. He also ranks second nationally in passing yards per game (360.3), one spot ahead of Jones at 345.9. FACTS & FIGURESThis will be the 10th time the teams have met in the SEC championship game, with Alabama holding a 5-4 edge. The tight end has been a big weapon in Florida's passing game with 16 TD receptions. ... Florida K Evan McPherson is a three-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist who has made 48 of 56 field goal attempts (85.7%) in his college career.

Kyle has certainly done that and has had as fine a season as anybody in the country.”Ditto for Jones. Trask has already set the school season record for touchdown passes despite the shortened, SEC-only schedule. Trask is second nationally in passing yards per game (360.3), one spot ahead of Jones at 345.9. Jones said he looks up to Trask as both a person and a player, especially since both opted to stick it out instead of transferring. “I definitely have a lot of respect for Kyle, for how he’s handled his situation, too,” the 'Bama quarterback said.

But for most of the game, Trask looked nothing like the Heisman Trophy front-runner. But for most of the game, Trask looked nothing like the Heisman Trophy front-runner. Florida: The Gators have all kinds of issues heading into the title game. POLL IMPLICATIONSThe Gators surely will tumble in the next AP college football poll and in the CFP rankings. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

The Gators have clinched the Southeastern Conference’s East Division and will play top-ranked Alabama in the league title game next week in Atlanta. Losing to LSU in the Swamp would eliminate any chance Florida has of sneaking into the College Football Playoff with a loss to the heavily favored Crimson Tide. Florida: TE Kyle Pitts is Kyle Trask’s top target and the team’s best pro prospect. … LSU self-imposed a one-year ban on postseason play Wednesday as part an effort to cooperate with an NCAA probe into rules violations. … Florida has won 12 straight at home, the team’s longest streak since winning 14 in a row between 2008 and 2010.

Arkansas acting head coach Barry Odom, center, watches a stadium video monitor after Florida scored a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Trask repeatedly torched the Razorbacks (3-4), who were without coach Sam Pittman and without much of a chance by halftime. It was the second time this season Trask tossed six TDs in a game. “I think I did a great job of executing and being efficient,” said Trask, who now has an SEC-record 28 TD passes and just three interceptions in six games. He became the third player in school history with at least 25 touchdown passes in multiple years, joining Heisman Trophy winners Tim Tebow and Danny Wuerffel. Florida: The Gators have the offense to beat anyone and the defense to keep everyone in games.

His Florida teammates took it to another level, running and leaping into the stands. Trask had another four-touchdown night, becoming the first quarterback in Southeastern Conference history to accomplish the feat in five consecutive games, and the eighth-ranked Gators beat No. Trask and the Gators took advantage, burning Georgia repeatedly with wheel routes while overcoming a 14-0 deficit. If they’re going bracket and take away and double people, he’s going to go to who you’re not doubling or covering.”Once Trask and Florida got going, the Bulldogs did little to stop them. Florida notched a signature win for Mullen, but likely can't afford a slip-up down the stretch to remain in play for a CFP spot.

He’s hard to block. … What he’s really good at is rushing the passer like all the Florida guys they’ve had over the past. …“He’s playing really well for them. He’s playing physical. He’s playing hard.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Southeastern Conference fined Florida coach Dan Mullen $25,000 on Monday for his role in a benches-clearing brawl against Missouri. Each of them will sit out the first half of Missouri’s next game, against No. Missouri linebacker Tre Williams was ejected for a flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct foul and will not be punished further. “There is no place in college football for the kind of incident that took place at halftime of the Missouri at Florida game Saturday night," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. Florida’s faithful dismissed Mullen’s strong and somewhat questionable stances as typical brashness for an outspoken coach who’s focused on winning.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida coach Dan Mullen dressed as Darth Vader was fitting considering his last three weeks. Mullen showed up following a 41-17 victory over Missouri wearing a full “Star Wars” villain costume, complete with a red lightsaber. Mullen’s month concluded with a lopsided victory that was marred by a benches-clearing melee at halftime. So did Mullen, who started screaming at the officials and in the direction of the opposing sideline. “Never know with Coach Mullen,” safety Brad Stewart said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - For the second season in the row, the Dan Mullen led Gators will be coming off a disappointing loss to Georgia. Last year, the Gators didnt respond the week after and ended up losing to Missouri. This year, the Gators character will be tested in how they respond versus Vanderbilt on Saturday. LISTEN: Catch up on previous episodes of Gators BreakdownDavid Waters is joined by Will Miles (ReadandReaction.com) to take a look at what the Gators still have to play for this season. The two also discuss Wills latest article What lessons can Florida learn from the loss to Georgia?Follow @GatorDave_SEC to stay plugged in, or click one of the following to tune in:Megaphone | A pple Podcasts | YouTube | Google PlayCopyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

Dameon Pierce #27 of the Florida Gators rushes during a game against the Georgia Bulldogs on November 02, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. 8 Georgia beat the sixth-ranked Gators 24-17 in the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" on Saturday. Fromm also threw a TD pass in the first half, his fourth on third down in two years against the Gators. Trask brought Florida back again with a 2-yard TD pass to Freddie Swain , making it a seven-point game with 3:11 remaining. THE TAKEAWAYGeorgia: After consecutive lackluster performances at home, the Bulldogs looked much more like a team that can make the CFP.

GAINESVILLE For one week, Florida can breathe a sigh of relief. 7 Gators (7-1, 4-1 SEC) have risen from the near bottom to the near top in the toughest conference in NCAA Division I football. And that's where we want to be, that's where we expect to be at Florida, Mullen said. However, while Greenard and Zuniga should be cleared for contact, its unclear if either will be fully healthy heading into next week's game against Georgia. We've got a bye week, a chance to hopefully get some guys healthy.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Youre heading into November in control of your own destiny and whats going to happen. Thats where we want to be and where were expected to be at Florida. We have a bye week and a chance to hopefully get some guys healthy, is what Dan Mullen had to say about Floridas position after defeating South Carolina and improving to a 7-1 record. LISTEN: Catch up on previous episodes of Gators BreakdownDavid Waters is joined by Will Miles (ReadandReaction.com) to discuss where the Gators are at heading into the bye week, areas the Gators are excelling and where they need to improve. Follow @GatorDave_SEC to stay plugged in, or click one of the following to tune in:Megaphone | A pple Podcasts | YouTube | Google PlayCopyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

GAINESVILLE Florida has never been this significant of an underdog during Dan Mullen's tenure. LSU, behind quarterback Joe Burrow, leads the nation in scoring, averaging 54.6 points a game. If we walked in and it said Florida 14, LSU 0, I would definitely use that. Florida defensive end Jabari Zuniga is scheduled to return after missing the last three games with a sprained left ankle. "Florida has run the ball on us the last two years very, very well," Orgeron said.

Freddie Swain #16 of the Florida Gators scores a touchdown during the first quarter of a game against Auburn. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Lamical Perine ran 88 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Florida's defense delivered another gem and the No. 10 Gators beat seventh-ranked Auburn 24-13 in the Swamp on Saturday. Nix completed 11 of 27 passes for 145 yards for Auburn (5-1, 2-1), with a touchdown and three interceptions. He was seemingly knocked out of the game in the second quarter when Auburn star Derrick Brown landed on his left leg.

GAINESVILLE Florida defensive tackle Kyree Campbell has been counting down to this game for weeks, maybe even months. It's the first top-10 matchup at Florida Field since the Gators thumped South Carolina 44-11 in October 2012. It's the first top-10 matchup featuring two undefeated teams since Florida edged LSU 14-6 that same season. "He played a lot of different teams, but he hasn't played in the Swamp," Florida defensive back Trey Dean said. "This is probably one of the best ones in 15 years I've been in this league," Florida offensive line coach John Hevesy said.

9 Florida is still trying to find its offensive identity. Those three matchups likely will determine whether Florida is contending for the conference championship or playing for a top-tier bowl. But he's yet to reach 65 yards rushing in any game, and, frankly, Florida has yet to play a defensive juggernaut. "This is one of the best football teams I have ever seen on film," Ambrose said. THE OTHER FLACCOTwo of the Flacco brothers are playing teams from the Sunshine State this weekend.

We talked to the team this week, Mullen said. Obviously, there will be a lot more hype on next weeks game, national hype, it will be the CBS game of the week. But for us to even have an opportunity to win that game, we have got to improve this week. The Gators want to be able to say the same thing coming off the Towson game, heading into the game with Auburn. Being a top-10 team, they know how to win, Mullen said.

That, combined with Mullens past, has activist/survivor Brenda Tracy questioning how serious Mullen and the university takes these allegations. She recently spoke at the University of Miami and will be at the University of South Florida on Tuesday. Tracy, who spoke at Florida one time prior to Mullen being hired, believes Mullen is part of a deeper problem with the Gators football program. According to the police report obtained by several outlets, a 19-year-old student accused Huggins of choking her during a tutoring session in October. Three of the incidents include players allegedly choking or grabbing a woman by the neck, which, to Tracy, is a serious red flag.

The Gators are now without four players who were expected to see significant playing time in the secondary this season coming out of the spring. With Huggins still sidelined and McWilliams out, the coaching staff is considering options in the secondary, especially at the star spot where Huggins and McWilliams were the depth behind Dean. There are a lot of different things that youre doing there, Mullen said. Theres a lot of different things you can do personnel-wise.With the lack of depth in the secondary, Mullen said the three true freshman defensive backs Kaiir Elam, Jaydon Hill and Chester Kimbrough will see playing time this season. Its crazy.The coaches have not moved any offensive skill players to the secondary to bolster depth.

In their second Nick Savage summer, the Florida Gators put in the work again, stressing and straining, running and lifting. I like all the team stuff, team activities, Mullen said. The Gators apparently won the team activities portion of their offseason, because they were together off the field a lot, doing a lot of different things. The players have been doing stuff together off the field, having fun and strengthening bonds and growing team chemistry. Paintballing, just hanging out, building chemistry like were supposed to to be a good team.

I don't know if there's anybody out there that has higher expectations for the team as a program than I do." Very high expectations. So, here the Florida Gators find themselves again, just like in better times, staring at soaring expectations heading into the season. I kind of like them, having expectations, and I like guys in our program having expectations and expect great things from themselves, expect great things from the team and expect great things from the program. I have high expectations for this team.Junior quarterback Feleipe Franks has the same.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -As successful as the 2018 season was for Dan Mullen and the Gators, there are a few areas the Gators must improve for a better 2019. LISTEN: Catch up on previous episodes of Gators BreakdownDavid Waters is joined by Will Miles and, Twitter fan, Stephan Floyd (@RedtopDreadtop) to break down those areas, Brian Edwards transferring, Richie Leonard committing, and the 2019 class taking another hit. Follow @GatorDave_SEC to stay plugged in, or click one of the following to tune in:Megaphone | A pple Podcasts | YouTube | Google PlayCopyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

It was 2006 when coach Rich Brooks stepped to the podium at SEC Media Days wearing a sly grin. That was the last time every SEC coach repeated at SEC Media Days. But in his first year in the SEC, he won only one road game. But he also finds a way to lose a lot of big games. This is a big season for Muschamp, who is slowly building a team that could contend for, well, the Citrus Bowl.