Dan Mullen hopes Florida can see Alabama again

Florida welcomed Alabama to the Swamp on Saturday afternoon, and like last season’s meeting between the two teams, the contest did not disappoint. 

Ultimately, Alabama wound up on top 31-29 and beat the Gators for the eighth-straight time. Following the game, Florida head coach Dan Mullen said he hopes this is not the last look his team gets at the Crimson Tide this season. 

“Talked about it when I got here, I wanted a team that can compete for championships on a consistent basis, Mullen said, per Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger. “To do that, you’re going to have to beat Alabama. What’s the margin? Last year was six points. This year was two. Hopefully we see them again.”

Florida lost to Alabama 52-46 in last year’s SEC Championship Game. The Crimson Tide went on to win the national championship.

Late offensive push from Gators not enough

After falling behind 21-3, the Gators scored touchdowns on three of their next four drives and cut Alabama’s lead to two points at 31-29. They were stopped short on the two-point conversion on a bizarre read-option play that saw quarterback Emory Jones and running back Malik Brown fail to get into the end zone. 

Jones played the entire game for the first time this season. Mullen had been alternating his starter with Anthony Richardson, but Richardson suffered a hamstring injury last week. Mullen said at halftime today he was being careful with the dual-threat quarterback. Jones finished the day 18-for-28 with 195 yards, a rushing touchdown and an interception. 

All of Florida’s touchdowns came on the ground, as the Gators racked up 245 rushing yards. Malik Davis led the charge with 10 carries for 86 yards and a score. Damien Pierce had Florida’s other two touchdowns. 

Florida handily won the yardage battle, accumulating 440 yards and holding the Crimson Tide to just 331. The last time Alabama was held under 400 yards of total offense was October 2019 against Tennessee. 

Florida’s offense was successful late despite the return of several injured members of the Crimson Tide defense. Outside linebacker and one of the nation’s top pass rushers Will Anderson played after suffering a knee injury last week, and defensive backs Josh Jobe and Jalyn Armour-Davis returned after sitting out last week’s contest. Armour-Davis picked off Jones. 

Florida welcomes Tennessee to Gainesville next weekend in a divisional rivalry recently dominated by the Gators. Florida has won 15 of the last 16 matchups.