FINAL: Key plays in No. 18 Florida's 31-28 win over USF

The No. 18 Florida Gators took down the USF Bulls by a score of 31-28 on Saturday night.

With the win, the Gators improve to 2-1 on the season while the Bulls fall to 1-2. The Gators have now won each of the four matchups between the schools.

Florida travels to Knoxville next Saturday to take on the No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

Here are live updates from Florida’s win over USF:

End of game stats

• Total Yards
  • USF: 402
  • UF: 329
• Passing Yards
  • USF: 116
  • UF: 112
• Rushing Yards
  • USF: 286
  • UF: 217
• Penalties
  • USF: 9 for 73 yards
  • UF: 6 for 48 yards
• First Downs
  • USF: 23
  • UF: 17
• Third Downs
  • USF: 8-15
  • UF: 3-8
• Fourth Downs
  • USF: 2-2
  • UF: 0-0
• Total Plays
  • USF: 74
  • UF: 48
• Yards per Play
  • USF: 5.4
  • UF: 6.9
• Yards per Completion
  • USF: 9.7
  • UF: 11.2
• Yards per Rush
  • USF: 6.2
  • UF: 7.2
• Red Zone
  • USF: 4-5
  • UF: 3-4
• Time of Possession
  • USF: 36:19
  • UF: 23:41
• Turnovers
  • USF: 3
  • UF: 2
• Sacks
  • USF: 1
  • UF: 0
• Tackles for Loss
  • USF: 4
  • UF: 4

Fourth quarter

USF has reclaimed the lead with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, and the Gators now trail by four. It’s 28-24 with 11:14 to play.

On the USF 5-yard line, Richardson throws his second interception of the night. The Bulls will take over at their own 25 with 7:50 to play.

The UF defense comes up big as safety Tre’Vez Johnson comes up with the interception to set up the offense at the 28 yard line.

The Gators capitalize on the interception with a 3-yard rushing touchdown from freshman running back Trevor Etienne. They have taken the lead with just over 5 minutes to play. It’s 31-28 Gators.

USF’s 48-yard game-tying field goal is no good, and the Gators are going to escape with a win in the Swamp.

Third quarter

UF quarterback Anthony Richardson throws his first interception of the night on Florida’s first drive. The Bulls take over on the Florida 18 yard line with 12:01 to play in the third quarter of play.

The Bulls capitalize on the Gators’ first turnover of the night and Bohanon scores on a six yard rush up the gut. A trick play on the two-point conversion fools the Florida defense, and USF trails 24-21 with 10:27 to play in the third.

The Gators are forced to punt for the first time, and the Bulls will begin their second drive of the second half at their own 42 yard line with 8:35 to play here in the third quarter.

The Florida defense steps up and stops the Bulls, and Richardson will get a shot to increase the Gators’ lead starting at his own 15 yard line with 4:26 left in the quarter.

Another three and out for Florida, and the Bulls will set up shop at their own 49 yard line with 2:35 left in the third quarter.

The third quarter comes to a close with USF in Florida territory. Gators lead 24-21.

Stats at the half

• Total Yards
  • USF: 272
  • UF: 204
• Passing Yards
  • USF: 56
  • UF: 75
• Rushing Yards
  • USF: 216
  • UF: 129
• Penalties
  • USF: 6 for 58 yards
  • UF: 3 for 38 yards
• First Downs
  • USF: 14
  • UF: 10
• Third Downs
  • USF: 5-8
  • UF: 1-3
• Fourth Downs
  • USF: 1-1
  • UF: 0-0
• Total Plays
  • USF: 40
  • UF: 23
• Yards per Play
  • USF: 6.8
  • UF: 8.9
• Yards per Completion
  • USF: 8
  • UF: 10.7
• Yards per Rush
  • USF: 9.8
  • UF: 9.2
• Red Zone
  • USF: 2-2
  • UF: 2-2
• Time of Possession
  • USF: 18:34
  • UF: 11:16
• Turnovers
  • USF: 2
  • UF: 0
• Sacks
  • USF: 1
  • UF: 0
• Tackles for Loss
  • USF: 3
  • UF: 1

Second quarter

Florida running back Montrell Johnson opens up the second quarter with a 62-yard touchdown rush to give the Gators a 10-7 lead.

The Bulls answer with a field goal of their own after driving down to the Gators 4 yard line and have tied it up at 10 a piece. UF will get the ball back with 10:45 remaining in the first half.

This time, it’s Gators running back Nay’Quan Wright capping off a Florida 88-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown rush. UF takes a 17-10 lead with 4:45 to play in the second quarter.

#Gators take the lead on Nay’Quan Wright’s first TD of the season. https://t.co/heoYZm1lEq | @GatorsOnline pic.twitter.com/cwU63laUUx

— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) September 18, 2022

Florida cornerback Jalen Kimber picks off USF quarterback Gerry Bohanon and takes it to the house for his first interception as a Gator. UF now leads 24-10 with 3:10 in the first half.

PICK-SIX! Jalen Kimber takes it to the house 🏠 https://t.co/heoYZm1lEq | @GatorsOnline pic.twitter.com/rBEvKxUHJW

— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) September 18, 2022

The Bulls cut the Florida lead to 11 with a 49-yard field goal. Just 10 seconds remain here in the first half.

The Gators take a knee to end the first half and head to the locker room up 24-13 on USF.

First quarter

The Bulls fumble on their first possession of the game, and Florida freshman linebacker Shemar James jumps on it. The Gators will take over at their own 41 yard line with 11:56 left in the first quarter.

UF capitalizes on the turnover with a 31-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 8:12 remaining in the first quarter.

USF answers with a long drive thanks to its running game, and the 23-point underdogs have taken the lead for the first time. It’s 7-3 Bulls with 1:21 to play in the first quarter of play.

The Gators trail the Bulls heading into the second quarter, 7-3.