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Steve Spurrier believes Gators headed in the right direction

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•10/22/24•

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Gregg Pachkowski (Pensacola News Journal) via Imagn Content Services, LLC

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators were two-point home underdogs to the Kentucky Wildcats but handled Kentucky to the tune of an emphatic 48-20 victory. The win moved Florida to 4-3 on the season with their three losses coming to teams with a combined 19-2 record. Florida’s play over the last four games has given Steve Spurrier confidence in the team as they head into the homestretch of the 2024 campaign.

“I think we’re headed in the right direction after the other night. I’ll tell you what, we lost to two really good teams — Texas A&M and Miami. Had a chance to beat Tennessee, obviously, didn’t work out,” Spurrier said on Monday during Another Dooley Noted Podcast.

“I think we’ve got a chance to beat everybody we play. But we’ve gotta play well and not play something stupid, gotta avoid all kinds of stupid little things. We’ve got the players. We’ve got the coaches to win a whole bunch of these last five.”

The Gators are on a bye this week before their annual meetup with the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs in Jacksonville. After Georgia, they’ll have to play No. 5 Texas, No. 8 LSU, No. 18 Ole Miss, and Florida State. A daunting end to the seaosn.

Since the bye week, Florida’s defense has really turned a corner. In the first four games, Florida was allowing an average of 425.5 yards per game. In the last three that number has dropped to just 298. They were one of the worst third-down defenses in the conference, but have held their last three opponents to just a 30% conversion rate on third down.

“Our defense plays so much better [against Kentucky] That nice little goal line stand was impressive,” Spurrier said. “Kentucky went for it on fourth and half yard, didn’t make it. So I don’t know, maybe we’ve got some different guys in there right now. Maybe they’re bonding a little bit. Maybe they want to play the best they can.”

Florida has played better of late and they’re gaining confidence. Spurrier has seen teams turn a season around before and he thinks these Gators can do just that.

“I’ve seen teams — they can turn it around at some point, and we can do that. We’ve lost to two, really three good teams,” Spurrier said. “So, hey, let’s get behind our guys, which our fans were. Our fans were there screaming and yelling and see if we can’t finish this thing up with a winning season, and go win a bowl game. And away we go.”

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