That's The Baugh Game: Gators Pound Seminoles To Close Season

 

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — They jumped and hugged and clapped and did what winners of a rivalry game do. The joy that comes with a victory, a rarity for the Gators this season, made a long-awaited return on a crisp Saturday night.

Florida (4-8) capped a tumultuous season that included the midseason firing of head coach Billy Napier, who was replaced by interim coach Billy Gonzales, with a 40-21 victory over Florida State (5-7) in front of an enthusiastic sellout at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.The Gators pounded the Seminoles into submission thanks to the powerful running of sophomore tailback Jadan Baugh, who rushed for a career-high 266 yards on 38 carries. Baugh scored on touchdown runs of 22 and 12 yards in a performance that will go down as one of the most impressive in the rivalry's 67-year history.

"Jadan Baugh ran like someone was trying to kill him all night," said senior center Jake Slaughter. "Anytime, as an offensive lineman, you run the ball like weBaugh set the tone on Florida's first drive when he carried four times for 31 yards, setting up a 23-yard field goal from Trey Smack and an early lead. He kept going and going, his 266 yards the second-most in program history, trailing only the 316-yard outing Emmitt Smith had in a victory over New Mexico in 1989.

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