Killer turnovers.
That was the resonating phrase from Florida coach Will Muschamp after watching his team throw away multiple opportunities in a 21-16 loss to Miami on Saturday at Sun Life Stadium. No. 12 Florida nearly doubled the Hurricanes’ total yardage and outplayed them in several facets, but the Gators collapsed under three lost fumbles, two interceptions and a failed fourth-and-inches try in the red zone.
“We had over 400 yards and outgained them by 200 yards, but that doesn’t win you any games,” Muschamp said. “That’s the bottom line. You can’t have five turnovers. You can’t turn the ball over in the red zone. You just can’t do it. You can’t go 1-for-6 scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Can’t do it. Gotta get some points. Just gotta score.”
It was an exasperating loss for Florida (1-1) in the final regular-season matchup between these in-state rivals for the foreseeable future. It was hauntingly similar to last year’s 17-9 loss to Georgia, in which the Gators committed six turnovers.
There was an abundance of blame to share, so it wasn’t entirely quarterback Jeff Driskel’s fault, but he was at the center of the debacle.
He threw for a career-high 291 yards and completed 22 of 33 passes, but Miami picked him off twice, and he fumbled at Florida’s 7-yard line while the Gators trailed by five with 4:32 remaining.
“We couldn’t hold on to the ball,” said Driskel, who chose “dumb” as the description for both of his interceptions. “It started with me. I was careless with the ball: a couple of interceptions, putting the ball on the ground there at the end.”
Miami (2-0) converted lost fumbles by Driskel and running back Matt Jones into touchdowns, but another major issue was Florida’s failure to score in the red zone. Both of Driskel’s interceptions came inside Miami’s 12, receiver Trey Burton fumbled at the 13 and the Gators came up short on fourth down at the 16.
In six trips to the red zone, Florida came up with one touchdown and Austin Hardin’s 33-yard field goal.
Mistakes derailed a game in which the Gators piled up 413 yards (Miami had 212) and controlled possession for 38:20. They also damaged Florida’s BCS title hopes, though the Gators could climb back into contention if they survive the SEC schedule.
The backfires began immediately. Florida drove to the Hurricanes’ 28 on its opening possession, but went backward on a 15-yard personal foul by tight end Clay Burton and a short loss by Valdez Showers. Moments later, Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman used his helmet to blast the ball out of Jones’ hands for a turnover at midfield.
The Hurricanes stormed down the field in less than three minutes for a 7-0 lead. Florida answered when Loucheiz Purifoy blocked a punt at Miami’s 9 to set up a touchdown run by Driskel, but the Gators botched a two-point conversion try to remain behind at 7-6.
Miami quarterback Stephen Morris then threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 14-6 and establish the Hurricanes as a legitimate threat.
“You give a team belief,” Muschamp said. “Certainly, that’s what we did.”
Despite that, Florida was in range until the end. With 6:41 left, the Gators were down 14-9 and drove to Miami’s 17. Driskel rolled right on third down trying to find Trey Burton rolling with him, but he fired it right to Hurricanes cornerback Tracy Howard.
The Gators’ defense withstood that error and forced a three-and-out, keeping Florida alive in the final minutes.
The conclusive blow came next, and Driskel never saw it coming. He dropped back at his own 7 with thoughts of leading a game-winning drive, but Miami linebacker Tyriq McCord drilled him from the blind side to force the fumble. The Hurricanes scored three plays later on a 2-yard run by Duke Johnson.
Driskel hurried the Gators through a frenzied 1:21 touchdown drive that ended with a 21-yard pass to Solomon Patton, but they couldn’t recover the ensuing onside kick.
A game full of lapses and blunders leaves Muschamp with the task of regrouping during the upcoming bye week before the Gators resume with a home contest Sept. 21 against Tennessee.
“We’ll move forward,” he said.
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