Lane Kiffin's Ole Miss defeated Florida for the first time in four meetings and could be headed for the college football playoffs. The Gators are guaranteed their fourth losing record in five years.
If Saturday night’s Florida-Ole Miss game was Lane Kiffin’s unofficial audition for the Gators’ coaching vacancy, here are a few follow-up questions.
How would he fix the worst Florida football program in 40-plus years?
How would he keep good players from deserting the team during the January portal?
And since he's so good at coaching offenses, how would he help a young quarterback make better decisions and reach his potential?
It's no secret that Kiffin is the Gators’ preferred choice as their next coach. For now, however, the object of the Gators’ affection is still property of Mississippi. And after recording his first win over Florida in four meetings and moving a step closer to the college football playoffs, Kiffin is likely going to be in Oxford a while longer.
The come-from-behind 34-24 victory over the Gators:
- moved the Ole Miss “Lane Train” to 10-1, the Rebels' best record since 1962;
- all but assures Kiffin's 7th-ranked squad will be appearing in the postseason;
- and at 6-1 in the Southeastern Conference, he and Ole Miss have a chance to make that title game.
'I love it here'
A pile of money could factor into Kiffin’s decision, but he's already one of the highest-paid coaches in the sport. Plus, he says his three children have flourished in Oxford and he has embraced a sober, happier lifestyle.
“"I love what we're doing here," Kiffin said as he celebrated with fans after the game. "Today was awesome. To even talk about (his professional future) right now would be so disrespectful to our players and how well they played today. We've got a lot of things going here. Doing really well, and I love it here.
“I thought the player and the student relationship, and going down there at the end, and the players having fun with students, is awesome.”
Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Winston Watkins (17) and running back Kewan Lacy (5) celebrate with fans after defeating the Florida Gators at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Photo Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn ImagesGators are roadkill
At 3-7, Florida is officially ineligible for a postseason bowl game. The Gators have lost 19 consecutive road games against ranked opponents. And this is the first Florida team to go winless away from home since Charley Pell’s 0-10-1 Gators in 1979.
The defeat guaranteed a fourth losing season in five years. Still, interim head coach Billy Gonzales appreciated his players' effort.
"They battled," Gonzales said. "Thought they played their hearts out, to be honest with you. They've defined who they are all year long. They did it all week long, they're gonna continue to do it for the next couple games, they're gonna continue to battle."
Battle? For sure. Finish? No.
Just like two weeks ago against No. 5 Georgia, the Gators were driving for a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter when they gave away the game..
UF roller coaster always comes down
Following a season-long pattern, Florida’s offense and sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway looked promising one moment, out of sorts the next.
He and the Gators went three-and-out on their first two drives and fell behind Ole Miss 10-0. Then Lagway and the offense traveled 75 yards in seven plays to cut their deficit to 10-7.
Midway in the second quarter, Lagway found redshirt freshman receiver J. Michael Sturdivant in one-on-one coverage with the safety for a 57-yard TD pass, putting the Gators up 17-14.
But after a 155-yard first half, Lagway managed only 63 yards after the break and the offense went scoreless.
Two unfortunate decisions made for another bad ending:
- 24-20 Ole Miss. On a third down at the Rebels' 30, Lagway’s sidearm pass was tipped and picked off with less than 10 minutes to play.
- 27-24 Ole Miss, 1:48 left. On fourth down from their 3-yard line, the Gators needed a first down. But Lagway reached for a miracle, inexplicably heaving a Hail Mary pass into double coverage. Game over.
Gators defense bends, ultimately breaks
While Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss tossed an interception to Gator edge rusher Jayden Woods that led to a first-half Gators TD, he and running back Kewan Lacy were virtually unstoppable. The duo led Ole Miss to a 538-yard night on offense, with Lacy rushing for a career-high 224 yards on 31 carries and two TDs.
Chambliss, one of more than two dozen transfers into Ole Miss this fall, finished with 301 yards passing, completing 26 of 35 attempts, including a 43-yard TD strike to De'Zhaun Stribling in the second quarter.
In last week’s 38-7 embarrassment at Kentucky, Florida’s defense surrendered 401 total yards, 233 on the ground.
Just like the Gators’ offense, the defense had its bright spots. There was Woods' interception of Chambliss in the first half and twice in the second half, Florida forced Kiffin’s high-powered offense to turn the ball over on downs inside the Gators’ 5-yard line.
But with Lagway and the offense getting shut out in the second half, those defensive stops by the Gators were in vain.
“It definitely wasn't good enough,” said Florida sophomore linebacker Myles Graham, who had nine tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack. “We beat ourselves in the run game, not making plays. The offense gave us enough points on the board, and we didn't capitalize.”
Full box score:
Up Next
Florida is back at The Swamp on Saturday to face Tennessee. It’s the Gators’ first home game in more than a month. The No. 23 Volunteers (7-3, 4-2) beat New Mexico State on Saturday. The following week, the Gators close out the season by hosting rival Florida State.